Short answer: Dried beef lung is a soft, crumbly treat that disappears quickly and breaks easily into pieces. That makes it suitable for dogs of almost any size, including puppies and older dogs with sensitive teeth. Choose large pieces to break up yourself or ready-made trainers for when you're out and about. Always supervise your dog with lung, give it in a suitable size and count it towards that day's treats.
What exactly is dried beef lung?
Beef lung is bovine organ meat that is dried. Because lung tissue contains a lot of air, it becomes light and porous once dried, with a texture reminiscent of a dry sponge. It is high in protein and contains no bones. The exact nutritional values vary from batch to batch, so always go by the label.
Lung isn't a long-lasting chew. Your dog will polish off a piece in no time. If you're looking for something to chew on for longer, take a look at our dog chews. If you mainly want to give small, quick rewards, lung is the obvious choice.
Which beef lung is right for my dog?
The difference lies mainly in the shape and how much work you have to do yourself. This comparison will help you choose.
| Product | Shape | Hardness | Chewing time | Suitable for |
|---|
| Canis Runderlongen | Larger pieces to break up yourself | Soft and crumbly | Short | Everyday rewards, any size once broken up |
| Canis ACTIEKNALLER Runderlong | Pieces of 3 to 7 cm, 1000 gram bag | Soft and crumbly | Short | Lots of training or multiple dogs |
| Canis Runderlong Trainers | Small cubes | Soft and crumbly | Very short | Training, small dogs |
| Canis Vriesdroog Runderlongtrainers | Freeze-dried cubes | Light and crumbly | Very short | Training, puppies in small pieces |
| Canis Lamslong, Canis Paardenlong, Canis Konijnenlongen | Pieces | Soft and crumbly | Short | Dogs that can't tolerate beef |
If you train a lot, the trainers save you having to break them up. You'll find a wider choice of small rewards among our training treats.
Is beef lung safe for dogs?
Lung is soft and contains no bones, so the risk of broken teeth, as with very hard chews, is minimal. Even so, a few things remain important:
- Choose a piece your dog can't swallow in one go. For a dog that gulps its food, small pieces are better than one large piece that ends up half swallowed.
- Stay with your dog while it eats and make sure fresh water is available.
- Thanks to its soft texture, lung is fine for puppies in small pieces. To find out what else suits each age, read from what age can a puppy have chews.
Beef is one of the protein sources most often linked to food allergies in dogs. If your dog reacts badly to beef, choose a single alternative protein source, such as lamb or horse. Introduce any new treat gradually and see your vet if symptoms persist.
How much beef lung can you give?
As a guideline, all treats combined should make up no more than about 10 percent of your dog's daily energy intake. If you give a lot of treats, for example on a training day, reduce the main food slightly. Lung is light, so a handful looks like very little and a bag looks huge. It's better to go by weight than by volume. How to work this out for your dog is explained in how many treats can a dog have per day.
Ingrid's tip: Break a large bag of lung into training-sized pieces at home in one go and store them in a sealed container. That way you'll never have crumbs in your pocket when you're out. Weigh out the portion for the day as well, so you can see how much you're actually giving.
How do you store beef lung?
Keep lung dry, cool and well sealed. Moisture makes it tough and can shorten its shelf life. Press resealable bags firmly shut after use. You can sprinkle any crumbs left at the bottom over your dog's meal. Wash your hands after giving treats, especially if you're going to cook or eat afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Why is beef lung so light?
Lung tissue naturally contains lots of air pockets. That airy structure remains after drying, which is why lung weighs so little and breaks easily.
What is the difference between dried and freeze-dried lung?
Freeze-dried lung is dried at a low temperature and is usually even lighter and more crumbly. Regular dried lung is slightly firmer and breaks into coarser pieces.
Will beef lung keep my dog busy for long?
No, lung is eaten quickly. For longer chewing, firmer treats such as bully sticks or beef scalp rolls are more suitable, matched to your dog.
Can beef lung give my dog loose stools?
That can happen if you give a lot in one go or if your dog isn't used to organ meat. Start with small amounts and build up gradually. If symptoms persist, consult your vet.
Can a puppy have beef lung?
Yes, in small pieces and under supervision. Thanks to its soft texture, lung is more comfortable than hard chews while your puppy is teething.
Sources
About the author
Ingrid Kooijman is the founder of Canis Snacks. She selects natural single-protein dog treats, sells them online and at markets in Brabant, and answers dog owners' questions about food and chews every day. Questions about these treats? Email info@canissnacks.com.
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