Protein Spotlight: Grass-Fed Lamb

JULY 2021

Tags - Dogs, Food, Lamb, Pets

At Shine Pet Food: Our grass-fed, free range sheep spend their whole lives grazing on open pasture. 

The Benefits: Compared to conventionally-raised lamb, grass-fed meat contains less of the bad fats and three times more omega-3s. It’s also rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to reducing the risk of cancer, diabetes, and obesity.  And because the animals are roaming free in their natural environment rather than confined to feedlots, they’re less stressed and prone to disease, which means they don’t require a lot of antibiotics to keep them healthy. 

Compared to commercially-raised lamb, the meat from grass-fed sheep also has up to four times the amount of crucial ingredients like calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, and the complete range of B vitamins. Calcium, copper, iron, and phosphorus contribute to bone growth and a healthy hemoglobin count. Phosphorus also helps with kidney function.  Selenium and zinc enhance healing and the immune system. And B vitamins are essential for digestion, bone, skin, and hair growth, stress relief, and strengthening the immune system.  

Lamb is higher in fat than other protein sources and should be fed in moderation to pets that are overweight and have a history of pancreatitis. But it’s great for dogs who do high-energy sports or need help putting on weight. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine: Lamb is a yang meat, which means it helps rebalance body heat in dogs—a great choice for those chilly winter nights.