Wild Boar for Dogs: Chews with a Hearty Flavour

As a dried chew or treat, wild boar for dogs is a full-flavoured change with plenty of protein – raw wild boar, on the other hand, is strictly off-limits for dogs. The reason is the Aujeszky virus, which is fatal for dogs. In this guide you will find out which wild boar snacks are safe, which dogs they suit and how to feed them correctly.

Content: Wild Boar for Dogs: Chews with a Hearty Flavour

• Can dogs eat wild boar?
• Raw wild boar: why it is off-limits for dogs
• Wild boar for dogs: nutritional values and special features
• What kinds of wild boar chews are there?
• Which dogs are wild boar snacks suitable for?
• Frequently asked questions about wild boar for dogs
• Conclusion: wild boar for dogs – hearty and safe when dried

Dried wild boar snacks with a hearty flavour:

Can dogs eat wild boar?

Yes, dogs can eat wild boar – but only when it has been processed, i.e. dried or thoroughly cooked, and never raw. Dried chews and meat snacks from specialist retailers are a popular change, because wild boar has an intense smell and taste and many dogs are especially keen to work for it.

What makes wild boar interesting for dogs?

• Hearty aroma: The intense smell makes wild boar snacks a sought-after reward, even for fussy dogs.
• Lots of protein: Dried wild boar meat consists mostly of protein.
• Rare protein source: Very few standard dog foods contain wild boar. For some dogs with food sensitivities, it can therefore be an alternative.
• Single protein possible: Many snacks are made from 100% wild boar and contain no other type of meat.

For an overview of the whole range of game animals – from roe deer to red deer – take a look at our guide Game meat for dogs and the category game chews and game snacks.

Raw wild boar: why it is off-limits for dogs

Raw wild boar is off-limits for dogs because it can transmit the Aujeszky virus (also known as pseudorabies) – in dogs, an infection is practically always fatal and cannot be treated.

What is Aujeszky’s disease?

Aujeszky’s disease is caused by a herpesvirus that occurs mainly in pigs. Domestic pig herds in Germany are considered free of it, but the virus is widespread in the wild boar population. Dogs usually become infected when they eat raw meat, offal or slaughter waste from wild boar, or have close contact with killed animals during a hunt. Infected dogs often show severe itching, restlessness and neurological symptoms.

How to protect your dog

1. Never feed it raw: No raw wild boar meat, no raw offal and no wild boar bones – not even when feeding BARF.
2. Take care when hunting and on walks: Don’t let your dog eat gralloch, carcasses or wild boar remains.
3. Choose processed products only: Chews and snacks from specialist retailers are dried or heated for use as pet food and are subject to the relevant hygiene regulations.
4. Ask if in doubt: Reputable suppliers will tell you about origin and processing.

If your dog has eaten raw wild boar, contact your vet immediately.

Wild boar for dogs: nutritional values and special features

Dried wild boar gives your dog plenty of protein, but it is not automatically lean – depending on the product, it contains a fair amount of fat.

Keeping an eye on protein and fat

According to the product information, the wild boar meat cubes are made from 100% wild boar and contain around 49% crude protein and about 27% crude fat. That is rather a lot for a dried meat snack. For most healthy dogs of normal weight this is not a problem, as long as you keep an eye on the amount. If your dog tends to be overweight or has had pancreatitis, leaner varieties are the better choice. You will find a selection in our guide Low-fat chews for overweight dogs and pancreatitis.

Wild boar and allergies

As wild boar is rarely found in dog food, it can be an option for dogs with a food intolerance. Important: wild boar is closely related to the domestic pig. If your dog is known to react to pork, wild boar is not a safe alternative. In this case, discuss the choice with your vet. You can read more about why snacks with just one type of meat make it easier to find triggers in the article Single protein snacks. You will find more suitable snacks under hypoallergenic chews.

What kinds of wild boar chews are there?

For dogs, wild boar is mainly available as meat cubes, meat strips, dog sausage and as ears, skin and feet – the range extends from small training treats to longer-lasting chews.

