Spleen for Dogs

Spleen is one of those raw materials that make many dog parents look twice when they read it on an ingredients list. Yet it is a perfectly natural offal item that has a firm place in a prey-oriented diet. We explain what spleen actually is, why it can be interesting for dogs and how NANDOO uses it.

What is spleen?

The spleen is an organ that, in the body of cattle, calves or other livestock, is involved in blood formation and immune defence. In canine nutrition it is one of the so-called offal items, meaning the internal organs that are processed alongside pure muscle meat.

For chews, spleen is usually gently dried, which means it keeps its natural texture and most of the nutrients it contains. The result is a pure, uncomplicated snack with no additives.

As offal, spleen differs clearly from muscle meat: it is softer, juicier and therefore particularly tasty for many dogs. These very characteristics also make it interesting for picky dogs.

Why spleen for dogs?

Spleen is naturally rich in iron and is considered easy to digest. In the wild, offal such as spleen is among the first parts of the prey to be eaten, and so it reflects part of a dog's natural diet. As a chew, it offers your dog not only a chewing experience but also a nutrient contribution that goes beyond pure muscle meat.

It is important to us to be honest here: spleen is a natural snack, not a substitute for a balanced staple diet, and like any chew should be fed in an amount that matches your dog's size and needs. As an iron-rich offal item, it complements the menu but does not replace a full meal.

Dried, spleen is also easy to portion, whether as a small reward in training or as a snack for in between, entirely according to your dog's needs.

Spleen at NANDOO

At NANDOO, spleen is openly declared for what it is: a natural offal item, not a collective term and not a hidden by-product. It matters to us that you, as a dog parent, know exactly what you are giving your dog.

If you are specifically looking for chews with spleen, you will find a selection in our natural chews. There, it is clearly visible for each variety which offal item is included and in what form it has been processed.

Spleen shows that even lesser-known raw materials can have a valuable place in canine nutrition when handled openly. You can find more such raw materials and their significance for canine nutrition in our raw materials glossary.