Lamb Lung for Dogs: Benefits, Risks and How to Feed

Most healthy dogs can eat lamb lung as an occasional treat. It is a single-ingredient, high-protein snack made from dried lamb lung. The main things to watch are calories, the size of each piece, and bacteria, because drying is not the same as cooking. Keep all treats under 10% of your dog's daily calories.

Dried lamb lung treats in a cream ceramic bowl on a wooden kitchen counter
Illustration, not a photograph of the product discussed.

By the My Pets Family Editorial Team

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, My Pets Family may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never change our conclusions. We have not tested these products; this article is based on manufacturer information and independent sources.

What is lamb lung for dogs?

Lamb lung treats are pieces of lamb lung with the water removed. Lungs are a light, spongy organ, so the dried pieces are airy and easy to break by hand. That makes them popular as training treats.

Brands dry lamb lung in different ways: freeze-drying, dehydrating with warm air, or air-drying. The method changes the texture and how the product should be handled, so check which one a brand uses. We cover the difference below.

Lamb lung treats nutrition: what the label shows

As an example, here is the guaranteed analysis that Raw Paws lists for its Lamb Lung Treats for Dogs, 8-oz. The only listed ingredient is lamb lung.

NutrientAmount (Raw Paws label)
Crude protein (min)75%
Crude fat (min)9%
Crude fiber (max)2%
Moisture (max)8%
Calories (ME)3,392 kcal/kg (96 kcal/oz)

Protein and fat are listed as minimums, so the real amounts can be higher. Other brands will have different numbers, especially for fat.

Is lamb lung good for dogs?

Lamb lung has a few practical advantages as a treat:

  • One ingredient. Useful if you want to avoid fillers, flavors or added preservatives, or if you are tracking what your dog eats.
  • Easy to portion. The pieces crumble by hand, so one piece can become several small training rewards.
  • A different protein. Lamb is an option for dogs who already eat chicken or beef treats.

It is still a treat, not a complete food. Raw Paws itself states that the product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

Is lamb lung safe for dogs? The risks

Bacteria. Drying removes water, but it does not reliably kill bacteria. Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center notes that freeze-drying is not equivalent to

Popular Articles

Raw Paws Pumpkin Powder: Ingredients, Preparation & Storage

Image
Raw Paws Organic Pumpkin Powder for Dogs & Cats is an 8-ounce bag of powder that the manufacturer lists as a single-ingredient product. Before buying, consider whether you prefer dry powder or a ready-to-use wet format, how you will prepare it, and what storage instructions you need. AI-generated editorial illustration of pumpkin powder; not a photograph of the Raw Paws product or a serving recommendation. Affiliate disclosure: My Pets Family may earn a commission if you purchase through the affiliate link in this article. What exactly are you buying? Raw Paws lists the product as Organic Pumpkin Powder for Dogs & Cats in an 8-ounce bag. Its ingredient list names organic pumpkin powder. That makes this a different purchasing proposition from a blend containing several ingredients. Check the specific listing and package before buying; other sizes and Raw Paws products are not interchangeable. Chewy’s product Q&A describes pumpkin flesh, rather than a seed supp...
Read more

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Necks? The Honest Answer

Image
Chicken necks for dogs are one of the most popular staples in raw feeding, and one of the most debated. Supporters praise them as a natural source of calcium and a satisfying chew. Critics worry about bacteria and choking. Both sides have a point. Some owners include raw chicken necks for dogs as part of a carefully planned raw diet, but they come with real risks: bacterial exposure, choking and nutritional imbalance. How much each of those matters depends on your dog's size, chewing style and health, and on how you handle the food. What's actually in a chicken neck? A typical skin-on chicken neck is about 65% meat and 35% bone, and weighs roughly 2.5 to 3.5 oz. The bones are small and non-weight-bearing, which is one reason raw feeders commonly use necks as an edible bone. That doesn't make them risk-free. Necks also contain cartilage, a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, plus fat from the skin. The benefits of chicken necks for dogs A source of calciu...
Read more