Can dogs eat raw deer meat? The short answer is: Yes! Dogs can eat raw venison as part of their balanced diet. However, only certain types of deer meat are safe for dogs to eat.
What are The Benefits Of raw deer meat for dogs?
Venison meat for dogs is high in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. The benefits of feeding your dog deer meat include:
It provides all essential nutrients needed by dogs to maintain good health. This includes vitamins B3, B6, B12, and E, as well as calcium phosphate, zinc, iron, and selenium.
The deer antler velvet contains omega 3 fatty acid, which helps with skin conditions such as dermatitis or allergies.
It can lower the risk of obesity in adult dogs since it has a very low-fat content (less than 1%).
Deer meat can be easily digested by dogs with sensitive stomachs because it doesn’t contain any additives like ketchup or bread that may trigger stomach upset.
Venison meat for dogs is a source of glucosamine which can help treat arthritis and joint problems.
It’s low in calories. If you’re looking for a safe alternative to high-calorie dog treats, deer meat is an excellent choice as it provides the same amount of protein as beef or chicken but less fat, making it suitable even for diabetic dogs.
Further Reading: Can dogs eat raw chicken liver
What are The Side effects of raw deer meat for dogs?
Raw deer meat for dogs is very low in fat and doesn’t contain any additives, making it a safer alternative to beef or chicken, which are high in saturated fats. But it’s also low in carbohydrates, so you have to make sure that the dog has enough other sources of carbohydrates in his diet to avoid digestive problems.
There are some concerns regarding the safety of feeding your dog deer meat because of its similarities with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), popularly known as mad cow disease.
This devastating neurological disease may cause irreversible damage to the human nervous system if eaten undercooked, although this happens rarely due to strict regulations on processing cattle products for human consumption.
BSE can’t be transmitted through venison but there is a chance of a dog contracting a similar disease called Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) if they eat the raw brain, spinal cord, or digestive tract from an infected deer.
No cases have been reported so far, but it’s something to be aware of when buying deer meat for your dog.
Who should not feed their dogs on raw venison?
Dogs that are prone to allergies may develop skin problems like dermatitis if fed with venison due to its high protein content. Some studies also link venison consumption to allergic reactions in humans, although the exact cause of this phenomenon is still unknown and more research needs to be done before making any definitive conclusions.
Many people experience flu-like symptoms after eating venison, but this may be caused by other factors like preparation methods or an unrelated food allergy.
Allergy-prone dogs should avoid venison until further research is conducted on the subject, just to be safe. Puppies, old dogs, and large breed dogs may also develop problems with raw deer meat because of their size, so it’s best to consult your vet before feeding them deer for the first time.
Nutritional value of raw deer meat for dogs
Deer meat is a good source of protein, amino acids, and creatine.
Deer meat doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or additives usually found in beef like antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides. It has similar fat content to other red meats (less than 1%), but it’s very low in calories, so it’s safe to feed even overweight dogs.
It has fewer calories than chicken but more minerals like phosphorus. If your dog suffers from joint problems, you can consider feeding him venison since it contains glucosamine which is great for treating arthritis and other joint issues.
Lamb’s legs are also an excellent choice if your dog needs to gain weight because they’re high in calories and packed with nutrients needed by underweight dogs. Just be sure not to feed them large amounts of meat, or you’ll end up with an overweight, inactive pet.
Beef bones are also good for your pup’s health, although they’re not as nutritious as deer leg bones. Cooked beef bones contain a substance called “gelatin,” which is great for his joints, so cooked beef bones are recommended only for older dogs with joint problems.
Raw deer meat can be given to young puppies because it has excellent protein content, but their digestive systems may have trouble digesting the long protein strands found in venison, so don’t give them too much at once.
Further Reading: Can dogs eat raw ground turkey?

How should I store raw venison?
Deer meat doesn’t require any special preparation before storage since there are no additives that could reduce its shelf life. Store it in the freezer with other kinds of meat, and remember to thaw large amounts slowly in the fridge, so they don’t go bad before you have a chance to use them.
When feeding your dog raw deer leg, be sure to monitor him closely for several days after introducing deer meat into his diet for signs of digestive problems like diarrhea or vomiting. If he experiences these symptoms, stop giving him deer meat and talk to your vet about changing his diet before trying venison again in the future.
Symptoms such as lethargy, redness around your dog’s anus (poop), or increased water intake can also indicate that your pet is having difficulties digesting venison, so watch out for any changes in his behavior and get help from your vet if you suspect something might be wrong.
How To Feed raw deer meat To dogs?
You can feed your dog deer meat as a regular meal, use it as a training treat or stuff it into hollow chew toys to keep him busy. You can also feed deer leg bones since they’re large and last for a long time, so you don’t have to buy the expensive “real” chew toys made from different materials.
If you plan on feeding your pet with venison regularly, remember that his food intake will increase, so reduce the number of other types of food he gets to avoid obesity or vitamin deficiencies caused by eating too much of one type of food.
Deer sausage is excellent for dogs that need to gain weight because of its high-fat content but be sure not to give them too many sausages at once due to their higher caloric content.
Remember that deer meat can be dangerous for your dog if you don’t prepare it properly before feeding it to him, so talk to your vet about the right dosage and whether it’s safe to feed him venison or not.
If you’re buying deer sausages, make sure they contain only real meat (venison) without any additives that could harm your pet.
Don’t buy cheap processed red meats because they’re usually full of different chemicals, preservatives, and other ingredients your dog might be allergic to, so get frozen raw deer meat instead at a local butcher shop or game store marketed specifically for dogs, especially if this is the first time you’re feeding them venison.
