There is a vast selection of commercial dog foods available, including those with different meats and meat-based ingredients. Dogs are omnivores, which means that they live off of meat-based and plant-based proteins, and like most animals, they benefit from a species-appropriate diet. While dogs would eat small animals in the wild, all but the largest would be unlikely to eat deer.
However, this novel protein can be found in an increasing number of commercial recipes. So, does it offer any benefits to dogs, or is it a gimmick that should be kept away from the 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
Below are five benefits of venison in dog food:
1. Naturally Lean Meat
Venison is a leaner meat than beef and other red meats. This means that it has less fat and less cholesterol than the equivalent amount.
Lean meat is healthier for your dog because it will prevent him 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. Red meat is considered a beneficial ingredient, but it does tend to be high fat, which is why venison is a great alternative.
2. It Contains Multiple Vitamins and Minerals
Venison is loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals, including:
3. It Is 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 chicken, beef, lamb, and even rabbit.
The benefit of a novel protein is that your dog has not been overexposed to it, and if your pup is showing signs of allergic reaction or food sensitivity, feeding a diet consisting of a novel protein like venison can enable you to determine the exact cause of the sensitivity.
There aren’t too many foods that use novel proteins, but venison is one of the healthier options.
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.
You might also like: 10 Best Venison Dog Foods in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks
5. It’s a Good Source of Energy
Venison contains an ideal mixture of ingredients, vitamins, and minerals that provide the energy your dog requires. This is thanks to the low levels of fat and cholesterol in the 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 they need.
Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid
As well as ensuring that commercial dog food contains high-quality ingredients, like venison, you should also avoid those foods that contain toxic or poor-quality ingredients. Unfortunately, some commercial foods are known to contain some of the following ingredients:
Final Thoughts
Venison is a novel protein that can be used for dogs with sensitivities, and it also has several benefits over other red meats and dog food ingredients. It is lean meat, offers your dog the energy levels they require, and venison also contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that help maintain a dog’s good health.
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- BHA and BHT: Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid
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Featured Image: DronG, Shutterstock
