Organ Meat Is Essential In The Raw Diet.
"Think of organ meat as the multivitamin of the diet."
In my opinion one of the biggest mistakes I see in raw diets are people not including enough organ meat. Don't stop after the secreting organ portion! Feed the non secreting organs too! A raw diet is put together to as closely replicate the nutrition found in an entire animal. Animals are not 10% organ in make-up, they are closer to 25% total organ.
If your following a ratio based diet then use this guide to help you with what organ to add in your organ percentage.
In my opinion one of the biggest mistakes I see in raw diets are people not including enough organ meat. Don't stop after the secreting organ portion! Feed the non secreting organs too! A raw diet is put together to as closely replicate the nutrition found in an entire animal. Animals are not 10% organ in make-up, they are closer to 25% total organ.
If your following a ratio based diet then use this guide to help you with what organ to add in your organ percentage.
LIVER
Liver is fed as secreting organ. In a ratio diet liver is fed at 5%, this can actually be too much if feeding ruminant livers (beef, lamb, goat, venison) I recommend ruminant livers be fed at 2%-3% and livers from chicken, turkey, rabbit be fed closer to the 5% mark. Pork liver is unique, it has zero bioavailable copper & liver is the primary source of copper in the diet. Duck liver is extremely high in vit A & should not be fed long term at 5% either, stick to approx. 2%-3%max. Copper & vitamin A (retinol) concentration are the two most important nutrients to monitor intake of with liver.
LIVER NUTRITIONAL REFRENCE GUIDE:
Beef liver (per 20g)- 27kcal, Copper-1.95mg, Vit A- 990µg
Rabbit liver (per 20g)- 26.8kcal, Copper- 0.16mg, Vit A- 906µg
Duck liver (per 20g)- 27.2kcal, Copper-1.19mg, Vit A- 2396.8µg
Pork liver (per 20g)- 26.8kcal, Copper-NOT bioavailable-net 0, Vit A- 1300.4µg
Chicken Liver (per 20g)- 23.8kcal, Copper-0.10mg, Vit A- 658µg
Turkey Liver (per 20g)- 25.6kcal, Copper-0.17mg, Vit A- 1611.2µg
Lamb Liver (per 20g)- 27,8kcal, Copper-1.4mg, Vit A- 1478.2µg
Goose Liver (per 20g)- 26.6kcal, Copper-1.5mg, Vit A-1861.8µg
Beef liver (per 20g)- 27kcal, Copper-1.95mg, Vit A- 990µg
Rabbit liver (per 20g)- 26.8kcal, Copper- 0.16mg, Vit A- 906µg
Duck liver (per 20g)- 27.2kcal, Copper-1.19mg, Vit A- 2396.8µg
Pork liver (per 20g)- 26.8kcal, Copper-NOT bioavailable-net 0, Vit A- 1300.4µg
Chicken Liver (per 20g)- 23.8kcal, Copper-0.10mg, Vit A- 658µg
Turkey Liver (per 20g)- 25.6kcal, Copper-0.17mg, Vit A- 1611.2µg
Lamb Liver (per 20g)- 27,8kcal, Copper-1.4mg, Vit A- 1478.2µg
Goose Liver (per 20g)- 26.6kcal, Copper-1.5mg, Vit A-1861.8µg
KIDNEY
Kidney is fed as secreting organ. This is fed as part of the other 5% in ratio diets. However this organ can often be feed at a higher amount than 5% if you have a general idea of the nutrition in the bowl, otherwise stick to around 5%, you can go a little higher without issue.
PANCREAS
Pancreas is fed as secreting organ. This is fed as part of the other 5% in ratio diets. However this organ can often be feed at a higher amount than 5% if you have a general idea of the nutrition in the bowl, otherwise stick to around 5%. This is a great source of digestive enzymes, especially from pork.
SPLEEN
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Spleen is fed as secreting organ. This is fed as part of the other 5% in ratio diets. However this organ can often be feed at a higher amount than 5% if you have a general idea of the nutrition in the bowl with puppies & cats/kittens. This is a iron rich organ so adult dogs may get too much iron if fed consistently at 5%, stick to under 2% with adult dogs & not in every meal.
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THYMUS
Thymus is fed as secreting organ. This is fed as part of the other 5% in ratio diets. However this organ can often be fed at a higher amount than 5% if you have a general idea of the nutrition in the bowl, otherwise stick to around 5%. Often sold as sweetbreads.
TESTICLES & OVARIES
Testicles & ovaries are fed as secreting organ. Great item for adding variety. Can be helpful in supporting the like reproductive organs in your pets body, especially if your pet has been altered.
BRAIN
Brain is fed as secreting organ. Brain is rich in EPA/DHA. Lamb & pork brain are commonly fed.
LUNG
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Lung is an organ but not counted as secreting organ, count in muscle portion.
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HEART
Heart is an organ but is not counted as secreting organ, fed as muscle. Heart is a great taurine rich source for cats.
TRIPE (green)
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Tripe is the lining of a ruminant's stomach, it is fed as muscle meat. Is a great source of manganese. Do not feed the cleaned tripe found in grocery stores, this is not the same as green tripe. Beef, lamb, goat, bison & venison tripe are most commonly fed. Tripe is not an appropriate source of digestive enzymes or probiotics contrary to many online resources.
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TRACHEA
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Trachea is fed as muscle. Its mostly cartilage, so keep it a small bit. Makes a great treat when dried. Is an excellent addition for joint support.
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GIZZARDS
Lean, hard working muscle, taurine rich. Gizzards are the unique stomach of birds, they are an organ but fed as muscle. Duck, chicken and turkey gizzards are commonly fed.
EYEBALLS
Eyeballs are fed as secreting organ. Can be fed at 5% or slightly above. They can be fatty. No precise nutritional data is available but are thought to be an excellent source of zinc.