Feeding Game: Venison, Duck, Pheasant

There are a number of benefits to feeding game meet to your furry friends. It’s a healthy and natural source of nutrients to add to their diet. If they have any intolerances, it might be just the thing you’re looking for. From mild reactions to severe allergies that can debilitate your four-legged friends and upset their tummy for days, food sensitivities are no walk in the park to deal with. It’s more common for pet parents to assume that grains may be the culprit of a sensitivity flare up, but it’s just as likely, if not more for them to be sensitive to a common source of protein. 

Finding the right diet that suits their gut and keeps them looking their best can be a bit of trial and error, but if you see a diet with a less common source of protein like game meat, don’t write it off before you try it. 

If you have a busy pooch who needs lots of energy or a growing hound who’s in that awkward, lanky stage and needs a bit more dietary support, game meats are an excellent addition to their diet. Venison is a lean meat that contains less fat per gram than both beef and chicken. We tend to think about chicken and turkey when we’re trying to come up with lean meats that are low in calories and high in protein but some of the less common sources can be even more beneficial.  

Pheasant is also higher in protein than most of the more common sources of meat. It was found that in dry matter, meat from a pheasant was actually higher in protein and lower in fats than the usual domestic poultry we tend to find in dog food. If you’re looking for a diet to keep your pooch full and support a little weight loss, pheasant is actually a better choice of protein than both chicken and turkey.  

Game meats are rich in vitamins and minerals as well. Venison contains more omega-3 than any grain-fed source of protein. Omega-3 is important when it comes to keeping your pup’s coat glossy and their skin healthy as well as supporting their joints. As dogs age, omega-3 becomes even more important in their diet to make sure they remain comfortable. Feeding a source of protein that is naturally high in omega-3 means you won’t have to provide your pooch with a supplement.  

As far as omega-3 and other fatty acids go, duck is one of the most rich protein sources you can find. Healthy fats are beneficial in a diet. Not only does it make food more palatable, but it’s a great source of energy and duck is chock full of them. It’s also a great source of amino acids which lower cholesterol and helps to keep bones healthy. When it comes to out-performing chicken, pheasant isn’t just a more lean and less fatty source of meat, it’s also higher in these healthy fats like omega-3. 

Digestability and palatability are important factors when considering what source of protein to pick for your pooch. Chicken is usually more digestible than beef, but if you have a pup that is sensitive to chicken, then you might find it to be the other way around. Every dog is a little different and what suits most may not suit your four-legged friend. If your pooch’s tummy doesn’t agree with beef, then a protein source like venison is a great alternative to try. Being sensitive to a source of protein is often isolated to just one or two and they could do well on a less commonly found source like game meat.  

Duck is a highly digestible meat source so your furry family member will be able to easily make the most out of the nutrients available. It’s a common food ingredient for diets like James Wellbeloved Dog Adult Duck & Rice Dry Dog Food that are made with sensitive tummies in mind. Pheasant is also even easier to digest than its poultry counterparts so finding a lean option that also won’t cause any upsets couldn’t be easier.  

There are two ways you can add some game meat to your pooch’s diet. You can trial changing their main source of protein in their meals to game meat. This is beneficial if you are trying to support your four-legged friend in finding a diet that doesn’t trigger any sensitivities. It can be especially beneficial when you’ve tried a number of more common sources of protein, and you want something different. If you have a fussy eater that you struggle to encourage to eat a full meal, they might just not have found a meat source that really tickles their fancy yet, and game meats are a great option. 

You might have the perfect diet for your pooch already, and incorporating game meat doesn’t have to mean a big overhaul. The alternative way of including game in their diet is with treats! There are a number of treats that can also benefit your pooch. If you’re looking for lean treats that won’t add too many calories but will be a healthy way to give your pup something to do, try game meats as a boost to their daily diet.  

Some diets will use one exclusive source of protein, while others will use a few to make their food as nutritionally packed and tasty as possible. What you pick for your fur baby depends on what you’re looking for. A fussy eater can benefit from a few different sources, while for parents trying to avoid sensitivities, a single source of protein may be better.  

 

Lifestage uses two sources of protein in their Lifestage Grain Free Venison, Salmon and Sweet Potato to make it especially tempting while still gentle on the tummy. Fussy eaters will be drawn in by the salmon smell and polish their bowls off when they taste the lean venison in their dry biscuits. An easy to feed pate roll like JR Pet Products Pure Duck Pate is both delicious and versatile. It’s a wet food with the consistency of a pate that can both tempt fussy eaters and help to slow down pups who gobble down their food. Pate food is a good choice if you want to feed your pooch through enrichment like lick mats and Kongs.

Feeding raw is popular for pooches with sensitive tummies, and the ProDog Exotics Pheasant Complete Formula is made with that in mind. It’s a single source protein meal that is perfect for dogs on elimination diets and especially easy to digest.  

Natural dog treats are a good option for treating your pooch while staying away from any nasty additives that aren’t going to benefit them. Game is quite common when it comes to finding natural dog treats like these JR Pet Products, Pure Venison Sticks. They’re 100% natural and suitable for dogs of all sizes, from your great danes to your chihuahuas! Lifestage Prime Duck Fillets Dog Treat are made of pure duck breast and are another great option for giving your beloved pet a boost of lean protein in their diet and providing enrichment at the same time.  

If you want to go all in with natural, then the Natures Menu Ducks Necks, Raw Chews could not be any more natural if they tried! Feeding your pooch treats they have evolved to digest is a great way of making sure they get all the nutrients they need while keeping their diet fun and exciting. While they might not be the most common diets to find on the shelves, find your nearest store or visit us online to browse our wide range of game food and treats for your four-legged friends.