4 Best Meat And Bone Grinders For Dog Food (In 2026)
Written by Tim de Jong
The best meat and bone grinder for dog food is the CHEFFANO Meat Grinder for most home raw feeders, while the LEM Stainless Steel grinder is the pick if you grind in bulk and the Gourmia is the budget option. Keep in mind that home grinders are made for raw meat and soft raw bones (like chicken or rabbit), not large, hard bones. Below, we explain what to look for, which bones are safe to grind, and review four grinders. If you're new to it, start with raw dog food for beginners or our guide on how to make homemade dog food.
What makes a good meat and bone grinder for dog food?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a meat and bone grinder for dog food. First, you’ll want to make sure that the grinder can handle both meat and bones. Some grinders are only designed for meat, while others can handle both meats and bones. A bone-capable grinder also makes it easier to make bone meal for dogs.
Second, you’ll want to consider the size of the grinder. If you have a small dog, you may not need a large-capacity grinder. However, if you have a large dog or multiple dogs, you’ll need a grinder that can handle more volume.
Third, you’ll want to think about the features of the grinder. Some grinders come with additional features like stuffing tubes and grind settings. Other grinders are more basic and only offer the basics. Choose a grinder with the features that best meet your needs.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the price of the grinder. Basic electric grinders are fairly affordable, while heavy-duty stainless steel models cost considerably more. Choose a grinder that fits your budget and meets your needs.
The best meat and bone grinder for dog food
Now that you know what to look for in a meat and bone grinder for dog food, let’s take a look at some of the best grinders on the market.
At a glance
4 picks, each best at something different
1CHEFFANO Meat Grinder
The CHEFFANO Meat Grinder is a perfect meat and bone grinder for dog food because it can handle both meats and bones, it has a powerful motor, and it is easy to operate and clean.
Additionally, the Meat Grinder is ETL approved and made with premium parts, making it a safe and reliable option for grinding your own dog food at home.
The auger has also been updated to reduce the amount of heat generated during grinding and to prevent the formation of gray streaks in the meat.
Finally, compared to other meat grinders on the market, the CHEFFANO Meat Grinder is affordably priced, making it a great option for those on a budget.
So if you’re looking for a high-quality and durable meat grinder that can handle both meats and bones, the CHEFFANO Meat Grinder is a great option to consider.
What we like most: This meat grinder reduces the amount of heat generated during grinding and prevents the formation of gray streaks in the meat.
Important note: This meat grinder may handle small bones but it is not recommended for grinding large bones.
Pros
- Can handle both meats and bones
- Powerful motor
- Easy to operate and clean
- Prevents formation of gray streaks in meat
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Not recommended for grinding large bones
- Not dishwasher safe
2Gourmia Electric Meat Grinder
Are you tight on your budget? Then the Gourmia Electric Meat Grinder is perfect for you as it is the most affordable meat grinder on our list. Even though it is budget-friendly, it doesn’t sacrifice quality or power as it is still a 500/1000 watt, electric grinder.
The meat grinder can handle even the toughest slabs of meat with ease and produces dog food that is fresh and flavorful. Additionally, it comes with 3 stainless steel grinding plates for different types of cuts.
This meat grinder has a heavy-duty food tray, 3 way on/off/reverse switch, and dual safety switch. Plus, all parts are easy to clean and lock into place for safe operation.
And if you’re still not convinced, all Gourmia Appliances come with a 1 Year Comprehensive International Warranty for your peace of mind.
So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly meat grinder that doesn’t sacrifice quality, the Gourmia Electric Meat Grinder is the perfect option for you.
What we like most: This meat grinder is budget-friendly without sacrificing quality or power.
Important note: This meat grinder may handle small bones but it is not recommended for grinding large bones.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- 500/1000 watt electric grinder
- 3 different grinding plates
- All parts remove for easy cleaning
- 1 Year Warranty included
Cons
- Not recommended for grinding large bones
- Not dishwasher safe
3LEM Stainless Steel Meat Grinder
Want to make your dog food in bulk? Or looking to grind tougher bones? Then the LEM Meat Grinder is perfect for you as it is a heavy-duty, meat grinder.
This meat grinder can handle large batches of meat and soft raw bones without bogging down. Additionally, it comes with 3 different-sized grinding plates so you can get the perfect grind every time.
The meat grinder also has an added tray in the body for storage of the knife and plate. Plus, all parts are easy to clean and lock into place for safe operation.
