Dogs and cats are natural carnivores, which is why protein from high-quality animal-based sources is a fundamental part of their nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate diet. One of the protein-rich foods you can give them is pork, particularly from pastured, humanely raised sources.
Pork can be a nutritious treat or a component of a homemade diet, in conjunction with other ingredients that comprise a nutritionally complete meal., but sometime people this it is dangerous to feed their dogs. Why?
Pork - the other white meat can be very high in fat which can be dangerous for dogs. Is Pork a good Protein for your pooch or is it dangerous?
Pork can get a bad rap in pet food circles because it can be very high in fat. Too much fat in your dogs diet can lead to obesity, or worse still Acute Pancreatitis - a condition that effects the pancreas ability to produce bile to break down & digest fats. It can be life threatening - so pick your cuts of pork wisely!
Avoid all cuts like spareribs, pork belly or similar - and it goes without saying do not feed fatty bacon as it is twice as bad due to the chemicals and sulphites added to give it that smokey bacon taste. Pork Loin is a wonderful lean cut of meat.
Benefits of Omega-3 Fats for Pets
Some of the omega-3 fatty acids found in pork include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), all of which may improve your pet’s health by helping to:
Fight inflammation
Reduce anxiety
Improve cardiovascular health
Promote healthy kidney function
Lower the risk for osteoarthritis
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine also found that omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce the risk of canine T-zone lymphoma, a type of cancer commonly seen in older dogs, particularly in golden retrievers.
This Novel Protein Can Be Used for Elimination Diets
Year-round allergies can be triggered by consuming the same type of meat sources found in processed pet food for a long period of time. This is why beef and chicken are among the most common food allergens for animal companions. One way to provide your pet relief is through an elimination diet, wherein you replace common animal-based protein sources with meat that your pet hasn’t eaten before.
Our PORK TENDER LOIN Treats are carefully air-dried to remove all the moisture but retain all the nutritional benefits of this lean protein. If you have a pet with intolerances to other types of proteins like chicken or Beef, this is an excellent alternative. As with all our products we NEVER add anything extra like preservatives, chemicals, salts or sugars.
Pork is one of the novel protein sources that you can use in an elimination diet. You can feed this meat to your pet raw, dehydrated, freeze-dried or cooked.
Pork offers 20.95 grams of protein per 100-gram serving. It contains the essential amino acids that are necessary for building your pet’s cells, tissues and organs, as well as for maintaining proper physiological functions.
If you’re planning to use pork as the primary protein for your pet’s homemade meal, remember to combine it with other fresh ingredients and follow a recipe that has been formulated to match this meat source to ensure that you’re meeting your pet’s nutritional requirements. You can also give pork as a treat, which can constitute up to 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake.
Pasture-raised pork comes from humanely raised pigs that had free-range access and were neither supplemented with GMO feeds nor fed antibiotics and other chemicals. The demand for pasture-raised pork has increased in recent years.
As Much as Possible, Choose Pasture-Raised Pork
Pork from pasture-raised pigs is not only safer, but research also found that it contains higher amounts of nutrients, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, compared to pork from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that a 19.1-gram serving of pork from pasture-raised sources contains 419 milligrams (mg) of omega-3 fats. Meanwhile, the same amount of pork from CAFOs contains only 360 mg of omega-3 fats.
Safety Reminders When Preparing Pork for Your Pets
Whether you’re feeding pork to your pet as a treat or as a part of their nutritionally balanced homemade diet, it’s important to prepare it correctly. As with all foods, do not add spices, seasonings and condiments, since these ingredients can upset your pet’s stomach.
Take note that processed pork products, including all types of ham and bacon are not recommended for pets because they contain too much salt, nitrates and highly processed fats that can harm your pet’s health. So to answer the question "Is Pork a good Protein for your pooch or is it dangerous?"
It's fantastic to add it to your dogs diet!
