For most dog parents, we want to make sure our furry friends are getting a healthy and nutritious diet daily.
While there’s an assortment of dog food and canned options in the market, you might wonder if adding raw lamb to your pup’s diet is feasible.
So, can dogs eat raw lamb?
Yes.
Dogs can occasionally eat tiny amounts of raw lamb as it’s rich in proteins and other nutrients.
However, raw lamb may also put your dog at risk for bacterial contamination such as salmonella or E. coli, resulting in gastrointestinal illnesses.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about raw lamb and dogs.
It will also discuss the dangers and benefits of feeding your dog raw lamb.
Can raw lamb make dogs sick?
Raw lamb is not recommended for dogs as it contains harmful bacteria like salmonella, E-coli, and listeria.
If you feed your dog raw lamb, he might be exposed to the risk of developing a food-borne illness or other types of bacterial infections.
Ensure you cook the meat to a safe temperature before offering it to your dog, as high temperatures kill off these harmful bacteria.
Cooking the lamb also makes the meat easily digestible for your dog.
When your dog easily digests the meat, it allows them to use the nutrients more effectively to produce energy, build muscles, and support the immune system.
Raw or undercooked lamb can increase your dog’s risk of illness and nutritional deficiencies.
Is it safe to feed my dog raw lamb?
While raw lamb is not recommended for dogs as it contains harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E-coli, it’s a rich source of protein for your pup.
You can offer your dog tiny amounts of raw meat occasionally. However, expect symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
The amount of raw lamb you feed your dog, age, and general health profile will determine the side effects.
For example, puppies should not be fed raw meat as it may cause indigestion, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
It may also not provide the complete and balanced nutrition your puppy needs.
For dogs with kidney disease, you should only feed them fresh, cooked, moisture-rich, lean protein sources, including lamb.
Copious amounts of raw lamb may worsen their kidney issue resulting in death.
Can dogs eat raw lamb fat?
You shouldn’t offer your dog raw lamb fat as these fatty cuttings can upset their stomach and cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
In worst cases, these fatty scraps may cause acute pancreatitis for your pup, especially if he eats large amounts regularly.
Pancreatitis in dogs shortens their life span, so you should chop off the skin and all the fats before feeding your dog.
Can dogs eat raw lamb bones?
Yes.
You can feed your dog some types of raw lamb bones, like lamb rib bones, as they make for a delicious treat for them.
It also helps your pup exercise their jaws and clean their teeth.
Raw lamb bones are also rich in calcium and phosphorus, which help maintain their bone system’s growth and structure.
Ensure the bones are large enough as they can’t be swallowed whole.
You should never feed your dog raw lamb bones that have been sawn along the length as they can shatter easily and damage your dog’s teeth.
These jagged splinters can also be a choking hazard and may cause severe internal damage if swallowed, including obstructions to the esophagus, trachea, or intestines.
Avoid feeding your dog raw lamb bones, like chop bones, large bone marrow bones, and knucklebones, as they are very thick and heavy and may break your dog’s teeth.
Ensure you monitor your dog closely anytime you feed them raw lamb bones and look out for signs of choking, damaged teeth, or falling sick.
You should also not offer your dog too many raw bones as they may lead to constipation.
Health benefits of raw lamb for dogs
While raw lamb may expose your dog to bacterial infections like salmonella and E-coli, small pieces of it occasionally may benefit them.
Some of the primary health benefits include:
- It’s a great source of protein– Raw lamb, in moderation, provides your dog with protein that helps with stronger muscles, more significant bone, and body mass. It also improves nerve function, aids the creation of cells, and also helps in healing your dog’s wounds
- It’s rich in iron– Iron helps your dog’s body to perform essential functions like carrying oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells throughout the body so the cells can produce energy
- It’s an essential source of omegas– Omegas support your dog’s heart health, promote a silky coat, reduce itchy and flaky skin, and may help relieve allergies and joint pain. Omegas can also help strengthen their immune system and could help them fight canine cancer
For dogs with sensitivities and allergies to meats like beef, fish, or chicken, raw lamb in small amounts may be safer.
However, ensure the raw lamb is a good, fresh cut of meat.
Can puppies eat raw lamb?
The dietary needs of a puppy are pretty complex.
Feeding them raw meat, including lamb, as a mainstay diet may not provide your puppy’s complete and balanced nutrition.
This is because puppies are at a growing stage of development, and feeding them raw lamb may upset their stomach or cause food poisoning.
Can dogs eat raw lamb liver?
Raw liver may be safe for your dog to consume if it holds 5% of its regular diet.
Raw lamb liver in moderation can offer your dog vitamins A, B2, B9, and B12. It can also provide your dog with copper and iron.
Vitamin A keeps your dog’s overall well-being in tip-top shape and supports healthy eyes (including night vision) and skin.
The B vitamins help the whole body by boosting their brain function, keeping the cells healthy, and forming DNA and red blood cells.
Copper is also vital for your dog’s brain function and metabolism and keeps their bones, collagen, and connective tissue strong.
Iron aids in the prevention of anemia and works alongside copper to produce hemoglobin which carries oxygen around your pup’s body.
In conclusion
Like any change in a dog’s diet, you should consult your vet before feeding your pup raw lamb.
Similarly, it’s essential to keep the 90/10 rule in mind.
This means that 90% of your fido’s daily calorie intake should come from a complete and balanced dog diet, with the other 10% coming from treats.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
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