You’ll find that there are quite a few options for our canine friends when it comes to protein sources that our pups and dogs can eat. Today, you can find just about any meat known to man in supermarkets and pet stores. However, which meat is the healthiest for your dog?
Meat sources vary wildly in their nutritional value. Not only that, some meat can be more expensive whereas some are just hard to find where you live. While dogs don’t necessarily need meat to survive, they thrive in diets high in meat protein diets.
In addition, cost is also a factor. As much as it’s terrific to feed your dog with wild-caught tuna or grain-fed beef, not every dog owner can afford such luxury. Some meats are more expensive than others, so this is something to consider in choosing your meats.
Are you trying to decide what to feed your puppy? Here’s a list of the ten healthiest meats for dogs to eat:
1. Chicken
Chicken is a very common protein for dog food and an excellent choice in both quality, price and a dog’s needs. It has a good absorption rate and healthy levels of necessary nutrients for a dog. Chicken meat has B12, B3 and B6 vitamins and magnesium, selenium and zinc.
2. Beef
Beef is another classic favourite among dogs, and it’s also one of the best meat types that dogs can digest and absorb. Apart from its affordability and availability, beef is also a good source of iron. Beef is a common ingredient found in many raw dog food diets for pets.
3. Pork
Easy to find, pork is a healthy meat for dogs readily available. This ingredient has just as much protein as beef or chicken. The price of pork, though, depends on the part of the meat, and it could be slightly more expensive than chicken.
That said, pork comes with more fat and is slightly saltier too. If your dog is overweight, pork is not a good choice. Another essential aspect to keep in mind is that pork needs to be well cooked as uncooked pork meat may contain parasites.
4. Kangaroo
Kangaroo meat is becoming popular among the best meats for dogs, which means more and more pet stores and supermarkets may carry this. It’s high in Omega 3 and 6 and has slightly more iron than beef. It’s also very lean, which is great for your pup’s overall health.
5. Salmon
Salmon is a crowd favourite for both human food and pet food. Salmon is high in protein, low in fat, and packed with omega fatty acids. The nutrients from salmon help develop a good coat, healthy skin and a robust immune system for your dogs. The major downside for salmon is that it is an expensive protein compared to beef, chicken or pork.
6. Whitefish
Whitefish is another favourite for fish meat. It’s high in protein, packed with omega fatty acids and excellent for dogs with food allergies. It is also easily digested and absorbed. Cod, whiting and haddock are usually the common types of whitefish used as dog food. For dogs on raw diets, make sure to debone whitefish and cook it first.
7. Tilapia
Turkey and chicken have almost a similar nutritional profile and are often used to substitute for chicken. Some dogs tolerate chicken better, and some dog owners use turkey to vary their dog’s diet. That said, turkey may not be a common source of protein you’d find in grocery stores, and it’s also slightly more expensive. Like pork, turkey also needs to be cooked well as it can carry microbes and salmonella.
8. Duck
Duck doesn’t have much protein like the other meats listed here, and it also has plenty of fat. It’s also challenging to find and can be expensive. Due to these factors, duck meat may not be a suitable option for your dog unless your dog is very picky or have some dietary needs. In this case, you can mix duck meat with chicken.
9. Lamb
A rare meat source depending on where you live, but lamb is the favourite meat that veterinarians often suggest. It’s low in calories but high in protein. It’s also a good source of meat to pair with other types of meat, such as duck. It also pairs well with common proteins such as chicken, and beef is hard to source.
10. Alternatives
If your dog isn’t a fan of a particular meat, then it’s no point trying to feed it to them. Dog’s ‘taste’ with their nose, and if they don’t like specific meat, you’re better off providing them with their preferred flavours. Some dog breeds may be better suited to some types of meats than others. It’s best to check with your veterinarian for the right kind of meat for your dog’s existing health condition.
