Because we want the best for our dogs, we often project our own preferences on our furkids. This includes our preference for certain kinds and qualities of meat.
We humans tend to associate organ meats with low quality. In other words, it’s the stuff that’s left over at the butcher that no one wants to buy.
Dogs however, and their wolf ancestors, disagree completely.
Without going into too much gruesome detail, when a wolf kills in the wild, they often go after these very pieces of meat first. And why wouldn’t they, they’re packed with essential vitamins and minerals!
Why Organ Meats Matter to Dogs
Compared to the regular cuts of meat humans prefer, organ meats are more densely packed with nearly every nutrient, especially B vitamins such as: B1, B2, B6, folic acid and vitamin B12.
In addition, organ meats are a fantastic source of vitamin D, a deficiency of which is correlated to muscle weakness, bone fractures, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D is especially important for those who live at higher latitudes and receive less sunlight.
Beef Liver, in particular, is a popular treat ingredient due to it being one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin A of any food. Vitamin A works to aid digestion, maintain healthy reproductive organs, and is also a powerful antioxidant.
How to Easily Incorporate Organ Meats Into Your Dog’s Diet
One of the easiest ways we’ve found to incorporate organ meats into our dog’s diet is through single ingredient treats.
You’ve probably heard about the trend toward single ingredient treats. Many dog owners prefer them from the simplicity of not having to worry about preservatives, allergens, grains and gluten in their dog’s diet.
In addition, some dog treats also feature freeze dried, raw organ meats, in order to more closely mimic the ancestral diet of a dog, which would have included raw, not cooked meat.
When we recently launched our own line of treats here at iHeartDogs, organ meats was high on our priority list due to the health benefits, and the fact that dogs absolutely love them! (Shhh, don’t tell them their treats are actually good for them!)
Whether or not you try our treats, we hope you’ll consider incorporating organ meats into your dog’s diet. After all, they deserve the absolutely best!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional.
