Our dogs are our friends and deserve nothing less than to be treated as such, like when it comes to their meals. Not many of us live with a chef who can make a fresh cut of steak for our puppy when the moment strikes.
However, you can make sure your best friend lives the way they deserve – by feeding them the best meat! Having a balanced diet for dogs has extraordinary health benefits, ranging from better energy levels to more radiant skin.
Dogs are carnivores, and are meat eaters by nature. They aren’t meant to subsist on kibble – which has been stripped of all its nutritional value. In this post, we will go over the best meat for dogs that you can add to their diets.
- Why You Should Feed Your Dog Meat
- Most Common Meat Options for Your Dogs
- Meat Alternatives For Dogs
- What Meat Can I Feed My Dog Every Day?
- What Meat Should Be Avoided for Dogs?
- Meaty Truth: Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Dogs Eat Organ Meat?
- Is It Ok To Give Dogs Processed Meat?
- What Deli Meats Can Dogs Eat?
- Conclusion
Why You Should Feed Your Dog Meat
Meat contains nutrients that can help your dog stay healthy and strong. It is a great source of B vitamins, which are essential for healthy skin and coat. Meat is high in zinc, which helps your dog produce more white blood cells that fight infections and disease.
Meat is also high in protein and fat, which are two key elements of any balanced diet for dogs. As long as your pet is eating a healthy amount of calories each day, which they should be, they’ll be getting the nutrients they need from their meat source.
Most Common Meat Options for Your Dogs
Which type of meat is best for dogs? We all know dogs are carnivores and love to eat meat. So if you’re looking for a good meat for dogs, look no further than these options below:
Pork
We know you just want to give your dog the best, and if you’re looking for a meat that’s both healthy for your dog and enjoyable for them to eat, pork is one good option.
Pork is a highly nutritious food that can help your dog stay healthy and strong. It contains high amounts of protein, fat, iron, and zinc—all things that are beneficial to dogs’ health.
It’s also super easy to prepare. You can cook it in a slow cooker or roast it in an oven. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can even make your own dog treats using ground pork as an ingredient.
So next time you’re thinking about what to feed your pup, don’t forget about this tasty option. Here is something I wrote to answer the question is pork ok for dogs.
Beef
Beef contains many nutrients that are important for dogs’ health. For example, beef is a good source of iron, zinc and B vitamins. It also contains high-quality protein that helps dogs build muscle mass and maintain muscle mass while they age.
There are many ways to prepare beef for dogs. You can buy ground beef or buy steak and cut it into small pieces. You can also cook the beef yourself by baking it in the oven or cooking it on the stovetop with some herbs. You can even cook the meat in a crockpot!
Some people like to cook the meat with vegetables like carrots or potatoes for their dog’s extra nutritional benefit.
You can also add some gravy sauce or tomato sauce over top if you want to make it more tasty. If you’re thinking about serving your pup some brisket, you might want to check out my answer to can dogs eat brisket.
Chicken
What is better for dogs: meat or chicken? Chicken ranks high on the list of the most healthy meats for dogs. Chicken is one of the healthiest meats for dogs, but you can’t just feed it to your dog without careful preparation.
It has plenty of protein, which helps your dog’s muscles grow and develop. It also contains some vitamins and minerals that are important to your dog’s health. It is an excellent source of iron, which helps prevent anemia in dogs.
Here are some ideas how you can prepare and serve chicken to your dogs:
- Add chicken broth or water to canned or cooked chicken breast before serving it to your dog. This will help add moisture back into the meat after cooking it so that it does not dry out too much when served in small portions.
- To make chicken jerky for dogs, you can use raw or cooked chicken breasts or thighs cut into strips about two inches long by one inch wide and one-fourth inch thick. Place them on aluminum foil lined baking sheets, and brush with soy sauce (this basting is optional). Bake at 325 degrees F for three hours, or until they are done. They should be hard but not brittle when cooled. Let cool completely before serving to your pets, then store leftovers in your refrigerator up to one week.