Additionally, we are amazed by the tons of amazing reviews this product has received. Reviewers definitely notice the difference between this grinder and other, lesser-quality grinders.
So, if you’re looking for a durable and powerful meat grinder, the LEM Meat Grinder is the perfect option for you.
What we like most: This meat grinder is durable and heavy-duty, perfect for grinding a large amount of meat or tough bones.
Pros
- Heavy-duty and durable
- Powerful motor
- 3 different grinding plates
- Storage tray for knife and plate
- Easy to clean
Cons
- More expensive but worth the investment
- Not dishwasher safe
4Housenat Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder
Another heavy-duty meat grinder but at a more affordable price point is the Housenat Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder. This meat grinder can also handle large batches of meat and is marketed for grinding small, soft bones.
It offers a wide variety of functions as it can not only grind meat but also chop vegetables, grate cheese, and squeeze fruits. This makes it not only useful for making dog food, but also a versatile addition to your kitchen as it can easily complete any ingredient-preparing task.
This grinder also features a three-stage extrusion technology that squeezes the meat without destroying its fiber or texture. Plus, the main body is made from advanced ABS material that offers impact, heat, and abrasion resistance- making it a durable option.
To top it all off, this meat grinder is easy to operate with three buttons. The reverse button even helps unclog the unit if needed. Plus, all parts are easy to assemble, disassemble, and clean by hand- although it’s best not to wash any part of this grinder in a dishwasher or with hot water.
Overall, the Housenat Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder is a perfect option for those who are looking for a versatile and affordable meat grinder that can handle a large amount of meat.
What we like most: This meat grinder is incredibly versatile as it can not only grind meat but also chop vegetables, grate cheese, and even squeeze fruits.
Pros
- Extrusion technology retains the texture of the meat
- Easy to operate with three buttons
- All parts are easy to assemble, disassemble, and clean by hand
- The main body is made from advanced ABS material
Cons
- Can't be washed in a dishwasher or with hot water
What meat and bone grinder is best for you?
As you can tell, there are a lot of different meat and bone grinders on the market, each with their own set of features. So, which one is best for you?
The best meat and bone grinder for you depends on your needs. For example, if you’re looking for a durable and heavy-duty option that can handle a large amount of meat and soft bones, then the LEM Meat Grinder or Housenat Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder would be perfect for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use meat grinder that is still powerful and affordable, then the CHEFFANO Meat Grinder or the Gourmia Electric Meat Grinder would be a great option for you.
If you’re looking for a versatile meat grinder that can also chop vegetables, grate cheese, and squeeze fruits, then the Housenat Heavy Duty Electric Meat Grinder would be perfect for you.
Whichever grinder you choose, check the manufacturer’s guidance on which bones it can handle before you feed bones through it; grinding bones it isn’t built for is the quickest way to break a plate, blade, or motor.
Which bones can you grind for dog food?
Home meat grinders, even heavy-duty ones, are designed for raw, soft bones only. Good options are poultry bones such as chicken wings, necks, backs and feet, duck necks, and rabbit or quail. Cut larger pieces into chunks that fit the feed tube easily.
Avoid these:
- Cooked bones of any kind. Cooking makes bones brittle, and they can splinter and injure your dog. Only grind raw bones.
- Large weight-bearing bones from beef, bison, or pork (leg and marrow bones). They are too dense for home grinders and can damage the machine.
- Frozen-solid bones. Partially thawed (still very cold) is ideal; fully frozen pieces can jam or crack parts.
Food safety tips for grinding raw dog food
Raw meat can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria, which can make both pets and people sick. Keep meat and grinder parts cold while you work, grind in small batches, freeze portions you won’t use within a couple of days, and wash every part that touched raw meat with hot, soapy water afterward (by hand, if your grinder isn’t dishwasher safe). Wash your hands and counters too.
Finally, a homemade raw diet has to be properly balanced to be safe long term. Talk to your vet, ideally a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, before switching your dog to homemade food, especially for puppies, seniors, or dogs with health conditions.
Final thoughts – Best meat and bone grinder for dog food
For most people making raw dog food at home, the CHEFFANO is the best all-round choice, the LEM is worth the extra cost if you grind in bulk, and the Gourmia keeps costs down for smaller batches. Whichever you pick, stick to raw, soft bones and handle raw meat with care.
