Lung

What are lungs and what do they look like?

The lung is an organ that is responsible for breathing. It consists of many small air sacs that are filled with air and transport oxygen from the air into the blood. The lungs adapt to the expansion when you breathe in and out. The color of the lungs varies from light pink to dark red, depending on the species.

What are the benefits of lungs for dogs?

Lung has many benefits for dogs, especially when it is dried. Here are some of them:

• High protein content: lung consists of 70 to 80 percent high-quality protein, which can be utilized very well by dogs. Protein is important for muscle building, the immune system and cell regeneration.
• Low in fat and carbohydrates: With only around 10 percent fat, lung is low in both fat and calories. This makes it an ideal snack for overweight or sensitive dogs. Lung also contains hardly any carbohydrates, which is good for dogs with diabetes or allergies.
• Easy to digest: As lung has a soft consistency, it is easy to digest and does not burden the gastrointestinal tract. This is especially true of dried lung, which is not as hard and brittle as other chews.
• Tooth cleaning: Chewing lung removes plaque from the teeth and massages the gums. This promotes oral hygiene and prevents tartar.

What are the disadvantages of lung for dogs?

Lung also has some disadvantages for dogs that you should be aware of:

• Odor: fresh or dried lung often smells unpleasantly strong like a slaughterhouse or barn. This may bother you or other people, but probably not your dog.
• Origin: Not all types of lung are equal in terms of quality and origin. You should make sure that you only buy organic lungs or those from species-appropriate animal husbandry. You should also check which type of lung your dog can tolerate:
  • Some dogs, for example, cannot tolerate horse lungs due to their high iron content.
• Quantity: As with all snacks, you should not feed your dog too much lung, as this can lead to obesity or diarrhea. A rule of thumb is: No more than 10 percent of your dog's daily energy needs should come from snacks.

What is the best way to feed your dog lung snacks?

You can give your dog lung snacks as a reward during training or as an activity between meals. You can choose between different types of lung: Beef lungs are the most commonly available. Horse lungs are very high in iron and can therefore lead to diarrhea. Lamb lungs are particularly suitable for small dogs as they are softer. Buffalo lungs are an exotic alternative with a high protein content.

You can buy lung either fresh or dried. Fresh lung should be washed and chopped well before giving it to your dog. You can also boil or fry it, but do not season it. Dried lung has a longer shelf life and is easier to portion. You can order them from specialist shops or online.