When it comes to buying meat for dogs, it's crucial to have a thorough understanding of all the details. After all, meat is a primary component in your dog's diet, and if it's not of good quality, it can result in poor nutrition and lower energy levels. Whether you're feeding kibble, dehydrated food, or raw meat, you should know that due to their carnivorous nature, dogs always benefit from a higher proportion of meat.
The proteins present in meat contain up to 10 essential amino acids for your furry friend. With these components and nutrients, your dog will gain numerous benefits:
Whether it's the skin, fur, muscles, or tendons, sufficient proteins provide the raw material for recovery. In case of any injury, meat helps in better healing.
Proteins are essential for antibodies, which feed on them to form and gain strength. This is highly effective in the absence of antibodies and illnesses, such as when your dog has the flu.
Hemoglobin increases, responsible for transporting oxygen through the blood. This is crucial, especially during pregnancies in female dogs.
Your dog's body balance improves with a higher quantity of enzymes and increased energy in its hormones.
If your dog depletes its fat and carbohydrate reserves, usually the primary sources of energy, it can turn to proteins.
Considering all the benefits of meat mentioned above, you might naturally wonder if there are specific instances where you should increase the amount of meat your dog consumes. We recommend giving your dog even more meat in the following cases:
Breeds like Border Collie, Belgian Malinois, Dalmatian, Beagle, Jack Russell, or dogs engaged in activities like search and agility have a higher-than-average activity level and benefit from more meat.
During pregnancy, it's essential for the female dog to have a complete and high-quality diet. With puppies on the way, the mother will need more protein and fat to produce sufficient milk.
Naturally, puppies also need additional vitamins and proteins to develop well.
Due to the increased tissue recovery capacity provided by proteins, it's important to increase their meat intake.
Any type of meat you give to a dog will be well-received, but not all are equally good for their intestinal tract and health. These are the types of meat we recommend the most, although all meats are good:
Easily digestible, although with low-fat content
Turkey meat has low fat content but a high amount of proteins and essential fatty acids. It's especially useful if you want to help your dog lose weight.
Normally more expensive but with higher nutritional value, ideal for very active dogs.
Red meat, usually with veins of fat (especially in the muscles), is very economical and a good option for everyday meals.
Very nutritious meat that works well with adult and senior dogs.
Meat with high-quality proteins, making it very digestible and healthy for dogs with intolerances or digestive problems.
Remember that when giving meat to your dog, it should be as bone-free as possible, especially in smaller breeds, which could choke. It's also essential to clear up any doubts about how you present it.
This is a question that many caregivers have asked, and the reality is that the most important thing is the quality of the meat. From here, lightly cooked meat is much more digestible and, therefore, provides more nutrients than raw meat.
Studies have shown that eating raw is not the best option even for a snake. It has been demonstrated that the metabolic rate (the amount of energy needed to live) of a snake improves if we crush its raw food beforehand and that it is even better if we cook it a little.
However, it is essential to consider the nutritional history of the animal because it is not the same to feed a dog with a BARF diet from a young age as an adult who has been eating kibble all his life. Also, it is important to emphasize that to avoid having to undergo such a heavy digestion, at least initially, it is best to give the meat a slight cooking.
It's not just about digestibility. When you cook food, even if it's just a little, you also make it more appetizing and 100% free of pathogens. This is something that canine nutritionists recommend, especially for dogs with diet-related illnesses because they also know that it is the healthiest and best for the dog's body.
If you ask us, we'll tell you that the best way for your dog to consume meat is homemade.
Since not all caregivers have enough time to prepare dog food or know in detail the proportions to follow, you may find it very useful to use recipes already calculated and prepared. With this, you only need to add a little water and give it to your furry friend.
You'll see how much your dog enjoys the best meat in all its dishes!
