Yes, dogs can eat lamb in moderation. Lamb is an excellent source of nutrition for your dog. However, moderation is the key! Lambs must be cooked (without seasonings), deboned, and skinned before you offer them to your dog.
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What Is Lamb?
Lambs are ruminating animals that are usually maintained as livestock. Like all ruminant animals, Lamb belongs to the Artiodactyla and even ungulates order.
Is Lamb Safe For Dogs?
Yes, lamb is safe for dogs to consume. They have high nutritional values. However, things you must keep in mind before offering your dog lamb:
Raw lamb: Raw lambs can have bacteria and viruses which can cause severe harm to your dog.
Lamb bones: Raw lamb bones can have bacteria and viruses, and cooked lamb bones can splinter, injuring your dog.
Seasoned lamb: Seasoned lamb has ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.
Fried lamb: Fried lambs have oil or butter as the main components making them hazardous for dogs.
Lamb skin: Lamb skin has a high-fat concentration. Excessive fat is not recommended for dogs.
Why Is Lamb Good For Dogs?
Lamb is good for dogs due to their high nutritional value. However, make sure that the lamb is cooked without seasoning. First, let us look at why and how lamb is beneficial to dogs:
Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision and skin health and heals wounds quickly. It also aids in bone growth, reproduction, and the overall immune system.
Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin, is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats into energy and helps produce red blood cells, which transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
Vitamin B9 ensures fast cell proliferation in puppies, adults, and pregnant dogs. In addition, it aids in regulating homocysteine levels in the blood and using amino acids to form new proteins. In other words, folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is required for regular blood production, immunological function, cell division, and tissue development.
Vitamin 12: Beginning with the neural system, vitamin B12 aids in the formation and improves protective tissues that cover the nerves in the brain, giving the dog greater control over all physiological activities. Additionally, your dog’s spinal health benefits from a healthy neural system.
Copper: Copper is necessary for producing bones, tendons and ligaments, collagen, and myelin in dogs. Copper also aids in absorbing iron, making it an essential component of red blood cell activity.
Zinc: Zinc is a mineral found in numerous things in the dog’s body, including enzymes, proteins, and hormones. Zinc is also necessary for the immune system and thyroid function. Therefore, zinc insufficiency can cause various issues in dogs, including incapability of infection protection.
Protein: Protein aids in forming new skin cells, hair growth, and the development of organs, enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and other biological functions.
Iron is required to accomplish critical processes, including carrying oxygen throughout the body in the hemoglobin of red blood cells so that the cells can generate energy. Iron is also required to function various enzymes in the body properly.
Why Is Lamb Bad For Dogs?
Even though lambs have nutritional benefits to provide your dog, remember it also has a fair share of downsides. Therefore, keep in mind the following:
Raw lamb: It can have salmonella, which can cause salmonellosis in dogs. The consequences of consuming raw lamb are:
Abdomen pain
Stomach disorder
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gastrointestinal tract issue
Intestinal infections
High temperature
Itchiness
Inflammation
Colitis
Seasoned lambs: Seasoned lambs have ingredients like chives, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, chili, et cetera. These are strictly prohibited for a dog to consume. The consequences of consuming seasoned lambs are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Lack of appetite
Loss of coordination
Dehydration
Shaking of head
Rashes
Throat irritation
Gastrointestinal issues
Kidney and liver issues
Kidney damage
Internal organ failure
Tremors
Seizures
Coma
Death
Fried lamb: Oil or butter is the main ingredient to fry lamb chunks or pieces! Oil or butter is not recommended for dogs in any amount. The consequences of consuming oil or butter are:
Fat
Obesity
Weight gain
Cardiovascular issues
Joint issues
Pancreatitis
Kidney problems
Lethargy
Lamb skin: Lamb skin is high in fat, making it hazardous for dogs. Consumption of excessive fat can cause:
Obesity
Weight gain
Lethargy
Diabetes
Heart issues
Joint issues
Liver issues
Pancreatitis
Kidney problems
Bladder stone
Lamb bones: Raw lamb bone can have salmonella and harm your dog. It may also choke your dog if not given under proper supervision. Cooked lamb bones are more dangerous than the raw ones, as cooked bones can splinter and lodge into your dog’s throat or intestine. The consequences are:
Bleeding gums
Bleeding throat
Esophagus rupture
Kidney injury
Bloody diarrhea
Painful rectum
How Much Lamb To Feed My Dog?
Moderation is the key! You know that cooked (boiled/steamed), deboned, and the skinned lamb benefit dogs. However, you should always offer a lamb to your dog in the proper quantity. You may add a very little lamb to your dog’s food daily. Also, you may give lamb in a handful of quantities once a week!
Consulting a vet is mandatory before providing lamb to your dog.
How To Serve Lamb To My Dog?
Here are a few serving ideas we will share with you:
Ground a quantity of lamb, mixed with parsley, and bake it at 375 degrees. Do not add seasonings.
You can serve your dog lamb stew with shredded potatoes and carrots.
What If My Dog Ate Lamb?
If your dog ate lamb from your platter, you must be concerned about bones, seasoning, and oil. These things can cause harm to your dog resulting in:
Choking
Internal organ injury
Pancreatitis
Diarrhea
Vomiting
GI Issues
Dehydration
Take your dog to the vet to rule out the health issues and follow as the vet prescribes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can puppies eat lamb?
No. Puppies cannot eat lamb as they are unlike adult dogs who can digest food easily. Puppies are recommended to stick to puppy food until they grow up.
Can dogs eat grilled lamb?
Yes, dogs can eat grilled lambs, provided there is no seasoning, bones, and skin.
Final Thoughts
Cutting a long story short, boiled or steamed lambs without the bones and skins are best for dogs. Seasoned or fried lambs can be disastrous and trigger death in dogs. Always consult a vet before introducing lamb to your dog. Ensure a healthy and happy life for your dog.
