Organ Meat in Raw Diets
Organs are critical in a balanced raw food diet, providing essential nutrients needed to keep your pet healthy. However, it’s a fine line when it comes to including organ meat in your pet’s bowl. Too little can cause a lack of essential micro nutrients, and too much can cause excess nutrients and gastrointestinal distress. It’s important to have an understanding of the role organs play in a raw food diet, and how to best incorporate them into your pet’s meals.
What is organ meat?
When it comes to raw feeding, “organ meat” is a bit different than the traditional understanding when creating a balanced bowl. Organ meat in the raw feeding world refers to "secreting organs”. This includes organs such as liver, pancreas, kidney, brain, and spleen. These organs release hormones and enzymes. Organs such as lungs and heart are considered muscle meat in the raw feeding world, as their nutritional components vary from secreting organs.
How much to include in your pet’s bowl?
At the most basic level, raw food diets are typically composed of about 5% organ meat. This can vary based on the organs included, as some may have more and some may have less to meet nutrient requirements. When including organs as a topper to your pet’s meal, a little goes a long way! Organ meat is very rich, and keeping portions small as well as slow introductions will help ensure your pet receives a great nutrient boost while avoiding an upset stomach. And too much organ meat can also cause its own problems, again because of an unbalanced bowl.
Variety is key!
As is true with most things regarding pet food, variety is critical! You want to be cautious of diets that only include one or two organ meats. Variation can come in the form of type of organ, as well as the protein source. For example, rotating between beef liver and turkey liver is still rotational feeding. Each organ brings various nutritional benefits, and the more robust the list or organs included the better!
Organ meat can be an incredible boost to your pet’s diet, offering them new textures, flavors, and a great deal of nutritional value. At Raw Rations, we offer a variety of options whether you’re using organ meat as high value treats, toppers for kibble, or balancing your own DIY raw food diet. Freeze dried, dehydrated, frozen, in bulk, 2lb rolls, small bags…the possibilities are endless!
