Organ meats have long been an important part of the canine and feline diet. In the wild, dogs and cats wouldn't just eat muscle meat; they'd consume a variety of organs, too, gaining a much broader range of nutrients from their prey.
Today, many raw and fresh feeders already recognise the value of organ meats. But what if you struggle to source a good variety, your pet turns their nose up at fresh organs, or you feed a complete kibble diet and want to explore other ways to introduce them?
Organ meat supplements offer a convenient way to add variety, without the need to prepare fresh organs yourself.
In this guide, we'll look at the nutritional benefits of different organ meats, why variety matters and how you can incorporate them into your pet's diet, whatever you feed.
Why are organ meats so nutrient-dense?
Muscle meat provides valuable protein, but different organs offer their own unique combinations of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients.
Liver, for example, is rich in vitamin A and B vitamins, while heart provides taurine and other nutrients involved in normal muscle function. Kidney and spleen offer their own combinations of vitamins and minerals, too.
This variety is one reason organ meats are included in many raw and fresh feeding plans. Each organ contributes something different, helping to broaden the nutritional profile of a diet.
And you don't have to feed raw to benefit from organ-based nutrition. Whether your pet eats fresh food, cooked meals or kibble, organ meat supplements can be a practical way to introduce these ingredients into their routine.
The benefits of different organ meats
Each organ has its own nutritional profile, so including a variety can help provide a broader range of nutrients. Here's a closer look at some popular options and what they offer.
Liver
Liver is rich in naturally occurring vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, copper and other essential nutrients.
Adding liver to your pet's diet can support normal immune function, vision and healthy skin, while its B vitamins play important roles in energy metabolism. Liver is also a valuable source of vitamin A, which contributes to maintaining healthy skin and supporting normal immune function. As it's particularly rich in this vitamin, it's important to feed appropriate amounts.
Heart
Heart is technically a muscular organ, and it's a popular ingredient in both raw feeding and organ meat supplements.
This organ is rich in protein, taurine, coenzyme Q10, B vitamins, iron and other essential nutrients.
Adding heart to your pet's diet can support cardiovascular health, muscle function and energy production. Taurine is particularly important for cats, helping to maintain normal heart and eye function, while coenzyme Q10 plays a role in cellular energy production.
Kidney
Kidney provides a range of essential nutrients, including selenium, B vitamins, iron and riboflavin.
Adding kidney to your pet's diet can support normal kidney function and urinary tract health, alongside immune and endocrine function. Iron and riboflavin also play important roles in red blood cell production and energy metabolism, helping support your pet's overall vitality.
Spleen
Spleen is often an overlooked organ, but it's rich in highly bioavailable heme iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin C, selenium, copper and other essential nutrients.
Adding spleen to your pet's diet can support red blood cell production, immune function and healthy energy levels. Vitamin B12 also plays an important role in cognitive health and normal nerve function, making spleen a nutrient-dense addition to your pet's diet.
Pancreas
Pancreas contains naturally occurring digestive enzymes that help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates, supporting your pet's ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.
Adding pancreas to your pet's diet can provide digestive and metabolic support, making it particularly beneficial for pets with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) or poor nutrient absorption. It can also be a useful addition for healthy pets needing extra digestive support.
Brain
Brain is rich in naturally occurring DHA, choline, vitamin B12 and other essential nutrients.
Adding brain to your pet's diet can support cognitive and nervous system function, providing omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and essential nutrients like choline for nerve signalling. Brain is also a rich source of vitamin B12, an important vitamin for energy and vitality.
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is rich in healthy fats, collagen-building compounds, trace minerals and other naturally occurring nutrients.
Adding bone marrow to your pet's diet can support joint health and mobility, as well as healthy skin and a glossy coat. Its healthy fats provide a concentrated source of energy, while its naturally occurring nutrients may also help support digestive and immune health. Bone marrow can be a useful addition to your pet's diet when looking to support joint mobility, healthy skin and coat, and overall vitality.
Why feed a variety of organ meats?
Different organs offer different nutrients, so variety can help broaden the nutritional profile of a diet.
This is especially relevant for raw and fresh feeders, where getting the balance right is essential. Muscle meat alone isn't a complete diet, and simply adding a few different organs doesn't automatically make a meal nutritionally complete.
For dogs and cats eating a commercially prepared complete food, the picture is a little different. A complete diet should already provide the nutrients needed in appropriate amounts for a normal pet, however some may benefit from the addition of an organ-based supplement. Organ supplements can offer an additional source of particular nutrients, but they're not automatically necessary for every pet.
The important thing is to consider the diet as a whole, rather than assuming that adding more of any one ingredient is always beneficial.
What are organ meat supplements?
Organ meat supplements provide dried or powdered organ tissue in a convenient format, often in capsules.
They're particularly useful if you want to include organ meats but don't want to handle, store or prepare fresh organs. They can also make it easier to introduce a wider selection of organs into your pet's routine.
Perhaps you feed raw but struggle to find certain organs locally. Maybe your dog refuses fresh liver, or your cat isn't keen on unfamiliar ingredients. Or perhaps you feed kibble and want to explore organ-based nutrition without changing your pet's main food.
