Chicken is one of the most popular meats out there for humans and dogs. It’s packed with protein and other nutrients that make them a great addition to a dog’s diet. And on top of that, many dogs absolutely love the taste and texture of chicken.
With that said, there are many dogs out there who are allergic to chicken. Chicken allergies in dogs manifest in many different ways such as vomiting, diarrhea, ear infections, foot infections, and other skin issues.
So, if your dog has chicken allergies but you still want to feed them healthy and tasty meat, check out these five different chicken alternatives for dogs with chicken allergies.
- Turkey
Ever found yourself asking the question, “Can dogs eat turkey?”. If so, you’ll be glad to know that the answer is a resounding yes! Turkey is very lean meat that dogs can digest fairly easily, and is a great source of protein for dogs. On top of that, turkey is packed with B-vitamins and minerals that are great for your dog’s health.
When feeding your dog turkey, it’s best to look at the meat as a single source of protein. In fact, you can feed your dogs just turkey and they will probably love the taste and texture. However, for an even healthier meal, you can consider making a spinach and turkey dish for your pup.
- Lamb
Depending on your location, lamb might be very accessible. If that’s the case, you might want to consider feeding your dog lamb as a turkey alternative. Lamb is rich in protein and is an ideal food for high-energy and hyper dogs. Aside from protein, lamb has fairly high myoglobin and vitamin B-12 content, which makes them very healthy and nutritious foods for dogs.
Lamb also contains tons of amino acids that help canine growth and promotes a healthy immune system. And if you don’t have time to give your dog lamb yourself, many dog food options out there are actually made of lamb because of all the benefits it has for dogs.
- Whitefish
Whitefish refers to any fish with flaky meat. This includes pollock, cod, among others. The reason it’s a great idea to include whitefish in your dog’s diet is that it only contains a little bit of fat and tons of protein. Additionally, whitefish is known for being packed with vitamins and minerals essential for your dog’s health. For example, it has a very high phosphorous content, which is great for bone structure and density.
The benefits don’t end there. Whitefish also have vitamin B3, which promotes healthy nerve function and the production of red blood cells. This is one of the best alternatives out there for chicken, especially because it has very little fat, making it a very healthy option for dogs.
- Beef
If you’re looking for a source of protein for your dog that isn’t chicken, beef is arguably the best option. But aside from its very high protein content, beef is also known for containing many different vitamins. When you feed your dog beef, they get vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12. B vitamins are essential in maintaining good health, and beef is not short of B vitamins at all.
This meat also has other minerals that are good for your dog’s health. This includes phosphorous, iron, zinc, and other amino acids. These minerals are known for promoting healthy, strong bones and also developing cartilage. Another great reason beef is one of the best chicken alternatives for dogs is that it’s readily available. It’s very easy to cook up a beef meal for your dog, and if you don’t have the time to do that, many commercial dog foods are made out of beef as well.
- Bison
Bison meat boasts one of the highest protein contents among all meats. Bison is a very popular red meat among humans because of its very rich flavor. But on top of being great human food, it could also be a great source of protein and other nutrients for your dog. And while bison has a very high protein content, it has a very low saturated fat content, which is what makes it healthy for your pups.
Like beef, bison meat has a lot of B vitamins that offer many benefits to your dog. Additionally, bison meat contains zinc, iron, and selenium. Each of these elements plays a different role in maintaining your dog’s health, which is what makes bison well-balanced meat to feed to animals.
Conclusion
Protein is an essential part of a dog’s diet. And commonly, dogs get their protein from chicken. However, since there are some dogs out there with chicken allergies, it’s important to know and understand all the alternatives available to you.
So, if your dog’s been struggling with chicken and you want to switch to different meat, feel free to try out any of the options mentioned above. And if you need another opinion on what meat to feel your dog, it’s always best to contact your vet as they will know best.
