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Is Tripe Good for Dogs? Green Tripe Nutritional Benefits & Feeding Guide
Tripe is often discarded by butchers and overlooked by shoppers at the grocery store. While it is certainly an acquired taste for humans, there are lots of reasons you should consider feeding tripe to your much less picky furry friends.
Tripe for dogs is a nutritious source of probiotics, fatty acids and more. In this post, we’ll answer your biggest questions about this often overlooked healthy protein source.
Contents:
- What is Tripe?
- Is Tripe good for Dogs?
- Do Vets recommend Tripe for Dogs?
- What are the nutritional benefits of Tripe for Dogs?
- Can Dogs eat raw, frozen or freeze-dried Tripe?
- How to add Tripe to your Dog’s diet?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tripe?
Tripe is the stomach lining of ruminating animals, and often even includes the remains of undigested food left in their system. Common sources of tripe include cattle, sheep and goats. It is uncommon in human diets except as a stew meat, but our furry friends love to munch on it raw.
This makes sense if you think of a wild dog’s evolutionary diet. When they manage to hunt down or scavenge prey, they aren’t going to let anything go to waste. Dogs devour muscle and organ meats alike. They aren’t picky.
Benefits of Green Tripe Over White Tripe
If you are shopping around, you’ll come across two common kinds of tripe: green and white.
White tripe is heavily processed. “White” really just means “bleached”. In addition to bleaching, white tripe is also often boiled. This extra bit of processing might make the meat more palatable to humans, but it also strips the tripe of almost all of its nutritional value.
Green tripe, however, is raw and unprocessed. It may or may not actually be green in colour (often, a bit of brown is mixed in). But, regardless of colour, it is going to be packed with nutrients. And trust us, your dog isn’t going to care about the colour. Our Freeze-Dried Lamb Green Tripe is a good example of this nutrient-rich super food.
White tripe is often sold in ethnic markets for human consumption which goes through a cleaning process that removes all of the beneficial nutrients green tripe provides. Therefore, it is recommended to feed green tripe – PerfectlyRawsome.com
Is Tripe Good for Dogs?
Tripe, like most organ meats, is nutrient dense. It also has promising benefits for dogs in a variety of unique situations.
Pregnant/Nursing Mothers
Just like in expectant human mothers, new dog mommies need lots of healthy calories to keep up with the new life growing inside of them. And, when the litter is born and nursing, momma dog might have even less energy to eat a full meal. Tripe is high in protein and packed with vitamins and nutrients to encourage health before and after labour.
Over- or Underweight Dogs
Surprisingly enough, tripe can be a healthy addition no matter which side of the scale your dog is tipping towards. For dogs struggling with obesity, replacing carbohydrate snacks with protein-rich tripe can help them maintain a feeling of fullness for longer.
Likewise, if you want your dog to put on weight, tossing them a tripe snack after a meal is a great way to encourage them to pack in a few more calories before they move on to other activities. Because tripe is so enticing to the palate, your pup is unlikely to turn it down. They’ll gobble the treat up before their body lets them know they are full.
Dogs With Digestion Trouble
Raw green tripe is loaded with probiotics that promote a healthy gut microbiome in dogs. Essentially, these are healthy bacteria that help regulate many different systems in the canine body. For dogs struggling with loose stools or constipation, restoring their gut health could return their poop to a more normal consistency.
Supplemental enzymes are needed to replace those destroyed by cooking and processing food. Processing and cooking at any heat of approximately 118°F to 129°F (48°C to 54°C), for as few as three minutes, can destroy virtually all enzymes, which results in very little pre-digestion taking place in the stomach. — Dr. PJ Broadfoot
Dogs With Immune System Issues
While tripe isn’t a cure for immune disorders, the effects of dog gut health on the immune system are well-documented. In fact, the Cornell Canine Health Center reports that 70 percent of the canine immune system is contained in their gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if your dog struggles with a weak immune system, working tripe into their diet could be one way to help build up a strong gut microbiome.