Meat Alternatives For Dogs
Looking to spice up your pup’s menu for the week? Here are some meat alternatives that you might want to explore.
Venison
It is lean, high in fiber, and low in calories. It contains a high level of iron and protein. The best part about feeding your dog venison is that it will require less preparation than other types of meat.
You can purchase canned venison at the grocery store or make your own at home by cooking the meat in an oven or on a grill. You can also buy frozen venison at the grocery store if you prefer not to cook it yourself.
Make sure that you cook the meat thoroughly before feeding it to your dog because raw meat can cause serious health problems such as salmonella poisoning or E coli infection.
You can heat up canned or cooked venison by adding it into soups or stews, drizzling it with olive oil and herbs such as rosemary before baking in an oven, for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). This will add flavor to the dish while also adding nutrients from iron-rich vegetables such as spinach or carrots into their diet.
Turkey
Turkey is an excellent source of protein, which your dog needs to maintain their muscle mass and keep their body healthy.
It also has low levels of fat and cholesterol compared to other types of meat. This makes it a great option for dogs with allergies or those who are overweight because it helps them lose weight without sacrificing nutrition.
There are lots of ways you can prepare turkey: You can make turkey burgers for doggies, or cut it up into small pieces and serve it raw as an appetizer.
You can also cook the turkey first, then chop it up into bite-size pieces so your dog will have no problem eating them. Try serving turkey with some veggies and rice or quinoa to make a complete meal that’s healthy for both you and your dog.
Tilapia
Is tilapia good for dogs? Tilapia is a white-fleshed, lean protein source that contains fewer calories than other types of fish, making it an ideal food for dogs who are trying to lose weight. It’s also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease and promote cognitive function.
It’s easy to cook and serve tilapia as a meal for your furry friend. You can buy frozen tilapia filets or fresh fillets from your local grocery store and defrost them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Tilapia is delicious when prepared with simple seasonings such as lemon juice and garlic powder or fresh herbs like basil or parsley. You can also add some low-sodium vegetable broth to turn it into a delicious soup.
Salmon
Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for the health of your dog’s skin and coat. They also help with joint lubrication, and studies have shown that dogs who eat salmon regularly have less inflammation in their joints.
Salmon is high in protein, which helps your dog build muscle mass, and keep the lean muscle mass they already have. Salmon is low in fat and cholesterol, which means it’s not going to put unnecessary weight on your furry friend!
There are a lot of ways to prepare salmon for your dogs including: steaming it whole, or boiling it with veggies such as carrots or zucchini. You can also slow cook it in a crock pot with broth or water.
You can also try adding it to homemade burgers or meatballs, or even grinding up the meat into a pate consistency so that you can serve it on top of kibble. Is it good for a dog to be eating smoked salmon?
Find out more fish-related information on this post of mine about the best dried fish for dogs.
Rabbit
Can dogs eat rabbit? Yes! Rabbit has a high protein content, which makes it a great choice for dogs who need to gain or maintain weight. This can be especially important in dogs who are older or have long coats.
You can purchase rabbit in the form of fresh meat or canned dog food at your local pet store or online retailer. You can also find rabbit online by searching for “pet rabbit” or “rabbit farm.”
Make sure the rabbit is cooked properly before serving it to your dog. You can either cook it yourself or ask a butcher to prepare it beforehand. If you’re going to cook it yourself, make sure it’s fully cooked before giving it to your pup so they don’t get sick from eating raw meat.
If you’ve never fed rabbit to your dog before, here are four ideas on how you can prepare it:
- Cut up the rabbit into small pieces and cook it in a slow cooker with water until tender (about 6 hours). Then serve it plain or with a little bit of salt.
- Cook some chicken broth and add cut rabbit pieces into it. Let simmer until thickened (about 20 minutes). Serve plain or over rice or noodles.
- Sauté onions and garlic in oil until softened, about 5 minutes, then add your cooked rabbit back in along with some fresh parsley and thyme leaves if available—simmer until heated through, for about 15 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles on their own or with ketchup if you’re feeling adventurous.
