Lamb
Also known as: mutton
Meat from young sheep — historically used as a 'novel' protein for dogs with chicken or beef allergies.
What it actually is
Skeletal muscle and trim from sheep under one year old. Higher in fat and richer-flavoured than beef.
Why it's used in dog food
Originally chosen because most dogs had never eaten it, making it useful for elimination diets. Also naturally rich in zinc, iron, and B12.
A bit of history
Lamb became popular in North American pet food in the late 1980s specifically as an allergy diet after chicken and beef reactions became widespread. Australia and New Zealand supplied most of the early lamb pet food.
Pros
- •Genuinely nutrient-dense red meat
- •Historically hypoallergenic — still true for dogs that have never eaten it
- •Strong flavour, useful for picky eaters or seniors with dulled senses
Cons
- •No longer novel — lamb is now common enough that many dogs are sensitized to it
- •Naturally high in fat; watch calories and pancreatitis risk
- •Imported lamb has a heavy transport footprint if sourced from Australia/NZ
Safety notes
Safe for most dogs. Not a good choice if pancreatitis is on the medical history.
Sourcing & quality
Canadian and Ontario lamb exists but is expensive. NZ lamb is more consistent and often less pricey.
Commonly found in
Skip this if…
Your dog has already been fed lamb regularly — it's no longer novel.
The verdict
A legitimate quality protein. Not the allergy silver-bullet it was 20 years ago.