Venison carrots

I should probably call these venison-flavoured carrots, because that’s exactly what they are: a wonderful, easy vegetable treat for your dog.

Last week I was given some venison bones, as it turned out enough to make around three litres of stock. I decided to throw some whole carrots into the pot with the bones, water and the usual splash of apple cider vinegar. The carrots simmered alongside the bones for the best part of 12 hours. Because they weren’t sliced or chopped, they stayed whole and became beautifully soft.

The best reaction was when the dogs had carrots that were still warm from the broth. It’s different from reheating them afterwards – at least it seems so.

The reaction was perfect. And maybe I’m imagining things, but I could swear that these carrots were a lot nicer than the ones from a chicken stock*.

So if you are making a stock, stick a couple of carrots in with the bones and let them simmer along slowly. simmer slowly. The infusion of flavour and goodness is what matters.

Your dogs will thank you.

And here’s the reason why:

*It turns out that venison is very palatable for most dogs. Venison broth often has a deeper, more savoury flavour than chicken and sometimes beef, likely due to differences in amino acid and nucleotide breakdown products. This affects acceptance more than nutrition. Slow simmering carrots along with the bones allows water-soluble compounds from both the bones and the vegetable to diffuse into each other.

salad drawer topping, IJland and chicken pudding, venison broth and venison soaked carrots with Chia seed mucilageA few slices added to a topping as a building block

The meat

Wild venison meat is often more nutrient-dense than chicken because it is leaner, lower in calories and total fat, and provides more iron, zinc, and B vitamins – particularly B12 – reflecting the animal’s natural diet and high activity levels. Its protein content is comparable to chicken breast, but with less saturated fat and, in wild animals, a more favourable fatty-acid profile.

Compared with beef, venison typically contributes less total fat and energy, while beef and chicken can provide higher selenium and, depending on cut, higher absolute zinc. On a calorie-for-calorie basis, however, venison tends to be richer in iron and B vitamins. Used as part of a rotation strategy rather than as a staple or a sole protein source, venison broadens both the nutrient range and flavour profile of the overall diet.

Important Considerations:

  • Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
  • If you are feeding commercial food, check the label for ingredients before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
  • Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
  • Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
  • I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
  • Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.
  • I am not a professional canine nutritionist but supporting research is cited.
  • The recipes shared were created by me and tested in my kitchen – and tasted and approved by our doggy friends!