If dogs are carnivores, does that mean dogs can eat intestines as well? The fact is that most experts recommend dog owners to feed internal organs to their furry friends as they are full of nutritional value. However, not every internal organ will suit every dog out there.
Yes, dogs can eat intestines which are known for their concentration of minerals, vitamins, and trace minerals. At the same time, if it is your first time offering organ meat to your dog, you should closely monitor it, to prevent any serious complications.
Although organ meat, including intestines, is overall safe, you should be aware of how it should be added to your dog’s diet. Let’s discuss.
Are intestines safe for dogs?
According to several studies, intestines are perfectly safe for your dog to eat. The primary reason is that organ meat, including intestines, includes essential minerals and nutrients that help your dog maintain its shiny coat, improve bone health, and have a healthy heart.
Plus, experts suggest feeding beef intestines, most commonly known as tripe, as it will help your dog achieve its recommended daily intake of essential nutrients and vitamins.
Will intestines cause a reaction in my dog?
It is also recommended that you examine your dog and ensure that it is free of any underlying health conditions. That is because some dogs may react negatively to internal organs being added to their diet. Irrespective of dogs being carnivores, if a dog already suffers from a disease, eating intestines may cause a reaction.
If your dog has been eating organ meat for a long time now, it should not have a problem eating and digesting the intestines. However, if it’s the first time, you should begin by offering small quantities and observe them closely for any reactions, signs & symptoms. If you do observe some, consult a vet.
Furthermore, you need to keep in mind that organ meat contains bacteria. If you intend to feed intestines to your dog, make sure it is cleaned properly.
Benefits of intestines for dogs
In addition to vitamins and minerals, the intestines contain fat, protein, iron, copper, etc., which are equally beneficial to your dog’s health.
Protein is an important part of your dog’s everyday diet as it helps with transporting oxygen, muscle growth, and tissue repair.
Organ meat also provides both essential and non-essential amino acids. The dog itself does not produce the essential amino acids. Therefore, it needs to be supplied through diet. Whereas the non-essential amino acids are produced by your dog and do not need to be supplemented via diet.
Moreover, the healthy fat in organ meat is also essential to your dog’s health. It is a dense energy source and provides the animal with essential fatty acids. These acids contribute to the development of the brain, reduce inflammation, help fight cancer and improve heart health.
Finally, the intestines contain phosphorus which helps with improving the productivity of teeth and bones, while zinc helps improve the immune system and heal wounds.
Possible risks of beef intestines
Beef intestines are mostly offered in the form of tripe sticks. While there are several benefits of feeding beef intestines, it is important to consider the downsides. For instance, tripe sticks might contain bacteria on the surface since they are air-dried from raw.
Even if your dog shows no signs and symptoms of poisoning, the bacteria may still be passed on to humans. Therefore, after touching or preparing beef tripe sticks, make sure to wash your hands properly.
Additionally, beef tripe sticks can also lead to choking. Even though the sticks are quite soft but can cause problems inside the mouth. Some pieces may end up the wrong way and result in choking. This is why experts suggest monitoring your dog while it chews on such treats.
How to source intestines or organ meat?
Before you add or introduce something new to your dog’s diet, you need to ensure that it is authentic and sourced from a verified seller.
Organ meat is readily available at local superstores, but most of it is processed. Although experts believe that processed meat has several benefits to offer, you should avoid it if you have the opportunity. In fact, processed meat is not recommended for humans as well.
If you are looking for intestines, you should visit your local butcher market or shop and ask for fresh intestines. In addition to that, you might also come across pre-packaged items labeled “organ meat”, but do not buy into that. Some manufacturers are simply using it as a marketing strategy.
What is the best organ meat for dogs?
The best organ meat for dogs is the liver. Compared to other meats, the liver contains the most amount of nutrients and vitamins. For instance, the liver contains a high concentration of copper, potassium, vitamin D, K, and E, along with taurine and essential amino acids.
Organ meats such as the pancreas, lungs, and stomach are fed to dogs but tend to be comparatively less nutritionally dense. If you plan on providing cooked organ meat to your dog, you should opt for kidney, heart, and liver. However, the internal organs should first be cleared from bacteria.
How to feed intestines to your dog?
When it comes to feeding organ meat, it is suggested to offer it in raw form. The best way to feed intestines or any other organ meat is by grinding them up in a grinder. Then, add a moderate portion to your dog’s regular diet and store the rest in the freezer.
If the time comes to feed your dog again, you should defrost the stored meat and let it rest for a while until it reaches room temperature. However, make sure that you do not feed organ meat to your dog daily. You should bring some variation into the diet and ensure that your dog receives all the important nutrients and vitamins instead of being stuck to the regular food items.
Related FAQs to dogs and intestines!
Are beef intestines good for dogs?
Beef intestines can be offered in the form of tripe sticks. They can help keep the teeth clean, are low-fat, are great for mental health, and offer high amounts of protein. But keep in mind that tripe sticks are high in calories, which means that they should only be offered occasionally.
Can dogs eat fish intestines?
No, dogs should never eat fish intestines. Since fish are known to contain tapeworms, your dog can experience serious health concerns if it consumes fish intestines. Regardless of how fresh they are, you should never feed fish intestines to your dog.
Wrapping up our thoughts on whether dogs can eat intestines!
There is no denying that organ meat is packed with important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. However, it is equally important that you do not make it a part of your dog’s daily diet. Instead, you should offer dog food and other healthy alternatives so that your dog improves and maintains its health and avoids serious complications.
