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Venison is a lean, healthy red meat option for dogs prone to protein sensitivities. I like to add it to my dogs' diet because I believe in feeding a balance of red and white meat. Venison can also be expensive for people who don't have access to hunted meat or don't live in an area where venison is a common protein. In this article, I will share the nutritional benefits of venison for dogs, along with one homemade dog food recipe that includes venison as an ingredient, formulated with Animal Diet Formator software, and one recipe using a base mix.
Nutritional Benefits of Venison for Dogs
Venison is a nutrient-dense protein high in essential amino acids and rich in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and zinc. I include this protein in my dogs' diet because…
- Protein: Venison is a rich source of high-quality protein, crucial for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues in your dog's body. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscles, enzymes, hormones, and immune cells.
- Vitamins:
- B Vitamins: Venison contains various B vitamins, including:
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): Supports energy production, skin health, and digestion.
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): Supports a healthy nerve system and red blood cell production.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Supports nerve, muscle, and heart functions.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Important for brain function, enzyme reactions, and metabolism.
- Vitamin A: Essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.
- Vitamin D: Important for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.
- B Vitamins: Venison contains various B vitamins, including:
- Minerals:
- Iron: Venison is a good source of heme iron, which is easily absorbed and essential for oxygen transport in the blood.
- Zinc: Supports immune function, skin health, and wound healing.
- Selenium: Acts as an antioxidant, supporting immune function and thyroid health.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Venison is from grass-fed animals, resulting in higher omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are beneficial for skin health, coat condition, and reduced inflammation.
- Phosphorus: Important for bone health, energy metabolism, and nutrient utilization in the body.
- Bioavailable Nutrients: Venison provides easily digestible nutrients, ensuring optimal nutrient absorption and utilization in the body.
The nutrient profile of venison makes it a valuable addition to your dog's diet, especially for those with specific dietary needs or sensitivities. When feeding venison to your dog, ensure it is sourced from high-quality, reputable suppliers to maintain its nutritional integrity.
Venison Dog Food Recipe [Raw]
Venison is the main ingredient, and the recipe calls for ground venison. The specific cut of venison is up to the individual dog owner.
Ingredients:
The following recipe was formulated using Animal Diet Formulator software. Mix the following ingredients, multiplying the ingredients when feeding multiple dogs or large dogs.
- 5 pounds of raw venison
- 1 pound pork heart
- 1.5 pounds pork liver
- 1.1 pounds pork kidney
- 1.5 pounds of organic leafy greens (collard greens, kale, spinach, bok choy)*
- 1 tablespoon of kelp powder (rich in essential minerals)
- 1 tablespoon of spirulina
- 11 ounces of canned boiled oysters (cans are 8 ounces each)
- 5 ounces of wild-caught canned salmon**
- 2 tablespoons of organic hemp seeds
- 1 drop of Vitamin E oil
- 3.15 pounds chicken necks**
- 2 chicken eggs
*The vegetables can be rotated to provide variety. Ensure that the vegetables are safe and suitable for dogs. I don't feed onions; however, other vegetables I feed include cabbage, kale, zucchini, and yellow squash. **I recommend adding the salmon and chicken necks to the individual meals when feeding your dog instead of to the grind to avoid creating a potential thiamin deficiency.
Recipe Feeding Amounts
The recommended feeding amounts can vary depending on your dog's age, weight, and activity level. As a general guideline, you can start with the following:
- For adult dogs: Feed about 2-3% of your dog's body weight daily. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms), feed approximately 1-1.5 pounds (450-680 grams) of food daily.
- For puppies: Puppies require a higher percentage of their body weight in food. Start with around 5-10% of their expected adult weight and adjust as needed based on their growth and body condition.
It's important to monitor your dog's weight and body condition regularly. Adjust the feeding amounts accordingly to maintain a healthy weight for your dog.
Recipe Feeding Instructions:
- Thoroughly wash the vegetables.
- Grind the pork and organ meats, or use a pre-ground blend if available.
- Finely chop or puree the vegetables.
- Mix the ground blend with the remaining ingredients (except salmon and chicken necks, which will be added to individual meals).
- Separate the mixture into individual serving sizes based on your dog's daily feeding amount.
- Store the servings in airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Thaw each serving before feeding and serve at room temperature, adding chicken necks and salmon to the meals. Because I balance over time, I may add the salmon and chicken necks to one day's meals, or spread them in meals over a few days.
Remember to introduce new foods gradually and observe your dog for signs of digestive upset or allergies.
Alternatives to Ingredients this Recipe
In the above recipe, I use chicken necks as the source of bone. However, chicken is a common food sensitivity in dogs. My dogs can handle raw chicken much better than processed chicken (kibble and canned), but this may not be true for all dogs. If I couldn't feed chicken to my dogs, I'd use the following alternatives:
- duck necks
- duck wings
- turkey necks
Venison Dog Food Recipe (with Base Mix)
A base mix is a mixture of whole foods (e.g. vegetables, fruits, and seeds) that are freeze-dried or dehydrated. It helps dog owners formulate a nutritionally complete diet without the use of software, spreadsheets, or professional guidance. I use Raw Vibrance by Dr. Harvey's, a grain-free base mix that doesn't contain synthetic vitamins.
I use a base mix because it's easier. I don't stress about balancing my dogs' meals, I don't maintain a spreadsheet, and I don't think about macro and micronutrients. I'm not suggesting that people who choose to count calories and nutrients are wrong; I'm stating that I do things differently—easier (for me). And it works.
About Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance
- A grain-free and holistic blend of 24 incredible whole foods, including raw goat’s milk, green-lipped mussels, shiitake mushrooms, and eggshell membranes
- Made with nine dehydrated vegetables, two antioxidant-rich fruits, two energy-packed seeds (sesame and chia), bone meal and crushed eggshells for calcium, and nine other immune-boosting superfoods
- Easy and convenient way to prepare a raw food diet for your dog
- Proudly made in New Jersey, USA, and Non-GMO Certified
Ingredients in Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance
Broccoli, Green Beans, Squash, Celery, Cabbage, Carrots, Crushed Eggshell, Spinach, Beets, Raw Goat’s Milk Powder, Apples, Blueberries, Bone Meal, Sesame Seeds, Chia Seeds, Shiitake Mushrooms, Green Lipped Mussel Powder, Ginger, Kelp, Parsley, Eggshell Membrane
My Homemade Dog Food Recipe – Venison
Dr. Harvey's doesn't recommend the following practice. However, these modifications to their instructions work for my dogs, which I confirmed through two nutrient tests on four dogs that this practice meets their nutritional needs.
- I start with an 80 10 10 blend of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone.
- For every 10-15 lbs of raw, I use 1-1/2 cups of the base mix (this amount is pre-hydration).
If I used a base mix with the above recipe, I would remove the Vitamin E oil, vegetable mix, spirulina, and hemp seeds. The recipe I formulated for my dogs is as follows:
- 15 pounds of ground venison
- 6 pounds of grass-fed beef (pork or lamb) organ blend
- 4 pounds of ground duck wings or necks
- 2 cups of Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance
- 1 can of boiled canned oysters
Note: This recipe is a general guideline for information only and should not replace professional advice. The recipe was formulated for a healthy adult 60-pound (27.2 kg) dog.
