Our canine friends and fur babies are descendants of wild dogs and wolves, and as such, a carnivore’s diet is still very much hard wired into their DNA. Therefore, they require protein as a part of a healthy, balanced diet. Protein has many roles in our dog’s body, such as building and repairing muscles, growing hair, and keeping their immune system strong. We know that dogs can eat beef, chicken, and fish, as it’s readily available in commercial dog food brands. However, lamb is a bit more mysterious when it comes to health value for dogs.
Lamb is safe for dogs and is an excellent source of protein, making it a fantastic food choice for them. In fact, lamb is showing up more in commercial dog foods available online and in stores. That said, there are a few things that you should know before you start offering your dog any lamb from your kitchen.
The Benefits of Feeding Lamb to Dogs
For dogs, lamb is a complete protein option. This means that lamb has all the essential amino acids a dog needs in their diet. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. In addition, lamb also contains fat (which provides energy alongside other health benefits). In fact, lamb contains more fat than protein when it’s raw. Lamb also has other vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your dog’s health.
| 100-Gram Serving (Ground, Raw) | Amount per Serving |
| Total energy | 282 kcal |
| Total Fat | 23.4 grams |
| Protein | 16.6 grams |
Source: USDA
The yield of protein, fat, and calories may vary depending on what cut of lamb you choose to give your pup, as well as the actual breed of sheep used as the lamb source. The basic cuts of lamb are the shoulder, rack, breast, loin, and leg.
Cooking lamb often reduces its fat content and, as a result, the ratio of protein to fat may become favorable once lamb is cooked. The protein content of most lean, cooked lamb is 24 to 28%. Conversely, the fat in cooked lamb is typically around 15 to 20% (depending on the cut).
In addition to being a biologically appropriate protein for dogs, lamb might also be an alternative to poultry or beef for dogs who are allergic to those proteins. However, just like any other protein, lamb is not considered nutritionally adequate for dogs on its own, whether in a commercial formulation or a home-prepared diet.
The Potential Risks of Feeding Your Dog Lamb
Lamb is generally an extremely safe protein choice for your dog, and most dogs readily accept lamb and approve of its taste too. There are, however, two things to be wary of: overfeeding and allergies.
Overfeeding
Overfeeding is a risk with any protein you choose for your dog, not just lamb. While nutritious and healthy, it is important to note that feeding too much lamb might result in unwanted weight gain and the health risks associated with obesity for your pup. This risk is considerably higher if you’re feeding your dog a homemade diet without any professional input from an animal nutritionist, as it may be difficult to properly weigh, balance, and portion such diets.
Allergies
A second potential risk is food allergies. A food allergy happens when your dog’s body incorrectly thinks a certain food item is “bad” and doesn’t respond favorably whenever the food item is ingested. Some breeds of dogs are more commonly affected by food allergies; however, breed isn’t considered a risk factor for these allergies.
There are many factors that may contribute to an allergy, and as an individual your dog may have an allergy to any food item, not just lamb. That said, lamb allergy isn’t as common in dogs as allergies reported from beef or dairy.
It is best to always start small with any food item you plan to give your dog and observe them throughout the transition process. Here are some signs to watch out for which may indicate that your dog has an allergy to lamb.
- Rashes
- Hot spots
- Changes in skin color
- Itchiness
- Skin or ear infections
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting, gassiness, or diarrhea
Many of these signs may start off as mild and gradually get worse as your dog continues to eat lamb more regularly. If you suspect that your dog has an allergy to lamb or any other food item, consult your veterinarian for advice.
How to Prepare Lamb for Your Dog at Home
It’s never a good idea to serve your dog any lamb that was prepared for you at a restaurant or specialty store because it likely has spices and seasonings that won’t agree with them or might even be toxic to them.
If you’re considering to offer your dog lamb as part of a home-prepared diet, there are several preparation methods that are considered acceptable:
- Raw (under the guidance of a nutritionist and veterinarian)
- Boiling
- Grilling
- Roasting
- Poaching
- Broiling
Avoid using oil, butter, and seasonings when preparing lamb for your pup. The lamb should be plain and, for non-raw diets, thoroughly cooked through. It’s also best to cut the lamb into small pieces or grind it up before serving to minimize the risk of choking. In addition, keep in mind that you should never offer your dog cooked bones (more on why this is the case shortly).
For dogs on a raw diet, you would obviously not have to cook the lamb, but it is still best to cut it into manageable bite sized portions or grind the meat. Bones offered to dogs on a raw diet are processed and ground into a fine powder and mixed thoroughly with their meal during the preparation process.
The primary reason for using bones in such a meal plan is to offer calcium. However, most ordinary kitchen appliances cannot handle bones, and therefore, it’s best to consult your nutritionist about other calcium supplements or options (such as eggshells) for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Lamb Bones?
While lamb is an excellent source of nutrition for dogs, cooked lamb bones shouldn’t be fed to your pup. Cooked bones are dangerous because they break apart easily, and the sharp splinters can become a choking hazard, perforate your dog’s digestive tract, or create an obstruction along their digestive tract.
In addition, caution should be used with giving raw whole bones as a chew toy or for dental enrichment. Enthusiastic dogs may chip or break a tooth as they bite down on a bone, and all dogs should be monitored whenever they are given a raw bone of any kind, as bones are a choking hazard. Small breeds of dogs, young puppies, or toy breeds should not be given raw lamb bones, as their size makes the bone an even greater risk.
Final Thoughts
Lamb is a great food option for dogs, just like for humans. It’s considered biologically appropriate for dogs and is also safe for them. Dogs typically love the taste of lamb too. Lamb is a common feature in many commercial foods. If you’re keen on offering your dog lamb as part of a homemade diet, it’s best to seek the services of an animal nutritionist to ensure that you are able to safely incorporate the protein into their diet (as either a treat or as part of a complete and balanced diet).
Featured Image Credit: Kristesoro, Shutterstock
