Kangaroos are marsupial mammals (give birth to premature offspring that suckle while carried in pouches for postnatal development) in the family Macropodidae native to Australia. They have powerful hind legs for hopping and a muscular tail for balancing.
The Eastern grey kangaroo is the largest, while the western grey is the smallest. Others are the Antilopine and red kangaroo.
These mammals are indigenous Australians staple protein source, and many restaurants in Australia serve. Also, many other countries import Kangaroo meat and hides from Australia. Don’t be surprised to find kangaroo steaks, sausages (Kanga or Bangas), and fillets in your local supermarket.
Is kangaroo meat for dogs good?
Kangaroo meat, which has a more robust flavor than the popularly farmed animals, is a safe animal protein source to not only dogs but also human beings. Some of the main benefits or reasons why you may find it in your dog’s diet include:
Kangaroo is good for dogs with allergies
Continual exposure of dogs to typical protein sources used in dog foods such as beef, chicken, dairy products, pork, lamb, and so on may cause food and skin sensitivities as well as intolerances.
To help manage these food allergies, among many strategies, including hypoallergenic and hydrolyzed protein dog diets, your vet may recommend dog foods with novel proteins.
Novel protein sources are nothing other protein sources that your pet has never been exposed to before since they are less likely to cause hypersensitivities. Kangaroo is one of the exotic novel protein sources with others, including venison, bison, salmon, rabbit, pheasant, wild boar, quail, buffalo, alligator, turkey, or ostrich.
It’s all-natural and organic
Since these animals thrive without human interference, they are a good source of organic meat free of antibiotics, steroids, growth hormones, and other chemicals or products used in animal husbandry or farming.
Also, it’s an environmentally friendly protein source since these animals emit about 5% of the amount of methane that cows produce and by-product programs intended to control this animal’s population or culling.
Nutrient-rich and a learner protein source
Kangaroo meat is high in protein and low in fats, i.e., it has about 2% fats that are high in CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) and polyunsaturated fats compared to other protein sources such as lamb and beef.
Low fats diets high in “CLA has been attributed with a wide range of health benefits including anti-carcinogenic and anti-diabetes properties, in addition to reducing obesity and atherosclerosis,” notes Wikipedia.
Furthermore, it’s higher in threonine, valine, and isoleucine amino acids when compared to farmed animals such as pork, chicken, beef, and lamb. However, it is lower in methionine-cysteine and cysteine.
Finally, it is a good source of zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, iron, and L-Carnitine amino acid (which may help in managing overweight in dogs as well as treat dilated cardiomyopathy together with other medications).
Cons
Being an exotic protein source imported from Australia, expect foods that have it to be more expensive compared to those based on chicken, beef, or lamb proteins. However, they are cheaper when compared to allergy shots and medicines.
Best dog foods with Kangaroo reviews
Before we review the best kangaroo dog food, here are things you need to look for in any brand you intend to buy:
- Kangaroo should be the first ingredient and possibly have its meal, and it shouldn’t have any typical allergy, causing proteins such as chicken, lamb, eggs, dairy products, or fish.
- Go for grain-free brands made using with less allergenic carbs such as brown rice, sweet potato, or potatoes. Avoid those with soy, corn, or wheat.
- Ensure it is complete and balanced for the specified life stage. Check if the company uses vets or pet nutritionist to ensure the food has the right amount of all nutrients.
- It should be made with limited ingredients formula without artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors.
You have an idea of what to look for in the best Kangaroo dog foods. It is time to review some of the top brands in the market.
1. Zignature Kangaroo Limited Ingredient, Grain-Free Dry Dog food – Best overall
This delicious and mouthwatering canine diet formulated to meet all nutritional requirements of all life stages, including the growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).
Key benefits
- Its formulation uses kangaroo as its only animal protein source together with healthy, fiber, and antioxidant ingredients, including chickpeas, peas, and flaxseed.
- It may help with food sensitivities and allergies since it has limited ingredients.
- It doesn’t have gluten, eggs, chicken, grains, soy, tapioca (cassava), or corn or any high glycemic carbs.
Cons
- While most people have noted it does help with allergies, a few are report that the food didn’t help their pooch.
Additional information
- First ingredients: kangaroo, kangaroo meal, chickpeas, peas, sunflower oil (preserved with citric acid), and dehydrated alfalfa meal.
- Calorie content: 3,868 kcal per kg or about 396 kcal per cup
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 26.0%, crude fat (min): 14.0%, crude fiber: (max) 4.5%, moisture (max): 10.0%, calcium (min): 1.2%, phosphorus (min): 1.0% omega-3 fatty acids (min): 0.6%, omega-6 fatty acids 0.2%.
