The right kind of diet is essential to keep your dog happy and healthy! Paying closer attention to what you are feeding them can be a great way to ensure long-term health. A huge part of a dog’s diet is meat fat. Keeping an eye on the amount of meat fat they are consuming is vital since it can lead to weight gain.
Hence, we are here to answer an important question: is meat fat bad for dogs?
Types of Fat in Meat
All canine diets include meat since dogs need plenty of protein to stay healthy. This means that they might consume some fat, too. Pet owners should note that fat is not always a bad thing! If you are wondering, “Is meat fat bad for dogs?”, some meat fat can be good too, just like for humans!
Saturated Fats
Saturated fats are often detected in processed foods like sausages and bacon. Processed or refined foods can be harmful to your pets.
A healthy amount of saturated fats is needed for basic functions in dogs. Eating too much can lead to health issues in dogs, like obesity, heart disease, and inflammation. Research also shows that excessive saturated fats can lead to pancreatic in dogs, so keeping your dogs away from processed foods is generally a good idea for this reason.
Pro Tip: The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that saturated fats should only make up 5% to 15% of a dog's daily caloric intake.
Unsaturated Fats
Unsaturated fats are also a type of meat fat that impacts a dog’s health. They are often found in lean beef cuts, chicken, and fish, as well as other animal products.
Is meat fat bad for dogs? No! It is definitely recommended to let your dog gobble up some unsaturated fats. They are important for some body functions, which is why adding them to your dog’s diet can be a good idea. Unsaturated fats help dogs by improving cognitive functions. They also keep their skin and coat healthy as well as reduce inflammation in the body. Plus, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are important for immune systems, the heart, and joints. This makes them great for senior dogs.
Pro Tip: Veterinarians recommend modest quantities of unsaturated fats by adding chicken, flaxseed, and fish oil into their diet.
Trans Fats
Trans fats come under unsaturated fats but they go through hydrogenation and turn into solid fats. They are found in processed foods and trace levels are detected in animal products like beef cuts, hot dogs, and sausages.
Is meat fat bad for dogs? Trans fats can actually lead to health issues in dogs, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Trans fats also cause inflammation in the body and worsen arthritis and skin allergies. Dogs that are vulnerable to pancreatitis should definitely stay away from trans fats. If you are asking, why does my dog all of a sudden have diarrhea, trans fats might be the answer.
Pro Tip: We recommend giving dogs better, whole-food sources of protein rather than heavily processed foods. A dog’s health may be protected by reading ingredient labels and choosing items with low or no trans fats.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Dogs
Dogs need a lot of energy-rich foods, so they can get up to their shenanigans and stay happy. While carbs and proteins offer plenty of energy, fats have more concentrated calories, doubling the energy per gram.
Fat is an essential ingredient in creating cell membranes. They also help dogs absorb fat-soluble vitamins that maintain healthy skin and costs, create hormones, and improve cognitive function. All of that comes from fat!
However, anything in excess is bad. It can result in obesity for dogs, which increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular issues. So, make sure to give them the recommended intake.
Each pet is different and has nutritional needs based on age, breed, size, exercise level, and general health. Your vet can help determine what your dog needs based on their health and medical condition.
Healthy Fats for Dogs
There are some foods that every dog should have to offer a steady supply of healthy fats.
Green Lipped Mussel Oil
Rich in DHA and EPA, green lipped mussel oil can be a great addition to dog diets. It can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the dog and improve arthritis by helping cartilage regeneration. Plus, green lipped mussel oil is made sustainably in New Zealand, so it is good for the plant!
Hempseed Oil
Hempseed oil is quite nutritional with a great ratio of omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. It also contains GLA, which has wonder anti-inflammation properties.
Ahiflower Oil
This plant seed oil is super healthy for dogs! It has omega-6 fatty acids and helps produce ETA.
Pasture Raised Egg Yolks
Egg yolks are an easy way to add healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They also offer protein and other nutrients to the dog. Plus, pasteurized eggs have higher quantities of omega-3 fatty acids. The shells are also a great way to improve oral health and give them extra calcium.
How Much Meat Do Dogs Need?
Most dog owners might think that dogs are carnivores, but they are actually omnivores who require a well-rounded diet. Dogs need plenty of nutrients and vitamins from vegetables, proteins, and fruits to stay healthy and happy.
Note: A strict vegetarian diet can be harmful to dogs.
Ideally, dogs should have around 22% to 25% protein. If your dog has a kidney disease, vets recommend reducing the meat intake to 18%. Increasing meat intake to 30% can result in health concerns.
Conclusion
So, is meat fat bad for dogs? Well, it depends on what meat fat you are giving to your dogs! Saturated fats, unsaturated fats, and trans fats each have unique effects on canine health, so be careful about what you are giving to your dogs. Make sure to work with your veterinarian and ask them what is the best food for your pet.