People who own large breed dogs like Great Danes, Newfoundlands, or Irish Wolfhounds often face problems with feeding them the right amount of food every day, and deer meat is a great choice because it’s packed with proteins helping these “giant” dogs gain weight at a steady pace.
If you have a young puppy, consider buying specially made raw deer sausages since they’re easier to digest than regular venison cuts. Just remember that puppies can’t eat whole leg sections, so opt for ground deer meat instead and talk to your vet about the proper dosage before giving it to him on a daily basis.
Remember that fresh venison contains lots of bacteria, so don’t feed it to your dog if it has been stored at room temperature for more than 2 hours. It’s best if you feed him venison right after you thaw it in the fridge to reduce bacteria levels.
Further Reading: Can dogs eat beets raw?
What is the best way to prepare raw deer meat for my dog?
Cooking is never an option when you’re feeding your pet with venison because high temperatures can harm its nutritional value and cause digestive problems, so always buy frozen deer meat specifically marked as “raw” or “uncooked.”
Don’t use any additives, seasonings, or sauces when preparing venison for your dog since they usually contain lots of chemicals that might be harmful to his health, so don’t add anything but a small amount of salt used as a preservative.
Always grind deer meat into small pieces before giving it to your dog to improve digestion and reduce problems with diarrhea and vomiting.
Don’t add bones to the ground meat because they can cause abdominal and gastrointestinal problems like constipation or perforation of your pet’s digestive system, and don’t give him kidneys since they contain lots of vitamin D, which is harmful to dogs in large doses.
Consider giving your dog some fruits and vegetables together with his venison meal to balance out its nutritional quality and never give him more than 5% of veggies (1 tablespoon on every 10 pounds of body weight) due to their high fiber content that might lead to stomach bloating, gas or diarrhea if given in excess.
What happens when a dog Eats raw deer meat?
Like any other meat, deer contains lots of proteins, but it’s not recommended to feed your dog with an exclusive venison diet since this might lead to vitamin B deficiency caused by the lack of different food sources.
B vitamins are essential for maintaining the proper health of his digestive system, and vitamin B12 are especially important if you’re feeding him venison regularly because it helps his body absorb calcium which is why dogs that eat only venison are more likely to suffer from bone mineralization problems.
Dogs that eat regular meals with at least some red meat in their diets will rarely get sick due to vitamin or nutritional deficiencies, so talk to your vet about the right dosage and be careful when feeding them exclusively within.
Note: Never give your dog cooked venison, deer meat jerky, or any kind of deer meat that’s been treated with smoke because these can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting.
Further Reading: Can dogs eat raw turkey neck?
How much deer meat should I feed my dog?
It’s not recommended to feed your dog with more than 10% of his daily diet made of venison because this high amount might lead to vitamin A, D, and E deficiencies.
How often can I feed my dog with deer meat?
If you have a fairly active dog weighing less than 30 pounds, feel free to give him up to 3 ounces of venison per day in two or three portions but remember that he should always have access to fresh water, so don’t limit his liquid intake.
If your pet is fairly sedentary or suffers from some chronic health issue, talk to your vet about the proper dosage before feeding him with even 1 ounce of venison per day…
Can raw venison make my dog sick?
Yes, especially if he has a sensitive stomach and you’re giving him the first venison meal of his life.
That’s why it’s always better to start with small portions (no more than 1/4 of its daily food intake) and make them more regular until your dog gets used to eating deer meat before giving him bigger doses in two feedings per day.
Keep in mind that deer meat can cause some serious health problems like diarrhea or vomiting if given in excess, so don’t overfeed your pet with all that delicious venison he begs you for during dinner time…
Can dogs eat venison sausage?
As we already said, you should never feed your dog with anything containing lots of chemical preservatives and additives, so avoid all kinds of deer meat sausages and deli slices made in a factory.
The best choice is to prepare venison sausage at home using only natural ingredients without adding any chemicals or preservatives that might be harmful to his health.
Since most dogs love the taste of this special kind of sausage, it’s probably one of the best ways to keep them interested in eating venison on a regular basis but always remember that your pet needs antioxidant-rich vegetables to support optimal immune function. Due to their high nutritional content…

My dog ate raw deer meat and is throwing up. What should I do?
The first thing you should do if your dog eats raw meat is to make him vomit the whole piece of venison he just swallowed before giving him lots of water to drink.
When it comes to deer meat, dehydration can be especially dangerous for your pet, so don’t wait any longer and take him to the vet for further examination.
Even though there are no specific symptoms related to this kind of intoxication, it’s always better not to take any chances when dealing with a vulnerable organism, so help your dog have a speedy recovery by taking immediate action…
Further Reading: Can dogs eat crawfish shells, meat,?
The bottom line: Can dogs Have raw deer meat?
Yes, they can, but only if you feed them with it rarely. Feed your pet with deer meat no more than 10% of his daily food intake and know that venison is very high in bacteria, so never give it to your dog after 2 hours at room temperature or if it’s been previously frozen.
Talk to your vet about the proper dosage before starting this type of diet because some dogs might not be able to handle either the high levels of proteins, fats, and minerals contained in venison, its lack of fruits and vegetables, or its specific cooking requirements.
Further Reading: My dog ate meatloaf with onions in it What should I do?
References:
https://pets.thenest.com/homemade-dog-food-deer-meat-10501.html
https://www.totaltails.com/deer-meat-for-dogs/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/healthy-foods-checklist-venison-dogs