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A vast selection of commercial dog foods are available, including ones with different meats and meat-based ingredients. Dogs are facultative carnivores which means they need meat-based proteins, but can also eat some plants, and like all animals, they benefit most from a species-appropriate diet.
While dogs would eat small animals in the wild, none but the largest would be likely to eat deer. However, this novel protein can be found in an increasing number of commercial dog food recipes. So, does it offer any benefits to canines, or is it a gimmick that should be kept away from your pup’s dinner bowl? Are there better alternatives, or is venison a good meat-based protein for a canine diet? Let’s take a closer look!
The 5 Benefits of Venison in Dog Food
Here are five benefits of venison in dog food.
1. It’s Naturally Lean Meat
Venison is a leaner meat than beef and other red meats. This means that it has less fat and therefore fewer calories than the equivalent amount of beef or pork.
Lean meat is healthier for your dog because it will prevent them from putting on weight and becoming overweight or obese. If your dog is already carrying too much weight, lean meat can help shed the pounds. Pork and beef meats are considered nutritious ingredients, but they tend to be high-fat, which is why venison is a great red meat alternative.
2. It Contains Multiple Vitamins and Minerals
Venison is loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals, including:
- Iron — Essential for the proper functioning of red blood cells, low iron levels can lead to anemia. Anemic dogs are more prone to injury and illness, and they are more lethargic and listless.
- Niacin — Vitamin B3 is known to increase energy and support a healthy skin and coat.
- B6, B12, and Folate —These vitamins along with iron are important for red blood cell production and energy metabolism. All B vitamins are water-soluble, which means that they are not stored by the body and are used immediately. As a result, your dog needs to regularly consume them in their diet.
3. It’s a Novel Protein
Venison is referred to as a novel protein, which means it is a protein that your dog would not normally consume. Typical meat proteins would be those most regularly found in dog foods such as chicken, beef, and pork.
The benefit of a novel protein is that your dog has not been exposed to it, and if your pup is showing signs of allergic reaction or food sensitivity, feeding them a diet consisting of a novel protein like venison can enable you to nurture them without triggering an exaggerated reaction from their immune system.
There aren’t too many foods that use novel proteins, but venison is one of the great potential novel protein options to try.
4. Dogs Enjoy the Flavor
No matter the health benefits of an ingredient, they are of no use if your dog does not enjoy the taste; otherwise, they will not eat it.
Although every dog is different, most love the taste of venison and will eagerly eat a bowl full of good-quality venison-based commercial dog food.
5. It’s a Good Source of Energy
Venison contains an ideal mixture of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that provide the energy that your dog requires. This is due to the lower levels of fat in this leaner meat. It can be fed in larger quantities because of the reduced risk of obesity and ill health, and it gives your dog the energy and tissue building blocks that they need.
Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid
Besides ensuring that the dog food you choose contains high-quality protein ingredients like venison, you should avoid foods that contain toxic or poor-quality ingredients. Unfortunately, certain commercial foods are known to contain some of the following ingredients:
- Melamine — Melamine is plastic and it contains nitrogen. It is toxic to dogs and can cause instant problems. Avoid any food that has been reported to contain this ingredient.
- Propylene Glycol — Propylene glycol is an additive that is used as a humectant to maintain the shape and consistency of semi-moist dog food. While propylene glycol is not toxic, unlike ethylene glycol, it is still an artificial ingredient and should be avoided in preference for a food that has natural ingredients.
- Carrageenan — Carrageenan is another ingredient that is used to help maintain food consistency rather than for flavor. It is derived from seaweed, typically used in wet food, and degraded carrageenan can cause inflammation and potentially cancer.
- Unnamed Meat or Meat Meal — Feeding unnamed or unrecognized meat to your dog is not a good idea. If one of the ingredients is listed as “meat” or “meat meal,” you should avoid this food because it can be the leftover scraps of diseased and sick animals, or even endangered animal species such as sharks or turtles.
- Artificial Colors — There is absolutely no need to put colors in food. Dogs use their sense of smell and taste to determine whether they enjoy something; they do not judge according to the color of food. Natural colors are acceptable, though mostly pointless, but artificial colors are unnecessary and may do more harm than good.
- Monosodium Glutamate — MSG is used to improve the flavor of food. Most experts agree that it is not good for dogs, and it is most often used in low-quality and low-cost food. If you see it as an ingredient, this is a reasonable indication that the food is low quality.
Final Thoughts
Venison is a novel protein that can be used for dogs with other protein allergies or food sensitivities, and it also has several benefits over other red meats and dog food ingredients. It is lean meat and offers your dog the required protein building blocks in the form of amino acids. Venison can help you provide your dog with the nutrition and energy that they require to thrive, as it also contains some of the vitamins and minerals that are necessary to maintain a dog’s good health.
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Featured Image: DronG, Shutterstock
