When feeding a raw diet, dog parents are encouraged to use a variety of protein sources in their dog’s bowl. Along with the commonly found meats, chicken, port, and beef, many other sources are available in most areas. Domestically raised ostrich, rabbit, lamb, bison, turkey, and goat are all reasonably easy to source. However, several wild species can be sourced during hunting seasons. 

Because the animals are raised in the wild, the variety of foods consumed will affect the nutrients in the wild game meat.

Factory farm-raised animals have a higher level of Omega-6 than Omega-3, requiring the dog parent to add an additional source of Omega-3 to their dog’s diet. Wild game meat offers a more balanced Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio. Feeding the correct balance of fatty acids is essential as the Omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation, and the Omega-3s prevent inflammation.

A benefit of providing a raw diet is the ability to use a variety of protein sources. Adding wild game to the diet allows the dog to experience novel proteins. Food allergies and intolerances usually result from the dog being fed only one or two protein sources, causing the body to overreact to the protein. 

The other benefit of novel proteins is ensuring the dog gets a full complement of the ten essential amino acids. A dog must receive all essential amino acids to maintain a healthy body. 

Different meats contain different amino acids. High-quality proteins such as grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and wild-caught salmon have the correct proportions of all essential amino acids. A low-quality protein is one with one or more missing amino acids. Low-quality proteins include corn, which lacks lysine, and beans, which lack tryptophan. Because of the food that wild game consumes, their meat is also high-quality protein. 

The level of myoglobin in muscle meat determines the color of the meat. Its primary function is to supply oxygen to the cells in your dog’s muscles. Red meat has a higher level of myoglobin than white meat and is more nutrient-dense. Vitamins, minerals, and protein levels are higher in red meat than in white. Wild animals' natural diet creates muscle meat with a higher myoglobin level.

Venison is one of the most commonly fed wild game meat. The protein content is 22% higher than chicken or pork, while the fat percentage is significantly lower.  The meat contains no antibiotics or growth hormones. Venison is higher in iron and lower in cholesterol than beef. 

Controlling the Processing and Storage of the Meat

When purchasing meat from a local grocery store, there are some unknowns about the processing and handling of the meat. The length of time that the meat is frozen and at what temperature can impact the nutrient levels. When dog parents can obtain fresh meat from wild game, they control the freezing time and how long the meat is kept frozen.

In the United States, selling hunted game meat is illegal. However, obtaining wild game scraps from a local hunter is a cost-effective way to feed raw. Dog parents are encouraged to build relationships with local hunters to acquire access to wild game parts that would otherwise be discarded. 

The prime portions are kept by the hunters, leaving the internal organs, raw meaty bones, and meat remnants. Feeding what the hunter often perceives as 'throw away' meat and organs reduces waste and lowers the monthly costs of raw feeding.

If Chronic Wasting Disease is Prevalent in Your Deer Population

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that affects members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. The disease causes a type of progressive and fatal neurological disorder in animals. 

Like Mad Cow Disease in cattle, this disease is a kind of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs).  It is caused by an abnormal, transmissible prion protein (PrPSc) which accumulates in the brain tissue.

The prevalence of CWD infection varies among states, typically ranging from 2% to 13%, depending on the population density of deer and whether they are hunted or confined to fenced enclosures.

The transmission rate among deer populations is not fully understood but appears low (<1%) for most susceptible species. However, this rate may increase when animals are confined to smaller areas or subjected to stressors such as transportation or overcrowding.

In raw diets, farmed and wild venison are both recommended. If Chronic Wasting Disease is widespread in your area, do not feed the deer's (or elk's) head, spine, or spleen. CWD is most commonly found in the states of Colorado, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In other areas, including Missouri and Utah, CWD prevalence appears to have stabilized or declined slightly following its introduction into previously uninfected populations.

The wild game your dog can be fed isn't limited to venison. You can also feed the following:

Pseudorabies, or Aujeszky's disease, is a viral swine illness (found in pigs) that has been common in most parts of the world. It is caused by a herpes virus called Suid alphaherpesvirus 1 (SAHV-1). It is most commonly transmitted by bites and scratches on broken skin. The virus can also be transmitted to wild hogs through their blood, saliva, and milk.The disease occurs worldwide but is most prevalent in regions where free-ranging pigs are raised or where domestic pigs are fed by hunters and other people who hunt wild pigs.

There currently isn’t a cure for Pseudorabies, which is fatal in dogs and significant concern. The virus is resistant to freezing and can only be killed by temperatures above 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71C). 

Wild hog is not advised for raw feeders due to this virus unless it comes from the proper facility. A modified live vaccine is available to swine populations to reduce the condition's incidence in wild hog populations managed for consumption purposes. 

Trichinosis is also a concern among swine populations. Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis. The disease is found in many parts of the world but is most common in Africa and Asia. 

Swine are not affected by trichinosis unless fed raw meat or garbage containing uncooked meat scraps. When this happens, the larvae of the worms can enter the swine's body through the mouth and intestines. The larvae then travel to muscle tissue, developing into adults that produce new larvae. The new larvae cause swelling, which damages tissues and causes pain in muscles and joints.

Pigs that are infected with the parasite may not show any symptoms. However, some pigs can develop severe symptoms, including fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. In rare cases, fatal complications may occur if the infection spreads to organs such as the heart or brain.

