Alice White
Game is becoming increasingly popular in dog nutrition. The healthy and tasty meat is not only a real delicacy for four-legged friends, it is also easy to digest and also suitable for sensitive dog stomachs. In this overview, you will find out which types of meat count as game meat and what you should consider when feeding.
What is Game Meat?
Game meat, also called venison, is a name for meat from animals living in the wild. The animals are shot by hunters in the wild and then processed into meat. Game is therefore the generic term for various types of animals and meat. The most common types of the game include red deer, venison and roe deer, wild boar, and hare meat. The more exotic, non-native wild varieties ostrich and kangaroo are sometimes referred to as game if they live in the wild and the meat does not come from factory farming.
Are Dogs Allowed to Eat Game?
Game meat is considered a healthy delicacy in dog nutrition. Dark, nutrient-rich meat is characterized by its aromatic taste and high nutritional content and is ideal for dogs. The meat owes its extraordinary taste to the way the wild animal lives in the wild. The animals eat a varied diet and have a lot of exercises, so the meat is very low in fat and easy to digest.
For Which Dogs is Game Meat Particularly Suitable?
In principle, all dogs can eat game meat. Wild offers a welcome change in the dog bowl for puppies as well as for adult and older dogs. However, dark meat is particularly suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Nutritionally sensitive dogs often develop allergies to meat from factory farming.
Game meat, on the other hand, is hypoallergenic – this means that game allergies are almost never caused and the meat is easy to digest. If your dog has frequent gastrointestinal complaints or does not tolerate certain types of food, it is worthwhile to change the diet and try dog food with game meat.
What Makes Game so Healthy for Dogs?
The low-fat game meat consists mainly of muscle meat. It supplies the dog with important proteins and thus provides plenty of energy. But that’s not all: Game contains numerous vitamins and nutrients that are healthy for dogs:
- Vitamins B12, B6, and B1 contribute to healthy metabolism and the nervous system.
- Iron is important for oxygen supply and blood formation.
- The trace elements zinc and selenium support the dog’s immune system.
- The low-fat content makes the meat a meager treat.
- Valuable proteins support the muscles and provide the dog with energy.
- Wild is low in cholesterol and is suitable for dogs with diabetes or liver disease.
- Due to its high tolerance, game meat is suitable as a light food or in case of allergies.
Can You Feed the Dog With Raw Game?
Raw game is mainly used for feeding. So-called hoofed game, which includes deer, is suitable, but also small game, which includes roe deer, hares, and partridge.
When feeding raw, pay attention to the quality of the meat so that it does not contain any pathogens.
Wild boar meat is an exception: raw wild boar is not suitable for barfing. This is because wild boar meat, like domestic pig meat, can transmit dangerous diseases such as Aujeszky virus or roundworms.
Is Dried Game a Suitable Dog Snack?
In addition to wet and dry food containing games, there are also game treats available in stores. Snacks made from dried meat from roe deer or deer are particularly easy to digest and popular with dogs. When buying, make sure that it is a natural product with no added sugar or artificial preservatives.
