Can Dogs Eat Lamb?
Yes. Cooked lamb with no visible fat, no bones and no seasoning is a tasty protein, useful for variety or for dogs who do not tolerate other meats.
What it gives your dog
Lamb provides about 18-20 g of protein per 100 g, plus zinc, iron and B vitamins. For years it was used in "hypoallergenic" dog foods because few dogs had eaten it before; today it is more common, so it is no longer a guarantee, but it is still an option for diets based on a different protein.
Its weak point is fat: chops, shoulder or rack can be over 20 % fat, far more than chicken or turkey. Fed in excess or with the fat on, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting or even pancreatitis. Boneless leg, well trimmed, is the leanest part.
How to serve it
- Boiled, roasted or cooked in a dry pan with no oil, well done
- Boneless leg or shoulder with no visible fat
- No bones (cooked chop bones splinter)
- No garlic, salt, herbs or pan juices from the roast
How much can they eat?
As an extra (no more than 10 % of the day's calories): small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb), 10-20 g of cooked lean lamb (about 0.5 oz); medium dog (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb), 25-45 g (1-1.5 oz); large dog (over 25 kg / 55 lb), 45-65 g (1.5-2.5 oz). It has more calories than chicken, so the portion is smaller.
Risks
- Too much fat: diarrhea, vomiting and pancreatitis
- Cooked chop or rib bones
- Roasts made with garlic, salt and spices
- More calories: be careful with overweight dogs
Frequently asked questions
Is lamb good for dogs with allergies?
It can be if your dog has never eaten it, because food allergies develop to proteins the dog already knows. But lamb is not hypoallergenic in itself: many dog foods already use it and some dogs are allergic to it. Confirming a food allergy takes an elimination diet of about 8 weeks, set up by your vet, with a single new protein.
Can dogs eat lamb bones?
Not cooked: chop, shoulder or rib bones from a roast splinter and can get stuck in or perforate the intestine. Some owners who feed raw give raw meaty bones, such as lamb ribs, which are more flexible, but they are not risk-free either (broken teeth and blockages) and should always be given under supervision.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.