Best alligator food [2023 reviews] (2023)

Recently, pet food manufacturers have begun developing recipes that include exotic species and game meats.

Some manufacturers only use this exotic meat for marketing purposes, however, others use it to solve some common dinner problems dog owners have, specifically,Protein allergies that do not allow dogs to enjoy the most common proteins found in dog foods such as beef, lamb and chicken.

FKangaroo, bison and other dark meat dishes have become more common.at pet stores and other retail channels as owners strive to provide only the best for their furry family members.

We've written about a fewthis exotic Proteinbefore, howkangarooÖbuffalomeat, butToday we wanted to turn our attention to one of the more unusual proteins to show up on dog food ingredient lists: alligator meat.

Even if they are not always easy to find,Alligator-based feeds have proven very helpful for some pet owners., so you might want to consider offering one to your dog.

Below we'll talk about alligator-based dog foods, look at why they may be a good choice for some dogs, and discuss some of the things to consider when choosing the best food for your pup.

Best alligator dog food: quick pick

• #1Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet NP dry food[Best Crocodile Based Food]:A tasty and nutritious food sourced from the USA based solely on alligator protein to prevent the onset of food allergies.
• #2Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet NP Nassfutter[Best Canned Alligator Food]:A canned version of the recipe above, perfect for tempting dogs with discerning palates..
• #3Caru Soft 'n Tasty Baked Bites[Best Crocodile-Based Treats]:Perfect for dogs who love the taste of alligator meat, these treats can be used for training or as general pet treats..

How is crocodile meat?

In many ways,Alligator meat is a fantastic source of proteinthis deserves serious consideration by dog ​​owners.

Unlike beef and many other meats that come from domestic animals,Alligator meat is very lean. It is alsoPacked with protein and high in niacin and vitamin B12that are important for the health of the dog. To top it off, alligator meat is also includedlow cholesterol(provided you don't order it fried and smothered in some kind of greasy sauce).

However, alligator meat can be taken from the ribs and armsThe highest quality meat is obtained from the tail(Note that arm meat is often referred to as "wings.") Ribs and wings contain rich, relatively dark meat, but tail meat is usually firm and white, with a relatively delicate flavor and texture. And yes, many people find it quite similar to chicken.

However, no protein source is perfect. The biggest nutritional downside to alligator meat (we'll get to some other potential downsides in a moment) is thisoften contains a lot of mercury. And while it's rare, dogs can sufferserious health problemsthrough exposure to high levels of the element.

There isn't much research on how mercury affects dogs, but when it comes to humans, mercury is thought to be more of a problem for young children and pregnant women.

Then,You may want to think twice before feeding alligator meat to young or reproductively active females. It's a good idea tooTalk to your vet about the switch first(as you should if you decide to make any significant changes to your dog's diet).

All values ​​given are for a 1 ounce serving and are based on raw meat.

data collected fromFlorida-Alligator.comjCalorieKing.com.

The best alligator food

Despite our best efforts, we were only able to find two commercially manufactured dog foods that contained alligator. But we did find some super tasty alligator-based treats, which we'll also discuss below.

1.Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet NP dry food

One:Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet NP dry foodis an alligator-based dog food developed for dogs with food intolerances as it is made without common triggering ingredients such as chicken or soy. Because it is a veterinary diet, a prescription from your vet is required to purchase it.

Characteristics:

• Single source protein formula for sensitive systems
• Added fatty acids for skin and coat health
• Contains probiotics for healthy digestion.
• Made in the USA with ingredients from around the world.

2.Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet NP Nassfutter

One:Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet NP Nassfutteris a grain-free canned food for dogs with food intolerances. Containing no chicken, soy or other common triggers, it is designed to adapt well to puppies' systems and provide nutrition with no side effects.

Characteristics:

• Single Protein Alligator Recipe
• Bilberries and bilberries are included for immune system health.
• Good source of fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed
• Made in the USA.

3.Caru Soft 'n Tasty Baked Bites

One:If your dog is going alligator-crazy, think about itCaru Soft 'n Tasty Baked Bites. They're tasty, nutritious treats that are broken down into small, tasty pieces, making them great, high-quality workout treats.

Characteristics:

• Packed with delicious alligator protein
• no grain,Non-GMO dog food formula
• Contains no corn, soy, wheat or animal by-products.
• Made in the USA.

Why should you consider alligator meat for your dog?

