Green Tripe

Green tripe is the unbleached, minimally washed stomach of ruminant animals. Because it is not washed, it will contain some remnants of stomach contents. At Raw Essentials we try and ensure that our tripe is as minimally processed as possible to ensure stomach contents and the nutrient profile of the tripe stays in its most natural form.

Ruminants (cows, sheep etc) are herbivores – they eat plant matter. Herbivores have the digestive enzymes required to properly breakdown copious amounts of plant matter (such as grass and hay), therefore the stomach contents remaining in green tripe will be in a pre-digested form by the time a dog (or cat) eats it. A carnivore would be unable to digest large amounts of plant matter if they were to eat it before it has passed through an herbivore’s gut!

Tripe is a great source of probiotics (good bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus). Probiotics help to improve the microbiome and therefore may influence the digestion/absorption of food; inhibition of harmful bacteria; regulation of the immune system, production of vitamins (B vits, vit K); and the barrier against ‘foreign invaders’.

Tripe is high in protein and low in carbohydrates therefore stimulating good stomach acidity. It may contain acidifying enzymes which support digestion. Tripe is an essential part of a raw diet for dogs and can be beneficial for cats.

In countries where green tripe is hard to access, people tend to supplement their dog or cat’s raw diet with vegetables. We are very lucky in New Zealand to be able to access green tripe as a very functional and nutrient dense food for dogs and cats.

Cats tend to eat whole small prey, such as mice, with tiny amounts of fermented stomach content. They sometimes eat the stomach content of larger prey, such as rabbits.

THE STOMACH CONTENTS OF PREY

The stomach content of an herbivore contains fermented vegetable matter - a mix of symbiotic bacteria (probiotics) and VFAs (volatile fatty acids). VFAs are the energy source for the herbivore, and for the symbiotic bacteria. In turn, the symbiotic bacteria keep the intestinal mucosa healthy.

Eating fermented gut content (from a mouse/rabbit) benefits the cat's own intestinal flora, which makes for a healthier mucosal (gut wall) surface. The VFAs probably contribute little as an energy source to the cat, but the bacterial load is likely very beneficial.

These microorganisms perform a host of useful functions: preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, producing vitamins for the host such as biotin and vitamin K, and maintaining the integrity of the mucosal surface of the gut.

WHERE CAN A CAT GET THEIR PROBIOTICS FROM?

A cat that hunts will get this dose of beneficial bacteria naturally. If he is free-ranging and digs in soil to do his toileting, he may consume small amounts of beneficial soil bacteria when grooming, or may chew on plant matter that has a bacterial load. Some people grow wheatgrass in pots for their cats to chew on and get their fix of soil bacteria – this may be a good option for indoor cats.

Probiotic bacteria can be given as a supplement (in a capsule / sprinkled on food). It is rarely necessary to provide a probiotic supplement for cats, but it can be important if your cat has recently been on antibiotics or has a digestive upset.

Green tripe (from a ruminant) can be added to the diet of a cat as a source of probiotics. You can include a small amount of minced product that contains tripe in your cat’s diet. Some cats enjoy it, but some don’t like the taste.

Talk to us if you are concerned that your cat is not ingesting enough beneficial bacteria.

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