Are you confused between (Real) Lamb meat and Lamb Meal?
Dogs are humble creatures that aren’t as demanding as humans. They only need a loving home, healthy food, and a stick or ball to fetch. In return, they give us all the happiness in the world.
In that case, isn’t it our duty, as dog parents, to give them the best of what they require?
Dog food is required to fulfill certain criteria that can help provide a balanced diet. It should include everything, fats, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and most importantly- protein.
Now, what is a better protein-source than a lamb meal?
As dogs are omnivores, protein is necessary for a healthy upbringing. It is imperative to give them well-researched dog food containing the appropriate amount of lamb meal.
Table of Contents
What is Lamb Meal?
People often equalize lamb and lamb meal. But not only do they have distinguishable appearances, but they also vary in terms of protein content.
Lamb, as a whole, is the muscle tissue of a young sheep. On the other hand, lamb meal is obtained through the process of rendering, where the meat is processed and condensed.
The water proportion in the whole lamb is significantly higher than the content of protein. The situation is vice versa in lamb meal, where the water is extracted from the meat. Therefore, the percentage of protein is voluminous as compared to water.
Protein is responsible for supplying the essential amino acids. These amino acids help in building muscles, hair, skin, cartilage, ligaments, etc. Moreover, it also plays an important role in the production of hormones.
Dogs need 22 essential amino acids, half of which are produced in their body itself. But the remaining ones must be provided through the diet. Such requirements are easily fulfilled by providing a protein-rich lamb meal.
Read More: Beef Meal In Dog Food | Salmon Meal In Dog Food | Corn Gluten Meal In Dog Food
Why Should You Opt For Lamb Meal in Dog Food?
Lamb meal is an important protein source that is an excellent choice for dogs. The following are some crucial reasons why you should choose it as a healthy diet for your canine:
1. Protein Content
Among all the other macronutrients, protein is one of the most ones influential and crucial for dogs. It assists in creating, healing, and maintaining muscle tissues.
Along with that, it supports the immune system and helps with the production of hormones and antibodies.
When the raw lamb is obtained from the muscle of young sheep, it has more water content. However, when that raw meat is rendered and converted into a lamb meal, the water content is removed. This decreases the proportion of water and increases the content of protein.
Thus, lamb meal supplies a highly concentrated source of protein.
2. Good for Sensitive Dogs
Very few people are aware of the fact that some dogs are allergic to certain proteins. They can be mostly allergic to egg, chicken, pork, rabbit, fish, etc. A nutritious lamb meal does the trick for such dogs.
It is highly assumed that lamb is hypoallergenic that means that it is responsible for causing severe allergies. But this is not remotely true. If your dog is allergic to other protein sources like chicken, or fish, a lamb meal is a reliable option.
Note: If your dog continues to have an allergic reaction after changing the diet, it is best to consult a vet. Look out for symptoms like skin rash, irritability, vomiting, itchiness, gas, bad breath, etc.
3. Dietary Fat Content
Along with protein, lamb meal provides a sufficient amount of dietary fat. These fatty acids are useful for transporting fat-soluble vitamins that are to be digested and utilized accordingly. Moreover, fat is responsible for providing energy, cushioning, and insulation in a dog’s body.
A lamb meal contains the perfect amount of fat as a excessive proportion can cause health issues.
4. Loved by Dogs
The palatability of lamb meal is very high. Dogs are immediately attracted to their smell. If your dog is a fussy eater, you can opt for a lamb-based diet. Not only will they get all the necessary nutrients, but it will also sit well with that taste buds.
Hence, it is a win-win situation for them.
5. Iron Content
As compared with fish or chicken meal in dog food, the proportion of iron is more in lamb meal. It contains heme iron that is easily absorbable in a dog’s body. It is also more beneficial than the iron found in plants, making it an ideal choice for canines.
6. Change in Diet
Some dog parents often like to change their dog’s diet either as a modification or for fulfilling any nutritional deficiencies. This can be fulfilled by incorporating lamb meals into their daily diet.
Factors That Decide the Authenticity of Lamb Meal
Several elements factor in while choosing the best lamb meal for a dog. Before you purchase it, look out for the following characteristics and check if it fulfills the requirements:
1. The First Ingredient
Whenever you’re purchasing a new brand of lamb meal, keep a sharp eye on the ingredient label. The first component should always be lamb meal. The pet food companies are required to list the ingredients by volume. If it is at the top-most position, the food is considered to be of high-quality.
