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If your pooch is allergic to another kind of meat like chicken, fish, or beef, then switching up their dinners to food that uses lamb means they’ll safely avoid their allergens and still get all the protein they need to stay healthy.
Dogs can eat and digest raw lamb and it’s a rich source of protein for Fido. Raw lamb cut into little chunks can make a highly valuable training treat for your dog, and you might find your mutt goes barking mad for the tasty tidbits.
However, there are some risks that come with feeding raw meat and it isn’t safe for all dogs to scoff.
It’s advised that dogs with developing or weakened immune systems shouldn’t eat raw lamb or any sort of raw meat. That includes puppies and dogs with an autoimmune disorder or cancer. The rich meat is also a problem for dogs with kidney or liver disease, who should also avoid raw lamb.
Raw meat is harder to digest compared to cooked meat, which means dogs with digestive issues or sensitive stomachs are better off eating cooked lamb as it’s less likely to pup-set their belly. There’s also the risk of the meat being contaminated with salmonella or E. coli which can make you and your pooch seriously ill if eaten, even if they’re otherwise healthy.
No, your dog shouldn’t eat lamb fat. When you offer lamb to your pooch you should cut the skin and fat off. (The skin is high in fat too!) These fatty offcuts can upset a dog’s stomach and cause diarrhoea, but more worryingly they can also trigger pancreatitis. It’s been known for some dogs to eat a fatty lamb chop and develop acute pancreatitis, which can be fatal, so it’s im-paw-tent that you don’t feed your dog lumps of lamb fat.
Yes, your dog can eat lamb liver and this organ meat is like a doggy multivitamin because it’s rich in vitamin A, vitamins B2, B9, B12, copper and iron.
Vitamin A is paw-some for your dogs overall wellbeing and it keeps their eyes healthy. The cocktail of B vitamins benefits their whole body by keeping their cells healthy, boosting brain function, and forming DNA and red blood cells.
Meanwhile, copper is important for your pup’s brain function, metabolism, and it keeps their bones, collagen, and connective tissue strong. Iron helps to prevent anaemia, and it works alongside copper to produce haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around your pup’s body.
As well as all those vitamins and minerals, lamb liver is a super source of protein. However, you must make sure they only eat a small amount of liver to prevent the risk of vitamin A toxicity.
Yes, dogs can eat lamb kidney, and like other organ meats, it’s packed full of nutrients as well as being a tasty meaty treat for your furry friend. Quite like liver, lamb kidney is rich in vitamin A, some B vitamins, and iron.
As well as being a brilliant source of protein, lamb heart is chock full of taurine and coenzyme Q10.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that allows your pooch to build new proteins in their body, and a deficiency of this acid can cause heart problems. Meanwhile, coenzyme Q10 improves your pup’s brain and heart function. This magic mineral also has strong antioxidant properties which means it has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, so it can help to fight oxidative damage to your dog’s cells and even prevent cancer.
Yes, dogs can eat some types of raw lamb bones. Lamb rib bones count as a “meaty bone” that make a tasty treat for your dog, and chewing it will exercise their jaws and help to clean their teeth.
Raw lamb bones are surprisingly nutritious too, packed full of calcium and phosphorus which your pup needs to strengthen their own skeleton.
Any bones you give your dog must be raw and large enough that they can’t be swallowed whole. You should also avoid any bones that have been sawn along the length as these can break more easily and may damage your dog’s teeth.
Some lamb bones your dog can not eat include chop bones, cutlets, knucklebones, and large marrow bones. Chops and cutlets splinter easily, while knuckle and marrow bones are very thick and heavy and could damage your dog’s teeth.
Even with raw bones, your dog might be at risk of choking on pieces that break off, particularly if your pup isn’t known for chewing their food. There is also a chance they might damage their teeth. Whenever you give your dog a bone, make sure you supervise your pooch carefully while they eat it.
When is lamb a good protein choice for your dog?
When it comes to pups and food allergies, the most common allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. While lamb is on this list, it is a suitable protein for dogs that are allergic to chicken or fish. Many people believe that lamb is hypoallergenic. This is not true. It was initially used for pups with food allergies since it was not a commonly fed protein and dogs were not developing allergies to it. Now, it is much more common to see lamb in dog food, so food manufacturers are choosing other exotic proteins.
If your pup does have allergies (or you think they might) consult your vet or a specialist to help you get to the bottom of it and select appropriate food for your pup. Eliminating allergens is only one part of picking good food. You want to consider your dog’s age, breed, energy level, and weight when you create their perfect diet. You also want to ensure your dog is getting the right vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy.
Symptoms After Eating Raw Lamb
If your dog has been eaten raw meat, then watch for the symptoms include –