Tripe is the natural super food for dogs, with a taste they just love! Packed with high-quality protein, calcium for strong bones, Vitamin B12, and the all-important Omega-3 to support the immune system. – Butchersdogfood
Do Vets Recommend Tripe for Dogs?
Many veterinarians recommend tripe for dogs as a healthy addition to a balanced diet. The Innovative Veterinary Care Journal even notes that raw green tripe is a good source of nutrients, enzymes and bacteria. You shouldn’t be feeding your dog solely on tripe, of course. But working it in as a treat here and there or mixing it in with their regular food can support a healthy life.
Vets may support the addition of tripe to your dog’s diet because it is rich in omega fatty acids, which are good for heart and brain health. Furthermore, tripe is a low-calorie source of protein. This means that for dogs trying to lose weight, they can fill up faster on tripe without ingesting as many calories. Finally, tripe contains digestive enzymes that support the breaking down of food and absorption of nutrients.
Of course, only your vet knows your pet best. So, if you have serious questions or reservations about introducing new foods, always be sure to check with them first.
What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Tripe for Dogs?
Tripe is often described as “nutrient dense” or “nutrient rich”, but just what types of nutrients is your dog getting? And how do they help your dog live a happier, healthier life? A serving of raw, unprocessed green tripe contains the following and more:
- Amino acids, also known as “the building blocks of life”, combine to create proteins. There are hundreds of amino acids, but ten of them are considered essential for dogs. Tripe is a complete source for all ten. Most notably, an acid called proline helps dogs recover from wounds and one called aspartic acid builds antibodies to fight off disease.
- Omega fatty acids, specifically omega-3 and omega-6 in tripe, promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. They assist in the proper absorption of some vitamins, as well as brain and heart development.
- Phosphorus supports bone, heart and kidney development.
- Calcium supports bone, muscle and nerve health. Calcium and phosphorus actually work together, which is why it is recommended that dogs have a specific ratio in their diets (1.4 calcium to 1 phosphorus). While tripe doesn’t meet this ratio exactly, it is very close at 1:1.
Tripe is technically an organ, but nutritionally it is closer to muscle meat. It contains all of the essential amino acids that dogs require in their diet, and is high in protein to help your dog stay active maintain healthy muscle mass. – Homesalive
Can Dogs Eat Raw, Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tripe?
Yes, all three of these most common forms of tripe are suitable for your dog’s diet. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Raw Tripe
Straight raw tripe is completely unprocessed. While this does preserve the maximum nutritional value, it also poses some pretty significant practical hurdles for most owners. Chief among them is storage. Raw, unprocessed meat needs to be refrigerated. It also has to be consumed quickly to avoid spoilage. Finally, there’s no way to put it nicely: green tripe smells. It is, afterall, the innards of a mammal’s stomach.
One of the only real downsides to feeding tripe to dogs is its smell, which some owners can’t stand. – Dogster
Frozen Tripe
Frozen tripe is an easy solution to some of the impracticalities of raw storage. Some owners might buy their tripe raw, and then freeze anything that their furry friend doesn’t eat within a few days. You can even portion it out before freezing in order to make it more convenient to serve.
There are two main downsides to consider when it comes to frozen tripe. First, the longer it is frozen, the more nutrients are lost. Second, you need to plan ahead and thaw it out, as many dogs will be unwilling or unable to eat it frozen except in very small bites.
Freeze-Dried Tripe
Freeze-dried tripe is the ideal option for convenience and nutrition. Freeze-drying can preserve up to 97% of the original nutritional value, and freeze-dried foods can remain shelf stable for years. Furthermore, you can feed the tripe to your dog straight out of the bag, with no need to thaw or prep. As an added bonus, freeze-drying brings the smell factor down significantly.
How to Add Tripe to Your Dog’s Diet?