- If you have any leftover cooked rice from making curry last night, throw that in there. Add a little curry powder if you’re feeling really fancy about things, but don’t forget about those herbs!
Quail
Quail is a highly nutritious and flavorful meat that can be used to treat your dog’s ailments and boost their immune system. It also contains high levels of protein, which will help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
Here are some ideas how you can prepare and serve quail to your dogs:
- Boil the quail until it is tender and then chop it up into small pieces so that it can easily be consumed by your dog. You can add some spices such as salt or pepper if you want to add flavor to the food.
- You can also mix the quail with other foods such as rice or pasta so that your dog will find it easier to eat without choking on the bones in the meat.
- Bake or grill it into smaller pieces and serve it as a snack or part of a meal.
- Puree it into a thick paste with other ingredients like chicken and rice to make a healthy treat for your dog.
- Make quail jerky out of lean cuts of meat (no bones), which will keep your dog busy while they chew on something delicious.
Pheasant
Pheasant has a lot of protein, which means that your dog will have more energy when they eat it. It also has high amounts of iron, which helps with the production of red blood cells.
This makes it a great choice for dogs who need extra energy or those with anemia, but it can definitely benefit healthy dogs as well. Pheasant is also low in fat, which means less gas, cholesterol, and indigestion
There are many ways to prepare pheasant so that your dog will enjoy eating it! You can cook it in many different ways including frying, broiling or roasting at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until done (about 15 minutes). You could also use it in soups or stews.
Ostrich
Ostrich is considered to be a very healthy food for humans and dogs alike. It is low in fat and high in protein, which makes it an ideal meal for dogs with weight problems or allergies.
Ostrich is also high in iron, which helps prevent anemia in dogs who eat it regularly. This can mean fewer trips to the vet for those dogs who need extra care.
If you’re interested in trying out ostrich meat, here are some tips:
- Make ground ostrich meat into a patty and cook it in the oven or on the grill. You can serve this patty with rice or potatoes for added carbs if your dog needs more calories than just protein.
- Lightly steam ostrich slices for about 10 minutes until they’re fully cooked through before serving them as an appetizer with other meats like chicken breast or beef steak slices. This will make it easier for your dog’s digestive system to break down the proteins found inside the ostrich meat so that your pet won’t suffer from stomach aches later on due to indigestion caused by eating too much protein at one time (which happens more often than not).
- You might want to take into account how much fat is present when choosing how to prepare your ostrich dish — some cuts are naturally leaner than others.
- You can also buy canned ostrich meat from a pet store if you don’t feel like cooking yourself—this will likely be easier than trying to search for suppliers who sell raw ostrich meat locally.
Lamb
Lamb is rich in protein which makes it an excellent source of energy for your dog. Second, lamb contains essential fatty acids that your dog needs to stay healthy. Third, lamb also contains zinc which helps your dog’s immune system function properly. Lamb also contains vitamin B6 which helps with blood clotting and red blood cell production.
- You can boil or steam lamb until it is tender then cut it into small pieces before serving them to your dog raw with a side dish of vegetables or cooked vegetables mixed with scrambled eggs for breakfast or dinner.
- You can also grind cooked lamb with finely chopped vegetables such as potatoes, carrots or parsnips into a meatloaf mixture then bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until cooked through.
Kangaroo
You may be thinking that kangaroo is just another exotic meat that you can’t find at the grocery store, but you’d be wrong! You can buy kangaroo online or at specialty pet stores.
Kangaroo meat is a great choice for your dog because it contains essential amino acids and vitamins that help to keep your dog’s digestive system healthy and functioning properly.
A serving of kangaroo meat also has about the same amount of protein as a chicken breast—about 24 grams per serving—but without as much fat as chicken breast has (only about 2.6 grams). Visit my other post to learn more about the benefits of kangaroo meat.
Here are some serving ideas when giving kangaroo meat to your dog:
- Put the kangaroo in a soup or stew.
- Cut up the cooked meat it into small treats that you can give to your dog throughout the day.
