Unleash the Health Benefits: Discover 16 Best Meat for Dogs to Boost Their Well-being

As we know that dogs are omnivores, but meat is a very essential nutrient in dog food. There are many types of meats that are the main protein sources for dogs health. We will help you choose the best meat for dogs if you face difficulty in choosing it.

By providing your dogs with high-quality proteins, fats, and other healthy nutrients, meat contributes a lot to maintaining the dogs’ health.

Dogs are very loyal pets and are human-friendly when kept in homes. They are used for hunting and security purposes in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the UK, and America. All dog owners wish their dogs should be healthy and physically fit, so all is possible by serving a healthy diet to the dogs.

Read this guide completely to know the best meat diet for your dogs. Let’s dive into it.

Let’s Talk About Your Dog’s Protein Needs

The Association of American Feed Control Officials ( AAFCO ) has introduced a food pattern for pets at different stages of life. These guidelines help to understand pet food including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Today we will discuss dogs’ protein needs here.

Proteins are very important components in the body to perform most of the cellular functions like metabolism, structural support, and regulating the passage of other substances inside and outside of the body. Same like other animals, dogs also need protein in their diet to maintain their overall health and well-being.

The amount of protein to feed a dog depends on different factors like the age of the dog, size, activity level, and overall health. Generally, growing dogs, puppies, pregnant or lactating female dogs, and adult dogs used for hunting purposes need more protein-containing food at least 22.5%. But inactive adult dogs need a lesser amount of protein like 18%.

Remember to consult your veterinarian doctor for the specific amount of protein, the best protein sources for dog food, and a general diet plan for your pet dogs.

There are so many different sources of protein that can fulfill your dog’s protein requirement like meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, eggs, and plant-based protein sources like legumes, beans, and tofu.  Remember, always choose high-quality protein sources that can be digested easily and provide a complete diet to your dog.

Picking the best meat for dogs

There are multiple factors to consider while choosing the best meat for dogs for the best health. We will explain some factors below:

1. Taste of Meat

The taste of meat is the biggest factor to choose the best healthy meat for your dog’s diet. It definitely means that either your dog loves this meat or not.

Dogs do tasting of food with their noses and then like or dislike the food. You must choose the meat which your dog likes, otherwise there is no benefit to feeding the meat which your dog doesn’t like.

2. Quality of Meat

Always choose fresh, pure, contaminants or additives-free meat for your dog food. Avoid meat in which hormones or chemicals are added, which is not good for the dogs’ health.

3. Nutrition in Meat

Nutrition is the main factor to consider when choosing meat for your dog’s protein food. Select meat that is rich in essential healthy nutrients and provides your dog with a well-balanced diet.

4. Expenses and Affordability

Randomly some pet owners are rich and some average and some poor. So not all pet owners can afford luxury meat for example fresh salmon every day to feed their dogs. So the poor owners should feed wild-caught salmon and tuna which are not much expensive as other meats.

If you are looking for something meat that is the more cost-effective best meat for dogs then choose poultry-based meat like chicken and turkey meat to feed your dog.

5. Sources of Meat

As a dog owner, you must focus on the meat sources to feed your dog safe and disease-free meat. Never use meat coming from bad farms and producers. Always avail meat produced by good farms and producers, that is very healthy and effective for your dogs’ health.

6. Allergies

In case your dog is suffering from allergies then must be careful choosing the meat for your dog food. In this situation, you choose meat that is free from any allergens or even ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.

7. Quantity of Meat to Feed Dogs

Make sure to feed a proper amount of meat to your dog which is based on the dog’s age, size, and activity level. Generally pregnant or lactating female dogs, growing dogs, puppies, and dogs used for hunting need a more about 22.5% meat diet. And adult inactive dogs need less amount about 18% of a meat diet.

Most Common Types of Meat for Your Dog’s Diet

There are many types of meat to feed your dog for the best health and well-being. When a dog owner chooses the best protein sources for dogs, then it means he chooses one out of the 3 commonly used. Let’s explain below:

1. Beef as Best Meat for Dogs

Beef is the most commonly used high-protein meat which is commercially used as the best meat for dogs out of many kinds of meat foods. Beef contains very essential nutrients like protein, selenium, zinc, iron, and vitamins B12, B3 and B6.

