American Journey Limited Ingredient Grain
American Journey Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Venison Dog Food is a high-quality food that costs a little more than the average price for this list. However, it contains mostly excellent ingredients with only a small number of controversial additions. Its primary ingredient is deboned venison, followed by sweet potatoes. The mix also incorporates peas and pea protein, with pea starch further down the list. Combining these ingredients and listing them as one item, peas, may have pushed this lower quality ingredient further up the list.
The ingredients list canola oil. Canola oil is considered beneficial by some owners because it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. However, it is considered controversial because it may be derived from genetically modified rapeseed. Fish oils are considered a better source of omega-3, than vegetable oils, and would have been preferred.
Another potentially controversial ingredient is that of beet pulp. It is known to offer blood sugar health benefits to dogs, but some people believe it to be poor-quality filler.
The minerals in this food are chelated. Chelated minerals have been attached to the protein in the food, which makes it easier for your dog to absorb and use the minerals. There are no probiotics in the food, which would help with digestion.
- 22% protein, could be higher
Benefits Of Venison For Dogs
Aside from being low in fat and cholesterol, venison also offers more for our pets. It is better for our dogs holistic heart health. It is actually the second healthiest meat for a dogs heart the first is fish.
To be more specific, venison only contains 159 calories per 100-grams portion, and only 3.3 of those calories are from fat. It also contains more iron than any other type of meat which is highly beneficial for dogs who are low in the blood.
Merrick Venison Holiday Stew Review
One of Merricks unique selling points is its genuinely enormous range of canned dog food recipes. Not only is this range huge, but it contains a number of novelty and holiday-themed recipes.
Examples include Christmas and Thanksgiving recipes as well as some with puns related to tv shows and games.
While the above-mentioned Venison Holiday Stew may not be quite as big an occasion as Christmas, it is a unique formula that could provide a dog with some much-needed variety, especially as Venison is an uncommon and often unfamiliar meat ingredient.
While many of the above formulas contain minimal vegetables, this formula is a stew, so it contains quite a few. Examples include Carrots, Potatoes, and Peas.
Despite the vast range of vegetables present, the nutrition offered by this formula is still very satisfactory.
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It Contains Multiple Vitamins And Minerals
Venison is loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals, including:
- Iron Essential for the proper functioning of red blood cells, low iron levels can lead to anemia. Anemic dogs are more prone to injury, illness, and they are more lethargic and listless.
- Niacin Vitamin B3 is known to help circulation and, in turn, it can reduce levels of inflammation. So, it is especially important for dogs with arthritis and other inflammatory illnesses. All B vitamins are water-soluble, which means that they are not stored by the body and are used immediately. As a result, your dog needs high levels in its diet.
- Riboflavin Vitamin B2 combines with other vitamins and minerals to fight diseases by creating antibodies within the immune system. Vitamin B2 is also necessary to help the body absorb B6 and iron.
- Vitamin B Vitamin B6 is another B vitamin, and like the others, it is water-soluble so your dogs body must consume what it requires at the time. It is used to create glucose and it supports a healthy immune system while supporting DNA.
- Omega-3 Venison contains higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids than other red meats, and this is important in cognition and brain health, as well as eye and even coat and skin health. Omega-3 fatty acids can also treat arthritis and kidney disease.
Is Venison Meat An Expensive Dog Food Ingredient
The cost of Venison is tough to reliably gauge as Venison isnt farmed in a quite as intensive manner that other animals are.
The price of a few pounds of Venison from a local hunter is going to be significantly cheaper than a similar quantity from a specialist meat seller.
However, there are Venison farms, and they have come into the mainstream due to the increased demand for Venison over the last decade.
This is almost certainly where the Venison used in dog food is sourced from as dog food manufacturers need a reliable and plentiful supply in order to maintain production.
One of the largest suppliers of Venison meat is New Zealand, which also produces a large portion of the worlds demand for Lamb.
While this meat is unlikely to be as cheap as other meats such as Chicken or Pork, it is often reasonably priced. While none of the recipes we will discuss shortly are cheap, we do not believe they are extortionate. However, as we will discuss later in this article, the price has increased in recent years.
Many people in more rural locations often acquire a substantial quantity of Venison from their own or their friends or family hunting efforts.
While you need to do some research on how to prepare homemade dog food, there is little reason why you couldnt use some of this Venison to supplement your dogs diet or even be used as a treat.
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Limited Ingredient Dog Food With Venison
As mentioned previously, Venison is often used in Limited Ingredient dog food formulas. Limited Ingredient dog food formulas aim to use a minimal range of ingredients.
This approach allows dog owners to narrow down what ingredients their dogs are experiencing an allergic reaction to, as well as later provide their dog with a dog food recipe without any of those allergens.
The use of Venison in Limited Ingredient formulas stems from the fact that Venison is quite rarely used in dog food and so a dog is less likely to suffer an allergic reaction from it as they would not have been previously exposed.
