Dogs are the closest living relatives of wolves, and they eat deer meat.
Can Dogs Eat Deer Meat?
Venison can be eaten raw, but the meat could harbor bacteria if it isn’t handled properly.
- To kill bacteria, it is a good idea to freeze or cook the venison before giving it to your dog. Venison jerky can be a tasty treat for your dog; however, ensure that it contains no additives and is high in protein.
- Venison sausages are a popular treat. However, they can be dangerous for dogs as many brands contain a lot of fat.
- You can feed your dog liver and heart, which are both excellent meats. However, certain dog species, like dalmatians, may become ill if they get too much liver.
- Dogs can eat raw bones, which can either be added to their regular diet or used as a treat. You should be cautious with cooked bones, as they can cause splintering in the dog’s mouth.
- Dog owners love to cook meals for their pets. Here’s a simple venison recipe: 5lbs of meat, 2 cans broth, 4 cups water, 3 cans corn, and 3lbs brown rice.
- After the venison has been cooked, add corn and stock to bring it to a boil. Let the rice simmer for one hour before adding the stock and corn. Once the rice is boiled, cool the mixture in a saucepan and then let it cool down.
Raw Venison for Dogs
We know that venison is safe for dogs and good for their health. Let’s now look at how to feed venison to dogs. Dogs can eat raw venison. It is possible for dogs to eat, process, and digest raw venison without any problems.
Raw deer meat is the best way to feed your dog because it has more nutrients than cooked meat. Unlike humans, dogs can eat raw meat. They are equipped with natural digestive enzymes and bile and high-acid stomachs to process bacteria that could make humans sick.
What happens if your dog switch to a pure diet
- Shinier coats
- Healthier skin
- Healthier teeth
- Higher energy levels
- Smaller stools
Cooked Deer Meat for Dogs
Cooked deer meat is very common to feed dogs among owners of sled dogs in Alaska and Northern Canada. The meat is boiled for a prolonged time to make venison broth. It is often boiled with rice, which is served to the dogs. It is usually fed to dogs warm, so they have the energy to face the cold in the winter months when.
However, cooked venison is not as good for dogs because it takes away some nutrients.
Deer Meat for Dogs
Venison has many advantages over other meats for dogs.
Leaner
Deer live differently from cows, and venison is much leaner than beef. A 3-ounce serving of venison contains only 135 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 160 calories. A 3-ounce portion equivalent of beef has 162 calories and 6 grams.
Allergies
Venison is an excellent choice of food for dogs with allergies to chicken and beef, which can cause gastrointestinal problems or skin irritations in your dog. The good news is that most dogs don’t experience any adverse effects from eating venison.
Natural
You can eliminate all negative aspects associated with farmed animals by feeding your dogs venison. Since the deer is not fed any additives or antibiotics, you can feed your dog deer meat to make it more like a wild dog.
Can Deer Meat Cause my Dog Get Sick?
Deer meat is unlikely to make your dog sick. However, you should take precautions when giving venison to dogs. You should not give your deer to your dogs if you know it is ill. It is not recommended to feed your dog deer meat from deer with EHD and CWD.
Ensure to check for foreign objects in the deer’s meat. You may find old broadheads and lead in areas where the deer was shot poorly. The wound will heal around the foreign object and hide it from your sight. When handling venison, you should use caution, as you would with any other raw meat.
- Clean the surface
- Throw away any tainted or spoiled meat
- Wear proper gloves
What Parts of Deer Meat and Products are Safe for my Dog?
You may now be wondering what deer meat your four-legged friend can eat. Below are the benefits and dangers of giving your dog different types of deer meat.
Venison jerky
Dogs love jerky, but is venison jelly good for them? Venison jerky makes a great treat for your dog. However, you should be cautious about which one you choose. It is fine to give your dog venison jerky if it is single-source protein jerky that has been naturally dried.
Many pet food companies add additives to their dog treats which can cause severe health problems. Be careful what jerky you choose.
Venison sausage
Similar to venison jelly, venison sausages are a delicious treat, provided they don’t contain any additives. You can make venison sausages as an all-natural treat that contains fatty acids, which will also help to keep your dog’s coat healthy.
