By-products have certain benefits for the dog’s body. They are a source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, E, K, protein, essential fatty acids, manganese, selenium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, iron, iodine.
It is noteworthy that the organs of animals fed in natural conditions, on pastures, contain more useful substances.
It is especially useful to give offal to your dog in winter, since these products contain vitamin D, which is so necessary for living organisms.
What are by-products: what parts of the carcass
When it comes to beef, by-products include:
- Pical meat is the glands: thymus, salivary glands, pancreas, tonsils, ovaries;
- Trimmings from heads, including the sublingual cut;
- Flank, hem;
- Internal organs: liver, heart, spleen, kidneys, lungs, tripe, mesh, book, rennet, brains;
- Udder, testes;
- Bones and cartilage: beef tails, lips and noses, bovine penis, ears, kaltyk (part of the trachea).
Tripe for dogs
Pieces of trachea
If we are talking about poultry (chicken, turkey), then in addition to hearts and liver, gizzards are highly valued. Dogs can also be given raw chicken heads (after removing the beak), chicken legs and necks.
Turkey necks
Second study
In 2022, scientist Daniel Horschler from the University of Arizona conducted a more extensive study on the intelligence of dogs. 1888 animals took part in it. Horschler studied short-term memory and self-control in different breeds.
The results of the experiment showed that large dogs have higher cognitive abilities than small dogs. These data can be considered reliable and unbiased, since the study examined the behavior of a fairly large number of animals.
Daniel Horschler gave an explanation for these research results. Larger breeds have larger brains. This allows for more efficient and faster communication between neurons, which is why large dogs perceive and remember information better than small dogs.
How often to give offal to a dog, in what quantity?
There are two approaches to feeding offal. You can choose the method that is more convenient for you. By-products are either given in small quantities every day or fed 2-3 times a week.
In any case, by-products in a dog’s diet should account for about 10% of the protein and fat requirements. Up to 15% if we are talking about the heart or scar. The key to success is variety; many owners give their pets “a little of everything.”
Remember that parenchymal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs) have a laxative effect.
First study
In 1994, Canadian scientist Stanley Coren conducted a study. He studied the obedience abilities of dogs. The researcher sent requests to judges from the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs, asking them to evaluate the ability of different breeds to follow commands,
After collecting data, Stanley Coren identified the 10 most intelligent breeds. Among them, only one turned out to be small. This is a Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon), which was ranked 8th in the top ten smartest breeds.
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However, this study only examined the animal's ability to follow commands. It did not measure other aspects of canine intelligence, so its results may have been inaccurate.
The most valuable by-products for dogs
The value of offal for dogs largely depends on its protein content. Some of them can almost completely replace muscle meat. In addition, some offal is a real concentrate of vitamins. Let's take a closer look at each product.
Tripe (beef/lamb)
The rumen is the first and largest of the three forestomachs of ruminants. Its wall is muscular, and the inside is covered with a huge amount of villi. Stores sell peeled, white tripe. But dog lovers prefer to give their pets unpurified, black. It is traditionally considered a "source of enzymes and microorganisms."
Uncleaned scar: dark-colored villi
Cleaned tripe - light
Now you can throw stones at me, but I'm going to debunk this myth. The rumen does not contain any enzymes or digestive juices at all. Enzymes are produced by the pancreas and, to a lesser extent, by the abomasum, the true stomach. In the rumen, digestion occurs due to a huge colony of microorganisms. About these bacteria. They are extremely useful for cows, but rather useless for dogs. In the acidic environment of the stomach of predators, these microorganisms (assuming they survived the journey from the slaughterhouse to the counter and freezer) simply die and are digested.
So yes, you can give your dog peeled tripe. And even (oh God, the barfists will curse me now) boil it. It will still be a fairly valuable source of protein, albeit without any magical properties.
Be careful: under the guise of tripe, lesser-known proventriculi of ruminants - a mesh and a book - are often sold
If you are convinced of the benefits of raw black tripe, here are a couple of tips:
- cut it with gloves, otherwise the smell will eat into your hands;
- wrap the cutting board in several layers of film;
- if the smell seems unbearable, feed the dog tripe in the form of frozen strips, or use a respirator.
