Is raw chicken or beef better for dogs

Can Dogs Eat Chicken?

Considering how many dog foods contain chicken as an ingredient, its a safe bet that you can feed your dog chicken. In fact, its a good source of protein, and cooked chicken can even be substituted for or added to his regular meal.

Most sources recommend against raw chicken, due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections, although the movement toward raw food, including raw chicken and raw chicken bones, is growing. But if youre not sure about raw food diets, any unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken can be served on its own, mixed with your dogs regular meal, or served as a treat. You can even mix it with a healthy grain, and a vegetable such as string beans or other vegetables safe for dogs, for a special homemade dinner.

There are two things to be aware of before serving your dog chicken.

• Some dogs are allergic to chicken, and it ranks among the top 10 allergy-inducing ingredients. The most common allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish.
• Be sure to take cooked chicken off the bone. Cooked chicken bones splinter easily, which can cause choking or a gastrointestinal tract puncture

If youve determined that your dog happily and healthily eats chicken, go ahead and let them enjoy it. And, just for fun, try these homemade, vet-approved chicken recipes for dogs: a yummy mini omelette or frozen chicken treat.

Learn more about human foods your dog can and cant eat.

Raw Or Cooked Meat For Dogs (Which Is Better?)

If your dog is an animal, shouldnt they eat like one?

Lets uncover the truth behind whether raw or cooked meat for dogs is best.

As dog owners, you have a lot of options when it comes to pet food. And as the industry keeps growing, so do your choices.

One of the latest trends is raw dog food. But is uncooked meat really the best thing for your furry friend?

At Ricks Dog Deli, were familiar with just about every dog feeding trend out there, and we do our best to separate fact from fiction. In this article, were discussing whether raw or cooked meat for dogs is the best option for a complete and balanced meal.

Raw Diet For Dogs: Is It Good For Them?

Supporters of raw dog food believe that a healthy dogs diet should be as close as possible to what their ancestors ate.

While its true that dogs originally ate a raw diet, dogs are not wild anymore. Humans have selectively bred dogs to be the perfect domestic companions. And much of this process involved feeding dogs the food that we eatnot only meat (cooked and raw), but bones, organ meats, vegetables, andprepared grains.

Think about how different dietary needs are within dog breeds. One breed needs more protein, another needs more fat. If a Chihuahua and a Husky dont require the same diet, wouldnt dogs and wild wolves have different dietary needs, too?

The Risks Behind Raw Dog Food Recipes

If we lived on this planet a few hundred years ago, a raw diet for dogs would probably do them no harm. Unfortunately, the way food is processed today, cooked food is necessary in order toeffectively remove toxins.

For example, chicken is commonly washed with a chlorine solution during processing (yes, even among organic chicken producers). Since chlorine evaporates when heated, chicken is perfectly safe to eat as long as it is cooked to the proper temperature. But if you feed the raw meat to your dog, s/he is being exposed to unsafe levels of chlorine.

Also, there is a chance that contaminated raw food can cross-contaminate your home, exposing everyone to harmful bacteria. This is especially a problem when someone or another pet in the home has a compromised immune system.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Beef?

Okay, so the chicken is out. But what about raw beef, lamb, and other forms of protein? Can those be eaten raw?

Yes, some dogs do fine after eating raw ground beef, liver, or a steak. Many of them heartily enjoy it! But just because they can handle raw food doesnt mean they should.

Dogs run the same risks as humans do whenever they eat steak tartare: namely, salmonella, e. coli, listeria, and other harmful bacteria. If you take the time to make sure your food is cooked to the proper temperature, shouldnt you do the same for your dog?

Food Poisoning Symptoms in Dogs

If your dog has consumed raw meat, youll want to watch out for symptoms of food poisoning.

Many of the symptoms offood poisoning in dogs are the same as the ones humans experience, such as:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy/Weakness
• Dehydration
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Loss of coordination

If your dog is experiencing any of the above symptoms, call your vet.

Raw Food Dogs Can Eat

Are there any raw foods that a dog can safely eat? Yes!

Raw fruits and vegetables are an excellent addition to your dogs diet and many people find that their canine companions wholeheartedly adore them!

Some great options for your dog to eat raw:

• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Green Beans
• Melon

Raw or Cooked Meat For Dogs?

We have run side-by-side nutritional studies comparing raw and cooked proteins and have found that there is little to no nutritional loss when you lightly cook food in a proper manner. So why are we still debating over raw or cooked meat for dogs?

Many dogs seem to come to life after switching from kibble to a raw meat diet. But this is probably because they stopped eating kibblenot because they started eating raw meat. If you compare raw dog food vs. dry, processed kibble, of course raw food is going to look like the hero.

The quality of the ingredients is far more important than their temperature. If you want to give your dog the best possible diet, opt for a diet made with wholesome, USDA-inspected ingredients that have been formulated with your dogs nutritional needs in mind.

The Best of Both Worlds

At Ricks Dog Deli, it is our job to navigate the food chain for you and your pet. We work with our suppliers to get the best possible ingredients at the best possible price.

We take a balanced approach to species-appropriate feeding and believe thatas omnivoresdogs need to eat from the entire food pyramid.

With raw dog food, your dog will probably get an unbalanced diet, as it will be very meat-heavy and lacking in certain nutrients.But with Ricks Dog Deli, your dog will get the proper ratio of meat, vegetables, and grains across all our prepared meals.

