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Can Dogs Eat Goose? Here Are The Pros & Cons

Whether it’s a holiday feast or a fancy dinner, goose meat is always an excellent alternative to turkey. And if you want to include your dog in the festivity, you’re probably asking, can dogs eat goose?

can dogs eat goose
can dogs eat goose

But like any food item, goose meat has its pros and cons. Below, I discussed this to help you keep goose a safe part of your pet’s diet.

can dogs eat goose

Advantages of goose meat for dogs

It’s ok to give goose meat to your dog from time to time. Here are even a few benefits:

Advantages of goose meat for dogs
can dogs eat goose

1. It’s an excellent source of protein for dogs.

Goose meat is no doubt a great source of protein for canines. In fact, a 100-gram serving of raw and skinless goose meat contains 22.8 grams of wholesome protein.

For pups, such protein content supports ideal muscle growth. And since most geese are free-range, their protein content is much higher than other poultry meat.

2. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals.

Aside from protein, goose meat is also rich in vitamins and minerals. For example, it’s a powerful source of B-vitamins integral in a canine’s metabolism and enzyme functions.

Goose meat also contains folate, and its skin is packed with Vitamin A. In addition, this meat delivers potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, manganese, and more minerals.

3. It’s rich and flavorful. 

Lastly, goose meat has a flavorful and rich taste if cooked well. In addition, wild goose tends to have a flavor similar to roast beef.

Overall, goose meat is tastier than turkey and duck. Unfortunately, this is the reason why many dogs won’t get enough of this meat when shared by their owners.

Disadvantages of goose meat for dogs

Like any protein source, goose meat has its downsides. Here are the things to keep in mind:

Disadvantages of goose meat for dogs
can dogs eat goose

1. It’s high in cholesterol and fat content.

Goose meat has higher fat and cholesterol content than other poultry types. That means overindulging your dog can contribute to the risk of obesity and canine heart disease.

A high-fat diet isn’t healthy for canines. This is why you should only give goose meat as a treat, and you should avoid tossing tables craps to your dog.

A small serving occasionally is safe for dogs. Other than that, you should serve other protein sources to satisfy the canine’s nutritional needs.

2. It’s often seasoned with various spices.

Most cooked geese are seasoned with various herbs and spices. Unfortunately, some of these spices aren’t suitable for dogs.

For example, garlic, onions, chives, and shallots can lead to poisoning in dogs. These spices are often used in preparing meat like a goose.

If you cooked geese with any of these or basically any strong spice, you should never give any to your dog. Your pet is better off chomping on boiled and plain chicken or pork.

3. Goose bones are prone to splintering.

Some pet owners are guilty of tossing goose bones to their dogs. This habit is dangerous as the poultry and pork bones splinter easily.

The splintered bone can injure your dog’s mouth. If ingested, the splintered bone can cause perforations in the digestive system.

If you’re going to give goose to your dog, always stick to the lean parts. Never give your dog the bones, no matter how good of a chewer he is.

How to give goose meat to your dog safely

If you’re planning to treat your dog to a serving of goose meat, here are a few points to keep in mind:

How to give goose meat to your dog safely
can dogs eat goose
  • Cook it well. Sure, rare goose meat is flavorful, but it may not be as enjoyable for your dog. Also, raw poultry is prone to contamination, so it’s best to cook it well first.
  • Skip the spices. As mentioned earlier, it’s best to serve cooked goose meat to your dog without the spices. The meat’s natural flavor is enough to entice the appetite of most canines.
  • Slice it into small pieces. Slicing goose meat in small pieces will let you check if small bones are left. Also, this will let you use the goose meat as a treat during training.
  • Avoid the fatty parts. You should only give lean goose meat to your dog. Avoid the fatty cuts and trimmings as these contain too much cholesterol.
  • Never give foie gras. Foie gras is a dish made from swollen goose or duck liver, which is sometimes done through natural feeding. Technically, ‘foie gras’ translates ‘to fatty liver’, which isn’t a significant part of a dog’s diet.
  • Choose gizzards. Goose gizzards are great for dogs since it’s rich in protein and nutrients. It’s healthy as long as the organ meat isn’t too fatty.

Why does my dog like eating goose poop?

Dogs are notorious for dietary indiscretion, so eating goose poop isn’t surprising.

Still, canines are attracted to goose poop because of the undigested organic matter. In addition, geese have short digestive tracts, so the seeds, grasses, and leaves they eat won’t be fully digested.

Aside from that, this behavior could indicate nutritional deficiencies. Your dog is eating other organic matter to compensate for their diet’s missing.

Whatever the cause is, you should never tolerate your dog’s habit of eating poop. I discuss methods to stop your dog from eating goose poop in a separate post.

Are dogs allergic to goose meat?

Dogs can be allergic to just about any food item. For example, your friend’s dog can be allergic to goose meat while your pet isn’t.

Allergies and other sensitivities are unique to each dog. The key here is observing possible signs of allergies and having your dog checked at the vet’s clinic.

Some signs of goose allergy in canines are diarrhea, vomiting, hives, and lethargy. If your dog’s condition isn’t improving within 12 to 24 hours, you should immediately bring it to the vet.

Can dogs eat goose eggs?

Goose, duck, and chicken eggs are totally safe for dogs as long as fully cooked.

However, other pet owners feed raw eggs to their dogs. While this method is acceptable and nutritious, it’s also highly prone to contamination if the eggs are poor quality.

Just remember that goose eggs have higher cholesterol than chicken eggs. This is why you should only give it occasionally.

Can dogs eat raw goose feet?

Raw goose and duck feet are safe for dogs as long as properly cleaned and freeze-dried. It has a crispy texture and contains lots of protein.

Aside from that, freeze-dried goose feet have softer and digestible bones. As a result, it won’t splinter and is very much unlikely to cause stomach problems.

But like its meat or egg, you should only give goose feet as a treat once in a while. This is because goose feet still contain higher fat content than other poultry, which isn’t safe for dogs when given in large amounts.

Conclusion

Can dogs eat goose? Yes, this animal meat is safe for canines, but make sure that it’s cooked and prepared well.

Also, you should only give goose meat sparingly. Unlike chicken or turkey, goose has higher fat content, which isn’t healthy for dogs in large servings.

Most importantly, always debone the goose cuts you’re giving your dog. Poultry bones are prone to splintering and can land your dog in an emergency vet visit.

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