A lack of previous exposure to an ingredient does not guarantee that a dog will not be allergic to it, but it does increase the likelihood that they can consume it without issue.
The use of uncommon meat ingredients such as Venison in dog food has a particular classification. These are known as Novel Meat formulas, and other examples of meat ingredients used in Novel Meat formulas are Rabbit, Alligator, and Kangaroo.
A dog food formula can be both a limited ingredient and novel meat formula, and many that use Venison would be categorized as both.
Check out our Best Dog Food With Rabbit article for more information on the use of Rabbit in dog food.
Check out our Best Dog Food With Kangaroo article for more information on the use of Kangaroo in dog food.
Cooked Venison Dog Food
Posted by Ted Reader on Wednesday, January 20, 2016
For some, the best cut for their dog is not a cut at all, and instead just simply ground venison. This is probably the easiest meat to deal with for creating a bowl of food for your dog that they will absolutely devour.
Thankfully, we don’t have to worry as much with presentation and visual appeal. We just need to grind and cook the burger to a safe level and then mix it with other ingredients such as vegetables .
Maybe the simplest way to approach this is to add it to the dry food that you are already giving your dog. This can make a bag of kibble go a lot further and give your dog the added B vitamins and minerals such as zinc, phosphorous, riboflavin, and iron that deer meat provides.
Since it’s always good to add a second protein source, some owners like to include a non-meat food like plain cottage cheese, cooked eggs, or even yogurt. Remember that carbohydrates are essential as well, so adding things like brown rice or white rice makes good sense too.
Other quality carbohydrate choices include cooked sweet potatoes or white potatoes, and even some types of pasta. Since some dogs have allergies, a grain-free recipe with venison as the first ingredient may be the only way.
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Grain
Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Grain-Free Venison Dry Dog Food is an inexpensive food that lists multiple meat sources in its ingredients including venison but also beef, chicken meal, chicken fat, lamb meal, lamb, and menhaden fish meal. Other ingredients include peas and potatoes. Peas are considered a good source of fiber and help give Rachael Ray Nutrish a 6% fiber content. The ingredients list dried peas, pea starch, and pea protein, which are constituent ingredients from the same source: peas. Peas likely make up a good amount of the ingredients in this food.
Beet pulp is found in this food. This ingredient is considered controversial because it is a cheap food filler. Also, while Nutrish contains chelated minerals that are easier for your dogs body to absorb than non-chelated, there are no probiotics in the ingredients.
It is worth noting that this is a grain-free food. Other beneficial ingredients include chicken fat, which is high in omega-6. Menhaden fish meal and flaxseed naturally contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, while the latter ingredient is also high in dietary fiber. The combination of low cost and quality ingredients, as well as the lack of grains, make this the best venison dog food for the money.
- Lots of pea derivatives in the ingredients
American Journey Lid Venison & Sweet Potato
About: If your pooch has a sensitive stomach, this limited-ingredient dog food from American Journey may make an excellent pick. A Chewy/Petsmart exclusive, this food features venison as the single protein source, and it is packed with Omega-3s.
Best LID Venison-Only Dog Food
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What To Look Out For In The Best Venison Dog Food
As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of dog foods available to buy on the market and each of them are advertised to be the best for your furry friend.
However, that isnt always the case.
To determine which dog food is the best Venison dog food for your furry friend, there are a few things you need to look out for. In this section of the blog, we will go through each of them.
Lets begin.
How Good Is Deer Meat For Dogs What Are The Benefits
As mentioned before, possibly the biggest benefit of feeding your dog venison is the lower levels of fat compared to other meats. Venison also has a number of other benefits, including being rich in iron, B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Whilst fatty acids may not sound like a good thing, it is actually good for dogs as it helps keep their coats clean and glossy.
Is venison good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Venison can work very well for dogs with sensitive tummies. A large reason that dogs may have sore tummies is because of a grain allergy, grain is largely present in meats like chicken as they are commercially farmed and are fed grain.
However, because venison is not commercially farmed the meat does not contain grain and is a good option for sensitive dogs. There will always be a small risk that your dog could have an allergy to deer meat so be careful when changing their diet.
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Best Dry Dog Food With Venison
For those of you who have read some of our other best of articles, youll know that Merricks Grain-Free range is one of our favorites. The majority of the formulas in this range provide excellent nutrition from a range of high-quality ingredients.
Merricks Grain-Free range includes common meat and fish ingredients such as Chicken or Beef but also contains less common ingredients such as Rabbit or Venison.
In total, there is a vast number of formulas, and there is a significant likelihood that there are many or some that will appeal to your canine friend.
Their Venison formula doesnt just contain Venison and has quite a few meat ingredients, including Turkey, Pork, and Lamb.
