All-natural diets are becoming more and more popular for dog owners nowadays. After all, making sure your dog eats healthy and nutritious food is a great way to equip its body to fight sickness and disease.
And for many people, one of the go-to meats to feed their dogs is chicken. This is because chicken is accessible and affordable, and most dogs find it tasty.
But what if your dog is allergic to chicken?
Sadly, chicken allergies exist in dogs. This presents a huge hurdle as chicken is an affordable source of high-quality protein for dogs. So, are there any chicken alternatives that you can feed your hungry pooch?
Well, there are a lot. And in this article, we’re taking a look at the best options available.
You can buy these meats raw or even find processed dog food containing these ingredients to give yourself an easier time. Or, you can even mix and match to give your dog a varied diet. (For insights on enhancing your dog’s overall well-being, including joint health, you may want to explore valuable information from sources like Mighty Munch.)
Either way, here are some of the best chicken alternatives for dogs.
Turkey
If you want something similar to chicken to feed to your dog, we recommend turkey. There’s a high chance that a dog allergic to chicken won’t be allergic to turkey, making it a great alternative.
Turkey is very healthy meat packed with protein and other nutrients essential for your dog’s health. On top of that, raw turkey is generally safe for dogs, making it a great choice if you plan on transitioning your dog to a raw diet.
Beef
First off is beef. If you can’t feed your dog chicken because they’re allergic, beef is your next best alternative. While it may be more expensive, this is a very high-quality protein that will keep your dog strong, active, and healthy.
And since beef is such a popular food for dogs, many brands incorporate beef into their dog food recipes. That way, you won’t have to spend a lot of money on fresh beef for your dog while still giving them the essential vitamins and nutrients you get from the meat.
Lamb
Similar to beef, lamb is another great option for dogs. Depending on where you live, lamb may be very cheap and easy to find. On top of that, this is a flavor that many dogs really like, so you won’t have a hard time introducing it to their diet.
Dogs are commonly allergic to chicken, beef, and other protein sources. However, many pet nutritionists find that there’s a significantly smaller population of dogs allergic to lamb. So, if your dog is sensitive to different types of food, this could be the right option for them.
Aside from the protein, lamb also has a high level of vitamin B-12, similar to beef. It also contains tons of amino acids that are essential for developing a dog’s canines, muscles, and good heart health.
You can find many dog food brands that primarily use lamb in their recipes. That way, you can rest assured that your dog is getting the right nutrients without sourcing raw lamb yourself.
While lamb may be expensive in some areas, rest assured that it’s a worthwhile investment into your dog’s long-term health.
Whitefish
Usually, pet nutritionists recommend red meat for dogs. This is because these are foods they are most likely to eat in the wild. However, if you expand your horizons a bit more, you may be able to find an option that’s more affordable and accessible. A great example of this is whitefish, which is one of the most underrated protein sources for dogs with chicken allergies.
Whitefish doesn’t refer to one single species. Instead, this is a blanket term for any fish that has white, flaky meat. Examples of whitefish are pollock, halibut, bass, cod, and grouper. These are very common fish in a lot of places, which is why white fish is very easy for people to find.
On top of that, whitefish is relatively affordable. And if you’re the type to hit the lakes and rivers, you may even be able to nab some whitefish to take home to your pet. Just make sure you know how to clean and butcher the fish first.
Aside from very high protein levels, whitefish has a lot of vitamin B-12, which is why it can give your dog similar health benefits as beef. So, feeding your dog whitefish can result in a much healthier animal with a stronger immune system.
Nowadays, dog food manufacturers are thinking outside the box. So, you can find a bunch of fish-based kibble for sale, which are primarily made from whitefish.
Conclusion
If your dog is allergic to chicken, there are tons of alternatives that are just as healthy and offer similar benefits.
Any one of these meat alternatives would suit a dog well; you just have to find the one that suits your dog. That way, they enjoy their meals and get as many health benefits as possible, too!
We should feed the dogs appropriate amounts and the right type of foods. Also for a holistic all natural approach for resolving indigestion in your dogs, you can add Bernies Perfect Poop as a topper digestive supplement in your dogs meals.