Our verdict: You can trust this brand is doesn’t have any records of recalls of any of their food since 2009, uses limited ingredients that are less likely to cause allergies, and ensures all their dog diets are complete and balanced for the intended specific life stage.
2. Addiction Grain-Free Wild Kangaroo & Apples Dry Dog Food
Addiction Grain-Free Wild Kangaroo is a yummy and nutritious dry dog food made in New Zealand, which is reputed as the purest place to make pet food using freshest wild kangaroo source from the wild in Australia. It will provide all the nutrients your dogs need both for adult maintenance as well as for growth, development, and during nursing (dogs of all life stages).
Key benefits
- The food is an excellent novel protein source that is also free of growth hormones and antibiotics used in farm animals.
- It has a healthy blend of herbs and fruits, such as basil oregano, chamomile, cranberries, papaya, apples, and mangoes. Apples are rich in antioxidants and pectin (will support digestive health and boost vitality).
- All-natural ingredients, and it is grain-free.
- It has with vitamin B for growth and development and beta-carotene (from carrots) for good eyesight.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Dried kangaroo meat, potato, tapioca, peas, chicken fat, apples, blueberries, cranberries, papaya, mango, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sunflower seeds, chamomile, peppermint, and camellia.
- Calorie content: 3240 kcal per kg or 366kcal per cup (113gms).
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 22.0%, crude fat (min): 11.0%, crude fiber: (max) 6.0%, moisture (max): 10.0%.
Verdict: If grain-free, premium authentic kangaroo dog food goes, you cannot go wrong with Addiction. Furthermore, many users note that their dogs love it.
Still, from Addition, you can buy the Addiction Outback Kangaroo Feast Raw Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food, which is equally good.
3. Royal Canin Selected Protein Adult KO Kangaroo & Oat Dry Dog review – best canned or wet
This Royal Canin vet exclusive or prescription adult dog diet will help manage food sensitivity by eliminating food allergies while providing long-term support to skin problems that may result. You can use it for long-term feeding or during the elimination diet trial.
Key benefits
- Royal Canin uses only a single protein source without any ingredients such as chicken, beef, or fish responsible for most allergies.
- It features a limited ingredient formulation with ingredients that rarely cause allergies.
- It is highly palatable and easy to digest.
- The added fish oil is an excellent source of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, which will support healthy skin and a shiny, lustrous coat.
Cons
- It is costly. However, this is typical of most of the veterinary exclusive or prescription diets.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Oat groats, kangaroo, canola meal, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, and fish oil
- Calculated calorie content: 3567 kcal Metabolizable Energy (ME) per kg or about 335 kcal ME per cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 19.0%, crude fat (min): 12.0%, crude fiber: (max) 5.2%, and moisture (max): 10.0%.
Verdict: Besides it being costly, oat groats being the first ingredient, and not having a canned Kangaroo & Oat version, this brand is an excellent one for managing allergies with many people reporting improved skin condition, ear infection and other signs of allergies.
4. Zignature Kangaroo Limited Ingredient, Grain-Free Canned Dog food
If you have a finicky eater, you may want to try this tasty wet version, which like its dry counterpart, is for all life stages, including the growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).
Key benefits
- Kangaroo is a unique lean protein source rich in vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids (will boost heart health).
- It has minimal chances of causing food sensitivities as it is grain-free, doesn’t have gluten, eggs, chicken, potatoes, corn, or soy.
- It is highly palatable and easy to digest.
- Limited ingredient formulation
Cons
- It is costly. However, its formulation with an exotic protein source and being wet means it ought to be slightly expensive.
Additional information
- First ingredients: kangaroo, broth, peas, sunflower oil, chickpeas, agar-agar, and sun-cured alfalfa meal.
- Calorie content: 381 calories per can
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 9.0%, crude fat (min): 4.0%, crude fiber: (max) 1.0%, and moisture (max): 78.0%.
Verdict – Any dog with allergies, stand a chance to benefit from this yummy canine diets
5. Rayne Low-Fat Kangaroo-MAINT Canine Food – Dry
Rayne kangaroo dog food is a therapeutic diet for adult dogs that suffer from adverse GI and dermatological reactions to certain foods available in the US and Canada.
Key benefits
- Highly digestible and palatable with high-quality kangaroo meat for ideal lean body mass.
- Features a limited ingredient formulation without animal fat, corn, or grains that often cause allergic reactions.
