Raw Green Tripe
Often when we think of raw green tripe the first thing that comes to mind is the smell. However if one stops to consider all the health benefits for our dogs and cats then the smell becomes secondary. As I explore the relationship between the gut and the health and longevity our animals I decided it was time to learn more about raw green tripe.
Raw Green Tripe is the entire unprocessed stomach of a cud -chewing animal such as a cow, sheep, goat, or deer. It contains digestive enzymes and pre-digested green matter. This combination of enzymes and nutrients provide pets with a nutritional powerhouse. Nutritional analysis has shown that raw green tripe has a calcium /phosphorus ratio of 1:1. Green tripe’s pH is acidic, the protein is 15.1%, and the fat is 11.7%. It also has the correct proportions of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Raw green tripe contains lactobacillus acidophilus. This is one of the intestinal bacteria that keep unwanted bacteria such as e-coli, salmonella and listeria from overpopulating and causing health problems. A balance of micro flora in the gut is extremely important to maintaining good health. The intestines only contain enough food for a certain amount of bacteria. Adding tripe to your pet’s diet supports a healthy population of good bacteria. A healthy gut equals a strong immune system.
Other beneficial components of raw green tripe are digestive enzymes, amino acids and gastric juices. The enzymes that help the ruminant digest its meal will provide the same benefit to our animals. Dogs and cats do not naturally produce amylase, so the nutrients present in vegetative matter are not readily available to them.
Benefits of Green Tripe for Dogs
▪ Promotes healthy digestion
▪ Offers a boost to the immune system
▪ Stimulates a dog’s appetite
▪ Alleviates diarrhea and constipation
▪ Soothes GI (gastrointestinal) upset and infections
▪ Great for dogs with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
▪ Helps with allergies
Green tripe is very easy to digest because it is has been partially digested in the grazing animal’s stomach. If your dog or cat has “Leaky Gut” syndrome or acid reflux, tripe is very digestible and can ease these symptoms. Often dogs that eat feces will stop when tripe is regularly included in their diet. Raw or freeze dried tripe has a rubbery texture, which is great for dogs to chew on and promotes oral health.
Raw green tripe is unbleached, untreated, and often lightly rinsed. While green tripe can be tinted green due to grass or hay eaten by the host animal, it’s predominantly brown. Freeze-dried, frozen, or fresh tripe is the best for naturally occurring probiotics and digestive enzymes. Raw green tripe is best sourced from grass fed cows rather than those from factory farms.
Few natural foods offer as much nutrition, especially in a form so attractive to our dogs. Lucy loves her raw green tripe. The cats, Annie and Tilly think I must have lost my mind and refuse to even try it. I will continue to offer it to them. Now that I have a better understanding of the tremendous health benefits I will encourage my clients to incorporate it into the diets of their animals. Feeding tripe is one of the best ways to support the micro biome of the digestive tract and promote overall health. Over time I have become accustom to the smell so that is no longer a deterrent to feeding tripe. Good hand washing is important when handling tripe as it does have a high bacteria load.
Tripe is now available at Meg’s Meats. Call or email us today to place your order.
Is your green tripe grass fed AND finished? If it is I am hoping to begin purchasing the tripe from you on a very consistent basis. Thank you for your time.