Can Dogs Eat Lamb?
Although your dog may not be hitting the gym with you, they do need a high-protein diet to keep them happy and healthy. Lamb is a great source of protein so adding a few extra lamb chops to the shopping basket for your pooch to munch on might sound like a good idea, but is it really? Today we’ll be answering the question of “can dogs eat lamb?”, and explore whether lamb dog food is really all it’s cracked up to be.
Can Dogs Eat Lamb Dog Food.
Lamb is a staple meat source for many dog food brands, so it’s only natural to wonder “can dogs eat lamb dog food?”
In short, lamb dog food is perfectly safe for your pooch to eat. Lamb is a great source of protein and high in essential amino acids which your dog must get from their food to live happy floofy lives. It’s high in iron, an important mineral that plays a role in transporting oxygen through your dog’s blood and preventing anaemia. Lamb is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B6 and B12 which keep your pooch’s heart and nervous system healthy.
Lamb is, however, a more fatty meat source than fish or poultry. Fats are an impawtent component of any good doggy diet as they act as an energy source for them whilst also supporting the function of their heart, eyes and brain. However, the fat in lamb contains higher levels of saturated fat than other meats such as chicken and fish, which if eaten regularly can increase the risk of dog obesity bringing with it a whole string of health complications such as pancreatitis, heart disease, joint problems and breathing issues.
Many dog food companies label lamb dog food as hypoallergenic, however, this is in fact a dog food myth. Lamb was previously used as a hypoallergenic dog food as many pups had never eaten it before and therefore had not had the chance to become allergic to it. However nowadays with lamb dog food being so common, this is not the case.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Lamb Meat?
Raw feeding is a growing trend amongst some circles of dog owners so you may be wondering whether a dog can eat raw lamb meat. Raw feeding is very controversial as it has been linked to E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks as these harmful pathogens aren’t killed with a cooking process. This not only poses a risk to your pooch’s health but also your own as cross-contamination is highly likely when preparing raw food which can lead to your whole furmily getting very sick. The PDSA, AKC and leading vets all recommend against raw feeding due to these inherent risks, so feeding your dog raw lamb meat is best avoided.
Can Dogs Eat Lamb Bones?
Vets recommend against feeding bones to your dog including lamb bones. Bones are very hard, so chewing on them can fracture your doggy’s teeth. Sharp splinters can also cut the inside of your dog’s mouth and if chunks of bone are swallowed they can injure the lining of your pooch’s digestive tract.
Like raw feeding, bones also carry contamination risk from harmful bacteria. A good alternative to feeding your dog lamb bones is treating them with a dog dental treat. They provide the crunchy texture of a bone and help to rub off nasty plaque from their teeth and gums without the inherent risks of feeding your dog bones.
How Does Lamb Dog Food Compare to Poultry or Fish Dog Food?
Lamb, poultry and fish are all excellent sources of protein which is essential for maintaining your pup’s health. However when comparing these three dog food types, poultry and fish come out on top.
Poultry and fish are much more lean and have less saturated fat than lamb meat. Lamb is also much less digestible for doggies than chicken and fish. This was evident in a study of extruded dry dog food, comparing the digestibility of lamb, poultry and fish meal. This study found that protein digestibility was 71.5% for lamb, 80.2% for poultry and 87.0% for fish, with the closer number to 100 being the most digestible. This is a significant difference and should be considered when sourcing dog food for your pooch, particularly if they have sensitive stomachs or regularly experience digestive upsets.
Lamb does have higher levels of iron and zinc than poultry and fish, however, these minerals can easily be supplemented into poultry and fish dog foods.
The Carbon Pawprint of Lamb
So now you know the answer to “can dogs eat lamb?”. Lamb is safe to feed your pooch, however, when it comes down to digestibility poultry and fish dog food come out on top.
Another thing to consider when choosing the most pawesome dog food for your pooch is whether the production of your chosen food aligns with your own values. One such value is the carbon footprint of the specific dog food production and its impact on the climate.
Dog food ingredients are responsible for the most emissions in the cycle of dog food production, with red meat being the most emission-intensive ingredient. Therefore the biggest change you can make to reduce your pooch’s impact on the environment is to avoid beef and lamb.
Have You Tried Scrumbles Dog Food?
At Scrumbles, we decided from day one that we only wanted to offer poultry and fish pet food to reduce our impact on the environment and improve the gut health of our four-legged friends.
We opt where possible for local ingredients to reduce food miles and only source cage-free poultry and MSC or ASC-certified fish so you know that our ingredients are farmed ethically.
We have tummy healthy at the forefront of your mission too, so all of our dog food and dog treats include either probiotics or prebiotics to aid healthy digestion and promote pretty poops.
So if you’re looking to change up your dog’s dinner head on over to our wide collection of nutritious and oh so delicious dog food and see the difference in your pooch today.