We prepare all food with USDA-inspected ingredients in our open-concept kitchen, using commercial equipment which is sanitized following the equipment manufacturer and HACCP standards. Proteins are kept separate to avoid any cross-contamination for our allergy-sensitive dogs.

After foods are prepared, they are frozen to lock in all thevitamins and nutrients. Simply thaw and serve. We guarantee itll become your dogs new favorite food!

As always, if you need any advice or help switching from raw to cooked dog food, give us a call. We are happy to help.

Beef vs Chicken Dog Food: What Should I Choose?

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Beef and chicken are the most popular types of meat found in dog food. Both have their own pros and cons, and its important to understand how each meat can benefit your dogs lifestyle.

Most dogs will do well with chicken dog food because it contains high amounts of protein and less fat than beef. Its the better option for dogs that need to lose weight, and its also more affordable. However, some dogs will benefit more from a beef diet. These dogs are typically more active or athletic or need to put on weight.

Since the answer depends heavily on the type of dog you have, its important to understand both the good and the bad of each type of meat. Heres what you need to know about beef and chicken dog food before deciding on which one to buy for your dog.

At a Glance

Lets look at the key points of each product.

Beef Dog Food

• High in protein
• High in fat
• Excellent source of amino acids
• Rich in B vitamins and iron

Chicken Dog Food

• High in protein
• Low saturated fat
• Easily digestible
• Excellent source of omega-6 fatty acids

Overview of Beef:

Beef is a common protein in dog food, and most dogs enjoy the flavor. Dog food containing beef is more expensive than dog food with other sources of meat. So, if your dog isnt a high-energy animal, you may save money by choosing dog food without beef.

Nutritional Benefits

Beef is packed with protein and is an excellent source of B vitamins, iron, and essential amino acids. Beef liver is also extremely nutritious. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support healthy skin and coat and joint health.

Some cuts of beef are high in cholesterol and saturated fats, and its important to choose dog food that contains lean cuts of beef. Lean beef is healthier and can help dogs build and maintain lean muscle mass.

Dogs Well-Suited for Beef Dog Food

Many high-performance dog foods will contain beef because it contains more calories and a sustainable amount of protein that dogs can rely on as an energy source. So, if you have an active sporting dog, service dog, or search and rescue dog, beef dog food will probably be more suitable than chicken.

Dogs that need to gain weight can also benefit from beef dog food, and those that need to lose weight will most likely have an easier time shedding weight with food containing a different protein. One of the downsides of beef is that it has a large carbon footprint and is the least sustainable protein source.

• Excellent source of B vitamins, iron, and amino acids
• Lean beef helps build lean muscle mass
• Well-suited for active dogs
• Good for weight gain

• Relatively expensive
• Some cuts are high in cholesterol and saturated fats
• Large carbon footprint

Overview of Chicken:

Chicken is one of the most popular meats to include in dog food. Its also more affordable than beef. However, its one of the most common food allergens for dogs. So, if your dogs having a reaction to its food or itchy skin, it may be due to a chicken allergy.

Nutritional Benefits

Chicken is an excellent protein source packed with essential amino acids that help build muscle tissue. Its also a good source of Vitamin B12, choline, zinc, iron, niacin, and copper. Chicken is also lower in calories than beef, so its the ideal meat to include in weight management dog food.

Dogs Well-Suited for Chicken Dog Food

Since chicken has fewer calories, its better for dogs that need to lose weight. Its also a more affordable option for adult dogs that dont have any particular dietary restrictions or need a high-calorie diet.

Active and athletic dogs will need to eat more protein and fats. Since chicken is leaner than beef, it may not be the most energy-efficient food to feed these types of dogs.

• Good source of Vitamin B12, choline, zinc, iron, niacin, and copper
• Low-calorie
• Good for weight loss
• Affordable

• Is a common allergen
• May not sustain active dogs

What Are the Differences Between Them?

Nutritional Value

Both beef and chicken are excellent sources of protein, and they contain essential nutrients that dogs rely on for daily functioning. Beef has more fat, which is an important energy source for dogs. However, chicken has more vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, than beef.

Price

Chicken is often more affordable than beef. The price of beef dog food can also vary significantly depending on the cut of meat inside the recipe. If you find a beef dog food thats cheaper than chicken dog food, its good to be wary because theres a good chance that the recipe uses low-quality cuts of beef.

Energy

Beef has more calories and fat than chicken, so you dont have to feed your dog as much beef to replenish its energy. Along with being a more sustainable main meal, beef snacks and treats can help active dogs build and repair muscle tissue after exercising or working strenuously.

Health Risks

Both beef and chicken are common food allergens. Good-quality chicken in dog food will be lean and contain less fat and cholesterol than beef. Since beef has higher levels of cholesterol and fat, it can lead to getting overweight and secondary health issues.

Sustainability

Beef has a large carbon footprint, and livestock is responsible for 14.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Beef requires more natural resources such as water, food, and land for its production. Compared to chicken, beef requires six times the amount of food to produce 1 pound of protein.

Conclusion

In general, chicken is the better choice for average dogs. It helps them maintain a healthy weight while supplying plenty of protein and other nutrients to the body. Its also more affordable and a more sustainable option than beef.

There are some special cases in which beef is the better option for dogs. Dogs with chicken allergies and active dogs will benefit more from a beef diet.

Overall, both beef and chicken are great ingredients to include in dog food. So, make sure to be familiar with your dogs nutritional needs and select the meat that can best support its lifestyle.

Featured Image Credit: beef, webandi, Pixabay; chicken, Piqsels