The benefits of feeding Duck meat to dogs

We’ve spoken about bringing in variety in your dog’s diet in several of our earlier articles. There are health benefits of doing that, plus your dog will enjoy a change of taste and textures too. In today’s article we will talk about including duck meat in your dog’s diet. Other than the two reasons outlined above, duck is also known to take care of food allergy issues and sensitive stomachs. Here we’ve listed out 4 main reasons why you should think about including duck meat or duck necks to your dog’s diet.

#1. Nutritional benefits

Let’s start with the health benefits. Duck is a great source of protein to your pet. It is low in saturated fat, contains most B vitamins needed by dogs, and also has sufficient amounts of phosphorous and potassium. Of the helpful B vitamins, duck fortifies your dog against cancer. Niacin (Vitamin B3) helps keep a check on glucose levels in the body. In addition, this also converts protein, fat and carbohydrates into usable energy. Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is your dog’s friend supporting energy metabolism and cardiovascular health.

Additional minerals:

Duck meat also contains zinc and selenium – these antioxidants will help boost the immune system. Selenium is also known to help maintain normal thyroid function of your pet. Duck meat contains omega-3 fatty acids which are hugely responsible for your dog’s healthy skin and coat. As a protein source, duck is naturally higher in fat, making it an excellent source of energy for active dogs and helping skinny pets gain weight. Duck should be fed in moderation if your dog is overweight or has a history of pancreatitis.

#2, Cooling food

In China, duck is believed to be a ‘Yin’ food. ‘Yin’stands for the ideas of cooling, fluids, quietness and passive behavior as against ‘Yang’ foods which talk about heat, inflammation, outward energy, and aggressive behavior. If your dog suffers from inflammatory conditions, such as allergies, arthritis and cancer, then you could add duck as a ‘cooling food’ to help your pet’s condition.

#3. Food allergies

Some dogs have a severe allergy to chicken or beef. This limits the number of foods they can eat to get their required protein intake. Duck is an excellent alternative for such dogs. You can feed duck in small amounts as an elimination trial to understand if your dog can handle the meat. If you are conducting an elimination diet or if your dog suffers from food intolerance or allergies, you must source only high-quality meat, that too from a trustworthy, uncontaminated source.

#4. Variety

How do you keep your dog excited around mealtimes? By adding variety to the food bowl.But besides delighting your dog’s taste buds, rotating foods and offering variety helps to improve your pet’s overall nutrition. Read all about why you should Rotate Proteins here.

Choosing BARF India

When choosing raw food for your pet, choose one with all the right nutrients. Have you tried the B.A.R.F. diet yet? At Barf India, we have put in the effort and time to create the perfect balanced raw meal for your dog. What’s more, the food is delivered frozen to your front door. Reach out to us today if you still have any queries regarding raw food, rotating proteins or any other issue with your dog’s diet. We promise to answer these for you at the earliest. Add duck to your dog’s food and watch your dog make a beautiful transformation.