Can Dogs Eat Raw Lamb?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Raw Lamb?“.

The diet of dogs should be raw since wolves evolved from them. Many pet parents no longer feed their dogs raw meat due to the availability of so much readily available and affordable commercial dog food.

You can still feed your pet what they should have eaten in the first place unless of course you have converted to the BARF theory.

Nevertheless the risks cannot be ignored. Can dogs consume raw lamb?

What is the maximum amount of raw lamb you can feed your dog?

What other kinds of meat are more preferred? Now that you know all these questions you can make an informed decision about what to feed your pet.

Can raw lamb make a dog sick?

Unquestionably raw meat of any kind can make a dog sick. How dangerous is lamb raw? All kinds of meat can be contaminated with bacteria and they can make your dog quite sick especially if your pet has a weak immune system is a senior pet or suffers from illnesses such as kidney disease or liver failure.

Raw meat including lamb is commonly found to contain the following bacteria:

Salmonella

This bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal problems in humans but not in dogs. This is because most dogs carry the bacteria in their guts and only a few strains of Salmonella are dangerous. There are many harmless strains.

The disease Salmonellosis which has two forms can be contracted by infected lambs and sheep. Symptoms of the enteric disease include diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues while the septic form will result in multisystemic infection and death. 

E.Coli

Just like Salmonella E.Coli has many different strains and most of them do not cause any problems to dogs sheep or humans. E. coli strains are present in the guts of both dogs and humans. The dangerous strains typically cause diarrhea cramping and vomiting. E. coli-infected raw meat poses a particularly serious risk to puppies who are prone to dehydration as well as to immunocompromised dogs.

Clostridium

Sheep can also carry Clostridium a bacteria that can cause serious diarrhea particularly in dogs with weakened immune systems. Many dogs however carry this bacteria without showing any symptoms. 

Does cooking lamb make it safer to eat?

Almost all pathogens including nasty bacteria are destroyed by heat during cooking so your dog should be fine eating cooked lamb. You should however cook the lamb thoroughly to guarantee complete safety. It tastes great and your pet will love it but the inner pink parts might still contain harmful bacteria. If you handle raw lamb always wash your hands thoroughly as bacteria on your hands can contaminate kitchen utensils and surfaces. 

Which are the best and the worst raw lamb bones to feed your dog?

In order to avoid giving a dog a bone while you’re a busy cooking lamb your pet will keep an eye on you. As far as you’re concerned yes your dog can totally eat lamb bones. The bones should be large weight-bearing bones like leg bones or shoulder bones if it is mainly for entertainment purposes. I want you to watch him closely now. Chewing on a large bone requires supervision because it may splinter at some point. Let your dog play with the bone for 15-30 minutes then take it away.

Additionally you can give your dog ribs flaps and tail bones as they are good for maintaining the health of teeth and gums. 

Why should dogs eat raw lamb bones not cooked lamb bones?

All cooked bones should not be eaten by dogs. If you throw leftovers from family dinners to your dog stop it.

They become brittle and likely to splinter due to the heat they are exposed to during the cooking process.

Moreover if the dog is a vigorous chewer he will certainly be able to crack the bone leading to serious health issues.

Choking is the most immediate risk if the splinter gets lodged in the throat of the dog. The Heimlich maneuver works just as well for dogs as it does for humans in this situation.

Alternatively you might be able to get the splinter out by opening the dogs mouth wide.

If the splinter gets into your dogs stomach it could perforate the stomach wall and then he is in real trouble. The disease can lead to septicemia and death.

Splinters can also cause intestinal obstruction when they move from the stomach which will likely require surgery. 

Just to be sure you should take your dog to the vet if he eats a splinter. 

What is the nutrition in ground raw lamb?

A dogs health is greatly improved by eating lamb as it is an excellent source of protein. There are many essential amino acids in lamb as well as dietary fats which provide dogs with the energy they need to run around the garden and chase squirrels. Lamb is a rich source of vitamins and minerals that support muscle development promote skin health and give your pet a splendid shiny coat. 

There are 80 calories in 28 grams of ground raw lamb which is quite a lot if your pup is overweight. However this tiny serving of food will provide your dog with a significant amount of vitamin B12 which is 27% of the recommended daily value for humans. Additionally it contains Niacin (B3) and Riboflavin (B2).

The minerals in ground raw lamb especially selenium (10% RDA) and zinc (9% RDA) contribute to a healthy immune system in your pet. 

Lamb vs beef vs chicken which meat is healthier?

If you’re trying to decide what type of meat is best for your dog you should keep protein fat and calories in mind. Your dogs age should also be considered. Breeding puppies and lactating females require 22% protein in their diets while adult dogs only require 18%.

A lambs high-fat content makes it a poor source of digestible protein. Chicken on the other hand is even higher in protein and lower in fat so it is a better choice. 

The protein content of beef is also quite high and it is also quite affordable. But be sure to choose lean meat since you do not want your dog to eat too much fat. 

When all is said and done all of these types of meat are healthy and nutritious for your pet but if you must choose just one go with chicken because it offers the best protein/fat ratio.

Also find out which meat your dog prefers. Every dog has a preference. 

How much raw lamb should you feed a dog?

Your dogs size is the determining factor. A dog should consume 2-4% of its body weight in raw meat if you’re switching to the BARF diet. Small dogs should get a higher percentage of raw meat while large pets should only consume 2% of their body weight in raw meat. 

The recommended amount of raw meat for a small dog is 2-5 pounds per week or approximately 10 pounds per month.

Approximately 54 lbs of raw meat is needed each month for a large dog weighing 100 lbs.   

Can a dog eat lamb kidneys?

A surprising amount of nutrients can be found in organ meats. Lambs kidneys are superior to muscle meat in terms of nutrition so your dog should occasionally enjoy them as a treat.

Lambs kidneys are also a source of omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties and are good for heart health.

Can a dog eat lamb heart?

You can make your dog very happy by giving him a lamb heart. Aside from being delicious a lamb heart is also healthy for your pet. They also contain essential minerals such as iron and zinc which make them an excellent source of protein. 

Which raw meat can’t dogs eat and why?

Raw meat is safe for dogs to eat according to theory. Wolf pups eat raw meat naturally. Nevertheless bacterial contamination is a concern.

Chicken for example can be infected with Salmonella and other bacteria but lamb and other types of meat are also at risk. 

Raw turkey is the same. You should not feed raw turkey to puppies or older dogs who have kidney problems. 

Raw fish is also not recommended for dogs as they may contain Salmonella or Listeria. Those who opt for a raw diet however usually have no trouble feeding their dogs fresh uncooked fish. 

Conclusion

You can give your dog raw lamb if you’re transitioning him to a raw diet or if you just want to surprise him.

Alternatively you can give your dog meaty lamb bones but be sure they are large weight-bearing bones or smaller tail bones that are easy for him to chew.

The dog should be monitored closely after consuming raw lamb to make sure he does not develop gastrointestinal issues.

Make sure your dog is checked by a vet if he shows signs such as vomiting or diarrhea. Give him chicken which is healthier if you want to add more raw meat to his diet.

You just have to make sure he does not get bones from the chicken. 

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Lamb? (Watch Video)