Kangaroo and Weight Management

We’ve made it. With 2020 in the rearview mirror, and 2021 coming up fast, the world is taking a collective sigh. We’re pretty sure that it can only get better from here – but we’re not taking any chances, so we’ll knock on wood and avoid stepping on any cracks while we’re at it.

New Years’ means many things. Fireworks, friends, bottomless cocktails and a 12am smooch are just some of them. For much of the world it also means the longstanding tradition of making New Year’s resolutions – promises about habits you’re going to quit or keep from January 1st and onwards.

If you’re part of 50% of the world’s population, your New Year’s resolutions might have included aspirations of weight loss and healthier living.

And those resolutions aren’t confined to just mankind, either.

So in honour of New Year’s resolutions, we decided to write an ode to our very favourite protein for managing our doggo’s weight: Kangaroo.

Why should I manage my dog’s weight?

For many it might seem obvious, but in the era of chonky memes and internet sensations, some might believe having an overweight pet is no big deal.

Pet obesity is at a staggering high, with vets reporting over 40% of the canine population sitting above a healthy weight.

Dogs thrive on activity and obesity often limits their mobility, ability to exercise and endurance. And along with a few extra body rolls, obesity carries a range of risks to your dog’s health – with diabetes, a significantly reduced lifespan, osteoarticular diseases (like arthritis) and cardiovascular diseases just some of them.

How do I keep my dog at a healthy weight?

Great news: for the most part, keeping your dog trim and fit doesn’t have to be too complicated. While every pet will have unique contributing factors to weight outside of our control – like a genetic predisposition to obesity related to breed or age – there’s much inside of our control, too.

Just like in humans, weight loss (and management) is directly related to calories consumed and calories burned up. In simple terms, it means that what your doggo is eating, how often and how vigorously your doggo is exercising all play an important part in their overall weight.

But unlike humans, there’s one reason why doggo’s have it so much easier – because instead of having to rely on their own willpower, as owners we have complete control over each and every treat they chew. And this means that it’s totally in our hands to make the right decisions for them, picking healthy snacks and always keeping a close eye on their waistlines.

The next time you’re serving up your dog’s daily meal, take a look at the calorie content and the recommended serving size for your dog’s (ideal) weight. Keep in mind that this is only a recommendation, and some doggos will need more or less than stipulated.

The best indicator will always be your doggo and whether they’re losing, gaining, or maintaining their weight over the coming weeks.

The calorie content of your dog’s daily meal is super important, but so is being aware of all the additional things your doggo eats throughout the day. Are they snacking on treats frequently, maybe during a training session or chomping on an occupying chew? Is someone in the family slipping them table scraps?

Unless your doggo has special dietary needs, we’d never advocate for removing treats entirely. But by reducing their daily kibble servings in proportion to the size and volume of treats they’ve eaten each day, you can enjoy the best of both worlds without sacrificing their weight.

Lastly, take a closer look at exactly what kind of treats you’re feeding. For the most effective weight management (and for optimal health), we recommend sticking to treats that are primarily:

• low in fat
• grain-free
• and single-protein.

Don’t despair – there’s tons of treat options that fit into the above categories, from training treats to dental chews. But we think there’s one protein in particular that can’t be beaten.

Kangaroo for dogs

We might be a broken record, but we’re not ashamed to say just how much we love kangaroo protein.

If you’re looking for the perfect mesh of sustainably caught meat that’s also big on health benefits, then roo can’t be beaten. As an ultra-lean meat with only 2% fat, and virtually zero saturated fat, kangaroo is a healthier red meat alternative than more popular proteins like beef. It’s also jam-packed full of essential nutrients for healthy doggos – vitamin B, iron, zinc and omega oils only some of them.

Sustainability is one of our core values, which makes kangaroo meat all the better. Kangaroo is 100% free-range and never farmed. Roo meat is organic, holistic, and always hunted from their natural environment without any antibiotics or chemicals in the picture.

In terms of weight loss, many nutritionists agree that kangaroo is the very best meat option out there. With such little fat, and such huge pay-off in terms of nutrients (and taste!), roo meat will keep your doggo satiated without the excess calories.

If you’re looking to maintain your dog’s weight, or help him drop some COVID kilos, then the macros don’t lie. Kangaroo protein is a perfect alternative to other high-fat meats, but with the same unbeatable taste.

Tie it all together in a sustainable, ethically farmed and organic package, and we’re totally sold on kangaroo meat for doggos of all weights, shapes, sizes and diets. What about you?