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Dog Food: A Kangaroo Diet Guide for Dogs

 

Two kangaroo filets on a cutting board waiting to be made into pet food with a sprig of rosemary to the side.

When it comes to feeding your dog the best diet, it’s difficult to beat kangaroo. This rich, lean, and tasty protein is packed with more than just flavor. It’s a unique Australian, uniquely eco-friendly meat. Kangaroo kibble is a heart-healthy choice for dogs of all ages, sizes, and activities levels. If you’re thinking of jumping on a kangaroo meat dog food, then this article will help you discover the benefits of this nutrient-dense protein.

Is Kangaroo Meat for Dogs Healthy?

two miniature pinschers on leash in the foreground on the right with two kangaroos in the background in nature.

Absolutely. Kangaroo meat dog food offers a wide array of advantages. Most of these benefits of kangaroo meat provide your dog with bountiful health. However, some of these benefits go beyond just your four-legged best friend.

A Lean Red Meat

One of the greatest characteristics of kangaroo for dogs is that it is the leanest red meat on the market [1] Kangaroo has almost no saturated fat at all! In fact, it fat level is under 2% [2]This makes it an ideal choice for providing highly active dogs with abundant energy and meaty flavor.

With such low saturated fat density, kangaroo meat pet food is an ideal choice for pets with predispositions to cardiovascular disease [3] Additionally, dogs that can be a bit choosey yet struggle with excess weight, kangaroo offers a fun, unique flavor without the excess calories of fats.

A Novel Protein for Dogs with Food Sensitivities

Kangaroo meat pet food is relatively uncommon worldwide. While we’re lucky to have a great source of kangaroo, here, many dog food companies choose to use lower-quality proteins from overseas. While this is a shame for many pet food manufacturers, it does come with an advantage: kangaroo remains a novel protein.

Over the course of years, some dogs and other pets develop allergies or sensitivities to common proteins like chicken and beef, in their diets. As a novel protein, kangaroo pet food allows dogs and other pets the opportunity to enjoy a high-quality meat without digestive discomfort. 

Additionally, because we’re so close to the source, kangaroo remains a highly affordable option for Australian pets with unique dietary needs.

A Rich Source of Nutrients

This lean red meat isn’t just delicious and low in fat. It’s also dense in highly beneficial nutrients. These include:

      • Omega-3 fatty acids
      • Omega-6 fatty acids
      • Iron
      • Vitamin B12
      • Niacin
      • Zinc

All of these nutrients support your dog from the inside out with energy, a healthy coat, strong nerve and brain function, and joint health. Riboflavin and Thiamine carry iron throughout the body, and they play a major role in energy production. Vitamin B12 is vital in the product of red blood cells while Vitamin B6 aids in the digestive process. 

Hormone and Antibiotic-Free

Because kangaroo are free-range, wild animals, they are not exposed to the same levels of unnatural hormones and antibiotics you will find in farm-raised animals.

Plenty of Protein for Working Dogs

Working dogs need high energy to keep at the top of their games. Kangaroo is one of the best choices for a low-fat, high-protein diet for breeds that are highly active or working.

An Ethical Source of Meat

Dogs cannot survive without meat. And for those dog owners that want to reduce their pets’ impacts and choose a humane meat choice, kangaroo makes a fantastic protein choice. 

All kangaroo meat comes from wild-caught kangaroos. This allows the kangaroo population to enjoy a natural, free-range, long life before being harvested.

In addition to being a great source of meat that allows the animal to live a full life, kangaroo is also one of the most environmentally sustainable meat choices. 

What makes kangaroo such an eco-friendly, ethical, and sustainable meat option?

      • The Australian government has a set quota of how many kangaroos can be harvested annually. This makes controlling the population easy and overharvesting nearly impossible.
      • The kangaroo population is thriving and reducing their numbers benefits water sources, pastures, forests, and many vegetative species [4]
      • Kangaroos have very few natural predators and without harvesting some, the population would become unmanageable.
      • Kangaroos often kill dingoes, which are a protected species that is listed as vulnerable to extinction International Union of Nature Conservation's Red List of Threatened Species [5].
      • When kangaroos are culled, they are often at rest, leading to much less stress compared to animals that are dispatched in factories and by butchers.
      • After recent fires and droughts, the kangaroo population would not be able to sustain itself on the current pastures and water, which would lead to famine and suffering if the population is not reduced.

What Ingredients Complement Kangaroo?

You likely know that dogs cannot live without meat in their diets. But they also cannot live on meat alone. This requires due diligence on your part when selecting the best kangaroo dog food for your best friend.

Kangaroo is a highly biologically-appropriate meat for dogs. It has a high bioavailability, which means that your dog’s body utilizes almost all of it through digestion and in your dog’s daily activities. This is likely because kangaroo would have been part of your dog’s prehistoric ancestors’ diets.

When feeding your dog a kangaroo-based diet, try to choose a food or pair it with:

      • Sweet potato
      • Pumpkin
      • Lentils
      • Peas
      • Potato

Can I Make My Dog Homemade Kangaroo Dog Food?

Many dog owners, especially those with dogs that struggle with food allergies want to home cook their dog’s meals. And in most cases, this is a wonderful way to control what goes into your dog’s dish. However, it’s always important to consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist before your dog switches to a 100% homemade diet.

Once approved by your vet, you can create kangaroo kibble or BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) at home with kangaroo meat, vegetables, and rice. Your vet will likely recommend adding a supplement to ensure your dog receives all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay strong. BARF is a popular choice among dog owners who prefer to feed their dogs a raw and natural diet.

For most dog owners, ordering a limited-ingredient, organic kangaroo dog food is a simpler and more affordable option.

Is Kangaroo Meat Good For Puppies?

A brown, mixed-breed puppy with green eyes eating kangaroo dog food

Puppies are furry balls of energy. Because of this kangaroo is an excellent choice for puppies. Kangaroo provides plenty of protein for your puppy’s growing body, including their muscles! Additionally, the high levels of omega-3s and 6s in kangaroo are excellent for a puppy’s growing brain.

As puppies grow, they develop their immune systems through a complex system of exposure. It isn’t until they’re adults that they have robust immune systems. The B vitamins in kangaroo meat support the immune system as it strengthens.

Hop on it! Choose ‘Roo for Your Dog’s Diet

If you’re looking for a healthy diet for your dog or puppy, kangaroo-based raw food or kibble is a wonderful choice. Kangaroo meat is one of the more sustainable and ethical meat choices you will find on the market. It also provides dogs with energy without excessive fats. Just be sure you select a food that has limited ingredients that compliment the lean nature of kangaroo. As for testing your doggo--Kangaroo tendons are a dog’s favorite treat!

Looking for the best kangaroo dog food for your best friend? Look no further. Petzyo’s Kangaroo and Sweet Potato kibble is a premium yet affordable way to provide your dog the best.