Owners are switching to alligator-based dog food for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common are:

tempting picky dogs

Many dogs seem to find alligator meat delicious., making it a great choice for demanding dogs. In fact, many owners have reported that their dogs seem to find alligator meat very palatable, despite refusing to eat most conventional proteins like chicken or beef.

Food allergies or intolerances

Just like their owners, dogs can developfood allergies. This can lead to itchy skin and coat problems, or less commonly, intestinal discomfort. These dogs require a food made without the allergenic triggeroften makes sense to switch to a "new" proteinthat your dog has never been exposed to.Because alligator meat is relatively rare in dog food, it stands out in this role..

Geographic or cultural reasons

So alligator farming is big business in Florida, Louisiana and other parts of the SouthOwners living in these areas will find alligator meat easy to obtain and very affordable.. And while this doesn't matter much to those who buy mass-produced national branded food, owners who feed their dogs homemade food or who supplement their dogs' diets with extra protein may find alligator a perfect fit.

Why is it so hard to find alligator-based dog food?

If you've ever tried to buy alligator-based food for your dog, you've probably noticed that it's not very easy to find. As a matter of fact,There are only a few brands that produce foods that contain alligator as a primary protein source.

The rarity of alligator-based food sources can be attributed to a few different factors:

1.Alligator populations have fluctuated significantly in recent history.

When Europeans first arrived in North America, crocodiles inhabited nearly all of the major rivers, lakes, and swamps of the southeastern coastal plain from East Texas to the Virginia border. Although,Persecution has caused alligator populations to plummet.

Fortunately, authorities designated the American alligator as an endangered species in 1967. This gave the animals significant protection and allowed their populations to recover. About 20 years later, the authorities were able to remove them from the list.

This allowed hunters and hunters to resume their activities, and alligator farms also appeared in the south. But,While alligator meat is easier to come by than ever, over time it hasn't been as widely available as chicken and other meats.. In addition, there is no guarantee that future populations will not decline and meat will not be available.

This has prompted many manufacturers to refrain from using it for fear of supply problems.

2.Alligator meat is not produced in similar amounts to beef, chicken, pork, or other common proteins.

Despite legal restrictions on catching alligatorsThe amount of alligator meat produced in the US pales in comparison to most other meats. Keep in mind that alligator meat production is essentially a by-product of the leather industry: alligators are harvested and farmed for their skin; Meat is just a convenient and profitable by-product.

For example, let's look at thisFlorida farmers and ranchers only produce about 300,000 pounds of alligator meat a year. Although,More than 4 million kilos of pork are produced in the state each year— and Florida isn't exactly a leader in pork production (rated 34Isno country).

3.Relatively few owners are interested in alligator-based dog food.

Simply put, there aren't many dog ​​owners out there who are promoting alligator meat. And despite the benefits alligator meat can provide,Manufacturers have little incentive to create foods based on ingredients that are not in high demand.

Of course, that could change if enough owners share their thoughts with the makers, so head over to your favorite maker's social media accounts and tell them you'd like them to make alligator-based recipes.

4.Alligators are at the top of the food chain.

Chickens, turkeys, cows, and most other animals commonly incorporated into dog food (as well as the human diet) are herbivores. ANDBecause plants more or less live on sunlight, they are easy to grow, meaning herbivores are very cheap to feed..

In contrast, alligators eat things that eat plants; actually your food isn'tTheunlike conventional dog food!Most alligators are fed chicken and fish or commercial pellets made with these proteins..

she doesveryexpensive to create, which increases the cost of your meat. The same principle applies to most other predatory meats, although in some cases (e.g. wild salmon and other predatory fish) Mother Nature foots the bill so these costs are not borne by the farmer or producer.

Things to consider when choosing an alligator-based dog food

It is always important to carefully compare competing products when choosing a food for your dog. We'll discuss some of the general characteristics to look out for in a moment, but first let's talk about two things that are specific to alligator food.

If you're using alligator as a new protein, try to avoid recipes with other meats.

The point of buying a food with a new protein source is to avoid the proteins your dog has already been exposed to..

Alligator works very well in this context as few dogs have had the opportunity to gnaw on alligator meat. Although,Choosing a food that also contains chicken, turkey, or another ingredient that is uncomfortable for your dog can still cause allergies in your dog.

Unfortunately, all three alligator-based recipes we discuss below contain additional sources of protein, particularly fish- and poultry-based ingredients.

