The Health Benefits of Organ Meat
When it comes to feeding a well balanced and highly nutritious diet for your dog, organ meat is a large part of ensuring that your pup is getting what it needs! There are an assortment of organ meat options that are nutrient dense and can provide vital vitamins and minerals. Of course, it is very important to monitor their intake regularly, although daily organ meat is a great option!
With all the options, there are some great organs to discuss and the benefits for dogs. Take beef liver for example; it is high in Vitamin A, glycogen, potassium, copper, and Vitamins A, B, D, K, and E. The iron that comes with the liver is necessary for healthy blood and muscle function. Vitamins A and B12 can help with keeping skin healthy, as well as eye health. The essential fatty acids focus on brain and joint function and well being. And of course, you want your pup to stay healthy, which zinc does a great job of by boosting their immune system.
Next up is the super muscle, the heart. Beef Heart is a great source of CoQ10, a super-antioxidant that helps convert food into energy and a big part of cardiovascular health. It is even used in supplemental therapy for heart and neuro conditions in cats and dogs! Heart also contains taurine, which helps with cardiac function, eye health, and immune system function. Heart is great for your pup’s heart!
Kidney is another great organ that is packed full of essential vitamins like A, B6, B12, and C; as well as riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. Kidney also contains the minerals of iron and selenium. The kidney, not surprisingly, is great for helping the kidneys stay healthy. Although not being a large part of the diet, keeping kidney as part of feeding will reap the rewards of a healthy pet.
In all, organs will help with improving skin and coat health, immune system strength, strong bones and muscles, and definitely increased energy levels. On the daily, you should not feed your dog more than 1%-2% of its body weight in organ meat. Organs can come high in cholesterol and saturated fat, so monitoring portions is vital. With proper maintenance and attention to detail, you will have a healthy and happy pup for years to come!