The presence of Trichinella larvae in pork muscle tissue is destroyed by heating at temperatures above 138°F (59°C). Trichinosis can also be prevented by freezing raw pork for at least 14 days before cooking it. Freezing does not guarantee that all species of Trichinella are killed, so wild pork meat must be cooked before being fed to dogs.

Remove Parasite-Affected Organs if Necessary

Parasites are commonly seen in wild game. Inspecting wild game for parasites is a preventative measure. Parasites are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and organs. 

Before storing and feeding wild game, remove the intestines and bladder. Another parasite that infects wild game is liver and lung flukes. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed the liver and lungs. These organs are better coming from grass-fed cattle.

Freezing the wild game meat for three weeks before feeding adds a preventative measure to protect against parasites. However, not all parasites are killed by freezing.

Potential Lead Toxicity for Bullets Used for Hunting

Lead poisoning in dogs most often occurs due to oral exposure to lead through contaminated water, lead-containing paint, or other lead-containing items. Lead poisoning due to ingestion of lead-containing particles has been reported on multiple occasions for dogs, particularly young dogs with aberrant eating habits. Although most experimental data on the effects of lead exposure are on lead acetate, there have been reports of dogs ingesting metallic lead when fed meat from lead-shot games.

Most birds are hunted using birdshot, meaning there could be many pellets in the bird. Most buckshots comprise lead or dense metals such as tungsten, copper, and copper-plated steel pellets. Removing all pellets to avoid feeding them to a dog is critical, as they can cause lead toxicity, tooth damage, and bowel obstruction. Boiling the bird before cutting it apart aids in the removal of the buckshot.

Gastrointestinal and neurological disturbances are the most common signs of lead poisoning. Studies have shown that dogs fed trimmings of lead-shot game may be affected by the amounts of lead present. Fatalities have been reported when lead-based bullets were used. 

Wild game meat is safe and encouraged to feed your dog due to the increased levels of nutrients and lack of hormones, antibiotics, and poor food intake. 

Freeze all wild game for three weeks before feeding to prevent parasitic infection. 

Don't feed wild hogs to your dog due to pseudorabies possibly being present in the meat.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) | Prion Diseases | CDC 

What is chronic wasting disease? | US Geological Survey 

Chronic wasting disease in deer and elk in North America 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife 

Chronic wasting disease of elk: transmissibility to humans examined by transgenic mouse models Pseudorabies | FWC 

Epidemiological studies on trichinellosis in pigs (Sus scofa) in India - PMC 

Lead intoxication in dogs: risk assessment of feeding dogs trimmings of lead-shot game | BMC Veterinary Research  

Factory farm-raised animals have a higher level of <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/omega3">Omega-6</a> than <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/omega3">Omega-3</a>, requiring the dog parent to add an additional source of Omega-3 to their dog’s diet. Wild game meat offers a more balanced Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio. Feeding the correct balance of fatty acids is essential as the Omega-6 fatty acids promote <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/inflammation">inflammation</a>, and the Omega-3s prevent inflammation.

The other benefit of novel proteins is ensuring the dog gets a full complement of the ten <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/essential-amino-acids">essential amino acids</a>. A dog must receive all essential amino acids to maintain a healthy body. 

Different meats contain different amino acids. High-quality proteins such as grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and wild-caught salmon have the correct proportions of all essential amino acids. A low-quality protein is one with one or more missing amino acids. Low-quality proteins include <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/corn">corn</a>, which lacks lysine, and beans, which lack tryptophan. Because of the food that wild game consumes, their meat is also high-quality protein. 

Venison is one of the most commonly fed wild game meat. The protein content is 22% higher than chicken or pork, while the fat percentage is significantly lower.  The meat contains no <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/antibiotics">antibiotics</a> or growth hormones. Venison is higher in iron and lower in cholesterol than beef. 

The prime portions are kept by the hunters, leaving the internal organs, raw meaty bones, and meat remnants. Feeding what the hunter often perceives as 'throw away' meat and organs reduces waste and lowers the monthly costs of <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/raw-feeding">raw feeding</a>.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that affects members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/elk">elk</a>, and moose. The disease causes a type of progressive and fatal neurological disorder in animals. 

The prevalence of CWD <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/macrophages">infection</a> varies among states, typically ranging from 2% to 13%, depending on the population density of deer and whether they are hunted or confined to fenced enclosures.

Swine are not affected by trichinosis unless fed raw meat or garbage containing uncooked meat scraps. When this happens, the larvae of the worms can enter the swine's body through the mouth and intestines. The larvae then travel to muscle tissue, developing into adults that produce new larvae. The new larvae cause <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/swelling">swelling</a>, which damages tissues and causes pain in muscles and joints.

Lead poisoning in dogs most often occurs due to oral exposure to lead through contaminated <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/adenosine-triphosphate">water</a>, lead-containing paint, or other lead-containing items. Lead poisoning due to ingestion of lead-containing particles has been reported on multiple occasions for dogs, particularly young dogs with aberrant eating habits. Although most experimental data on the effects of lead exposure are on lead acetate, there have been reports of dogs ingesting metallic lead when fed meat from lead-shot games.

Adding Wild Game to Your Dog's Bowl

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