- Season it with spices like garlic and ginger to make it more tasty for your pooch!
Goat
Can dogs eat goat meat? Goat is a type of meat that you can feed your dog, and here is why it is a good alternative for your pups. Goat meat is a great source of protein, with an average of 18% protein content.
It is also rich in niacin, vitamin B6 and B12, calcium, iron and zinc. Goat meat can help improve your dog’s coat and skin health by providing them with essential vitamins for their skin and eyes to function properly.
It’s easy to find goat meat at your local butcher or grocery store. You can cook it however you like! Here are some ideas how you can prepare and serve goat to your dogs:
- Roast goat leg (or shoulder) with vegetables in the oven for about 30 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 Celsius). When it’s done cooking let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
- If you want something more substantial than just a snack or side dish, try making goat stew. It’s delicious and healthy for both people AND pets. Sauté diced onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until soft then add cubed goat meat browning until golden brown; add salt pepper thyme rosemary oregano basil parsley fresh mint tomato paste tomato sauce wine vinegar water stir together cover simmer 20 minutes uncovered until done.
Duck
There are many benefits to feeding duck to your dog. Duck contains less fat than other types of meat and is high in protein. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A and C, iron, zinc, calcium and phosphorous.
The best part about feeding duck to your dog is that it can be used for all stages of life. From puppies to full grown adults, duck makes a great addition to your dog’s diet!
Can dogs eat duck? Yes, and duck can be prepared in several different ways depending on what type of diet your dog has:
- Chop up the duck meat and mix it with plain yogurt or cottage cheese. You can also add vegetables or other ingredients like avocado or hummus if you want something more substantial than just plain meaty goodness.
- Cut up the duck into small pieces (about 1″ square), then boil or steam until cooked through (about 10 minutes). Serve with rice or pasta.
- Cook up some ground turkey with diced carrots, celery, onions, garlic powder, salt/pepper, Worcestershire sauce & plenty of water (about 1 cup per pound).
- You can grind it up into kibble or mix it with other meats like beef or turkey for variety in flavor and texture. You can also marinate duck breasts with various spices or make duck burgers by grinding up boneless breast meat with vegetables like carrots or peas mixed in.
Boar
It’s healthy and nutritious. Boar meat is very high in protein and low in fat, making it a great option for dogs with weight problems or those who are on a diet.
It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which promote healthy skin and coat. In addition, boar contains B vitamins which help with metabolism and digestion.
If you want to feed your dog boar, here are some ideas on how to prepare and serve it:
- Boar can be served raw or cooked, but many people prefer to cook it because raw meat can harbor bacteria that can make your dog sick if it’s not handled properly. Cooked boar can be sliced thin or left in larger chunks so that your dog has something substantial to chew on without choking on small pieces of meat.
- Boar tastes best when seasoned with herbs and spices like garlic powder or cayenne pepper. You can also add other foods such as brown rice or sweet potatoes for additional nutritional benefits.
Bison
Bison contains less fat than other meats, making it a healthier choice for your dog. It also has more protein, more iron, and more B vitamins than other meats.
Bison is an excellent source of zinc and selenium, as well as niacin and vitamin B6. Zinc helps with tissue healing, cell growth, and immune system function. Selenium supports thyroid hormone metabolism.
Niacin is important for the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates into energy. Vitamin B6 helps the body use protein for many things including building cells and making hormones.
You can buy ground bison at most grocery stores or butcher shops and cook with it in place of your regular ground beef or turkey. To make the meal more nutritious for your pet, add vegetables like carrots and spinach to the mixture before forming patties or meatballs out of it.
You can also purchase frozen patties made from ground bison or meatballs made from buffalo meat instead of regular beef or turkey products if your local store does not carry them already prepared at the butcher counter where they sell fresh cuts of meat.
Alligator
Alligator is high in protein and low in fat. It has more iron than beef and twice as much calcium as chicken.
There are many ways to prepare alligator for your dog. You can boil it, grill it, or broil it. You can also make stew with alligator meat. If you want to add flavor to the meat, you can use sauces like barbecue sauce or marinades like lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or soy sauce.