Beef is prepared on a commercial scale as dog food and also prepared at home by dog owners who like to prepare their own homemade dog food.

Protein foods are very expensive in dog food markets. You should choose the cheaper cuts from the cows to feed your dog meat proteins which are cost-effective. These cows’ cuts are cartilaginous and normally tender but still highly nutritious, and your dog will love to eat them.

For your dog’s food, you should select cuts that come from hips and shoulders as they are more tender. You can also select ground beef for your dog’s food, which is the cheapest form of beef.

Methods to Cook Beef for Dogs

The best way of cooking the big beef cuts is roasting. And ground beef is much easy to cook on the stove. For safe dog food cooking, we consider USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service guidelines.

USDA Recommendations for Cooking Beef for Dogs

Dog Food Type	Temperature Required
Ground Beef	160 °F (71.1 °C) at stove
Big Beef Cuts	145 °F (62.8 °C) and then allow resting for at least 3 minutes.

2. Chicken as the Best Meat for Dogs

Chicken is the second main source of protein-rich meat food for your dog. It contains more proteins and less amount of fat to keep your dog healthy. When you cook chicken thigh and feed your dog, then your dog loves it and mostly becomes habitual to eat it.

Chicken meat is cheaper than beef and so it is affordable. One thing that is risky is that chicken meat is sometimes contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, and dogs become sick because of this bacteria. This contaminated chicken meat is also a health threat to the humans living in the home. So be aware of contaminated chicken meat.

When you cook the chicken as healthy and the best meat for dogs make sure to cook thoroughly and adopt safe and hygienic cooking practices. Wash your hands before handling raw chicken and clean up the cooking utensils before cooking.

Methods to Cook Chicken for Dogs

You can cook chicken for your dog food by roasting the chicken, or by boiling the chicken meat, which you like the most. But boiling is easier than the roasting method. After cooking keep the remaining liquid material to cook the rice or any vegetable recipes for you, instead of wasting the liquid material.

No matter which cooking method you adopt to cook the chicken, remember to maintain the internal temperature to 165 °F or (73.9 °C) for safe and proper cooking of chicken meat for your dog.

3. Pork as Meat Source for Your Dog

Pork is the third most common main source of protein meat used for dogs’ healthy diet on a commercial scale as well as homemade dog foods.

Pork is very affordable as its cost is usually somewhere between the cost of beef and chicken, and most dogs seem to like its texture, density, and flavor.

Pork contains the same amount of proteins as beef. If we talk about fat amount then pork contains more fat amount than chicken and beef. So pork is very helpful and good meat food for dogs to gain weight.

Many cuts of pork are available in the dog food market, but legs and shoulder cuts are generally the most cost-effective and healthy choices for your dog food. You can also buy ground pork if you like. But make sure all pork should be fresh and healthy.

Methods to Cook Pork for Dogs

Pork dog food cooking is very easy and the same as beef cooking. Pork cuts should be roasted like beef cuts. While ground pork is much easier to cook on the stove. Look into the table for temperature guidelines.

USDA Recommendations for Cooking Pork for Dogs

Dog Food Type	Temperature Required
Ground Pork	160 °F (71.1 °C) at stove
Big Pork Cuts	145 °F (62.8 °C) and then allow resting for at least 3 minutes.

Other Common Meat Protein Sources for Dogs You Can Get from the Markets

Beef, chicken, and pork are the most common meat protein sources that owners and food manufacturers use as the best meat for dogs, there are several other types of meat dog foods that you can usually buy from the grocery stores for your dog. We will explain below:

1. Lamb as Meat Protein Source for Dogs

Lamb is commonly used as protein meat for dog food on a commercial scale and also homemade dog food.

There is a rarity and also high prices of lamb meat in U.S. meat markets because of its enormous use in dog food. Nevertheless, lamb meat is highly nutritious, and it really a great source of meat protein for your dog. There are many commercial dog foods in which lamb meat is used as the main protein source.

Lamb is higher in water content but low in caloric density, so you’ll need more lamb meat as compared to beef or pork. However, it’s leaner than beef, pork, or chicken, and it’s higher in protein than all three.

