Two of Australia's Best Proteins Compared
Beef and kangaroo are two of the most popular proteins in Australian dog treats — but they serve quite different purposes. Whether you're choosing treats for a healthy dog or managing allergies, understanding the differences can help you make the best choice.
Treats in this guide
Australian Beef Liver Snaps
From 9
Tough Bully Sticks 8"
From 15
Australian Beef Jerky
From 16
Nutritional Comparison
Kangaroo
- Very lean — less than 2% fat in most cuts
- High in protein — one of the highest protein-to-fat ratios of any meat
- Rich in iron — higher iron content than beef
- High in zinc — supports immune function
- Wild-sourced — not farmed, no antibiotics or growth hormones
- Novel protein — most dogs haven't been exposed to it through commercial food
Beef
- Moderate fat content — varies by cut, generally higher than kangaroo
- Excellent protein source — well-rounded amino acid profile
- Rich in B vitamins — especially B12 for nerve function
- Widely available — the most common protein in dog treats
- Familiar flavour — most dogs already know and love beef
- Versatile — available as jerky, tendons, bully sticks, hooves, liver, and more
When to Choose Kangaroo
Your Dog Has Allergies
Beef is the second most common allergen in dogs (after chicken). If your dog shows signs of food sensitivity — see our full guide to the best treats for dogs with allergies. — itching, digestive upset, ear infections — kangaroo is an excellent alternative. As a novel protein, most dogs have no existing sensitivity to it.
Your Dog Needs to Lose Weight
With its extremely low fat content, kangaroo is ideal for overweight dogs. You can treat generously without the calorie concern that comes with fattier proteins.
You Want Wild-Sourced Protein
For a complete breakdown of kangaroo's benefits, see is kangaroo good for dogs. Kangaroo in Australia is wild-harvested, not farmed. This means no antibiotics, no growth hormones, and a more natural diet for the animal — which translates to cleaner nutrition for your dog.
When to Choose Beef
Your Dog Needs Long-Lasting Chews
Beef offers the widest variety of natural chew formats: bully sticks, tendons, hooves, ears, and more. If you're looking for something to keep your dog busy for an extended period, beef chews are hard to beat — read our guide to the best long-lasting chews for dogs.
Your Dog Needs High-Energy Treats
For working dogs, active breeds, or underweight dogs, the slightly higher fat content in beef provides more sustained energy per treat.
Variety and Rotation
The sheer variety of beef-based treats — from crispy liver snaps to chewy tendons to tough bully sticks — means you can offer different textures and experiences while staying within the same protein family.
Why Not Both?
Unless your dog has a specific allergy, there's no reason to choose just one. Many pet nutritionists recommend rotating proteins to provide a broader range of nutrients. A weekly rotation might look like:
- Monday/Tuesday: Beef jerky for training
- Wednesday/Thursday: Kangaroo jerky for training
- Weekend: A long-lasting beef bully stick or kangaroo rib for enrichment
Australian Quality Matters
Whether you choose kangaroo or beef, sourcing matters. Australian-produced treats are subject to strict food safety standards, and locally sourced protein means fresher product with full traceability.
At Cooee K9, we offer both kangaroo and beef treats — all single-ingredient and 100% Australian sourced. Try our 6 Protein Trial Pack to let your dog decide their favourite.
