The Nutritional Profile of Pork Spleen in Raw Feeding: A Comparative Analysis with Other Organ Meats

Pork spleen represents one of the most nutrient-dense organ meats available for raw feeding protocols, yet it remains underappreciated compared to more commonly used options like liver. This comprehensive analysis examines the nutritional composition of pork spleen, its benefits in raw diets for companion animals, and provides detailed comparisons with other popular organ meats including pork liver, beef liver, and beef spleen. The focus remains on key nutritional aspects relevant to carnivorous companion animals, with special attention to copper bioavailability, vitamin C content, and overall nutritional profile for optimal raw feeding protocols.

Nutritional Composition of Pork Spleen

Pork spleen presents an impressive nutritional profile that makes it particularly valuable in raw feeding protocols for dogs and cats. With approximately 149 calories per 100 grams, pork spleen offers substantial nutrition while remaining relatively low in fat compared to other organ meats1. The macronutrient breakdown shows 28.2 grams of protein, making it an excellent source of animal protein, along with just 3.2 grams of fat and no carbohydrates whatsoever1. This protein density supports muscle maintenance and growth in carnivorous pets, aligning perfectly with their biological dietary requirements.

The mineral content of pork spleen is particularly remarkable, especially regarding its iron concentration. Each 100-gram serving provides 22.23 milligrams of iron, representing 222.3% of the daily value for humans and suggesting exceptional bioavailability for animals as well1. This high iron content makes pork spleen especially valuable for animals recovering from blood loss, anemia, or during growth periods. Additionally, pork spleen contains significant amounts of selenium (49.6 μg, 90.2% DV), zinc (3.54 mg, 32.2% DV), and phosphorus (283 mg, 40.4% DV), all of which play crucial roles in immune function, enzyme activity, and bone health1. Some analyses indicate even higher mineral values, with one source suggesting iron content as high as 66 mg (831% DV) per serving, though this variation likely reflects differences in measurement methodologies or serving sizes29.

The vitamin content of pork spleen further enhances its nutritional value for raw feeding. It contains substantial B-complex vitamins, with vitamin B12 being particularly abundant at 2.76 μg (115% DV)1. Other significant B vitamins include niacin (5.94 mg, 37.1% DV), riboflavin (0.26 mg, 20% DV), and thiamin (0.14 mg, 11.7% DV)1. While not containing vitamin A like liver does, pork spleen provides notable vitamin C content at 11.6 mg (12.9% DV), which is uncommon for animal products and represents a nutritional advantage for raw feeding programs1.

Comparative Analysis: Pork Spleen vs. Other Organ Meats

When developing optimal raw feeding protocols for companion animals, understanding the comparative nutritional profiles of different organ meats becomes essential. Pork spleen differs significantly from other commonly used organs in several important aspects that influence its ideal usage in balanced raw diets.

Pork Spleen vs. Pork Liver

Pork liver contains significantly more vitamin A than pork spleen, which contains negligible amounts3. This represents a key difference, as pork liver provides substantial amounts of fat-soluble vitamins that pork spleen lacks. Pork liver generally contains more calories, fat, and carbohydrates than pork spleen, making it a more energy-dense but potentially less protein-concentrated option3. Vitamin C content appears comparable between the two organs, with pork liver containing approximately 15-26 mg (14-26% DV) compared to pork spleen’s 11.6-35 mg (12.9-39% DV), depending on the source331.

The most significant differential factor concerns copper content. Pork liver contains substantially more copper (0.63 mg, 70% DV) than pork spleen (0.13 mg, 14.4% DV)321. This makes pork spleen a potentially safer option for animals with copper-sensitive conditions or breeds predisposed to copper storage disease. For general raw feeding applications, this suggests pork spleen may be used more liberally than liver in breeds with copper sensitivities.