Lamb meat has a rich flavor that many dogs like (without mint sauce), and it requires simple preparation like roasting it the same as beef or pork. So lamb meat is the best meat for dogs.

While roasting the lamb meat make sure that it reaches an internal cooking temperature of at least 145 °F (62.8 °C) and then allow it to rest for at least 3 minutes.

2. Turkey as Meat Protein Source for Dogs

Turkey is very similar to chicken meat from a nutritional point of view, it has less amount of fat but is rich in protein. Its taste is different from chicken, but most of the dogs seem to enjoy it very much.

Turkey is most commonly used in dog food because it is rich in healthy nutrients like proteins, vitamin B, and minerals like phosphorus and selenium. Many dog food brands use turkey meat as a main protein source and some brands use it with a combination of beef and chicken.

Turkey is slightly more expensive than chicken meat, but still the very best meat for dogs meat food. Try turkey for your dog food and see the results, if it works well and is affordable for you then avail it on regular basis.

Some dog owners may be worried that turkey makes their pets sleepy, this sleeping effect is due to an amino acid called tryptophan. This tryptophan produces the hormone serotonin called 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the pet’s brain. This is a monoamine neurotransmitter that makes mammals sleepy.

But it is not only turkey that contains tryptophan in high amounts. Both chicken and pork contain more amount of tryptophan than turkey. Therefore, don’t worry about turkey meat that makes your pets sleepy.

Like all other poultry, also turkey is sometimes contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, so make sure to use hygienic and good food safety practices when cooking the turkey meat for your dog.

Make medium-sized cuts of turkey meat for cooking. You can boil these turkey cuts if you like, or it is also easy to roast these cuts. Any method you like for cooking meat, make sure to keep an internal temperature of 165 °F or (73.9 °C) for safe and proper cooking.

Note: Turkey is the best hypoallergenic dog food, that turkey is often used as an alternative to chicken in hypoallergenic dog foods, as it is a novel protein for most dogs.

3. Duck as Meat Protein Source for Dogs

Duck is another delicious in taste and a good meat source for dogs. Because of its delicious taste, it is one of the best meat for dogs which are picky in nature.

Many dog owners like duck meat because duck is too rich in taste. The meat of duck is very fatty and greasy. In fact, duck meat contains more fat content than other poultry or fish meat. This meat also has a relatively low protein amount, so it is best for weight gain in dogs. But it is not perfect for weight loss in dogs.

As dogs often love the delicious taste of duck meat, therefore some dog owners add it to homemade dog foods. Ducks are the best protein sources for dogs with an appealing taste.

Some commercial pet food brands use duck meat as a primary protein source for dog food. So, the prices of duck meat are high as compared to other poultry and fish meat.

The best cooking method for duck is roasting it, and make sure that the internal temperature should be at least 165 °F or (73.9 °C) while roasting the duck meat for your dog.

4. Tilapia as Meat Protein Source for Dogs

There are so many types of fish at your local grocery store for example haddock, pollock, and cod. These different fish make a full and suitable protein food for your dog. Tilapia is one of the best fish for dog protein food.

Tilapia is a widely affordable and available option for dog owners who search for the best protein source for their dogs. Tilapia is not often used in normal recipes, but it is a good option available for dog owners who like to make dog food at home.

This is very fantastic that tilapia is a low-calorie protein fish, as it is so extraordinarily lean meat (every ounce of tilapia meat has less than a gram of fat). Because tilapia has less amount of fat, but it is rich in protein as much as beef.

Some dogs like tilapia meat and some are not much interested in it. Make sure your dog likes tilapia before filling your deep freezer with tilapia. Tilapia meat is very easy to cook, just put it in a frying pan and roast it well. While roasting, make sure that the internal temperature reaches 145 °F or (62.8 °C).

5. Salmon as Meat Protein Source for Dogs

Fish is a very common meat protein used for dog food, salmon is the typical type of fish used as the best meat for dogs. Salmon meat contains less fat amount and is high in protein. However, salmon meat is rich and packed with omega-3 fatty acids.

Salmon is a good source of meat protein for your dog and provides many health benefits to your dog. Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to improve skin health and coat health, support the health of joints, and reduce inflammation.

