It would seem that the answer to this question is obvious—yes. After all, a dog of any breed and size is first and foremost a carnivore, and its digestive system is designed to eat raw meat. But on the other hand, it's not that simple, and transitioning your pet to a natural diet requires considering many factors.
Cooked meat isn't always the case. Many dogs eat it much more readily than raw meat, but cooking destroys not only potential infections but also beneficial nutrients. Cooked meat also shrinks significantly, so if you're feeding your dog cooked meat, the portions should be twice as large as on a raw diet.
What meat is best to feed a dog?
| View | Benefits and harms
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| Beef | The best value for money option. Beef is rich in iron and healthy fats and rarely causes allergies. However, dogs have a hard time digesting veal.
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| Pork | Pork is very fatty, so it's generally not recommended for dogs, especially puppies or those prone to obesity. It can only be given occasionally to large dogs that are very active.
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| Chicken | Chicken is a dietary, but controversial, food. Many dogs can be allergic to it. Also, before serving, you need to thoroughly remove any bones from the carcass, as tubular bird bones can seriously injure your pet. Furthermore, store-bought chicken is often laced with hormones and antibiotics. Therefore, if you want to feed your dog chicken, it's best to boil it first.
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| Rabbit | Rabbit meat is considered a dietary and protein-rich product. It's ideal for dogs, especially those prone to allergies. Perhaps the only drawback is its relatively high cost.
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| Mutton | Hypoallergenic, lean meat rich in vitamin B. Easier to digest than beef.
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| Offal | Animal organs, especially tripe, can be rich in vitamins and microelements, but they contain much less protein than muscle fibers, so don't completely replace meat with offal. Feed them no more than 1-2 times a week.
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How to prepare meat so it won't harm your dog
Feeding your dog raw meat without cooking it first is strictly prohibited. Unfortunately, even the most reputable seller can still sell pieces contaminated with infections or parasites. Therefore, follow these simple rules to ensure your pet's health:
- It's best to chop the meat into medium-sized pieces. Dogs need to chew and tear their food to clean their teeth, but overly large pieces can cause digestive problems.
- After purchasing, be sure to freeze the meat for 1-3 days. Defrosting is best done in the refrigerator, not the microwave.
- Before serving, you can scald the meat with boiling water.
- And of course, don't forget that raw meat should make up 50-70% of a dog's diet, not 100%. In addition, a dog's diet should also include fish, dairy products, and vegetables. This is the only way your four-legged friend will receive all the necessary nutrients.