These meat ingredients are combined with the ever common Peas and Chickpeas, which provide a satisfactory proportion of carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
However, due to the broad range of meat ingredients present, this formula is most definitely not a Limited Ingredient formula, which is the most widespread use of Venison meat and therefore, may not be suitable for dogs with severe allergies. For those without allergies, this formula is one of the best available with a strong focus on Venison.
Zignature produces probably the most extensive range of limited ingredient formulas of any sizeable commercial dog food brand.
Each of their formulas combines a single source of meat or fish with a small variety of high-quality vegetable ingredients.
Why Cook Venison For Dogs
Venison can be a huge benefit to your dogs health. It is an excellent source of protein but at the same time is low in carbohydrates. It is leaner than beef and full of healthy vitamins, including B6, B12, and riboflavin.
For dogs with food-related problems, venison can be a great aid in fixing their skin issues.
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Natural Balance Venison Dog Food
A limited ingredient, grain-free dog food made with whole venison and fiber-rich sweet potatoes.
- Some owners saw improvements in their dogs GI process after switching to this food.
- This food is great for pups with sensitive stomachs.
- Dogs big and small seem to enjoy the taste of this venison food.
Cons
- Meat is not the first ingredient.
- While a very small number of dogs may require a grain-free meal, most dogs should probably be fed a grain-inclusive option.
Can Dogs Get Cwd After Eating Deer Meat
CWD stands for Chronic Wasting Disease and it can affect the nervous system or both wild and farmed cervids, including deer. This disease can be transmitted through an infected carcass and precautions include not consuming the brain and eyes of cervids.
Whilst there have been no reports of dogs contracting CWD, other animals that can be fed raw diets, such as cats and ferrets, have been reported contracting CWD.
How much venison can I feed my dog
Some vets say that venison should not act as the only meat in a dogs primary diet due to its low protein. It can be fed as full meals for about 2 to 3 days of the week, depending on your specific dog.
Are deer legs good for dogs
Leg bones can splinter very easily so it is recommended to not feed your dog deer legs.
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Natures Logic Canine Venison Feast Review
Just like Zignature, Natures Logics canned dog food recipes also align perfectly with their dry dog food recipes. This includes all of the recipes with uncommon meat and fish ingredients like Venison, Rabbit, and Sardines.
Natures Logic canned dog food recipes contain very little plant material, and the Venison Feast formula is a prime example of this.
Its primary ingredients are Venison, Venison Broth, and Venison Liver. As we discussed in relation to Ziwi Peak, organ meat, such as Liver can provide unique minerals and vitamins, so it is a positive addition.
As we discussed with Natures Logics dry dog food recipe with Venison, they have had shortages, which have meant that the product was, at times, unavailable.
It appears that the canned version has had more consistent production and availability than the dry, which could help you avoid left scrambling for an alternative.
What To Do If A Dog Is Sick After Eating Deer Meat
Seeing your dog being sick can be quite scary, especially if youre worried you have fed them something bad. Vomiting can be a sign of bad meat or also a protein allergy. If your dog has been sick right after feeding them venison you should book a vet consultation to make sure everything is okay. Avoid feeding them venison until any underlying matters are resolved.
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What Kind Of Dog Food Is Precise Dog Food
- All in all, they seem to be a quality pet food brand. Precise Dry Food: For dry food, they offer three different product lines Naturals, Naturals Grain-Free, and Holistic Complete. All of their dry food products are formulated with quality ingredients that offer balanced nutrition for dogs in all life stages.
Drawbracks Of Adding Venison To Your Dog’s Diet
Here are some of the drawbacks of adding venison to your dog’s diet:
- Fresh venison may be hard to come by, especially if you live in the city.
- Dog food made with venison may be more expensive than other foods.
- Veterinarians recommend that venison, and any wild game meat added to your dog’s diet, be cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of parasitical infection.
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Natural Balance Lid Grain
Natural Balance L.I.D. Grain-Free Dry Dog Food includes venison as its second ingredient, after sweet potatoes. Its high concentration of venison means that this is expensive food, but it does ensure that youre feeding your dog protein from a reliable and high-quality source. The ingredients also contain salmon oil and flaxseed, which give the food good omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid levels. The added minerals found in the food are chelated, which means that your dog should find it easier to absorb them.
This food has a protein level lower than most others on the list, just 20%. It also lists canola oil as one of its ingredients. Canola oil is considered controversial because it is made from genetically modified rapeseed.
There is also no mention of probiotics in the ingredient list other than brewers dried yeast, which is somewhat controversial. On the one hand, this yeast is rich in B vitamins as well as antioxidants. It can benefit the skin and coat, hair, eyes, and even the liver function of your dog. It can even reduce anxiety levels and is a probiotic. However, some owners claim that this ingredient increases the likelihood of dogs contracting bloat. This has not been scientifically proven, and it would likely take a large concentration of the yeast to have this negative affect. You should ensure that your dog is not allergic to this ingredient, though.
- Venison high up the ingredients
- Chelated minerals