12/06/2026
Venison. A wonder food for dogs.
Venison has fed carnivores (wild and domesticated) for hundreds of thousands of years. It is what might be called an ancestral protein i.e. a meat that dogs’ evolutionary predecessors ate before factory farming, grain-fed livestock, and pet food manufacturing existed. Today, science is catching up with what nature always understood: venison is not just another meat. For many dogs, it may be the best possible meat.
Deer meat is characterised by low fat and cholesterol content and high amounts of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Compared to beef, venison contains approximately 50% less fat while delivering more protein per 100 grams – making it particularly valuable for dogs prone to weight gain, those with pancreatitis, or older dogs who need to maintain muscle mass without excess calories. Compared to beef, venison has a higher protein content, lower fat content, and increased amounts of important omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B12.
Perhaps venison’s most significant nutritional advantage is its fatty acid profile. Because deer live and graze on natural pasture, their meat reflects this diet in a way that grain-fed, factory-farmed animals simply cannot match.
A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture compared the chemical composition of meat from red and fallow deer against commercially raised Aberdeen Angus and Holstein cattle. Deer species provided meat with a higher polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio and a lower atherogenic index. The venison of red deer contained five times as much omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid as the beef.
This was confirmed by research from Purdue University, where a team of scientists analysing wild ruminant tissues found that wild game, including venison and elk, contains a mixture of fats with a healthy omega-6 to omega-3 ratio — the kind that their analysis suggested lowers cholesterol and reduces chronic disease risk.
Omega-3 fatty acids matter for dogs for the same reasons they matter for people: they are anti-inflammatory, support brain and nerve function, maintain skin and coat health, and play a role in cardiovascular health.
Another benefit is that venison is classified as a novel protein i.e. a protein source that most dogs have not previously encountered in their diet. This makes it particularly valuable for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, which are commonly associated with overexposure to ubiquitous proteins like chicken or beef. Venison may also be an ideal protein source for senior dogs, overweight dogs, or dogs with allergies.
Venison is an excellent source of B vitamins — particularly B12, B6, riboflavin, and niacin — which are essential for energy metabolism, nervous system function, and DNA synthesis. It contains notably high levels of zinc, which supports immune function, skin health, and wound healing. It is rich in iron, selenium, and phosphorus.
There is an ethical argument for venison, too. Wild deer are not confined, routinely medicated with antibiotics, or fed an inappropriate diet. If you would like to try Honey’s wild venison please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