- It will benefit canines that are fat intolerant disease and allergies
- It has fiber blends that will benefit your dog’s digestive system.
Cons
- It is costly with an 11kg bag going for $93.39 and unavailable at PetSmart, Chewy, Petco, Amazon, and other leading stores.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Kangaroo, dried chickpeas, dried potatoes, potato protein, pea protein, dried peas, and dried sweet potatoes.
- Calorie content: 3,330 kcal ME per kg as is and kcal ME per cup = 313
- Guaranteed analysis: Protein 31.18%, fat: 7.73%, crude fiber: 2.18%, Total Dietary Fibre 9.23%, moisture: 9.91%, carbohydrates Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE): 45.27%, calcium: 0.73%, phosphorus: 0.56% potassium: 1.30%, sodium: 0.20, magnesium: 0.14%, copper: 21.41 mg/kg taurine: 1257 mg/kg, Omega -3 fatty acids EPA, DHA or DPA: 0.0%.
Verdict: We would recommend this diet if your pooch suffers not only food allergies but has fat any intolerance diseases.
If you love it, you can still go for the canned version that comes in 13oz cans.
6. Walk About Grain-Free Wild Kangaroo Recipe Dog Food (Sweet Potato & Green Beans)
This Grain-Free Wild Kangaroo Recipe canned dog food is a premium food brand intended to meet all the nutritional requirements of dogs in all life stages with a blend of meats and vegetables.
Key benefits
- Made with only high-quality ingredients to ensure the food is palatable and supports healthy digestion.
- The added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids will boost healthy skin and coat.
- It is grain-free and uses a single meat protein.
Cons
- While declared as a single protein source, it has an unspecified liver, which cannot be assumed to be from kangaroo.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Kangaroo, kangaroo broth, liver, sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, dicalcium phosphate, fish oil, and guar gum.
- Calorie content: 71.5 kcal per 100g
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 8.0%, crude fat (min): 2.0%, crude fiber (max): 1.0%, moisture (max): 82.0%, omega 3 fatty acid (min): 0.1%, omega 6 fatty acid (min): 0.5%, calcium (min): 0.12%, phosphorus (min): 0.1%, and calories (as calculated): 71.5kcal/100g.
Verdict: While it is an excellent brand with a number of benefits as already seen, only buy it if your pet doesn’t suffer from allergies.
7. Natural Planet Dog Food-Kangaroo & Venison Dog Food Review
Natural planet kangaroo and venison dog is a dry adult maintenance dog food that may help canines that suffer from food sensitivities or allergies caused by typical protein sources used in most dog foods.
Key benefits
- Its made with quality novel protein sources, i.e., novel protein sources (venison and kangaroo) that are unlikely to cause allergies
- The food is grain-free, uses unique carbohydrates and has a limited ingredient formulation
- It has omega-3 fatty acids (from flaxseeds) that will boost healthy skin as well as coat.
Additional information
- First ingredients: kangaroo, venison meal, chickpeas, organic pea flour, chickpea flour, kangaroo meal, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), tapioca starch, organic peas, and pea protein.
- Calorie content: 3,844 kcals per kg, 436 kcals per cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein (min): 25.0%, crude fat (min): 14.0%, crude fiber (min: 6.0%, moisture (max): 10.0%, omega- 6 fatty acids (min): 3.2%, omega-3 fatty acids (min): 0.6%, ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin c) (min.) 90 mg/kg, total microorganisms (min.) 100 million cfu/lb.
Note: AAFCO doesn’t recognize Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, total microorganisms, and L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate as essential nutrients.
Verdict: It is an excellent alternative diet to canines with food hypersensitive. However, it is not readily available in some of the leading stores.
8. NutriSource Pure Vita Grain Free Kangaroo & Green Lentils Dog Food
Dogs of all life stages except for growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult) can benefit from this nutrient-packed NutriSource dry dog food
Key benefits
- This canine diet offers healthy heart support, thanks to the added taurine, choline, dL-methionine, and chloride, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in their correct ratios.
- It has probiotics to support a healthy gut and digestion.
- Grain-free
Additional information
- First ingredients: Kangaroo, kangaroo meal, green lentils, red lentils, garbanzo beans, sunflower meal, sunflower oil, dried tomato pomace, and chia seeds.