Always choose clean and contaminants-free salmon for your dog meat food, because salmon may contain mercury which would be caught from contaminated water. Hence, always choose freshwater salmon for your dog food.

Never feed raw salmon to your dog, because raw salmon can cause salmon poisoning in the dogs. Salmon poisoning is a very fatal disease in dogs when they may eat raw fish like salmon which are infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. Always feed well-cooked and bones-removed salmon to your dog.

The best cooking method for salmon is to season salmon with salt and pepper, put it in a frying pan, and roast it well so that all the germs and harmful elements would be killed. When roasting salmon be sure to keep the internal temperature at 145 °F or (62.8 °C) according to USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Living on the Wild Side Game / Hunting and Exotic Meats

Dog owners who live on the wild side may hunt different animals to feed their dogs as the best protein meat. The meat of non-domesticated or rare animals is known as exotic animal meat like kangaroo and alligators etc. While the meat of many other animals which are commonly present in the wild and hunt for sports and trophies is called game meat.

Accordingly, we will discuss some of the most common and uncommon animal protein sources for dogs below.

1. Goat as Domestic Meat for Dogs

Like lamb, goat is commonly used in human diets all over the world. Because goat meat is high in protein and very healthy, it is also fed to dogs. Goat meat is a big source of meat-based proteins for dogs.

Goat meat is a healthy meat with a low-calorie count because it contains a higher protein content, but it has hardly any fat at all. Goat meat contains more protein than beef and pork. It is a leaner meat because of its higher protein content.

Goat meat has a strong flavor that may not appeal to some dogs. Therefore, feed your dog a small amount of goat meat for a test, if the dog likes it then buy more goat meat.

Take goat ground meat or big cuts as you like, but ground meat cooked well is a super tasty and natural treat for your dog. For cooking goat meat you may bake, saute, or grill it properly and then serve it to your dog. Your dog will really like goat meat.

2. Ostrich as Game or Hunting Meat for Dogs

Ostrich is a hunting bird and its meat is not mostly used in commercial dog foods in markets. Although, there are some treats on the market made from ostrich meat. Sometimes ostrich meat is used for dog food, but it may be very good food for dogs suffering from food allergies.

Ostrich meat is rich in protein amount as much as beef and pork. It is relatively lean meat, and it doesn’t provide too many calories to your dog. Because it has less fat amount. Therefore, it is the best choice for dog owners who are trying to lose weight of their dog.

3. Rabbit as Game or Hunting Meat for Dogs

Rabbit meat is very easily available game meat to find at your local meat market. Rabbits are also popular quarry or game animals for many hunters, who try to hunt rabbits for feeding their dogs.

Rabbit meat is one of the best proteins to feed your dog from a nutritional standpoint. Rabbit meat contains as much protein as chicken and turkey meat. It is a little bit richer in fat than the fat level in chicken and turkey. But its taste is very appealing and your dog will love it.

Rabbit meat sometimes may contain bacteria or parasites which may harm your dog if not prepared properly. So make sure to cook well and then serve your dog to eat.

4. Bison as Game or Hunting Meat for Dogs

Bison is a game or hunting animal and it is very likely to buffalo. Bison meat texture and taste are the same as beef. However, bison meat contains a lower protein content than beef. And its meat is very lean than beef and pork.

Bison meat has become very common in the meat diets of American people for the last decade. Therefore, bison meat prices may be higher in meat markets, but many restaurants regularly offer bison meat dishes. Bison and buffalo meat terms are used interchangeably.

Many dog owners prefer to feed their dog bison meat because it is a leaner meat than beef or pork. This meat provides less protein amount to the dogs than beef or pork. Nevertheless, most dog owners like bison meat in terms of texture and taste. And mostly the dogs like it.

5. Quail as Game or Hunting Meat for Dogs

Quail is an extremely game or hunting bird and live in wild areas. Historically, quail was mostly only available to hunters, but sometimes butchers and some grocery stores also stock quail meat. It is also used in addition to other dog foods in small amounts, especially for dogs who are suffering from food allergies.

Quail is a relatively higher nutritious and very tasty food for dogs. Quail meat contains more calories than an equal amount of chicken meat. Quail meat is rich in proteins and very healthy game meat for your dog.

