Poultry blood

What is poultry blood?

Poultry blood is a by-product of poultry slaughter that is normally disposed of. However, it contains many valuable nutrients that are important for dogs. These include:

• The red blood pigment hemoglobin, which carries iron as its central atom, which transports blood oxygen.
• Proteins, which consist of amino acids that are needed to build up the genetic material in each individual body cell and are necessary for blood and muscle building.
• Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and zinc.
• Vitamins such as vitamin A and B vitamins.
• Trace elements such as iron, copper, zinc, manganese and selenium.

Poultry blood is usually offered dried and powdered to preserve it and make it easier to dose. There are also frozen blood blisters that can be removed individually.

What are the advantages of poultry blood?

Poultry blood has several advantages for dogs that are fed fresh meat (barf):

• It supplements the raw meat, which no longer contains blood, with many vital substances.
• It provides natural iron, which is responsible for the formation of red blood cells and the transportation of oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which manifests itself in symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, paleness and shortness of breath.
• It promotes muscle growth due to its high protein content. Proteins are the building blocks of muscles and also support regeneration after physical exertion or injury.
• It supports the development of a harmonious body shape during the growth phase. Young dogs need a balanced diet with all the important nutrients to grow and develop healthily.
• It improves the performance and well-being of dogs that are under particular strain (sporting dogs, guard dogs, hunting dogs, breeding dogs) or are in convalescence. These dogs have an increased need for energy and nutrients and benefit from an additional dose of poultry blood.

What are the disadvantages of poultry blood?

Poultry blood also has some disadvantages or risks that you should be aware of:

• It can lead to an overdose of iron or other nutrients if you feed it too often or too much. An overdose of iron can lead to symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding or liver damage. An overdose of other nutrients can lead to metabolic disorders or intolerances.
• An allergic reaction may occur if your dog is sensitized to poultry or one of the ingredients in poultry blood. An allergic reaction can manifest itself through symptoms such as itching, skin rash, swelling or breathing difficulties.
• Contamination or spoilage of poultry blood can occur if it is not processed or stored hygienically. Contamination or spoilage can lead to infection or food poisoning, which can be manifested by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever or loss of appetite.

How do you feed poultry blood?

If you want to use poultry blood as a barf ingredient for your dog, there are a few points you should bear in mind:

• Only buy poultry blood from trustworthy producers or retailers who guarantee high quality and freshness. Pay attention to the best-before date and storage conditions.
• Dose poultry blood according to your dog's body weight and the composition of its barf meal. The recommended amount is 0.3 g per kg body weight per day (maximum 12 g per day). Do not exceed this amount to avoid overdosing.
• Mix poultry blood into your dog's raw meat or vegetables. You can also mix it with a little water and drizzle it over the food.
• Feed poultry blood regularly, but not daily. For example, you can give it two to three times a week. You can also vary the source of the blood by alternating between cattle blood and pig blood if your dog can tolerate it.
• Monitor your dog after feeding poultry blood for possible side effects such as intolerances, allergies or poisoning. If you notice such symptoms, stop feeding poultry blood immediately.