In any case, it is the smell, which is unpleasant to humans, that makes tripe so attractive to dogs. It is even sold dried in powder form, as a flavoring for dry or natural food to whet your pet's appetite.
Beef/chicken/turkey liver
Liver is a special by-product. It should not be taken as a meat substitute, but as a therapeutic vitamin supplement. In small quantities it is incredibly useful, in large quantities it is truly dangerous.
The liver serves as a source of:
- Fat-soluble vitamins: A (retinol), to a lesser extent – E and K;
- B vitamins (B2, B3, B5, B9, B12);
- Microelements: potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, copper;
- Essential amino acids.
You can give dogs both raw and boiled liver, depending on what kind of food system you have chosen for your pet.
Raw beef liver can cause diarrhea and be a source of worms.
Beef liver is easy to find in stores
Liver must be included in the diet, but the amount should not exceed 5% of the diet. One serving, depending on the weight of the dog, can be a microdose of 5-20 grams, for large dogs - 50-100 g. Liver is given 2 times a week.
Chicken liver is often sold in hypermarkets
A homemade treat is prepared for young dogs to encourage training: the liver is cut into small pieces and dried in the oven at 60-80 degrees for 3-4 hours. The resulting “crackers” are stored well even outside the refrigerator.
Heart (beef, turkey, chicken, lamb)
Heart is comparable in nutritional value to muscle meat. However, it is very dense and contains large amounts of collagen and elastin. Just like tripe, heart can completely replace meat in one of the feedings. It is fed raw or boiled, 3-4 times a week, in an amount of 15% of the total diet.
Beef heart. The heart of a calf weighs about 800 g, an adult cow - 1.5-2 kg
Poultry hearts are a rather fatty product, and in beef heart the vascular areas are difficult to digest. Visible fat and veins can be removed during cutting. In any case, if the dog has not previously received this by-product, you should start feeding it with a small amount in order to monitor the body’s reaction.
What does the initial section of a cow's stomach look like?
- On the outside there is a mass consisting of muscle fibers. Its color can vary - from black-green to lighter, cream.
- Inside there is a fleecy surface, abundantly covered with thin growths. It is here that substances necessary for normal digestion of food are released.
The question of whether tripe can be given to a dog and how much it should be given per day so as not to harm the animal will always be relevant. Firstly, because most owners are in no hurry to switch their pets to dry food and prefer natural food. Secondly, because this by-product is one of the cheapest.
photo from the site: NoteFood.ru
Whether it is worth giving your dog the unappetizing part of a cow's stomach is up to its owner to decide. We will look at all the possible pitfalls of such a “natural” diet and tell you what you risk by buying such a “treat” for your pet.
By-products that should be given with caution
Although all parts of the carcass are considered edible for dogs, some by-products are best excluded from the diet or given in minimal quantities.
Beef udder
The mammary gland consists mainly of connective tissue and fat. A “dairy” udder is considered a little less fatty, but it is not easy to buy; most often “dry” udders are sold on the shelves. It is considered a difficult product to digest. High fat content puts a strain on the dog’s pancreas and liver; some animals experience diarrhea after feeding the udder.
Beef udder, cut into pieces
The udder contains very little protein. It cannot replace meat, so it is introduced only as an additive to the main diet and not often. The udder is given raw or boiled for an hour. The fatty broth that is formed in this case is not used for feeding.
Beef brains
Beef brains are not easy to find commercially, but dog lovers love to use them to add variety to their diet. This product is 80% water and 10% fat. Brains contain a lot of cholesterol, so they are fed no more than once a week, in small quantities. Raw brains have a slimy consistency, so it is more convenient to serve them boiled.
Beef brains
Spleen
The role of the spleen in the body can be described as a “graveyard” of red blood cells. This organ serves as a source of iron, which promotes hematopoiesis. The spleen contains many vitamins, minerals and a high percentage of protein. However, it is included in the list of “dangerous” offal, since it often causes digestive upset - diarrhea, sometimes black (digested blood becomes black).