However, as we emphasize below,Blue Wilderness Bayou Blend Kibble contains relatively low levels of chicken-based ingredients and may still work well for some dogs struggling with chicken allergies.. Neither of these recipes would be a good choice for dogs with a fish allergy, but Magic Marsh Alligator & Turkey dog ​​food is probably the best of the three as it contains relatively little fish compared to Blue Wilderness products.

In addition, it is important to rememberChicken and poultry products are not the only common allergy triggers.. Things like beef, pork, and wheat are common allergy triggers, but none of these are found in any of the alligator foods we discuss below.

If you want to try a spoiled dog, look for one that's made mostly of tail meat.

Most dogs who have the opportunity to try an alligator-based food find it delicious.. This includes dogs with hard-to-satisfy taste buds. As such, many owners are looking to alligator-based foods to specifically address this issue. But it's important to understand that not all alligator meat is the same. Some cuts, especially the tail, are tastier than others.

As you might suspect, tail meat, which is more in demand, usually costs more than rib or wing (arm) meat. This can prompt cost-conscious manufacturers to opt for cheaper cuts. Your dog might still find these cuts comfortable, howeverWhenever possible, you should opt for products that contain tail meat..

Unfortunately, none of the foods we cover below specify the composition of alligator meat in their meal. Hopefully, as demand and consumer interest increases, they will begin to do so.

General dog food considerations

In addition to the issues discussed above that are specific to alligator-based foods, you should also choose a food that meets the same criteria you would expect from any dog ​​food. This includes:

Sticking to food produced in countries with high food safety and quality standards

You don't want to put your four-legged friend's health at risk, so it's important to choose a food that's manufactured in countries that take safety and quality seriously. That means choosing a food made in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Western Europe.

Looking for foods with a whole protein as the first ingredient listed

Dogs are omnivores, but most of their calories should come from protein sources. Consequently, you should stick to foods that list a complete protein (alligator in this case) at the top of the ingredients list. Foods that contain multiple whole proteins at the top of the list are even better.

Trying to avoid foods full of artificial additives

Artificial additives can trigger food allergies or other issues, so it's best to avoid them whenever possible. Foods made with quality ingredients don't need artificial colors or flavors, and foods can be preserved with natural tocopherols, eliminating the need for artificial preservatives, too.

Avoid foods with poorly labeled foods or meat by-products

While meat meals and by-products may not sound very appetizing, they are actually very nutritious ingredients that most dogs love. However, it is important to avoid foods that contain unlabeled or misidentified meals and meat by-products; you never know what they might contain.

In other words, look for foods that contain "chicken meal" or "turkey by-products" instead of foods that contain "beef meal" or "meat by-products."

homemade alligator food

If you can't find commercially made alligator food that works for you and your baby, you can always head to the kitchen and make a homemade dinner.

Home cooking for dogs is a challenging task that should not be taken lightly, but if you have common sense, desire, time and onegreat cookbook for dogs, It might be worth a try.

Essentially you needCook the protein (in this case crocodile) and a dog-friendly carbohydratelike rice or sweet potatoes. ThenMix them up with some fruits and vegetables and a good vitamin and mineral supplement.Work with your vet when creating the prescription.to ensure you are meeting your dog's nutritional needs and providing the right combination of ingredients.

This approach can be great for dogs with allergies that are frustrating to resolve, or for owners who just want to treat their dog to homemade food. Keep in mind that making a homemade alligator-based diet can be even more complicated than making a typical chicken and rice recipeYou may have trouble getting alligator meat.

If you live in the Deep South, you can find alligator meat just about anywhere.- even supermarket chains (I've even seen alligator meat for sale at truck stops in remote parts of Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina, and it's probably easy to find in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas as well).

ButIf you live elsewhere, ask local butchers or exotic meatmongers first.. Crocodile isn't as exotic as some of the other items these shops sell, and most will likely carry it year-round.

EUIf you can't find one locally, you can always buy frozen or vacuum-sealed alligator meat online.. As you'd expect, frozen food is a bit of a hassle (read: expensive) to ship, so you'll pay a bit more if you buy it that way. However, you can often lower your costs somewhat by buying in bulk.

Reislandgarnelensells 1 pound bags of frozen tail meat at a relatively cheap price (about the same as mid-range steaks). Most of the customers who tried it found it tasty and of high quality, with the associated shipping costs being quite reasonable.

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Have you ever tried alligator-based dog food for your dog? How was it? Does your dog seem to like the taste? Have you noticed any health changes since the switch?

Tell us all about your experience (including any other trading options we may have missed) in the comments below.