From wild boar to yak, new sources of protein bring variety to your dog or cat’s diet, help fight allergies, and expand your options at a time when food supply chains can become fragile.
New protein sources for dogs and cats aren’t really as new as they used to be. A few years ago, giving bison or rabbit to your animal companion would seem unusual – but nowadays these and other meats are becoming more accessible and are also appearing on the menus of pet food companies. high end company. New or alternative proteins are a boon for dogs and cats allergic to more common meats, such as beef and chicken. They have also grown in popularity since the massive pet food recalls of 2007, and currently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when food supply chains have become more fragile (see below). Whatever your reason for trying new proteins on your dog or cat, it’s a way to add more variety and flavor to their diet!
New proteins and their benefits
New proteins can include anything from the aforementioned bison and rabbit to venison, duck, guinea fowl, ostrich and goat. Here are some additional examples that you may not have thought of:
- Yak is a lean protein, similar to bison, and contains more iron than beef. It is an excellent alternative for animals sensitive to beef. Yak is low in cholesterol and saturated fat, and is high in omega-3 fatty acids, making it a heart-healthy protein.
- Elk is a “nutrient dense food”, which means that although it is low in calories, it is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, iron, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin , thiamin and zinc. The American Heart Association calls elk “The Heart Smart Red Meat.”
- Wild boar is described as a cross between beef and pork. This new protein is lower in fat and higher in protein than beef. Wild boar is rich in iron, niacin, selenium, thiamin and zinc, as well as vitamin B6.
- Kangaroo is an excellent source of high-quality protein and a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B6 and B12, iron, niacin, riboflavin and zinc. Kangaroo is a valuable source of heart-healthy long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and, like buffalo and bison, contains the antioxidant CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), known for its cancer-preventive properties.
How COVID-19 has affected the pet food industry
As with so much else, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted pet food and the supply chain, whether we’re buying kibble or cooking whole-food diets at home.
In early July 2020, reports indicated that the pet food market had faced a host of challenges, ranging from complete shutdowns to overhauls of manufacturing processes in locations around the world, to new approaches to packaging. Each challenge has resulted in a growing demand for “natural” products for animals, and more transparency on ingredients and the sale of products.
I have received a number of calls, emails and text messages from people who are having difficulty finding food to prepare or supplement their dog’s diet. With a little initiative, however, the worries turned into “aha” moments, as special orders became more popular and alternative sources of protein were explored. While preparing this article, in fact, I discovered that a local health food store brought more new proteins when “the standard” was not available.
A great way to introduce your dog or cat to new proteins is to try some of the recipes that come with it. They are tasty, nutritious and your four-legged friend is sure to enjoy them!
Receipts
Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.
Yak-a-Noodle-Doo
Ingredients
1 pound ground yak (you can also use ground bison, elk, kangaroo or ostrich)
3 tablespoons of first pressing olive oil
2 cups fresh kale, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon of turmeric
½ cup filtered water
Wheat-free noodles (e.g. Super Grains Fusilli, made with chia, quinoa, amaranth, and sorghum)
Instructions
Prepare the noodles and set aside. Mix all the other ingredients, except the first pressing olive oil. Place olive oil in a medium saucepan and heat over high heat. When you see the first bubbles appear on the surface of the oil, add the yak mixture. Lower the heat to simmer. Gently stir with a wooden spoon until all the pink is gone. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool before serving over noodles.
Change it: This new protein recipe can also be served raw. You can also try pureed kale in place of the noodles, by swirling the kale in a food processor or blender with a drizzle of first-pressed olive oil.
Duck with quinoa – a mix of flavors
2 pounds of duck (eg legs and thighs)
½ cup (6 to 8) dried shiitake mushrooms or other dried mushrooms of your choice
3 strips of kombu kelp
1 knob of fresh ginger
2 Stars of Anise
1 teaspoon sea salt
5 cups filtered water
1 cup quinoa
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large pot. As soon as you have a big broth, lower the heat to medium. Continue to simmer until the duck meat begins to fall away from the bones – this will take 1½ to 2 hours. Remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones and return the meat to the pot. You will now have duck soup.
To prepare quinoa, place it in a colander and rinse well under filtered water. Place in a small saucepan and add 1¼ cups of filtered water. Turn up the heat. As soon as bubbles appear, lower the heat to simmer, put a lid on the pot and simmer for 12 minutes. Turn off the heat. Using a fork, “flesh” the quinoa, then let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve at room temperature with the duck soup mix.
Change it: This dish can also be served with Thai jasmine rice, perfect for gastrointestinal issues. It’s easy to add to duck soup, once you’ve removed the meat from the bones. Simply add 1 cup of rice to the pot and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Cool and serve. It’s a dish the whole family can enjoy.
boar fool
Ingredients
1 pound ground wild boar
3 tablespoons of first pressing olive oil
1 whole egg
½ tsp sea salt
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped or torn or 1-1/2 teaspoons rubbed oregano
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a medium bowl. Using a teaspoon or tablespoon, depending on the size of your dog, form meatballs. Place the first-pressed olive oil in a skillet and heat over medium-high heat. As soon as bubbles start to appear, add the boar meatballs. Turn the meatballs several times – they are done when there is no more pink.
Remove from the pan and let cool to room temperature before serving with fresh green beans or mashed seasonal vegetables (see below), and for extra heat add a dollop of water buffalo yogurt or a another yogurt of your choice.
Seasonal puree
This recipe can be made as a raw or cooked meal garnish or as a side dish for your new protein recipes.
Ingredients for the raw mash
4-6 cups of brightly colored fruits and vegetables (eg, kale, broccoli, carrots)
½ cup filtered water
Instructions
Simply mix all the ingredients together in a food processor. Drizzle with first-press olive oil or another oil of your choice before serving.
Ingredients for the cooked mash
4-6 cups of brightly colored fruits and vegetables
6 cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons first-press extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Chop the vegetables by hand or use a food processor. Transfer to a medium sized saucepan. Add oil and salt. Turn on the heat until bubbles begin to form, then lower the heat to simmer and cook gently for 15 minutes. Cool before serving. This puree can easily be stored in the fridge or freezer.
