[Onyx]

Hello, so I started the Prey Model Raw diet almost a month ago and have started giving organs. I know you feed about 10% organs and 5% needs to be liver, but I was wondering if it is okay to feed the whole 10% as liver? I had planned on doing 5% liver and 5% kidney most of the time since that's really all that's available to me, but the only butcher in my area had no kidneys and doesn't know when they will get some. So is it okay if I just feed 10% goat liver for the organ? Thanks :]

 

[Brodysmom]

It's Ok for now. But you do eventually need to get some other organ in there. Think outside the box, can you get fish with organs? Know a hunter that can get you some organs? Can you order an organ blend from a place like my pet carnivore or hare-today? Is there a co-op in your area that can hook you up with a variety of organs? What about whole prey... rabbits? Quail? Is there an ethnic market you could go to that would have some organs?

Organs provide nutrients not found in regular muscle tissue (meat). They are a small but essential part of the diet. It's great that you found some liver. Now if you can just hook up with another organ and you are good to go (kidney is most common but you can do brain, thymus, spleen, reproductive organs, etc.)

There are kidneys stuck in the spine of chickens, so if you get chicken leg quarters, you can get kidney that way. That's one option!

 

[Onyx]

Thanks for answering, and so quick!

I'll definitely do what I have to to get another organ in there. If it comes down to it, I'll just order some from the my pet carnivore website. I have no ethnic markets or anything like that in my city. My city sucks!. I only know of two butchers in my area too and they're both about a 25 minute drive one way heh. They said they have kidney sometimes so I'm crossing my fingers they will have it next time. When I asked multiple grocery stores about organs they gave me the funniest faces lol.

The meats in my area are so dull too. You mostly find chicken, beef, and pork. Nothing great like deer, rabbit, duck, etc. Luckily the butcher has goat and lamb. I mainly have been feeding goat and lamb with occasional turkey. And of course chicken wings. I'm going to try adding pork next month. She has an iron gut, she handled different protein sources just fine.

On a side note, I LOVE raw feeding! My Chi had some pretty yellow teeth (mainly her top canines) and I had been brushing her teeth for about 4 months straight every day. Didn't help in the least bit. Her first chicken wing later, and her teeth are already almost all the way white!

 

[Brodysmom]

Sounds like you are on the right track!!

If you aren't feeding several dogs, one kidney can last a LONG LONG time. A 5 pound dog needs about a quarter sized chunk of kidney once a week to meet the organ requirement. One kidney can feed a chi for months and months and months!

That's exciting about her teeth!! Wow! I love hearing stories like that. It really is amazing.

 

[Mel's chi's]

Another option in the meantime would be to order in some tripe treats...bestbullystick.com has some tripe chew treats that are great. Mine go ape crazy over them! I just keep them in a ziplock in the freezer for freshness

 

[Brodysmom]

Melanie, do you feed tripe as organ? I've heard it is meat, same as heart or gizzard. One source I found says it has to 'secrete' to be labeled as organ. Another person says that organs are 'squishy'. I have always just rotated between liver and kidneys for organ as that's what I can find easily. If I happen to get other organs, I am thrilled! I did go to an ethnic market awhile back and found all kinds of goodies... chicken feet, duck heads, and whole trays of pig organs (liver, kidney, and uterus). It was like a gold mine. LOL.

The one organ I can never find a straight answer on whether it's organ or meat is lungs. I have a venison lung in the freezer and it's a strange, spongy consistency. I just throw in a chunk every once in awhile and call it good.

 

[Mel's chi's]

Melanie, do you feed tripe as organ? I've heard it is meat, same as heart or gizzard. One source I found says it has to 'secrete' to be labeled as organ. Another person says that organs are 'squishy'. I have always just rotated between liver and kidneys for organ as that's what I can find easily. If I happen to get other organs, I am thrilled! I did go to an ethnic market awhile back and found all kinds of goodies... chicken feet, duck heads, and whole trays of pig organs (liver, kidney, and uterus). It was like a gold mine. LOL.

The one organ I can never find a straight answer on whether it's organ or meat is lungs. I have a venison lung in the freezer and it's a strange, spongy consistency. I just throw in a chunk every once in awhile and call it good.

Ha! Loaded question Yes, I guess I do put tripe in my organ category. Mainly because I limit the amount like I do liver & kidney. I have read to use tripe both as an organ and as an organ meat. Since I would never feed a whole meal of tripe as I do hearts & gizzard combo, I give it a couple times a week-- it is so good for digestion-- and give the liver/kidney a couple times--so good for vitamins & minerals.

And great job on your ethnic market score! Love when that happens