Capsules offer a straightforward alternative. Depending on the product, they can be given as directed or opened and mixed into food, making them easy to incorporate into an existing feeding routine.
Some supplements contain a blend of different organs, while others focus on one particular organ. This means you can choose an option that suits your pet's diet and the nutrients you're looking to include.
Mixed organ supplements or individual organs: Which should you choose?
Both options have their place. The best choice depends on what your pet already eats and what you'd like to add.
Mixed organ supplements combine several organs in one product. They're a convenient option if you'd like to introduce a broader selection without buying multiple individual supplements.
Individual organ supplements allow you to choose a particular organ. This can be useful if you're looking for a specific ingredient or want to complement the organs already included in your pet's meals.
If you feed raw or fresh, consider which organs your pet already receives before deciding what to add. If they eat a complete commercial diet, organ supplements can be an additional source of nutrients, rather than a replacement for their main food.
Our recommended organ meat supplements
At Healthful Pets, we stock multiple organ-based supplements to help you explore these options.
BarkinBistro Organ Gold – Whole Organ Support
A mixed organ supplement for dogs, offering a convenient option if you'd prefer to include a blend of organ ingredients rather than buying several individual products. Its powder format makes it easy to mix into raw and fresh meals, but for kibble diets, it may be worth adding a splash of bone broth to help the powder stick to the biscuits.
Phytopet Ultimate Organ Meats – 90 Capsules
A capsule-based organ meat supplement for dogs and cats, offering another easy way to incorporate organ ingredients into your pet's routine.
You can also explore the wider BarkinBistro range, including individual organ capsules. This can be particularly useful if you're looking for a specific organ rather than a mixed formula.
Always check the product description and feeding instructions to make sure the supplement is appropriate for your pet.
Fresh organ meat, freeze-dried treats or supplements?
There are several ways to introduce organ meats, and the best option depends on your pet and how you prefer to feed.
Fresh organ meat is a popular choice for raw and fresh feeders. It can be included as part of a balanced diet, although sourcing, storage, handling and portion sizes all need consideration. If you feed raw, getting the overall balance right is just as important as choosing good-quality ingredients.
Freeze-dried organ treats offer a convenient way to provide individual ingredients such as liver or heart. They're useful for training, rewards or an occasional treat, and can be a good option for pets who enjoy a meaty snack. Remember to account for treats within your pet's overall diet, particularly if they're given regularly.
Organ meat supplements make it easier to include organ-based ingredients without preparing fresh organs. They're handy for raw and fresh feeders who want more variety, as well as kibble-fed pets whose owners would like to explore organ-based nutrition.
Each option has its place. You don't need to handle fresh organs to explore organ supplements, and you don't need to change your pet's main food to consider a suitable addition.
What about the idea of 'like supports like'?
You might have come across the idea that feeding a particular organ supports the corresponding organ in your pet. For example, heart is associated with cardiovascular support, while brain is associated with cognitive and nervous system function.
This idea is often discussed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and organotherapy, where animal tissues are used in products intended to support particular body systems.
Organ meats also contain nutrients that play important roles in normal bodily functions. Brain, for example, provides DHA and choline, while spleen provides iron and vitamin B12. Looking at the nutritional composition of each organ helps explain why different organs can offer different benefits as part of a varied diet.
A few things to keep in mind when feeding organ meats
Organ meats can be a valuable addition to your pet's diet, but there are a few practical points worth remembering.
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Balance matters. If you feed raw or fresh, organ meats need to be included in appropriate proportions as part of a properly formulated diet. Simply adding a variety of organs doesn't automatically make a meal complete.
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Consider vitamin A intake. Liver is particularly rich in vitamin A, and excessive intake over time can cause toxicity. Be mindful of the amount you feed and avoid unnecessarily duplicating nutrients across multiple supplements.
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Think about your pet's existing diet. Complete commercial foods are formulated to provide the nutrients your pet needs. Supplements should complement their diet rather than replace their main food.
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Follow the product instructions. Choose a supplement suitable for your pet's species and follow the manufacturer's guidance on serving size and use.
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Take existing health conditions into account. If your pet has a diagnosed condition or requires a restricted diet, check that a new supplement is appropriate for their individual needs.
For healthy pets, choosing a suitable organ supplement and following the feeding instructions can be a straightforward way to introduce more variety into their routine.
Ancestral nutrition doesn't have to be complicated
Organ meats have long been part of the diets of dogs and cats, and they remain a useful source of nutritional variety today.
Whether you feed raw, prepare fresh meals or rely on a complete kibble, there are different ways to explore organ-based nutrition. Fresh organs may suit some pets perfectly, while freeze-dried treats and capsules can be much more practical for others.
The important thing is to consider your pet's diet as a whole and choose options that fit your feeding routine.
If you'd like to explore organ meat supplements, browse our BarkinBistro range to find individual organ capsules and mixed organ supplements for your pet.
If you have any questions, you can email the team at hello@healthfulpets.co.uk, or give us a call on 01565 740777.
