Carnivore Basics, Chapter 4 - Offal and Other Innards

Brenda Hagel © 2003

Some of the most delicious and nutritious foods for dogs are organ meats. If your dog were to eat an entire animal, he would likely eat the rich organ tissues first. Mother Nature has a reason for her designs, so the omission of these valuable additions would be an oversight for total nutrition. But wild canids don’t just eat select internal tissues. The entire prey animal is completely consumed including all the organs and glands that can be eaten in a large or small prey animal.

Organs include animal parts such as liver, heart, kidneys, tripe, brain, lungs, spleen, eyes, intestines and tongue. They are a good source of many essential nutrients including protein (amino acids), phosphorus, copper, iron, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, C, B complex vitamins, choline, some essential fatty acids and in the case of intestines, valuable microorganisms. The organs provide a wide range of nutrients that are essential for healthy skin, reproduction, stress or during convalescence. Organs are a top priority for the dog’s wolf ancestor so we know they rate high when the dinner bell rings.

Along with these commonly recognized organs, wild canids have been consuming hormone producing glands since the beginning of their evolution. The glands that make hormones are powerful manufacturing sites, in spite of their small size. From a nutritional standpoint, they supply bioactive material such as enzymes, natural lipid factors, soluble proteins, minerals, vitamins and hormone precursors. Hormones play an important role in the growth of new skin and intensify coat color; keep black noses and fur from changing color, and are helpful in preventing allergic reactions. The adrenal glands make adrenaline available to the system to increase energy and activity. The pancreas supports digestion by providing extra digestive enzymes. Lipase, protease and amylase are found in the pancreas gland. The thymus is important to immunological activity. It contains the active hormone thymosin, which stimulates T lymphocyte (T cell) production and activity. T cells help the system to defend itself against infection. The thyroid gland may be helpful in supporting the dog's thyroid gland to work better. The pituitary fights tumor growth, and aids wound healing. Raw glands from organically raised sources contribute to overall nutrition but these “biochemical messengers” may also play a more obscure role. It is likely that the basic components of glandular tissues offer substances that the animal’s body can use to enhance its own functions.

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