Pig kidney
Pork kidney is an offal that you can offer your dog as part of a balanced diet. In this article, you'll find out what pork kidney is, what its benefits and disadvantages are and how you can feed it to your dog.
What is a pig's kidney?
The pig kidney is the kidney of a pig that serves as an excretory organ. The kidney filters the blood and removes waste products that are excreted in the urine. The kidney also has regulatory functions, such as controlling water and electrolyte balance, blood pressure and hormone production.
The kidney has a bean-shaped form with an inwardly directed indentation, the hilus, where the blood vessels, nerves and ureter enter and exit. The kidney is surrounded by a firm capsule and consists of two layers: the cortex and the medulla. The cortex contains the renal corpuscles, where the blood is filtered, and the medullary pyramids, where the urine is formed.
What are the benefits of pork kidney for dogs?
Pork kidney is a good source of high quality protein, which is important for muscle building and cell regeneration. Pork kidney also contains many vitamins and minerals that are needed for various bodily functions. These include:
- Vitamin A: supports vision, the immune system and skin health
- Vitamin B2: promotes energy metabolism, nerve function and blood formation
- Vitamin B12: helps with the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis and nerve function
- Iron: transports oxygen in the blood and prevents anemia
- Zinc: strengthens the immune system, wound healing and the sense of smell
- Selenium: protects against oxidative stress, supports thyroid function and fertility
Pork kidneys also have a high content of purines, which are broken down into uric acid. Uric acid is a natural component of urine and can lead to the formation of urinary stones in some dogs. This can lead to urination problems, pain and infections. Therefore, dogs with a tendency to urinary stones or impaired kidney function should eat little or no pork kidney.
How do I feed my dog pig kidney?
Pork kidney should only be given as a supplementary food and should not make up more than 10% of the daily feed ration. Too much pork kidney can lead to an imbalance in the nutrient supply or to digestive problems such as diarrhea or vomiting.
Pork kidney can be fed raw or cooked. However, raw pork can contain a virus that is fatal to dogs, the Aujeszky's virus. This virus is killed by heating, so pork should always be cooked thoroughly. Alternatively, other animal species can be used, such as beef, lamb or poultry.
To prevent pork kidneys from smelling strongly of urine, they can be soaked or soaked in buttermilk before feeding. You should make sure that the pork kidney is fresh and has no discoloration or unpleasant odors.
Pork kidney can be cut into small pieces or pureed and mixed into the normal feed. You should always start feeding offal slowly and observe the dog's reaction. If the dog does not like or tolerate pork kidney, it can be replaced with other sources of selenium, such as coconut or ground Brazil nuts.
Pork kidney is a nutritious and tasty offal that you can offer your dog for a change. It contains many vitamins and minerals that are important for your dog's health. However, you should make sure that you only feed pork kidney in moderation and always cook it thoroughly to avoid the risk of infection or urinary stones. If your dog does not like or tolerate pork kidney, you can replace it with other sources of selenium.
If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.
Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