Did you know Kangaroo meat is considered one of the healthiest meats available? Not only is it rich in protein and low in fat, it’s a very good choice for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Given the benefits of Kangaroo meat it’s surprising it’s so rarely stocked in supermarkets. Thankfully if you want to feed kangaroo to your dog you’ll find a range of dog foods, including hypoallergenic dog foods, with kangaroo as a single-meat protein.
Another way to feed your dog kangaroo include kangaroo jerky or kangaroo treats with liver and other organs (great for your dog!)
But which kangaroo dog foods are any good? And which should you avoid!
Is kangaroo meat good for dogs?
Yes, with a range of benefits:
- Very easy for your dog to digest.
- An excellent lean meat, being high in protein and low in fat.
- A good source of omega-3 fatty acids to support your dog’s heart health and brain function.
- A non-allergenic (hypoallergenic) meat which works very well for dogs with food sensitivities.
- Environmentally sustainable, free-range, organic, and native to Australia.
Recommended kangaroo dog foods (in Australia)
There are more options for Kangaroo dog food than you may think, with many Australian brands offering a formula including kangaroo. These range from dry foods, wet, BARF, rolls, and of course fresh kangaroo meat from the butchers.
Even Pedigree have a “Real Kangaroo” formula, but on closer inspection it’s more a “Cereals” formula with a token amount of other meats, of which kangaroo is laughably an “and/or” ingredient which might be sheep instead.
Right, on that note, lets look at better kangaroo dog foods…
Single-protein kangaroo dog food
If your dog has food sensitivities (or “allergies”) then a single-protein kangaroo dog food may really help. Here’s some recommendations:
I find the Balanced Life dog food really good, especially the “air dried” variety which is essentially dried-raw complete with kangaroo meat, organs (tripe, liver, heart, kidney, and lung), and ground bone – all very nutritious for your dog.
If the price of the air-dried range puts you off, they also have the Balanced Life Enhanced range which is a dry food with air-dried kangaroo meat and ground bones. The benefit is it’s more affordable, and the air-dried pieces will be easier for your dog to digest than regular kibble.
Related: Balanced Life dog food review | Balanced Life Enhanced dog food review
Meals for Mutts is a decent Australian brand which is more affordable than some brands, and much better than most. It’s a hit with many Aussie dog owners, and they have a good range.
The Kangaroo formula is single meat protein, hypoallegenic, grain & gluten free, with the main ingredients being a combination of kangaroo meat, sweet potato, and seasonal vegetables. It benefits for additions like coconut oil, turmeric, and pre & pro biotics to further aid digestion.
Related: Meals for Mutts review
Zignature is a great brand, and you may be surprised to learn it’s an American brand. They source the kangaroo meat from Australia, process it there, then sell it back to us. It’s very good though, and that shouldn’t put you off.
Related: Zignature dog food review
Prime100 have a loyal following as an Australian brand but personally I find the products very expensive considering the ingredients.
If you compare Prime100 Skd Kangaroo & Pumpkin to Balanced Life Kangaroo above, you’ll find Balanced Life much cheaper per kilo, mostly made from kangaroo (including nutritious organs!), whereas Prime100 Skd is a mix of kangaroo meat and possibly just as much pumpkin.
Related: Prime100 Spd review
Other kangaroo dog foods worth mentioning
Here are some other options for kangaroo dog foods along with a quick summary:
- Healthy Everyday Pets Kangaroo & Lamb – A great choice in general, assuming you’re not looking for a single meat protein kangaroo formula.
- SavourLife Grain Free Kangaroo & Chicken – I’ve found this Australian brand to be pretty good, and this combination of kangaroo and chicken will be fine if your dog doesn’t suffer food sensitivities.
- Vetalogica Riverland Red – Another reputable Aussie brand, this formula is a mix of kangaroo, lamb, goat, pork, and salmon, combined with various peas, potatoes, and lentils.
- Instinctive Bite Kangaroo & Sweet Potato – A good formula which only has kangaroo for a meat protein, but if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog food this does contain chicken fat.
- Black Hawk Grain Free Kangaroo – Despite the name, this is actually a kangaroo and chicken formula with peas. Pricewise Black Hawk can be a little cheaper than others mentioned here.
- Ivory Coat Grain Free Lamb & Kangaroo – Consumer reviews are ominous with Ivory Coat products so I feel I cannot recommend the brand.
- Hypro Premium Kangaroo & Lamb – A good choice if you want a slightly cheaper version of Meals for Mutts.
Kangaroo dog foods to avoid
For completeness, below are other kangaroo dog foods available in Australia, along with reasons why they may not be the best choice.
Kangaroo jerky for dogs + kangaroo liver treats
Given kangaroo meat is good for dogs, even if you don’t feed a kangaroo dog food these can still be great to feed.
Here are some options for kangaroo jerky treats and kangaroo liver treats (rich in nutrients):
- Big Dog Kangaroo Freeze Dried Little Bites – These would be my choice, being a combination of kangaroo meat, bone, heart, liver, and kidney all in one. They may seem more expensive, and I know they’re not “jerky”, but freeze drying retains better nutrition and these treats have an excellent range of ingredients – not just the kangaroo either, but wheatgrass, flaxseed, whole egg, coconut oil, kelp, turmeric, and pre and probiotics!
- Prime100 Prime Pantry Jerky Treats Kangaroo – These are what they say on the tin (or packet), being single protein and human grade as well.
- Loving Pets Roo Jerky Dog Treats – Almost the same as the Prime Pantry kangaroo jerky, but do not state whether they’re human grade, and they’re more expensive.
- Natures Cuts Kangaroo Training Treats / Kangaroo Liver Treats – Again these are more expensive than the Prime Pantry jerky, and also more expensive.
All the above are available at Pet Circle.
Common questions about kangaroo meat & kangaroo dog foods
Why is kangaroo good for sensitive stomachs?
Not only is kangaroo a novel-protein not associated with food sensitivities, being a free-range animal are not exposed to chemicals used in farming and agriculture. Kangaroos have a strong resilience to disease and parasites, which adds further benefits for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Is kangaroo free-range and organic?
Yes, kangaroo meat is free-range. It’s also organic. Kangaroos are not farmed using conventional farming methods, meaning they live in their native habitat as wild animals, being free to roam. Kangaroo meat is also considered an environmentally sustainable meat choice, which makes it very underrated as a meat source both for human consumption and in dog foods.
Is kangaroo meat good for puppies?
Kangaroo is an excellent meat to support the growth phase of your puppy, with a range of high quality kangaroo dog foods available in Australia.
Is kangaroo or turkey better for dogs?
Both kangaroo and turkey are very beneficial for any dog, and even more so for dogs suffering food sensitivities to other meat ingredients like chicken, beef, or lamb. Kangaroo and turkey are also both lean meats, so may be a good choice if your dog needs to lose a little weight.
Is kangaroo or fish better for dogs?
Both fish and kangaroo are good for dogs, including for allergies and weight management.