Quail meat is super tasty, but make sure to cook it in the best tasty way for your dog meat food. And your dog will definitely like it.

6. Venison as Game or Hunting Meat for Dogs

Venison is a game or hunting animal and is mostly not available on a commercial scale. It is available to hunters who hunt venison. And venison meat flavor is very appealing for dogs.

Ground venison meat contains a caloric density that is equal to chicken meat. However, venison meat contains less protein and more fat than chicken meat. Therefore, venison meat is not a healthy option for obese dogs and for senior dogs.

Venison meat is a very good and healthy meat food for dogs suffering from food allergies. Because venison meat is considered to be a unique protein source that is used for managing their health condition.

7. Pheasant as Wild Exotic Meat for Dogs

The pheasant is an exotic bird and is not available commonly. But same as many other unusual types of meat – pheasant is also becoming available on the meat markets. Pheasant is liked as a trendy protein among many human foodies, and it is also incorporated into “game bird” dog meat foods.

Pheasant is said to be a turbocharged version of chicken because its taste is similar to chicken. But pheasant meat contains more protein, fat, and calories per ounce than that of chicken. Therefore, most dogs will find it delicious meat food.

8. Kangaroo as Wild Exotic Meat for Dogs

Kangaroo is also an exotic animal. Kangaroo meat is one of the least fatty meats used as dog food, as it has 2% to 3% fat content. Kangaroo meat is a rich source of protein, healthy vitamins, and minerals for dogs. It contains vitamin B, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Kangaroo meat is a commonly used protein source available in dog food markets. It is useful for the recovery of dogs suffering from food allergies. It is easily available in markets, but few dog owners actually prepare raw kangaroo meat themselves as the best meat for dogs for their dogs.

Kangaroo meat is very lean and low-calorie meat. But this meat provides as much protein as beef provides. Mostly the dogs like kangaroo meat. Must cook well kangaroo meat and then serve it to your dog.

9. Alligator as Wild Exotic Meat for Dogs

Alligators or crocodiles are wild animals that live in swamps, marshes, and other wetland habitats. They are considered a threatened species. But nowadays there is a big trend in commercial alligator farming.

Alligator meat is somehow available in many restaurants and grocery stores. Alligator meat is also used in many commercial dog foods. So, alligator meat is a common meat used by humans and dogs too.

Alligator meat may be a little expensive. According to a nutrition point of view, alligator meat is similar to duck meat but it provides fewer calories and less fat content. Its taste is similar to chicken, and most dogs like it very much.

Meat Protein Quantity Comparison | Nutrition at a Glance

As pet dog owners we feed different healthy types of meat to the dogs. We have collected data from different meat sources that how much protein content, calories, fat, and water is present in each type of meat. There is a comparison of different nutrients available in different meat sources below in the table.

Protein Source	Calories (Calories/Ounce)	Protein (Grams/Ounce)	Fat (Grams/Ounce)	Water (Grams/Ounce)
Beef (Ground)	72.5	7.3	4.6	15.8
Chicken (Meat Only)	53.2	8.1	2.1	17.9
Pork (Ground)	83.1	7.2	5.8	14.8
Duck (Meat Only)	56.3	6.6	3.1	18.0
Turkey (Meat Only)	47.6	8.2	1.4	18.2
Lamb (Leg)	50.7	7.7	2.0	17.9
Salmon (Farmed)	57.7	6.2	3.5	18.1
Venison (Ground)	52.4	7.4	2.3	18.0
Tilapia	35.8	7.3	0.7	20.0
Kangaroo	41.6	7.3	1.1	Not Available
Goat	40.0	7.6	0.8	19.1
Bison (Ground)	66.6	6.7	4.2	16.7
Ostrich (Ground)	49.0	7.3	2.0	18.8
Alligator	40.8	6.6	1.4	Not Available
Rabbit	55.2	8.1	2.3	17.0
Pheasant (Meat)	69.2	9.1	3.4	15.2
Quail	65.5	7.0	3.9	16.8

Should I Feed my Dog Organ Meat?

There are many organ portions of meat, such as the liver, heart, gizzard, and kidney. These organ portions are the main protein sources for dogs as they are rich in nutrition.

