Lamb Meal vs. Lamb: What’s the Difference - and Which Is Better for Your Dog?

Lamb Meal vs. Lamb: What’s the Difference - and Which Is Better for Your Dog?

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    Summary:

    You’ve seen both terms on dog food labels: “lamb” and “lamb meal.” But what do they actually mean - and is one better than the other? In this post, we’ll break down the real difference between lamb and lamb meal in dog food, what each brings to the bowl, and how to choose the best lamb-based recipe for your dog’s long-term health.

    Lamb in Dog Food: Why It’s So Popular

    Lamb has become one of the most common novel proteins used in dog food - especially for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. According to PetMD, lamb is:

    • High in protein and amino acids

    • A great source of iron and B vitamins

    • Easy to digest for many dogs

    • Less likely to trigger immune responses than chicken or beef

    It’s especially helpful in limited ingredient diets, where minimizing exposure to common allergens is key.

    But what about lamb meal?

    Lamb vs. Lamb Meal: What’s the Actual Difference?

    Here’s a simple breakdown:

    Term

    What It Is

    Water Content

    Protein Density

    Lamb

    Fresh or raw lamb muscle meat (may include moisture)

    ~70% water

    Lower

    Lamb Meal

    Lamb that’s been cooked and dehydrated before being added to food

    ~10% water

    Higher


    So… is lamb meal just a filler?

    Not at all. According to PetfoodIndustry, lamb meal is actually more concentrated in protein and nutrients by weight, because the moisture has already been removed.

    Is One Better Than the Other?

    Not necessarily. It depends on:

    • How much of each is used

    • Where it’s sourced from

    • What else is in the recipe

    For example:

    • A food that lists “lamb” as the first ingredient may sound good - but that lamb is mostly water, which disappears during cooking.

    • A food that uses high-quality lamb meal might actually deliver more usable protein per cup.

    But here’s the catch: not all lamb meals are equal.

    What to Watch For With Lamb Meal

    Poorly sourced or generic “meat meals” may:

    • Be made from rendered, lower-quality parts

    • Contain protein that’s harder to digest

    • Vary widely in nutritional value

    Look for:

    • Named sources (e.g., “lamb meal”, not “meat meal”)

    • Transparency around sourcing

    • Brands that focus on digestibility and gut health

    When made from high-quality muscle and organ meat, lamb meal can be an excellent source of protein, especially in dry food recipes where moisture content matters.

    Why Brothers Uses Lamb Meal - and Why It Works

    At Brothers, we choose lamb meal over raw lamb in our dry food for one key reason: 

    It delivers more protein, more consistently.

    Here’s what makes ours different:

    And because we’re focused on gut health, we pair our lamb meal with:

    The result? A lamb-based food that doesn’t just avoid allergies - it actively supports healing.

    Is Lamb or Chicken Better for Dogs?

    For many dogs, lamb is the better choice - especially if they’ve shown signs of:

    Lamb is a less common protein, making it a better option in novel protein diets. It’s also rich in zinc, iron, and essential amino acids that support:

    • Muscle development

    • Immune health

    • Healthy coat and skin

    If your dog has already tried chicken-based diets and still has issues, lamb meal dog food may be the upgrade their system needs.

    Final Thoughts: Know What’s In the Bowl

    It’s easy to get caught up in label language - but what matters most is:

    • The quality of the ingredients

    • The digestibility of the protein

    • The functionality of the formula as a whole

    Fresh lamb sounds great, but in a dry kibble, high-quality lamb meal may be even more beneficial. It all comes down to sourcing, preparation, and balance.

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