2. Contains antioxidants
The second factor that you must focus on is the presence of antioxidants. As they successfully eliminate free radicals, they help in keeping the dog healthy and happy.
In addition to that, they also help prevent other cancer forms.
3. Contains Omega Fatty Acids
Every dog food must have enough proportion of Omega fatty acids. It keeps the dogs healthy. Moreover, they also improve the shine of their coats.
4. No Unnecessary Additives
A high-quality lamb meal will not contain any unnecessary additives like artificial dyes or flavors. Make sure that natural preservatives are used in very less proportion. The only function of such dyes is to add a touch of color to the food, and frankly, dogs do not care about that.
5. Avoid Unidentified Meats
The reliability of the meal can be decided as per its nomenclature. If it is listed as a “lamb meal” it is a dependable option. However, if it is mentioned as a “meat meal” you must avoid it.
Read More: Canola Meal in Dog Food | Turkey Meal In Dog Food | Alfalfa Meal In Dog Food
Best Lamb Meals in Dog Food
As a lamb meal in dog food is necessary for our furry best friends, it is crucial to find a prominent product. If you want our recommendations, here are a few best options available:
Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula
A high-caliber nutritious diet is provided by Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula.
It is specifically made for adult dogs to help build their strong muscles.
This lamb meal contains real fruits and vegetables like blueberries, coconut, peas, and kale.
It proves to be successful in providing all the crucial proteins, minerals, and omega fatty acids.
As it is not made with any fillers like corn, or artificial color, or preservatives, it is a relatively healthier and natural option for your dog.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice
The main ingredient of Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice is lamb meal, therefore establishing its reliability.
It is made without any common allergens like corn, wheat, or soy.
This makes it a go-to choice for dogs with severe allergies.
It does not contain any meat fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
As it is a 6 limited ingredient recipe, it makes it a unique and healthy option.
Its high palatability will make it your dog’s favorite meal in no time!
AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula
The AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula is made with qualitative lamb meal with natural omega-rich avocados.
It contains natural flavors with no added preservatives or colors.
This reduces the chances of creating any side effects or causing any allergies to your dog.
It is a rich and essential source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant nutrients.
The ingredients are natural and simple, making it easy for the dogs to digest them.
Do you know why duck meal in dog food is good for the health of your dog? Get all the insight about the duck meal for your dog.
FAQs About Lamb Meal in Dog Food
Is lamb easy to digest for dogs?
As lamb meal is the rendered version of lamb, it contains less amount of water and more proportion of protein. As lamb itself is easily digestible for dogs, they are also able to digest lamb meal without any negative consequences.
Is lamb or chicken better for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
If your dog is on a chicken-based diet and he/she is experiencing digestibility issues, you can try switching them to a lamb-based diet. This can help in resolving the issue as dogs are sensitive to certain types of protein.
Is the combination of lamb and rice good for dogs?
Lamb meal is often paired with rice to give a complete and balanced diet to dogs. They can derive the necessary proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals from it.
Do dogs like lamb meal?
A lamb meal is extremely nutritious as well as palatable, your dogs will absolutely love it. Along with that, it is highly digestible, thereby implying that your dog will face no issues with the lamb meal provided.
Summing Up
As we are coming to the end of the article, we hope that you have a better idea about lamb meal in dog food. We have covered all the major aspects- meaning, benefits, and factors. Keep it in your back pocket while going on a shopping spree for your dog’s food.
Always remember that your dog relies on you to make the best choices for him/her. Do not let them down by making a poor and ill-informed decision.
Check out the different types of rendered ingredients in dog food over here and see the types of meals produced through rendering.
Also Read:
References:
- Lamb meal – Wikipedia
- The Real Deal on Protein Meal – Chewy Blog
- Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats
When things come crashing down, Tiffany comes to the rescue! As a veterinary medicine graduate, she is the brain behind the in-depth analysis of the products. As an avid dog lover, she is earnestly driven to find the finest options. Any article on DogNeedsBest that has to do anything with your pet’s health goes under scrutiny before getting published.
