Switching to a limited ingredient duck dog food might just be the best thing you have ever done – and will ever do – for your pet. Not many pet owners even consider choosing a dog food that contains duck protein. The more common animal proteins found in dog foods are beef, chicken, fish, and even lamb, but duck just seems to fall by the wayside.

This behavior needs to stop right away, since duck is actually one of the best things you can be feeding your pet. Perhaps reading about the benefits of duck protein to other forms of animal protein in dog food will convince you to make the switch today.

Duck is a Complete Protein

We all know that dogs need some sort of protein in their diet. This is why most pet foods have an animal product of some sort as the first ingredient. You’ll often seen beef, chicken, or lamb meal as the #1 ingredient on the list, or you’ll at least see it high up on the list. As it turns out, the all-time best form of protein is duck.

According to PetMD, the power of protein is undeniable: “Protein is a very important part of a healthy, balanced canine diet. Protein has several roles in the body, such as building and repairing muscles and other body tissues. It is needed to form new skin cells, grow hair, build muscle tissue, and more.” Because duck is so high in protein – 19 grams for every 100 grams of duck meat – it is the most complete form of protein for a canine.

Duck is Not a Mass Produced Meat

Unlike chicken and beef, duck is not mass produced. A lot of people don’t understand the harm that the meat industry brings to the Earth. Not only is it harmful to the animals involved, but also to the environment. On top of that, animals that are raised in a factory for the sole purpose of consumption – whether it is by dogs or humans – are pumped full of antibiotics.

When you consume a beef burger or your pup chows down on beef-based dog food, many of these harmful antibiotics are passed on to you. Since ducks are not mass produced, but rather hunted using sustainable practices, they are considered to be the healthiest animal protein.

Duck is Well-Tolerated by Canines with Food Allergies

More canines than ever are prone to allergies and food sensitivities. The most common canine food allergen is wheat gluten, which is why so many pet owners are making a switch to grain-free dog food. Corn is another common allergen, yet another reason to go grain-free. But did you know that dogs aren’t just experiencing allergies to grains, but also to animal products?

Many dogs are allergic to animal proteins, mainly chicken and beef. Cutting out animal protein altogether isn’t a good idea, which is why you should consider switching to duck protein. Duck is a great alternative, especially if your canine has a food allergy.