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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Beef Lung

Lean organ protein, with little reason to hype it

Beef lung is a cattle organ used in pet food and treats. It supplies protein with relatively little fat, but fresh lung is mostly water. Its iron content does not make it a treatment for anemia or give it a proven health advantage.

Role in the food Main nutrition
What it is
A cattle lung, cleaned and used as a named animal protein ingredient in pet food.
Made from
Lungs removed during cattle slaughter
Main job
Animal protein
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Beef allergy and uncooked treats
Not the same as
Beef liver

Straight answer

Is Beef Lung safe for dogs?

Read the whole food beyond the organ

If beef lung sits high on a wet food list, remember that it was weighed with its water. Check the nutritional adequacy statement and the finished food's protein and fat. Skip beef lung for a dog with a diagnosed beef allergy. Otherwise, treat it as a useful organ protein, not an anemia remedy.

Why it is in the food
Animal protein

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 82 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

1%

39 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 14 brands. 26 wet dog food, 5 dog food topper, 4 freeze-dried dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 3. In the top five of 28 foods, so it is usually a main ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

100%

Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.

Price per lb

Foods with it $13.45
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 6 priced foods, 314% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

44%

of the foods that list it are from Cesar. 14 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Slaughter plants separate lungs from cattle alongside other organs. These lower demand tissues are sold for food or feed. For wet pet food, chilled or thawed lung is ground with the other recipe ingredients.5,9

  1. 01 // Source Cattle lungs Lungs are removed during slaughter and separated from the meat cuts and other organs.
  2. 02 // Process Cleaned and washed In a slaughterhouse study, organs were cleaned and washed soon after removal.
  3. 03 // Process Kept cold The cleaned organs were chilled for transport; pet food plants also handle thawed meat ingredients.
  4. 04 // Output Beef lung Chilled or frozen lung reaches the pet food plant, where it is weighed and ground into a recipe.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

87

% protein

Protein in one dried beef lung powder. Fresh lung carries much more water, so its weight on a label is not its dry protein contribution.

Protein 87%4
Fat 8.8%4
Ash 4.9%4

These dry matter figures come from one prepared powder, not a survey of pet food ingredients. A separate fresh lung study found substantial water, so amounts weighed into recipes need different interpretation.4,5

Why it is in the bag

A real protein source, though much of its weight is water

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

In foods that list beef lung, it often sits near the top of the list, where it is one of the main animal proteins. Lists rank ingredients by weight, and fresh lung is about 80% water and about 17% protein, so it adds less dry protein than its spot suggests. It is a lean, lower value organ left over from beef slaughter.5,7

  1. 01

    Adds animal protein

    Lung supplies protein without the fat level of some other beef organs. Fresh lung also brings water, so a high list position does not reveal its dry protein contribution.4,5,7

  2. 02

    Uses a lower demand organ

    Slaughter plants sell organs that have less demand than familiar meat cuts. Putting lung into food or feed earns value from tissue produced alongside the beef.5,6

  3. 03

    Names species and organ

    A beef lung listing states the species and the organ. AAFCO's generic meat by-products term covers lungs, spleens, kidneys and other parts from cattle, pigs, sheep or goats, species unnamed.7

How much One dog study supplied dehydrated beef lung treats as 2.5% of daily calories; it did not test lung as a recipe ingredient.1

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Critics say

    Fresh beef lung is mostly water

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Four fresh lung samples averaged 79.8% water. Ingredient lists rank ingredients by weight, so fresh lung's position includes that water. The list does not disclose how much dry protein the lung supplies.5,7

  2. Brands say

    Beef lung is a lean protein source

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    One dried powder measured 87.01% protein and 8.76% fat on a dry basis; fresh lung in another study had 1.82% fat as sold. Those measurements support lean lung, not a promise about every finished food.4,5,10

  3. Brands say

    Beef lung is easy for dogs to digest

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A bird study tested freeze dried beef lung among 6 raw animal meals. Amino acid digestibility was high across those meals, but the published abstract does not give a lung specific dog result or test finished dog food.3

  4. Owners say

    Beef lung iron prevents anemia in dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A powder measured about 1 mg iron per gram in research on pasta. That is an ingredient measurement, not a dog feeding trial. It provides no evidence that lung in pet food prevents or treats anemia.6

  5. Critics say

    Beef lung is empty filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    One dried sample measured 87.01% protein, while fresh lung measured 17.3% protein despite its water. Those results contradict the idea that the organ is empty. A label still cannot tell you its exact amount.4,5,7

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Lung contributes animal protein and some iron. Its lower market value reflects demand for the cut, not an absence of nutrients. Check the finished food's nutritional adequacy and analysis instead of judging the organ by its name.4,5,6

  2. Q02

    Does lung make food low fat?

    Not alone

    Lung itself is relatively lean, but other meats and added fats determine the finished food's fat level. Check the food's fat guarantee; the lung listing cannot answer that question for the whole recipe.4,5,7

  3. Q03

    Does its iron treat anemia?

    No evidence

    Researchers measured iron in lung powder, but did not feed that powder to dogs with anemia. A dog with suspected anemia needs a diagnosis and treatment plan, not an ingredient selected from a label.6

  4. Q04

    Can a beef allergic dog eat it?

