Steph Van Noort
Raw feeding is becoming more popular among dog owners who want to give their pets a natural, nutritious diet.
But most people are only focused on muscle meats like chicken or beef. A balanced raw diet needs more than just those cuts.
That's where organ meat for dogs comes in. These meats are packed with important nutrients that muscle meats just don’t provide.
In the wild, dogs and their ancestors didn’t just eat the muscle meat—they ate the whole animal, including organs like the liver and heart. These organs are super rich in vitamins and minerals that help keep dogs healthy.
Here's the why and how behind adding these meats to your dog's diet.
Nutrient Powerhouse: Why Organ Meats Are Essential
While muscle meat like chicken breasts or steak is great for protein, it doesn’t come close to organ meats when it comes to vitamins and minerals. Organs like liver and kidney are loaded with nutrients that muscle meat doesn’t have as much of. For example, liver has way more B vitamins, which are important for your dog’s energy and brain health. Plus, organ meats are packed with minerals like iron, which muscle meat can’t provide in the same amounts.
Organ meats are like nature’s multivitamins. They’re full of B vitamins (like B12 and folic acid) that help with energy and keeping your dog’s brain and nerves healthy. They’re also rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which support everything from strong bones to good eyesight. And don’t forget minerals like iron and magnesium, which help with things like making red blood cells and keeping muscles working properly. In short, organ meats provide a ton of benefits that are hard to get from just feeding muscle meat alone.
The 2 Best Organ Meats For Dogs
1. Liver: A Superfood for Dogs?
A lot of people worry about feeding liver because they’ve heard it stores toxins. But that’s actually not true. While the liver filters toxins out of the body, it doesn’t keep them. Instead, it breaks them down and helps the body get rid of them.
So, liver is totally safe for your dog to eat, especially if it comes from grass-fed animals that haven’t been treated with chemicals or antibiotics.
Liver is one of the healthiest foods you can give your dog. It’s full of vitamin A, which is great for your dog’s eyes, skin, and immune system. It’s also rich in B12, which helps with energy and brain function, and it’s one of the best sources of iron, which helps your dog’s blood carry oxygen.
If you have a working or active dog, feeding liver regularly can help boost her energy and stamina. Just a little bit of liver in her diet can make a big difference in her health!
2. Heart: A Rich Source of CoQ10 and More
Heart meat might sound like just another muscle, but it’s actually packed with some unique and powerful nutrients. One of the most important is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is crucial for heart health and energy production.
CoQ10 helps the cells in your dog’s body produce energy, which is especially important for the heart since it’s working constantly. Feeding your dog heart meat regularly can support the cardiovascular system and give a natural energy boost, making it a great addition to any raw diet.
In addition to CoQ10, heart meat is also a fantastic source of collagen and elastin—two proteins that are important for maintaining healthy joints, skin, and connective tissues. Collagen helps keep your dog’s joints flexible and strong, while elastin supports the elasticity of their tissues.
This makes heart meat not only a nutrient powerhouse but also a key ingredient for keeping your dog active, mobile, and comfortable, especially as she ages.
Vitamin D And Other Essential Nutrients
Another reason to feed organ meats like heart and liver, especially from pasture-raised animals, is because they're one of the best natural sources of vitamin D. This vitamin plays a vital role in your dog’s body, helping with bone health, immune function, and even muscle strength.
Dogs who don’t get enough sunlight or live in areas with long winters may struggle to get enough vitamin D naturally, so including organ meats in the diet is a great way to fill that gap. It’s especially helpful during the colder months when vitamin D deficiency can be more common.
Organ meats can also be a good source of omega-3s and other essential fats. Omega-3s are known for promoting a healthy inflammatory response, supporting brain health, and keeping your dog’s coat shiny and skin healthy.
Adding organ meats like liver and kidney to your dog’s meals can help ensure she's getting enough omega-3s to maintain a balanced, healthy system without needing fish oils or supplements.
How Much Organ Meat Should You Feed?
To ensure your dog gets the right balance of nutrients, organ meats should make up around 10-15% of her total raw diet. This amount provides the perfect blend of vitamins, minerals, and proteins without overloading your dog on any one nutrient.
Organ meats are nutrient-dense, so even a small portion packs a big punch. Feeding them in moderation ensures your dog gets all the benefits without any risk of imbalance in their diet.
Rotating through different types of organ meats, like liver, kidney, lung, and heart, is the best way to give your dog a wide range of nutrients.
Each organ offers something unique: liver is packed with vitamin A and iron, heart provides CoQ10 and collagen, and kidney is full of essential B vitamins.
By mixing up the organs you feed, you can maximize the nutritional benefits for your dog and keep their diet exciting and varied.
Feeding Organ Meat Safely
When it comes to feeding organ meats, the source of the meat matters. Organ meats from grass-fed animals are generally much higher in nutrients than those from grain-fed animals.
Grass-fed animals tend to have more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins like A and D, and fewer harmful substances like antibiotics or hormones. Choosing grass-fed organ meats ensures your dog is getting a cleaner, more nutrient-packed food, which supports better overall health.
While it might be tempting to go for the cheaper option, investing in grass-fed meats is a great way to give your dog the highest quality nutrition.
It’s also important to feed organ meats raw whenever possible. Cooking organ meats can destroy many of the essential nutrients and enzymes that make them so beneficial in the first place.
Raw organ meats retain their full nutritional value, providing your dog with the vitamins, minerals, and proteins in their natural state. Feeding them raw ensures that your dog gets the maximum health benefits from these nutrient-dense foods.
If you’re concerned about safety, sourcing your raw organ meats from reputable, clean sources like grass-fed animals will minimize any risk.
The Secret To Cost-Effective Organ Meats
One of the best things about organ meats is that they're both highly nutritious and budget-friendly.
Compared to expensive muscle cuts like steak or chicken breast, organ meats tend to be much cheaper while offering a superior nutritional profile. They provide more bang for your buck, allowing you to give your dog a nutrient-rich diet without breaking the bank.
For raw feeders, organ meats are a cost-effective way to provide essential vitamins and minerals that might otherwise come from pricey supplements or higher-end cuts of meat.
Finding very high quality organ meats for your dog doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Many local butchers or farmers are more than happy to sell organ meats at a low cost, as they’re often considered "less desirable" parts of the animal for human consumption.
By sourcing directly from local farms or markets, you can often find high-quality organ meats that are affordable and sustainable. Not only are you feeding your dog nutritious food, but you’re also supporting local businesses and reducing your environmental footprint.
FAQ
What organ meat is good for dogs? Fresh organ meats like beef liver, kidney, and heart are great for dogs because they provide essential nutrients like vitamins A, B12, and iron. These are important in a raw dog food diet to support healthy digestion and overall well-being.
How often should you feed your dog organ meat? Organ meat should make up around 10-15% of your dog’s raw food diet, and it’s best to feed it a few times a week to ensure a balanced diet. Incorporating offal into your pet's food helps maintain healthy digestion and nutrient levels.
What is the best organ meat for homemade dog food? Beef liver is one of the best organ meats for homemade dog food because it’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and iron. Adding this to raw diets ensures your dog gets the nutrients they need for healthy digestion and energy.
What is the healthiest meat for dogs? The healthiest meat for dogs in raw diets is typically fresh, raw meat like beef or chicken, as it provides high-quality protein and essential fatty acids. Raw dog food that includes a variety of meats helps ensure a balanced diet and supports your dog's overall health. A dog food advisor could help you find the ideal balance.
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