Horse meat healthy for dogs?
- Enrico Bachmann
- Updated: 2023-06-09
Do you know this? Your dog doesn't like every kind of meat and you can't just give him any beef? Then horse meat would be just the thing for you. I have compiled a lot of helpful information for you. After this report, you should have no more unanswered questions.
Why horse meat?
Unfortunately, even today still so that there are some reservations in relation to horse meat. Not only that people eat the meat rather rarely, but also dogs are watched with narrowed eyes.
Yet eating horse meat has been normal for centuries. In the past, horse meat was prepared exclusively for humans. This actually only changed when a ban was imposed by the Pope in the 8th century.
Horse meat was also resorted to in times of need. Today there are some horse butchers who specialize in horse meat, but they are rare. For horse sausage or meat long distances have to be accepted.
Horse meat for allergic dogs
In this day and age, it is unfortunately not uncommon for more and more dogs to be allergic to ingredients in dog food. The best known allergy that a dog can have is to cereals.
Especially in many cheap varieties of dog food is a large amount of grain. Grain is considered a filler and saturant, but it is unnecessary for dogs.
Better varieties do not contain cereals. But there are always phenomena that dogs are allergic to chicken or pork. This may be due to the way these animals are fed. Especially in large breeding farms, the animals get to eat many things that remain after processing.
To still provide the dog with a healthy amount of meat, horse meat is a good choice.
Horsemeat has so far tended not to be among the types of meat that are the cause of an allergy.
Signs of allergy
In a dog, signs of allergy can manifest themselves in different ways. In some dogs, after some time, a change in the coat and skin becomes clearly visible. Other dogs get severe digestive problems.
As a rule, the following signs count as an unmistakable sign that the dog has an allergy:
- intense itching (the dog bites and licks itself all the time)
- Hair loss
- frequent ear infection
- Flatulence
- Frequent diarrhea
- severe vomiting after feeding
As soon as you notice these signs, the way to the veterinarian is to undertake. However, whether these signs are really an allergic reaction can only be determined during elaborate examinations.
In case of an allergic reaction, the signs are only visible after a while. But there is a way to find out if your dog is affected by an allergy.
Find causes of allergy
There is a simple way to find out if your dog is allergic to a type of meat. This is the so-called exclusion diet. The exclusion diet works as follows:
You simply start by changing the dog food. If it is a meat allergy, you simply omit the previously known meats and observe your dog over a longer period of time.
If the allergy gets better or disappears, then you have found the allergy. However, a reaction will only be seen after some time.
Horse meat as an alternative
If the exclusion diet has been successful, then you need to go in search of an alternative for the meat used so far.
SoHorse meat would be a very possibility
Where can I get horse meat?
Of course, the best would be fresh horse meat directly from the butcher you trust.
Unfortunately, not many butchers can be found that offer horse meat. The search is usually difficult. However, in some cities there are still the right butcher shops, which can be found with a little search.
In the butcher's shops it can be purchased either minced or in one piece. How your dog should take the meat, you have to try. You can cook it or just give it raw.
In some cities, there are also few stores that sell frozen or vacuum-packed horsemeat.
Tip: freeze horse meat for dogs
Of course, after you find someone for horse meat, you don't have to feed the meat completely right away.
You can easily freeze it in small portions. However, the frozen meat should be consumed within six months.
To thaw, simply place the desired amount on a plate and allow to thaw. Do not put in water or microwave. The meat must thaw at its leisure.
However, before serving it for eating, feel free to heat, cook, or otherwise prepare the meat.
Conclusion
Horse meat is a good source of protein and an excellent choice for dogs with allergies. However, it is important that the meat comes from healthy horses and is processed under hygienic conditions. It is important to use carefully selected horse meat from trusted sources.
I am a certified nutritionist for dogs and founder of Hundeo. My mission is to guide you in the jungle of information with simple and clear recommendations.
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Can my dog always eat horse meat together with vegetables?
Yes, your dog can eat horse meat together with vegetables. Horse meat is generally very rich in protein and is well tolerated by many dogs. The combination with vegetables can further enrich your dog's diet and provide variety.
Hello, I have a French Bulldog who is almost 3 years old. He often suffers from dermatitis. After environmental and food tests, it was found that he has a slight intolerance to beef. Therefore, I use pork without it doing him any good. With a weight of 15 kg, how much should he eat per day? Raw or cooked? Thank you very much for your answer.
Hello, we are very sorry to hear that your dog has health problems. If a dog has an allergy or intolerance to certain types of meat, it is often recommended to switch to alternative protein sources. Horsemeat is a commonly recommended option as it is well tolerated by many dogs and less likely to cause allergies. However, this does not mean that every dog with an allergy will tolerate horsemeat. Therefore, this should always be tested through an exclusion diet.
However, it is important to note that changing the diet of a dog that already has health problems or restrictions should always be done under veterinary supervision. A local vet or nutritional advice center can help you develop the best nutritional strategy for your dog and ensure that your dog gets all the necessary nutrients that cannot be provided by feeding horsemeat alone.