If you are looking for something different for your dog’s mealtime and want to give your dog something more nutritious that will also help keep his teeth healthy, because alligator contains taurine, then consider feeding him alligator meat.
What Meat Can I Feed My Dog Every Day?
The key is making sure you’re feeding your dog the right kind of meat. If you want to give your dog a single source of protein, chicken is the way to go.
Chicken is high in calories, so you don’t need to give your dog much of it at once—just a few ounces per day is enough for most dogs. It’s also very easy for dogs to digest, which makes it a great choice for those with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
If you’re looking to give your dog something different from time to time (and who wouldn’t want their pup eating a variety of meats?), try some fish as an alternative source of protein.
Salmon is one of our favorites because it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D; both of which are important for helping your pooch maintain healthy skin and coat
What Meat Should Be Avoided for Dogs?
Many dog owners are under the impression that all meat is good for their dog. However, some meats can be harmful to your dog’s health and should be avoided.
- Raw meat is often full of bacteria that can make your dog sick. Raw meat also contains parasites, which can also make your dog sick. Feeding raw meat to your dog is not recommended by vets as you may end up with an unwell animal and vet bills.
- Fatty meats, such as pork and beef, contain fat that can clog up your dog’s arteries and prevent blood flow through their body. This could lead to a heart attack or stroke in some cases.
- Processed meats such as sausages and salami are high in salt content which can cause dehydration if eaten regularly by dogs who do not drink enough water on a daily basis (especially when it’s hot outside).
Meaty Truth: Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Organ Meat?
Organ meat has a lot of the nutrients that your dog needs for healthy growth and development: vitamins A, D3, E and K2 along with essential fatty acids like arachidonic acid (AA) and omega-6 linoleic acid (LA). Here is a post I wrote about cooking chicken hearts for dogs.
But aside from correct food preparation, there are other factors to consider as well.
For example, some types of organ meat have high levels of cholesterol or saturated fat—and these things aren’t exactly good for dogs’ health either. Over time this could cause heart disease or other problems like cancer in canines.
The other big problem with feeding your dog organ meat is that it’s more likely than other kinds of food to contain parasites or bacteria that can make your dog sick if he eats too much of it at once, or even over time.
Is It Ok To Give Dogs Processed Meat?
I wouldn’t recommend this. Maybe you’re at the grocery thinking of purchasing sausages or hotdogs for dogs waiting for you at home, but you need to proceed with caution.
Processed meat refers to any meat that has been transformed by a process such as smoking, curing, salting and/or adding preservatives. Processed meats include sausages, hot dogs, jerky and bacon. While these foods are generally high in fat and sodium, they are also high in protein and vitamins.
Processed meats should not be fed as a main source of food. Instead, use them as treats or rewards for good behavior. In addition to being low-cost sources of protein for your dog, they can also help clean his teeth during chewing time.
What Deli Meats Can Dogs Eat?
The first rule of thumb is to read the label on any deli meat or lunch meat you buy for your dog. The ingredients are listed in order of quantity—the first ingredient is the main ingredient in the product.
If you see words like “meat” or “poultry,” then you’re good to go; these are real meats that your dog can digest without any problem. But if you see words like “bacon bits,” then you might want to reconsider feeding your dog these particular deli meats.
Not only are these products made with artificial ingredients (which aren’t good for your dog), but they also often contain sodium nitrite, which can have adverse effects on their health if consumed regularly.
If you still aren’t sure whether or not there are any harmful additives in a given product, ask your vet
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember when feeding your dog is that it’s not just about their preferences; it’s about their health.
Some meats are high in protein, which is good for building muscle, but too much protein can be harmful to your dog’s kidneys. Other meats are high in fat, which can lead to obesity if your dog is on a high-fat diet for too long.
At the end of the day, not every diet will be right for every dog. And some dogs will be more sensitive to certain ingredients than others. However, you can use this as a guideline to help you determine what might be best meat for your dog. Until the next post! See you around ECC!