Working tripe into your dog’s diet is easy and requires the same basic care you take when introducing any new food. Specifically, you want to gradually add it in at a slow pace. This helps avoid upsetting your pup’s stomach by giving their digestive system time to adjust to the new food.
Follow these tips for making the transition:
- Mix a few bites into their regular food. Although most dogs go nuts for tripe, some are just hesitant to try anything new. By sneaking it in during regular feedings, you will help your furry friend get used to the new smell and taste of tripe.
- Provide tripe treats in-between meals. Replacing some of your dog’s regular snacks and rewards can be an easy way to hook them on tripe. For example, if your pup is used to getting a treat after performing a trick, you can toss them some freeze-dried tripe. They have already been conditioned to anticipate the reward, so they probably will readily eat up whatever you offer.
- Don’t overfeed on tripe. Tripe is a great addition to your dog’s diet, but it isn’t a replacement for their regular food. Instead, aim to work it in as a small part of a larger balanced diet. This ensures your furry friend is getting a wide range of vitamins and nutrients from a variety of sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tripe Smell?
Many pet owners are hesitant to give tripe a try because they worry about the smell. The smell of tripe can range from barely noticeable to heavily pungent. Unfortunately, the less processed your tripe is, the bigger the smell. That means green tripe is smellier than white tripe.
However, the good news is that the freeze-drying process controls a lot of the smell. So, freeze-dried tripe is the way to go if you want the health benefits of raw green tripe but don’t want to stink up your house.
Is Tripe Good for Dogs with Allergies?
Yes! One of the tricky things about having a dog with allergies is finding enough variety for regular feedings and treats. Tripe could be a perfect addition for some of the following reasons:
- Low allergen food. If you are buying whole food tripe, then it is a single-ingredient food. This means that you don’t need to worry about common allergens like soy or grain mixed in. When adding tripe to your dog’s diet, try to source it from an animal that you know they can already tolerate.
- Easy to digest. Many dogs with allergies also suffer from food sensitivities that make digestion difficult. Tripe is naturally easy to digest, so it is less likely to cause issues with your pup.
- Good for gut health. Tripe is a rich source of probiotics, which promote a healthy microbiome. Since the microbiome contributes so much to immune system strength, building it up is a natural way to help control allergies. The enzymes and good bacteria in tripe also help control worms and other parasites in the digestive tract that can hurt the immune system.
Can Tripe Upset a Dog’s Stomach?
Yes, just like many foods, your dog might be sensitive to tripe. Typically, upset stomach is caused when a dog is introduced to tripe too quickly. This is why we recommend a gradual transition for your pup.
Digestive issues can also occur if a dog eats too much tripe at once. So, even once they are acclimated to it, you should still remember that tripe is best fed as an occasional treat.
How Much Tripe Should I Feed My Dog?
The general guideline for dog feeding is that they should eat 2 to 3 percent of their body weight daily in food. So, a 30kg dog should eat between 600 and 900 grams per day. Of course, tripe should only make a small percentage of this, roughly 5 to 10 percent of the total daily diet.
You should, of course, adjust the following based on your dog’s reaction to tripe, but here is a rough guide for dogs of different weights:
- 10kg dog: 10g tripe per day
- 15kg dog: 15g tripe per day
- 20kg dog: 20g tripe per day
- 25kg dog: 25g tripe per day
- 30kg dog: 30g tripe per day
- 35kg dog: 35g tripe per day
As you can see, a rough estimate is calculated by taking your dog’s weight in kilograms, and aiming for that number in grams of tripe per day.
Will Your Dog Love Tripe? Give It a Try and See!
Tripe is a nutritious addition to your furry friend’s diet. Whether you are looking for a hypoallergenic addition for a sensitive stomach or just want a flavorful source of probiotics and vitamins, give tripe a try.
If you don’t know where to start, try our Freeze-Dried Lamb Green Tripe. It’s a tasty, single-ingredient whole food that is easy to sprinkle on top of regular feedings or toss to your pup as a treat. We’re sure they won’t be disappointed!
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