Offal Frequency

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SPARKP

Boxer Pal
How often should I feed beef / chicken livers. I've heard that to much can cause diahrea?


Thanks,Steve
 

gmacleod

Elusive Moderator
Staff member
Offal in total, or specifically just liver?

Offal should make up roughly 20% of the total diet. So that would mean at least two meals per week (on average - no need to be precise every single week on a raw diet). But offal includes a lot more than just liver - there's heart, lungs, green tripe, kidney etc as well. No single one of those (or the liver) should make up more than about half the offal total. And liver especially is very high in vitamin A.

And as for how it is fed - well that varies depending on what suits the individual dog. Some people just feed a couple of meals a week that are made up entirely of offal. Others add a smaller amount of offal to a greater amount of meals (so the dog might get a meal of chicken necks and heart, for example).
 

Anna Begins

Completely Boxer Crazy
more offal questions

When is it best to start w/ Offal? Luka has been doing really well, he is able to eat beef, chicken, turkey and Lamb- I knew he could tolerate those. We are holding off on pork and fish for now. I think I may let my mom give him a cornish game hen when I am on vacation this weekend.
I was thinking of beginning offal soon, but I know it's kinda rich. He's never had anything like that. What is the best to start with and how much at first (he eats 2 meals a day, a lb total)? What is the best way to feed it- just whole? I want to give it to him on a weekend, so if he gets sick, I'll be home. :o
 

gmacleod

Elusive Moderator
Staff member
I tend to cut offal up into large chunks. It's soft so there's no particular benefit to the dog in chewing it, and it's messy so I don't want it dragged around and sat down with for chewing ;) So chunks it is, when I feed offal.

I also do sometimes feed a whole offal meal - because my dog tolerates that perfectly well. So one day he might get 450 grams of liver, another time it's heart, sometimes kidney, or tripe etc. Depends what was available or looked good when I went shopping LOL

I would start with heart or tripe, personally. Those two don't usually cause loose stools anyway. Just add some to his regular meal (cut back a little on whatever else is in there). Or else add some offal to his vege meals, if he's getting any yet.
 

Anna Begins

Completely Boxer Crazy
Blech- I guess I'll start w/ heart then- tripe still grosses me out and I'm not sure I can get it at the store. I was hoping you'd say liver to start! Still getting used to the... raw factor. :D
 

gmacleod

Elusive Moderator
Staff member
LOL - heart and kidney are less gross than liver (which is slimy), especially if you are cutting it up (getting that liver smell off your hands takes a bit of doing). Tripe is also easy - it does stink though!
 
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