Meat and offal

What are meat and offal?

Meat is the collective term for the muscle meat of animals that is suitable for consumption. It can come from different animal species, for example beef, pork, poultry, lamb or game. Meat contains high-quality protein, which is important for building and maintaining your dog's muscles. It also provides essential fatty acids which, among other things, promote healthy skin and coat.

Offal are the internal organs of animals such as the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. They are considered to be particularly nutritious and contain many vitamins (especially vitamin A and B vitamins) and minerals (especially iron, zinc and copper), which are important for various metabolic processes in your dog. Offal is often cheaper than muscle meat and can be a good addition to a meat diet.

What are the benefits of meat and offal for dogs?

Meat and offal have many benefits for dogs. They are

• species-appropriate: dogs are carnivores by nature and have a high requirement for animal protein and fat. Meat and offal correspond to the dog's natural prey and are therefore optimally adapted to its digestion and nutritional requirements.
• Tasty: Most dogs love meat and offal and eat them with great appetite. They provide variety in the bowl and can also encourage picky dogs to eat them.
• Healthy: Meat and offal support a dog's health in many ways. They strengthen the immune system, promote blood formation, support liver and kidney function, improve skin and coat quality, maintain the muscles and prevent deficiency symptoms.

What are the disadvantages of meat and offal for dogs?

Meat and offal also have some disadvantages for dogs. They are

• not always well tolerated: some dogs are sensitive to certain types of meat or offal or cannot tolerate them at all. This can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting or flatulence. Some dogs can also have an allergic reaction to certain types of meat or offal. This can manifest itself as a skin rash, itching or ear infections.
• Not always hygienic: Meat and offal can be contaminated with bacteria or parasites that can harm the dog. This applies in particular to raw meat and offal that has not been sufficiently chilled or frozen. To minimize the risk of infection, you should therefore only buy fresh or frozen meat and offal from trustworthy sources and heat or freeze it thoroughly before feeding it to your dog.
• Not always balanced: Meat and offal alone are not enough to provide your dog with optimal nutrition. They need to be supplemented with other components such as vegetables, fruit, cereals or feed supplements.