They are an excellent source of protein, vitamins like vitamins B12, B3, and B6, and essential mineral nutrients like selenium, zinc, and iron. Therefore, organ meat is a very healthy meat food, and also an important part of a balanced diet for dogs.

Organ meat portions are very healthy and natural energy sources, as they are the most nutrient-dense foods for dogs. As compared to lean muscle meat organ meats are rich in nutrients and contain significantly more vitamins, minerals, and many other healthy nutrients.

So, it is really wise to feed your dog organ meats for keeping your dog healthy.

Is It Wise to Feed Your Dog a Homemade Food?

It is generally good to feed your dog a homemade diet but make sure that it is a well-balanced diet and meets all of its nutritional needs. Also, consult with a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist before preparing dog food, so that the diet must be formulated and completely balanced.

When preparing your dog food at home be aware of any potential food allergies or sensitivities that may be harmful to your dog. And must avoid adding ingredients to the diet that could cause a reaction in dogs.

Additionally, keep in mind that follow safe food handling practices and hygienic rules when preparing homemade dog food, so that the diet should be safe from bacterial contamination.

NOTE: All dog owners are not so much trained to prepare well-balanced dog food by adding a complete nutrient ratio. Sometimes they may add more quantity of one nutrient element and sometimes they may add less, simply can not maintain a proper ratio. Also, homemade food is expensive for average dog owners to afford. Hence, commercial dog food is the best for them.

There are many reasons that dog owners should avoid making their dog food at the home, but we will discuss three reasons here.

1. Balancing Your Dog’s Diet Is Extremely Difficult

It is very difficult to maintain a fully balanced diet with all nutrients in a complete ratio.

While preparing your homemade dog food it is your primary duty to maintain the diet with a complete ratio of essential nutrients like amino acids ratio, calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, and vitamin and minerals content of each ingredient used in dog food.

2. Large Quantities of Raw Meats Present Safety Hazards

There are many health-related hazards when there is a large quantity of meat at a time.

You have to adopt strict food-handling practices when preparing homemade dog food. Must clean the food containers with steam sterilization. And maintain a fully hygienic environment for safe food preparation for your dog.

When there is raw meat stock in the home, then there are many health threats even to human health. And if you don’t care about safe food preparation then your dog may become sick too.

3. Homemade Diets Are Generally More Expensive than Commercial Diets

No doubt you may be a frugal person and spend enough time comparing prices of dog food ingredients and searching the internet for discount coupons, you will spend much more money making healthy dog food as compared to buying commercial dog food.

Many dog food manufacturers have sufficient buying power, and they buy raw meat food ingredients to prepare well-balanced and healthy dog food on a commercial scale. This diet is prepared under the supervision of veterinarians and pet nutritionists. This is really healthy food for your dog.

NOTE: There are many dog food manufacturer brands. Always buy dog food from well-reputed and trusted dog food manufacturers, so that your dog becomes healthy and fit.

Commercial dog foods may be normal, but premium commercial products will be super best for your dog’s health with better nutrition and all health requirements than most homemade diets. And these diets are also much safer and more affordable too than homemade diets.

Conclusion

Meat is very important in dogs’ diets and helps to make them healthy. The best meat for dogs is high-quality meat that is rich in protein content, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins like vitamins B12, B3, and B6, and minerals like iron, selenium, and zinc. These are very essential nutrients for the best health of your dog.

Remember to feed your dog protein-rich meat according to the dog’s age, activity level, and size of the dog. Feed protein-rich meat to growing dogs, puppies, hunting dogs, and lactating female dogs. But feed lesser and controlled quantities to senior and idle dogs. Always feed your dogs well-balanced meat food.

There are many protein sources for dogs protein food. The most common meat protein sources are beef, chicken, and pork. And other common and available in the markets are lamb, turkey, duck, tilapia, and salmon.

Wild side meat sources are lamb, ostrich, rabbit, bison, quail, venison, pheasant, kangaroo, and alligators. These different meats are rich in protein and very appealing in taste for your dog.

There are many simple and easy dog food recipes that can be prepared at home. These are the best homemade dog food treats that dogs love to eat and be much happy with them. For example, simple homemade dog food, chicken and rice dog food, peanut butter and banana dog treats and many more.

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