Nowadays, many dog owners are making their venison sausages.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Store-Bought Sausages?
Deer liver
Dogs love the liver, which is an excellent source of iron and the same goes for venison liver. Raw meat diets often include about 20% of the organs. However, it is possible to feed your dog with deer liver directly with this simple method.
The liver can be cooked on low heat for 20 minutes to produce a dried liver treat, which is healthier than most commercial dog treats. Some dogs, like dalmatians, can become very sick from too much liver, so be cautious before giving liver to your dog.
Deer heart
Hearts are similar to the liver and can be added to various raw diets to provide a healthy option for your dog’s diet. A cooked heart can be a healthy treat for your dog. However, it is vital to ensure that the venison hearts are responsibly sourced.
You should also ensure that your dog’s raw heart is frozen for at least a few days before giving it to him.
Deer antlers
Dogs love deer antlers. Because they are natural and last a long time, they have been a trendy treat. They are also safer than bones because they have a lower chance of splintering. You should always keep your dog supervised when giving any treat to them because there is always the risk of them choking.
Can Dogs Eat Deer Bones?
Dog owners are often divided on the safety and health benefits of giving their dogs bones as treats. Let’s see if deer bones can be used for your dog.
Raw venison bones
Raw bones are an excellent option for dog food because they provide healthy vitamins and various nutrients. Raw bones are safe for dogs, but it is important to verify where your bones came from and ensure they are safe to eat.
You can feed your dog with raw bones, and they make a great addition to their main meal.
Cooked venison bones
Boil bones are the only type of cooked bone that dogs can eat. However, the bones cooked for a long time, can splinter easier and often cause problems in the dogs’ mouths and throats.
The nutrients are also removed by cooking, making them less nutritious than raw bones. If you insist on feeding your dog cooked bones, the best way is to boil them.
How To Prepare Deer Bones For Dogs?
Boiling bones is the safest way to give your dog cooked bones. Simply bring a pot of boiling water to a boil and place the bones in it. Make sure that the bone is completely covered with water. Let the bone boil for at least an hour before removing it from the heat. Only give your dog cooked bones if your vet has advised you to do so in order to make the bone softer.
How Much Venison do I Need to Feed my Dog?
Introduce venison to your dog in small amounts. Dogs can become upset by new foods and have difficulty digesting them. You can gradually introduce more deer meat to your dog’s diet until they are comfortable with it. This process should take between 3 and 4 weeks.
You will need to determine the amount of venison you should feed your dog. For example, a 100-pound dog would need 29 ounces of food daily for moderate activity.
FAQs
What to Do if your dog gets sick from eating deer meat?
It can be scary to see your dog sick, especially if they have been fed something harmful. Vomiting could be an indication of poor meat or a protein allergy. You should see a vet if your dog becomes sick after eating venison. It is best to not feed your dog venison until the underlying issues are addressed.
Does cooked deer meat cause injury to a dog?
Cooked bones can hurt dogs, but what about deer meat? The only problem with cooked venison is that it has fewer proteins compared to other meats, which will be a problem for dogs on high protein diets.
Can dogs get CWD after eating deer meat?
CWD is an acronym for “Chronic Wasting Disease” and can affect the nervous systems of wild and farmed cervids as well as deers. CWD can be transmitted from an infected carcass. It is essential to avoid eating the brain or eyes of the cervids.
Although there have not been any reports of dogs getting CWD, it has been reported that CWD has been contracted in other animals, including cats and ferrets.
How much venison should I give my dog?
Due to its low protein, some vets advise that venison not be the sole meat of a dog’s diet. Depending on the dog, you can feed it venison as a full meal for 2 to 3 days a week.
Are deer legs good for dogs?
It is possible for cooked leg bones to splinter easily. However, dried deer legs make a great treat for your dog.
Conclusion
Dogs have been enjoying deer meat since ancient times. Venison is healthier than most commercial dog foods. It is important to keep an eye on your dog’s behavior when introducing new foods. You can start feeding your dog venison once you have established that your dog is comfortable with the new diet.
Further Reading:
- Can Dogs Eat Pork? Is Pork Safe for Dogs?
- Can Dogs Eat Ground Beef?
- Can Dogs Eat Turkey?