Beef spleen
Lungs
Lung tissue consists of many alveoli-vesicles and connective tissue. In terms of nutritional value, this is the most empty product for dogs. If you give it to a dog in its pure form, the stomach is highly likely to react by vomiting. Lungs are given in small quantities and in combination with other offal or meat. You can completely give up lungs in your diet.
Beef lung. Its main advantage is low cost
I see the only benefit from this offal in its low calorie content. You can dry the lung into small pieces and use it as a treat. Many dogs love these treats.
RECIPE: Boil the lung for 20 minutes, cut into pieces and dry in the oven at 60° for 4-8 hours, depending on the desired consistency.
Instead of an oven, you can use a professional dryer
Testes
Lamb or bovine testes are a delicacy, both for animals and for people. They can be sold either shelled or peeled. They contain a lot of vitamins and microelements. The testes deteriorate quickly, so you need to be more careful when purchasing. Fresh eggs are pale pink, elastic, and almost odorless. Although the testes are rich in protein, they are also high in fat, making the delicacy very high in calories.
Bovine testis
Dogs readily eat this offal, but there is a caveat: the testes contain a huge amount of testosterone. To prevent the sex hormone from affecting the behavior and health of the dog, the testes are fed occasionally and in limited quantities. Heat treatment destroys the hormone, so boiled testes can be given without fear, in an amount of approximately 10% of the total diet.
Beef kidneys
Kidneys are a valuable by-product: they contain a lot of protein, although they are harder to digest than muscle meat. The kidneys contain a huge amount of B vitamins, especially B2, B12, H (biotin), vitamin A. This is a low-calorie product; the capsule-free kidney contains virtually no fat.
Beef kidneys are used in cooking and are easy to buy.
The kidneys are fed raw or boiled (no more than 20 minutes). To remove the specific smell of urine, they are soaked in cold water for several hours, periodically changing the water to fresh water.
The dangers and benefits of pork
Pig meat, like any other product, has its disadvantages and advantages.
Reasons to refuse:
- raw product (not only piglets, but also other species) should not be given to dogs without preliminary heat treatment, there is a risk of infection with parasites, in this case it is greatest;
- with constant use will lead to obesity and other dangerous diseases;
- in dogs with liver disease will cause exacerbation and deterioration of the condition;
- high cholesterol content (70 mg per 100 g of product) negatively affects the heart and blood vessels.
Pork is rich in nutrients:
- fluorine, magnesium, zinc, cobalt, amino acid lysine;
- complex of B vitamins: B1 – heart and gastrointestinal tract, B2 – vision, B6 – liver, heart, nervous system, B12 – skin, coat;
- protein (20 g per 100 g of product);
- Pork heart has the highest content of the sulfur-containing amino acid – taurine.
Nutritional value of various offal products (table)
For those who independently compile a diet for their pet, I am posting a table of nutritional values for some offal. It is more correct to take into account the BZHU norms, and not the calorie content.
Interesting facts about dog intelligence
Scientist Stanley Coren believes that the least intelligent breed is the Afghan Hound. According to his research, this dog has the lowest obedience ability and is very difficult to train.
However, the Afghan Hound is not a stupid dog. This breed is characterized by kindness and good communication skills. She can become an excellent companion for humans if she is given the opportunity to exercise her hunting instinct.
The border collie is recognized as the smartest breed. She has high cognitive abilities and can remember many words and commands. This breed quickly learns to perform various tricks and easily adapts to external conditions.
Dogs want to tell us what they think, but they can't.
If they could, dogs would tell a person a lot about their life, mood, problems. But nature has not endowed them with speech, and they communicate with humans using language and body. An animal that turns its head away and licks its lips indicates that it is nervous or anxious. If a dog feverishly wags its tail, this is a sign that it is immensely happy.
Canine communication signals can be divided into five general groups:
- fear
- excitation
- anxiety
- aggression
- relaxation
However, often these four-legged friends communicate with people so subtly that it is very difficult to understand what they want to say.
