Kidney

What is a kidney?

The kidney is a paired organ found in mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. The kidney consists of many small units, the nephrons, which filter the blood and produce urine. The kidney has various functions, such as the regulation of water and electrolyte balance, the excretion of toxins and hormones, the production of erythropoietin (a hormone that stimulates the formation of red blood cells) and the activation of vitamin D.

Why is kidney used as dog food?

Kidney is a by-product of the slaughter of animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep or poultry. As these organs are less popular for human consumption, they are often utilized as pet food. Kidney has several advantages as dog food:

• Kidney is rich in protein, which is important for building muscle and maintaining bodily functions.
• Kidney contains many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, zinc and selenium, which are healthy for the immune system, skin, coat and eyes.
• Kidney is a natural source of taurine, an amino acid that is essential for heart health and vision.
• Kidney is relatively inexpensive compared to other meats.

What are the disadvantages of kidney as dog food?

Kidney is not without risks as a dog food. There are some disadvantages that you should be aware of:

• Kidney can contain high amounts of uric acid, which can lead to gout or bladder stones in some dogs. This is especially true for Dalmatians, which have a genetic defect that makes it difficult to excrete uric acid.
• Kidney can contain high amounts of phosphorus, which can lead to a worsening of the condition in dogs with kidney problems. Phosphorus binds to calcium in the blood, lowering calcium levels. This can lead to weak bones or muscle cramps.
• The kidneys can be contaminated with harmful substances that accumulate in the organ. These include antibiotics, hormones or heavy metals. These can affect your dog's health or trigger allergic reactions.
• Kidney can cause diarrhea or vomiting if your dog is not used to this ingredient or eats too much of it. This is because kidney is very fatty and can have a high bacterial load.

How much kidney should your dog eat?

Kidney should not be the main ingredient in your dog's diet, but only as a supplement or treat. The recommended amount of offal for dogs is around 5 to 10 percent of the total amount of food. This means that your dog can eat around 50 to 100 grams of kidney per week. You should make sure that you not only feed your dog kidney, but also other offal such as liver or heart. This will ensure that your dog gets a balanced diet.

How should you prepare kidney?

Kidney can be fed raw or cooked. If you opt for raw, you should make sure that the kidney is fresh and comes from a trustworthy supplier. You should wash the kidney thoroughly and cut it into small pieces. You should also store the kidney separately from other foods and clean all utensils that come into contact with the kidney thoroughly. If you opt for cooked, you should only boil the kidney briefly in water or stock without adding salt or spices. You should allow the kidney to cool before giving it to your dog.