Did you know that “lamb” meat typically refers to the meat of a sheep that is of a certain age? In most cases, a butcher will refer to sheep meat as “mutton” if it is from a sheep that is around or over two years of age. The term “lamb” is used by butchers to designate meat that is from sheep that are under two years of age. Lamb meat is used in many different food products, but recently has been commonly seen in many dog food formulas. Here is a quick guide to lamb-based dog food, as well as what type of nutrition lamb provides for your dog.
Lamb and Allergies
Since many commercial dog food formulas still rely on chicken and beef for protein, lamb is not yet commonly associated with dog allergies. A dog may develop a protein-specific allergy if they are fed a diet that includes only one protein source. Lamb is sometimes marketed as a protein that can be fed to dogs that have allergies to chicken or beef.
Choosing a Lamb Dog Food
When choosing a lamb-based dog food formula, you should hold it to the same standards as you would any other dog food formula. This means choosing a formula that contains at least two protein ingredients among its first five ingredients. For a formula based around lamb, you should choose a formula that has either lamb or lamb meal as its first ingredient. However, since whole lamb contains water, this may mean that the true “bulk” of this ingredient should be farther down the ingredients list. Lamb meal often refers to whole lamb that has been dehydrated and processed. Always choose a lamb dog food formula that does not contain any artificial colors, artificial flavors or chemical preservatives. You should also try to choose a lamb formula that does not contain any corn, wheat or soy, which are three of the most common filler ingredients used in inexpensive dog food formulas. It’s also best to stick to lamb-based formulas that do not come from animals that were injected with hormones or treated excessively with antibiotics.
Common Lamb Dog Food Combination
Lamb is often combined with rice or another carbohydrate to create a specific formula. For example, lamb and rice dog food is a common combination that many commercial pet food formulations use. Some grain-free dog food formulas may combine lamb with potatoes, sweet potatoes or tapioca.