    No

    Beef lung is beef tissue. Keep it out of a dog's diet when beef is a diagnosed trigger, including treats and toppers. A review found beef reactions in 102 of 297 dogs with identified food triggers.2

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Cesar 17 / 45
  2. ZIWI 3 / 11
  3. Vital Essentials 3 / 9
  4. TruDog 2 / 14
  5. Weruva 2 / 50
  6. Edgard & Cooper 2 / 11
  7. Health Extension 2 / 47
  8. NutriSource 2 / 91
  9. BIXBI 1 / 6
  10. K9 Natural 1 / 8

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 4 more brands.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Beef 74%
  2. Water 51%
  3. Beef Liver 49%
  4. Chicken Liver 44%
  5. Chicken Broth 44%
  6. Chicken Heart 44%
  7. Pork By-Products 41%
  8. Calcium Carbonate 38%
  9. Beef Kidney 28%
  10. Sodium Tripolyphosphate 28%
  11. Beef Tripe 26%
  12. Beef Heart 23%

On the shelf

Foods that list Beef Lung

39 foods in our catalog list it, highest on the label first.

Vital Essentials Soft Nibs Beef Freeze-Dried Dog FoodVital EssentialsVital Essentials Soft Nibs Beef Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 2 on the labelZIWI Steam & Dried Beef with Pumpkin Recipe Dog Food TopperZIWIZIWI Steam & Dried Beef with Pumpkin Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 2 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Liver Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Liver Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 2 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Chicken Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 2 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Air Dried Superfoods Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Air Dried Superfoods Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelTruDog Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTruDogTruDog Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 3 on the labelZiwi Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZIWIZiwi Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen The Double Dip Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen The Double Dip Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Single Protein Adult Single Protein Beef & Carrot Recipe Fresh Roll Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Single Protein Adult Single Protein Beef & Carrot Recipe Fresh Roll Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelHalo Holistic Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein Topper Dog Food TopperHaloHalo Holistic Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein Topper Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 3 on the labelNutriSource Field and Forest Wet Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Field and Forest Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelNutriSource Beef & Rice Wet Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Beef & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the label
Show 27 more
Cesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Veal Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Veal Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 2 on the labelHealth Extension Broth-Licious Beef & Green Bean in Bone Broth -Vitality Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Broth-Licious Beef & Green Bean in Bone Broth -Vitality Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Turkey Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Smoked Bacon & Egg Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Smoked Bacon & Egg Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Puppy - Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Puppy - Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Lamb Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Lamb Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Duck Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Duck Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Kitchen Gently Cooked Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Frozen Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Marie’s Kitchen Gently Cooked Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 3 on the labelTruDog Raw Beef Meal Bites Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodTruDogTruDog Raw Beef Meal Bites Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 4 on the labelEdgard & Cooper Dog Cup Beef Duck Wet Dog FoodEdgard & CooperEdgard & Cooper Dog Cup Beef Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelVital Essentials Raw Entrées Beef Entree Patties Frozen Dog FoodVital EssentialsVital Essentials Raw Entrées Beef Entree Patties Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 4 on the labelVital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Ground Topper/Mix-In Dog Food TopperVital EssentialsVital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Ground Topper/Mix-In Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 4 on the labelEdgard & Cooper Tins Beef & Duck Adult Dog Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodEdgard & CooperEdgard & Cooper Tins Beef & Duck Adult Dog Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelZIWI Air-Dried Beef Dog Food TopperZIWIZIWI Air-Dried Beef Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 4 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Dog Steak Frites Dinner Beef & Pumpkin Dry Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Dog Steak Frites Dinner Beef & Pumpkin Dry Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 5 on the labelTiki Dog Taste of the World Beef, Potatoes & Carrots Burgundy Recipe Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Taste of the World Beef, Potatoes & Carrots Burgundy Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelK9 Natural Beef & Hoki Feast Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodK9 NaturalK9 Natural Beef & Hoki Feast Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 6 on the labelCesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Rotisserie Chicken with Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Rotisserie Chicken with Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Ham & Egg with Potato & Cheese Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Ham & Egg with Potato & Cheese Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Angus Beef with Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Loaf & Topper in Sauce Angus Beef with Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Loaf Topper Sauce Filet Mignon Flavor With Bacon & Potato Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Loaf Topper Sauce Filet Mignon Flavor With Bacon & Potato Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Steak & Eggs Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Grilled Steak & Eggs Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Top Sirloin Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Top Sirloin Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Porterhouse Steak Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Porterhouse Steak Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelBixbi Rawbble ProteinBlend Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodBIXBIBixbi Rawbble ProteinBlend Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Dogs fed a high protein, low carbohydrate diet have elevated postprandial plasma glucagon and amino acid concentrations and tend to have lower glucose concentrations compared to two different moderate protein, moderate carbohydrate diets Translational Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  2. 2 Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats BMC Veterinary Research, 2016 // Journal
  3. 3 Protein quality of various raw and rendered by-product meals commonly incorporated into companion animal diets Journal of Animal Science, 2007 // Journal
  4. 4 Proximate analysis of beef lung powder and control pasta International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 2019 // Journal
  5. 5 Physicochemical characterization of by-products from beef cattle slaughter and economic feasibility of commercialization Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences, 2020 // Journal
  6. 6 Utilisation of beef lung protein powder as a functional ingredient to enhance protein and iron content of fresh pasta University of Otago, 2019 // University
  7. 7 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  8. 8 About Pet Food Safety Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025 // Government
  9. 9 Recipes and Processing FEDIAF, n.d. // Industry
  10. 10 Dehydrated Beef Lung for Dogs & Cats Oma's Pride, n.d. // Industry
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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