Why Organ Meat Is Important For The Raw Fed Dog

Organ meats are a vital part of a complete and balanced diet for your dog. Muscle meat and bone are lacking in many important nutrients. Organ meats provide essential nutrients that are not found in muscle meat.

Dogs can eat all organs if they are coming from a healthy and properly raised animal. Organ meats are best fed raw. Feeding raw organ meat will ensure that your dog gets all the temperature sensitive nutrients present in the organs.

Why does your raw fed dog need organ meat?

Here are some of the benefits of feeding organ meat to your raw fed dog:

Organ meats have higher levels of B vitamins such as: B1, B2, B6, folic acid and vitamin B12. They also provide the important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Organ meats are also rich in minerals including phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium and iodine.
Organ meats also contain high amounts of the essential fatty acids such as arachidonic acid and omega-3.
It helps tissues in a dog’s body to function properly.
Organ meat helps the body break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to produce energy.
It plays a significant role in making red blood cells and neurotransmitters and keeps blood cells healthy
Organ meat is great for DNA health and is used by the body to manufacture DNA.
It benefits brain health, heart health, manages arthritis and maintains a healthy skin and coat.

Healthy organ meats for dogs

Healthy organ meats for dogs include brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, reproductive organs, trachea, spleen, stomach, and tongue. All organ meats are very rich in nutrients. You can give your dog’s raw diet a boost by adding a few of the more commonly available organs.

Liver: It is loaded with protein, iron, B vitamins, vitamin A, CoQ10 and essential fatty acids. Eating liver improves joint health and is great for dogs who suffer from arthritis. The essential fatty acids improve coat health of dogs. Since it is so densely packed with iron, it’s also effective in treating anemic animals.

Heart: The heart is both a muscle and an organ that gives your dogs an extra punch of protein and vitamins. Heart meat is an excellent source of B vitamins, iron and essential fatty acids. It also contains phosphorus that helps build and strengthen your dog’s skeletal system. The folate found in heart meat is great for DNA health and can help prevent anemia and IBD in dogs. Beef heart also contains selenium, phosphorus and zinc, along with essential amino acids that help build muscle, store energy and boost stamina and endurance.

Kidney: Kidney meat provides a wide range of vitamins to dogs, including vitamins A, B12, E and K. Kidney meat helps prevent anemia in dogs. It contains iron which acts as an antioxidant and helps carry oxygen throughout the body.

Final thoughts

Overall, organ meats should make up about 15% of your dog’s total diet. Each organ will provide its own unique set of vitamins and minerals. The more organs you add to the raw diet of your dog, the better the mix of nutrients your dog will receive.

Just make sure you add a wide variety of organ meats to your dog’s raw diet. No single organ should account for more than 5% to 10% of your dog’s total diet.

References

Taffer, Marissa. (2021), ‘Can Dogs Eat Organ Meat? Learn the Benefits’, The Ollie, 18 February, Available at https://blog.myollie.com/the-benefits-of-organ-meats-for-dogs/ (Accessed 16 January 2022)

Wittich, Marko. (2019), ‘Omega-3 for Dogs: What is it? Benefits, Sources and Dosage’, Campfire Treats, 25 June, Available at https://campfiretreats.com/blogs/campfire-tales/omega-3-for-dogs (Accessed 16 January 2022)

Roush, JK., et al. ‘Multicenter Veterinary Practice Assessment of the Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Osteoarthritis in Dogs’, JAVMA, 2010, 236(1).

‘Is Organ Meat Good For Dogs?’, Cali Raw Nutrition, 12 October, Available at https://www.caliraw.com/blogs/news/is-organ-meat-for-dogs-good (Accessed 16 January 2022)

Pompala, RE., et al. ‘Empty Body Weights, Carcass Weights and Offal Proportions in Bulls and Steers of Different Mature Size’, Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 1984, 64, pp. 53-57.

Scott, Dana. (2021), ‘Why Organ Meat Is Important For The Raw Fed Dog’, Dogs Naturally Magazine, 16 December, Available at https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-organ-meat-is-important-for-the-raw-fed-dog/ (Accessed 16 January 2022)

‘Organ Meat In A Raw Diet’, The Raw Feeding Community, Available at https://therawfeedingcommunity.com/2017/12/23/organ-meat-in-a-raw-diet/ (Accessed 16 January 2022)

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