Where to Buy Beef Heart for Dogs: A Guide to This Nutritious Organ Meat

Beef heart is growing in popularity as a nutritious supplement for dogs. This dark red, lean organ meat provides protein, vitamins, and minerals – all important nutrients for canine health. Beef heart can be fed raw or cooked as part of a complete and balanced diet. But where exactly can you buy beef heart for your dog? Here’s a guide on the best places to source this nourishing meat.

What is Beef Heart?

Beef heart comes from the muscular organ that pumps blood throughout a cow’s body. Along with the tongue, it is one of the most exercised muscles in cattle. This gives beef heart a very rich flavor and firm, lean texture when cooked.

Compared to regular beef cuts, heart contains more nutrients and minerals like iron, selenium, zinc, and the B vitamins. It is also loaded with taurine, an amino acid that supports heart health. These qualities make beef heart an excellent occasional supplement for dogs.

When fed raw, beef heart provides moisture and protein. Cooked, it makes a tasty crunchy treat dogs love. Both raw and cooked beef heart offer great nutritional value.

Benefits of Feeding Beef Heart to Dogs

Here are some of the main benefits of adding beef heart to your dog’s diet:

• Excellent source of protein and amino acids
• Contains taurine for heart health
• Rich in iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins
• Natural source of glucosamine for joints
• Promotes healthy muscle growth
• Lean and nutritious organ meat
• Provides a protein boost to kibble or raw food
• Dogs love the rich, meaty flavor

Overall, beef heart is a highly nourishing supplement that most dogs relish. Check with your vet before feeding to make sure it’s appropriate for your dog.

Where to Source Raw Beef Heart

When feeding beef heart raw, it’s important to find high quality, fresh meat from reputable sources. Here are some top options:

• Local butcher shop – Ask for hearts from locally raised, grass-fed cattle whenever possible. This ensures freshness.

• Farmers market – Many small beef farms will sell packaged organ meats. Check for sustainably raised, antibiotic-free meat.

• Raw pet food supplier – Reputable premade raw brand like Acabonac Farms sell beef heart packaging specifically for pets.

• Online raw food companies – You can order fresh, frozen raw beef heart from companies like BJ’s Raw Pet Food to be shipped frozen to your door.

No matter where you source raw beef heart, proper storage and handling are important. Keep the meat chilled until ready to serve and wash hands/utensils after handling.

Where to Buy Cooked Beef Heart

If you want to feed cooked beef heart as an occasional treat or supplement, here are some good options:

• Pet supply stores – Many carry packaged dried or dehydrated beef heart strips, cubes or jerky for dogs. Brands like Stewart Pro-Treats or Zuke’s offer single ingredient beef heart treats.

• Online pet retailers – Websites like Chewy, PetFlow, or Amazon have a wide selection of single ingredient beef heart dog treats. Look for made in the USA products and watch salt content.

• Make your own – Cook beef heart at home by boiling, baking, or dehydrating thin slices to make your own healthy treats. Use lean grass-fed hearts when possible.

With homemade cooked beef heart, be sure to use hearts from animals raised without antibiotics or added hormones whenever possible. This avoids any contaminants that could concentrate in the meat during cooking.

How Much to Feed

When supplementing with beef heart, moderation is key. For dogs eating raw food or a fresh diet, beef heart should make up no more than 10% of their overall intake. For kibble-fed dogs, limit beef heart treats to about 5% of their diet.

To help estimate appropriate serving sizes, here are some guidelines based on your dog’s weight:

• Small dogs up to 25 lbs – Feed raw or cooked beef heart 1-2 times per week, 1-3 ounces per serving

• Medium dogs 25-50 lbs – Feed raw or cooked beef heart 2-3 times per week, 3-5 ounces per serving

• Large dogs 50-100+ lbs – Feed raw or cooked beef heart 2-4 times per week, 5-8+ ounces per serving

Monitor your dog after starting beef heart to watch for any digestive upset. Introduce it slowly and adjust amounts as needed. Always provide plenty of fresh water too.

Pricing for Beef Heart

Beef heart is relatively affordable compared to premium muscle meat cuts of beef. Here are typical price ranges:

• Raw beef heart – $1.50 – $3 per pound
• Dried beef heart treats – $15 – $30 per pound

Of course, prices vary based on the source, quality, and geographical region. Free-range, grass-fed beef heart tends to be a little pricier than conventional. But the benefits of more nutritious meat are often worth the small premium.

Storing and Handling Beef Heart

To preserve freshness and nutritional content, proper storage of beef heart is important:

• Raw – Store fresh raw beef heart for 3-5 days max in the fridge. Freeze for 2-3 months in an airtight container if not using right away. Thaw in the fridge before feeding.

• Cooked – Sealed packages of dried beef heart treats can be stored for around 9 months in the pantry or fridge after opening.

Always wash hands and prep surfaces thoroughly after handling raw meat. Discard any raw beef heart that smells foul or has a slimy texture. Monitor your dog for any digestive issues when first introducing beef heart too.

Is Beef Heart Right for Your Dog?

When fed in moderation along with a nutritionally balanced diet, beef heart can be a great supplement for most dogs. It provides natural protein, iron, zinc, and other vital nutrients dogs thrive on. This tasty treat adds enrichment to your dog’s diet and gives them something fun to chew on for healthy teeth and gums.

Talk to your vet if you have any concerns about introducing beef heart based on your dog’s health, age, or weight. They can help advise you on appropriate amounts to feed. Otherwise, beef heart from high quality, trustworthy sources is sure to delight your canine companion.