- Calorie content: 3,754 kcal/kg or 412 kcal per cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein (min): 25.0%, crude fat (min): 15.0%, crude fiber (min: 9.0%, moisture (max): 10.0%, iron (min): 125mg/kg, copper (min): 13mg/kg, manganese (min): 125mg/kg, zinc (min): 155 mg/kg, omega- 6 fatty acids (min): 4.3%, omega-3 fatty acids (min): 0.8%, taurine (min): 0.08%, glucosamine (min):300mg/kg , chondroitin sulfate(min):150mg.kg, L-Carnitine (min): 40mg/kg, cobalt (min): 40mg/kg, total microorganisms (min.) 100 million cfu/lb..
The microorganisms are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Enterococcus faecium, which chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, taurine, omega3- and -6 fatty acids, cobalt, and L-Carnitine are unrecognized by AAFCO as essential.
9. Billy + Margot Wild Kangaroo + Superfoods Dry dog food
This flavorful formula by Billy and Margot for adult dogs has 70% raw kangaroo and chicken, with the remainder being a blend of wholesome ingredients and superfoods.
Key benefits
- It has all the goodness of kangaroo, which is a lean protein source filled with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and other polyunsaturated fats.
- The blend of healthy vegetables, fruits, and other superfoods that include coconut oil, Manuka honey, coconut oil, chia seed, turmeric, carrots, kale, pumpkin, spinach, and blueberries will be beneficial to your pet.
- It is enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients for optimum health.
- It is the work of a renowned nutritionist Marie Jones.
Cons
- Since it has chicken, it is not an ideal choice for people who are looking for hypoallergenic novel protein dog food.
Additional information
- First ingredients: kangaroo, chicken, whole peas, red lentils, pea protein, sweet potato, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), whole chickpeas, and flaxseed.
- Calorie content: 3350 kcal/kg or 370 kcal/8oz cup
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 34%, crude fat (min): 12 %, crude fiber (max): 6 %, moisture (max): 10 %,calcium (min): 1.2%, phosphorus (min): 1.0%, omega-6 (min): 1.2%, and omega-3 (min): 0.3%
Besides the above, Billy + Margot also has two other wet recipe wet canned recipes, i.e., the morsel in gravy with Superfoods and Casserole with Superfoods canned food. Like the dry recipe, they have chicken as their second ingredient.
Verdict: If having novel protein is the reason why you would want to buy any of these brands, they won’t be helpful since they also have chicken with one having beef too.
Other good brands
- Iams Veterinary Formula Skin & Coat Plus Response KO Dry Dog Food
- Nature’s Gift Kangaroo Fillet Gourmet Dog Food
- KOHA Wild Kangaroo Entree – Canned
Best kangaroo dog treats
To complement various kangaroo based dog foods, consider buying treats made from this exotic novel protein source. Top brands include the following:
- Barkworthies Kangaroo Jerky Dog Treats
- Walk About Grain-Free Freeze Dried Kangaroo Dog Treats
- Zignature Kangaroo Ziggy Bars Biscuit Formula Treats
- Rayne Rewards Simple
- Barkworthies Kangaroo Ribs Dog Treats
FAQs
No. Dogs shouldn’t eat kangaroo ribs because they have bones that may choke, injure mouth cavity injuries if they splinter, injure their teeth, or cause abdominal blockages if swallowed. These pets should only eat bones if they are soft, edible, and effortless to digest.
No. Dogs shouldn’t eat raw kangaroo meat, bones, tail ribs, or any other raw meat, poultry, or fish. Raw or undercooked meat may harbor salmonella, E. coli, or Toxoplasma gondii(causes Toxoplasmosis).
Therefore, ensure you cook at 145oF for at least three minutes. For ground or minced kangaroo meat, keep the temperature at 160oF.
However, this doesn’t apply to the freeze-dried kangaroo meat or one sold as raw in the pet store since they undergo processing to kill any pathogens present.
Yes. As the nation of their origin, you expect kangaroo dog meat and foods to be more readily available and affordable. If you need some, try Black Hawk, Pet Deli Raw Roo Minced Adult Dog Food as well as Prime Kangaroo and Pumpkin Rolls.
Other are Ivory Coat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Lamb Dry and Stew (canned), Big Dog Barf Raw Food, Prime Premium Kangaroo Mince, Meals for Mutts kangaroo and lamb and Balanced Life, etcetera.
No. There is no conclusive evidence to support the allegations. However, there is an ongoing investigation by the FDA on the Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
According to FDA, incidences of DCM have been noted in canines feed on grain-free diets with lentils, peas, legume seeds, potato as well as chicken, fish, and lamb. However, the conditions have been noted, some canine diets with bison, duck, and kangaroo.