Quick answer: Yes, quail is good for dogs, especially raw-fed dogs that need a novel protein. Our quail is ground whole, with muscle, bone, organs, and skin, so it's a lean, small-prey meal. Because it contains ground raw bone, it must always be served raw. Never cook it. Quail is a bird, so dogs with a severe chicken allergy should test it with their vet's guidance.
Quail is our newest novel protein, and it's made for raw feeders. Small birds like quail are a natural fit for whole-prey feeding: muscle, bone, and organs, ground together and ready to serve.
Why quail is a good novel protein
- It's rare in dog food. Very few dogs in the Philippines have eaten quail meat.
- It's lean. Quail is one of our leaner proteins, with a good mix of meat and bone.
- It's whole prey. Muscle, bone, and organs together give a natural ratio, with ground bone as a natural calcium source.
- It's single-animal. One protein per pack, so it works for elimination diets in raw-fed dogs.
Quail nutrition at a glance
| Raw Quail Ground Whole | |
|---|---|
| Made from | About 70% muscle meat, 20% bone, 5% organs, plus skin |
| Bone | Ground raw bone |
| Fat level | Lean |
| Prep | Thaw in the fridge. Serve raw. Never cook. |
| Pack size | 500g |
Single proteins aren't complete and balanced on their own. Rotate proteins and add organs for variety once the elimination phase is done.
The never-cook rule
Raw only. Never cook quail ground whole. It contains ground bone. Cooked bone turns hard, difficult to digest, and can splinter. This applies to boiling, steaming, frying, and microwaving.
If you prefer cooked food, choose a gently cooked single protein instead. Those are bone-free and ready to serve.
Raw feeding safety: the basics
Raw food is safe for most healthy dogs when it's handled properly. Treat it like any raw meat in your kitchen:
- Thaw in the fridge, never on the counter. It takes about 24 hours.
- Use within 48 hours once thawed.
- Don't leave it in the bowl for more than 30 minutes.
- Refreeze only right after fridge-thawing, never after it's sat at room temperature.
- Wash hands, bowls, and surfaces after handling.
Raw feeding isn't recommended for dogs with weak immune systems or serious health conditions. Ask your vet first. If you have young children, elderly family members, or anyone with a weak immune system at home, take extra care with raw meat handling.
Quail and chicken allergy
Quail and chicken are both birds. Cross-reactions between poultry haven't been well studied in dogs. If your dog's chicken allergy is mild or suspected, quail may be fine. If it's severe or confirmed, start with a mammal like rabbit, then test quail later with your vet.
How to feed quail
- Start small. If your dog is new to raw, switch slowly over 7 to 10 days. Mix a little quail into the current food and increase it each day.
- Feed by body weight. Most adult dogs eat about 2 to 3% of their body weight a day on raw. A 10kg dog eats roughly 200 to 300g a day, split into two meals.
- Watch the stool. Bone firms up stool. If it gets too hard or chalky, add a boneless meal or more muscle meat that week.
- For an elimination trial, feed quail only for 6 to 12 weeks, with your vet's guidance. No treats, chews, or flavored meds from other proteins.
- Rotate once you're done. After quail is a confirmed YES protein, add organs and other proteins for variety.
Quail at Wholesome Rabbit
Raw Quail Ground Whole (500g) — About 70% muscle meat, 20% bone, and 5% organs, plus skin. One protein, nothing added. Raw only. Never cook. Shop Raw Single Proteins
Raw BARF Mix: Quail + Pork or Quail + Beef (500g) — For raw-fed dogs that aren't on an elimination diet. Quail is mixed with organs, a little vegetable, seeds, and fruit, with about 6% ground bone. Supports rotation and variety, not a standalone complete diet. Shop Raw BARF Mix
Bone Broth — A single-protein topper for picky raw eaters. Choose a broth that matches your dog's YES protein. Shop Bone Broth
Quail is raw only. We don't make gently cooked quail or quail meatballs. If your dog needs a cooked, bone-free novel protein, try Gently Cooked Single Proteins in rabbit, duck, goat, crocodile, ostrich, buffalo, or lamb.
Not sure which protein to start with? The Wholesome Healing System™ walks you from discovery to elimination to a long-term rotation bowl. Message us anytime and we'll help you choose.
Delivery: Same-day delivery across Metro Manila and Greater Manila via Lalamove for orders placed before 3 PM, Monday to Saturday. Provincial orders ship via Victory Liner Drop & Go.
Frequently asked questions
Is quail good for dogs?
Yes. Quail is a lean, uncommon protein, which makes it a good novel protein for raw-fed dogs with suspected food allergies. Ground whole quail also gives muscle, bone, and organs in one meal.
Can dogs eat quail bones?
Only raw, ground bone. Our quail is ground whole, so the bone is already fine and soft. Never feed cooked quail bones. Cooking makes bones hard and splintery.
Can I cook quail ground whole?
No. It contains ground bone, so it must stay raw. If you want cooked food, choose a bone-free gently cooked protein instead.
Is quail safe for dogs allergic to chicken?
It may be, but there's no guarantee. Quail and chicken are both birds, and cross-reactions between poultry aren't well studied in dogs. If your dog's chicken allergy is severe, start with a mammal protein like rabbit and test quail later with your vet.
Can cats eat raw quail?
Our Raw Single Proteins are made for dogs and cats. Cats need extra taurine, organs, and a complete plan, so a single protein isn't a full cat diet. For cats, see our Raw PMR Mix.
How long does thawed quail last?
Use it within 48 hours of thawing in the fridge. Don't leave it in the bowl for more than 30 minutes.
This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Talk to your vet before starting raw feeding or an elimination diet.
Sources
- Roudebush P, Guilford WG, Jackson HA. "Adverse Reactions to Food." In: Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th ed., Chapter 31. Mark Morris Institute.
- Raw Single Proteins, Wholesome Rabbit
- Raw BARF Mix, Wholesome Rabbit
