In Germany, horse meat has almost disappeared from the plate for humans, for dogs it has been enjoying a comeback for years. The reason is simple: it is the meat vets switch to when chicken, beef and lamb no longer work. Here you will find out why, and what to watch out for when feeding it.
Why horse meat for allergies?
Most food allergies are directed against proteins the dog has often received over the years. Chicken and beef are right at the top because they are in almost every food. Hardly any dog has eaten horse before, so the immune system has not formed antibodies against it. That is called a novel protein, in other words a new protein source. In an elimination diet, in which the dog gets only one animal species for six to eight weeks, horse is therefore one of the first choices.
Important: the snacks must be from horse too. A single chicken biscuit in between and the result of the diet is worthless. That is why all our horse products are single protein, in other words from one animal species and nothing else.
What else makes horse meat good?
It is lean. Our dried horse meat has around 4 percent fat at 72 percent protein. Horse head skin is even at 2.3 percent fat. That makes horse the first choice for overweight dogs, seniors and dogs with a sensitive pancreas. It is also rich in iron and B vitamins and contains less cholesterol than beef.
Which horse product for what?
- Training: horse meat mini cubes or horse lung cubes. Small, soft, gone in a second.
- On the go: horse meat bars or horse kabanossi for breaking off.
- Chewing: horse head skin, horse skin with fur, horse lower leg for power chewers.
- Digestion: horse stomach and horse skin with fur, the fur acts like fibre.
- Sausage: Wuffwurscht Horse with 97 percent muscle meat, firm enough to cut into cubes.
How much horse meat per day?
As a snack the usual limit: at most ten percent of the daily ration. For a 20 kilo dog that is 30 to 40 grams of dried meat. Because horse is so lean, you can be more generous within this limit than with beef or pork. As a main food, horse meat replaces other meats one to one.
Is horse meat ethically okay?
The question comes up more often, and it is justified. Our products are made in the EU to food grade quality, according to HACCP and with regular veterinary inspection. No preservatives, no flavourings, no colourings.
Which dogs is horse not for?
For dogs that have been getting horse for a long time and react to it. That is rare, but it happens, because any animal species can eventually become an allergen if you feed it long enough. That is why we recommend, even for allergy sufferers, switching between horse, fish, game and goat now and then, once the diet is complete and it is clear what the dog tolerates.
You will find all horse products in the category horse meat and horse chews. For other rare protein sources have a look at single protein snacks.
