Say ‘rabbit’ and what comes to mind is something cute, cuddly, white and furry. Yet, this cute, cuddly, white and furry animal is a great protein both for humans and for dogs!
Rabbit is white meat and very lean
Rabbit is all white meat and very lean with very little fat. It is packed with nutrients and is a great option for pups on a diet, or to help them lose some weight without compromising on their treats or meal portions. It is low in cholesterol and high in protein which is great for boosting energy levels.
Rabbit is a novel protein
A ‘novel protein’ is one that your dog does not normally eat or is not normally exposed to. Rabbit is one such protein, and is therefore widely considered ‘hypoallergenic’, and suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. It is worth noting however that dogs can be allergic to any protein or food, so do observe your dog accordingly.
Rabbit is easily digestible
Being a lean white meat that has very little fat, rabbit is easy to digest and for the body to break down. This allows for the body to break down and absorb nutrients better, and is great for dogs who usually suffer from gastointestinal issues or sensitive stomachs. Rabbit meat is rich in Vitamin B especially B12 and amino acids, which are essential for healthy skin and coat, muscle development and overall health.
Rabbit fur is great for cleaning out the insides
While it may be offputting to feed your dog a treat with its fur left on, it is actually beneficial for our dogs! Fur is an insoluble fibre, which allows it to brush through your dog’s digestive system as it travel through, brushing off any parasites, worms and undigested food. This cleans out the pipes, and helps improve digestion.
Fur is also a natural source of manganese which is essential for a dog’s healthy diet, especially for raw fed or homecooked fed dogs.
The fur usually passes through the system and may be noticed in your dog’s stools. This is normal. It also helps firm up stools and improves anal gland health.
Rabbit is a ‘cooling’ protein
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), rabbit is considered a ‘cooling’ protein and is believed to help with inflammation. Cooling proteins help to balance energies in dogs that are prone to running ‘hot’ or ‘warm’ and may help with reducing inflammation and allergies. We have found that our ‘hot’ dog benefits from eating cooling proteins like rabbit and duck, to help reduce itching and to rebalance the disharmony in his system.
Where to buy rabbit meat treats for dogs
We currently offer a selection of Rabbit treats in our online store. Alongside the usual chews, we choose to offer rabbit meat jerky as well, as we understand how difficult it must be to source ‘hypoallergenic’ or ‘novel’ protein treats for dogs that have sensitive systems.
