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animal fat

A representation of animal fat

Fat is an important part of a dog's diet. It provides energy, aids digestion and ensures a shiny coat and healthy skin. But not all fats are the same. In this article, you can find out more about animal fat in dog food: what it is, what advantages and disadvantages it has and what you should look out for.

What is animal fat?

Animal fat comes from the tissue of mammals, poultry and fish. It consists mainly of saturated fatty acids, which are easier for dogs to digest than vegetable fats. Animal fats also contain important vitamins such as A, D, E and K as well as cholesterol.

What are the benefits of animal fat?

Animal fat has several benefits for dogs:

  • It provides more energy than vegetable fat or carbohydrates.
  • Itimproves the taste and acceptability of the food.
  • Itpromotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
  • Itsupports the formation of hormones and cell membranes.
  • It provides essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, which dogs cannot produce themselves.

What are the disadvantages of animal fat?

Animal fat also has some disadvantages for dogs:

  • It can lead to obesity if fed in excessive quantities.
  • It can cause allergies or intolerances if it comes from poor quality sources or becomes rancid.
  • It can increase the need for antioxidants as it can easily oxidize.

What should you look out for?

To provide your dog with an optimal supply of animal fat, you should pay attention to the following points:

  • Choose a high-quality dog food with an appropriate animal fat content (around 10 to 20 percent).
  • Pay attention to the origin of the animal fat. It should be as fresh as possible and come from species-appropriate husbandry.
  • Avoid too much variety in the food. A sudden change from one animal to another can cause digestive problems.
  • If necessary, supplement the feed with vegetable oils such as linseed oil or hemp oil to improve the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.

Animal fat is an important part of your dog's diet. It has many benefits for your dog's health and well-being. However, you should also pay attention to the quality, quantity and variety of animal fat in order to avoid possible disadvantages.

Learn even more about animal fat

If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.

Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