Product type	Texture	Typical use
Meat cubes	firm, small pieces	everyday reward, training
Soft meat cubes	soft, easy to break	training, puppies, seniors
Meat strips	tough, elongated	a quick chew in between
Dog sausage	soft, sliceable	in slices as a training reward
Ears, skin, feet	hard to tough	chews for longer-lasting activity

Snacks for training and everyday life

Small pieces that your dog can eat quickly are ideal for training. According to the manufacturer, the soft wild boar meat cubes are made from 99% wild boar and 1% glycerine, are about 1 cm in size and are easy to portion. Cut the Delta dog sausage wild boar into thin slices and you have lots of small rewards. You will find more small rewards in the category training snacks.

Chews for longer-lasting activity

Wild boar ears, skin and feet are seasonal and available depending on supply. You will find the complete current range in the category wild boar for dogs. If there is nothing suitable available at the moment, roe deer and red deer chews are a good alternative with a similarly gamey aroma.

Soft game cubes for training and senior dogs:

Which dogs are wild boar snacks suitable for?

Wild boar snacks are suitable for healthy dogs of normal weight and of any age that love a hearty flavour – if your dog is overweight, has pancreatitis or a pork allergy, however, you should be careful.

Well suited for

• Active and sporty dogs that need a particularly attractive reward
• Fussy eaters that show little interest in ordinary treats
• Dogs that love variety, as part of a changing selection of snacks
• Puppies and seniors in the form of soft, small cubes

Less suitable for

• Dogs that are overweight or prone to pancreatitis (because of the higher fat content)
• Dogs with a known intolerance to pork
• Dogs with a sensitive stomach that are not yet used to wild boar – introduce it slowly

How to feed wild boar correctly

1. Introduce it slowly: Start with small amounts and keep an eye on your dog’s stools and behaviour.
2. Plan the amount: All snacks together should provide no more than about 10% of the daily energy. Our article How many treats per day? explains how to calculate this.
3. Choose the right size: Chews should be big enough that your dog cannot swallow them whole.
4. Let your dog chew under supervision and always provide fresh water.
5. Store correctly: Keep dry, cool and sealed.

If your dog likes game but needs something leaner, take a look at the categories roe deer and red deer – according to the product information, the roe deer skin, for example, is very low in fat.

Lean game alternatives for chewing:

Frequently asked questions about wild boar for dogs

Can dogs eat wild boar?

Yes, but only dried or thoroughly cooked. Raw wild boar meat and raw offal can transmit the Aujeszky virus, which is fatal for dogs. Dried chews and snacks from specialist retailers, on the other hand, are a safe change.

Is dried wild boar safe for dogs?

Dried wild boar snacks from specialist retailers are processed as pet food and are considered safe. Look for reputable suppliers and the right size, and give chews under supervision. Even home-dried meat from your own hunt is not an alternative, as safe inactivation of the virus cannot be guaranteed.

Which dogs are wild boar snacks suitable for?

They are a good fit for healthy dogs of normal weight that like a hearty flavour, and for dogs that need a particularly attractive reward in training. For dogs that are overweight, have pancreatitis or an intolerance to pork, other varieties are more suitable.

Is wild boar suitable for dogs with allergies?

Wild boar can be an option for dogs with a food allergy because it is rarely found in dog food. With a known pork allergy, however, it is not a safe choice due to the close relationship. It is best to plan an elimination diet with your vet.

How many wild boar snacks can my dog have per day?

That depends on your dog’s size, weight and activity level. As a guide, follow the 10 percent rule: all snacks together provide no more than about a tenth of the daily energy. Because of the higher fat content, the portion should be on the small side.

Conclusion: wild boar for dogs – hearty and safe when dried

Wild boar is a tasty, protein-rich change for dogs, as long as you only feed dried or thoroughly cooked products. Raw wild boar remains strictly off-limits because of the Aujeszky virus. Keep an eye on the comparatively high fat content, introduce new snacks slowly and include them in the daily food amount. Then wild boar cubes, sausage and chews are a real treat – especially for dogs that need extra motivation in training. If you have any health questions, your vet is the right person to ask.

Further reading on this topic:

• Deer as a Chew: Game Meat for Sensitive Dogs
• Venison Treats for Dogs: Game Snacks for Sensitive Dogs
• Game meat for dogs

This post was created with the help of AI