Is Lamb Dog Food Good for Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Benefits & FAQ
There are a host of dog foods out there to choose from when it comes to feeding your dog and many different meat options available to tempt your pet’s palate. While a good majority of dog foods will contain chicken, beef, turkey, or pork, you’ll find some out there that contain less common meats such as buffalo or duck. And then, there’s lamb.
If you’ve not yet tried a dog food featuring lamb as the primary source of protein, you may be wondering whether it’s beneficial for your dog. The answer is yes! Lamb provides lots of benefits for dogs, so lamb dog food is absolutely worth considering when deciding what to feed your pup.
The Benefits of Lamb Dog Food
So, what kind of benefits does dog food with lamb provide your pet? Take a look below!
High Protein
Dogs need protein from meats to not only survive but thrive. And as far as proteins go, 3 ounces of lamb has 23 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for our four-legged friends. This protein is needed to keep muscles lean and strong, build and heal tissue in the body, help regulate immune functions, and more. Plus, lamb is leaner and has less fat than many other types of meat. That makes it a wonderful option for dogs that need to lose a few pounds.
Great for Allergies and Sensitivities
The most common food allergies and sensitivities found in dogs include common proteins such as chicken, beef, pork, and egg. If your dog has a food allergy, lamb-based dog food could make a good choice because it’s a less common protein. There is a chance your dog might be allergic to lamb, but it may be worth a try.
Amino Acids and More
Additionally, lamb is high in essential amino acids your dog requires to maintain health. It’s also high in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are beneficial in keeping joints healthy and strong.
Picky Eaters Enjoy
If you have a four-legged family member who’s a picky eater, you’ll be pleased to know that many picky eaters enjoy lamb due to the strength of the taste and smell!
Lamb or Lamb Meal
As a pet owner, you’re likely familiar with seeing meat meals listed as ingredients in dog food. You may not know precisely what meat meals are, though, or whether it’s better for your pup to eat the real deal or the meat meal. While real meat is always preferable, both meat and meat meal (or, in this case, lamb and lamb meal) offer your dog plenty of nutrients and protein. The difference between the two is that lamb meal has been rendered to remove most of the water, making it a dry, powdered protein source. Lamb meal is perfectly safe for your pet to consume and is accepted by the American Association of Feed Control as fine to use in pet foods.
What to Look For in a Lamb Dog Food
When trying to pick a lamb dog food for your pet, make sure that lamb or lamb meal is the first ingredient, so you know that the protein comes from meat. You’ll also want to consider if the diet is grain-free, as these types of diets have been linked to heart disease in dogs, though more research is needed. Other than that, ensure that there aren’t a bunch of fillers or additives but quality ingredients, such as fruits, veggies, or whole grains. Finally, check and see if the food has lots of good-for-your-pup extras such as omega fatty acids and antioxidants!
Conclusion
Lamb-based dog food is excellent for dogs, particularly if they have food allergies or sensitivities. Lamb is also a wonderful source of protein and lower in fat than other meat sources, making it a great option for dogs that need to lose or maintain weight. Plus, its flavor and smell may entice picky eaters into eating!
And don’t be concerned if you see lamb meal listed as the first ingredient in a dog food; this is simply lamb that has been rendered—it is perfectly safe and nutritious for your pup to eat. Other than looking for lamb or lamb meal as the first ingredient in lamb dog food, you’ll want to consider a grain-inclusive diet with healthy ingredients such as veggies and whole grains.
Bon appétit to your pup!
Featured Image Credit: marialevkina, Shutterstock
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Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese - Serafina & Jasper. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and opossums who like to call her front porch home. When she’s not writing about animals, you’ll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (the animals are, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). In her free time, Misty enjoys chilling with her cats, playing piano, watching indie and foreign films, photographing abandoned places, and catching up on her never-ending TBR list.