Pork Spleen vs. Beef Liver

Beef liver represents one of the most nutrient-dense foods available, but its extremely high vitamin A and copper content necessitates careful portioning in raw diets. Beef liver contains dramatically more vitamin A (552% DV) than pork spleen, which has virtually none241. Similarly, beef liver provides substantially more copper at 1084% DV compared to pork spleen’s modest 14.4% DV241. This makes pork spleen a substantially safer option for copper-sensitive breeds, while still providing excellent nutrition without the risk of vitamin A hypervitaminosis that excessive liver consumption might present.

Beef liver does contain more protein and B12 than pork spleen, making it excellent for specific nutritional purposes34. However, the overwhelmingly high copper and vitamin A content in beef liver necessitates careful portion control, whereas pork spleen can be fed more liberally without these concerns. For raw feeding applications in dogs and cats, this makes pork spleen a valuable rotational or primary organ meat, particularly for copper-sensitive animals.

Pork Spleen vs. Beef Spleen

Both pork and beef spleen share similar nutritional characteristics, though beef spleen appears to contain higher levels of certain nutrients. Beef spleen provides 119 calories per 100g, slightly less than pork spleen’s 149 calories221. The macronutrient profiles remain similar with virtually no carbohydrates in either option. Beef spleen contains significantly higher vitamin C at 51 mg (57% DV) compared to pork spleen’s 11.6 mg (12.9% DV), making it potentially more valuable for vitamin C supplementation in raw diets221.

Iron content appears higher in beef spleen at 50 mg (629% DV) versus pork spleen’s 22.23 mg (222.3% DV), though both represent exceptional sources of highly bioavailable heme iron221. Copper content remains moderate in both varieties, with beef spleen containing 0.2 mg (21% DV) compared to pork spleen’s 0.13 mg (14.4% DV)221. This suggests both options remain suitable for copper-sensitive animals, though individual variation in copper content should be considered.

Copper Bioavailability and Storage Disease Considerations

Copper storage disease presents a significant concern for certain dog breeds, particularly Bedlington Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Skye Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers, among others. The condition results from excessive accumulation of copper in liver tissues, eventually leading to hepatic damage. When formulating raw diets for these breeds, copper content of organ meats becomes a critical consideration.

Pork spleen’s relatively modest copper content (0.13-0.4 mg per 100g) positions it as a significantly safer option compared to liver for copper-sensitive breeds129. By comparison, pork liver contains 0.63 mg (70% DV) of copper, while beef liver contains an extraordinarily high amount corresponding to 1084% DV3224. The dramatically lower copper content in pork spleen allows for more liberal inclusion in raw diets without risking copper accumulation, making it particularly valuable for breeds predisposed to copper storage disease.

The bioavailability of copper in pork spleen specifically lacks detailed research in the search results. However, animal-sourced copper generally demonstrates high bioavailability compared to plant sources. For animals requiring copper restriction, the comparatively lower copper content of pork spleen presents a substantial advantage over liver varieties while still providing excellent nutrition from other minerals and vitamins. For balanced raw feeding protocols in copper-sensitive breeds, pork spleen represents a valuable alternative to the more commonly used liver options.

Vitamin C Content and Immune Support Benefits

Vitamin C plays crucial roles in immune function, collagen synthesis, and antioxidant protection, making its presence in raw diets beneficial despite most animals’ ability to synthesize it endogenously. Pork spleen contains notable amounts of vitamin C, ranging from 11.6 mg (12.9% DV) to 35 mg (39% DV) depending on measurement methodologies129. This represents a significant advantage over many other animal-sourced foods that typically contain minimal vitamin C.

In comparative analysis, beef spleen appears to offer the highest vitamin C content among the organ meats examined, providing approximately 51 mg (57% DV)22. Pork liver contains approximately 15-26 mg (14-26% DV), placing it in a similar range to pork spleen3332. Beef liver appears significantly lower in vitamin C, with one source indicating only 0.4 mg per serving21. This positions spleens generally, and particularly beef spleen, as superior vitamin C sources compared to liver options in raw feeding applications.

The vitamin C content of pork spleen contributes to its immune-supporting properties, making it particularly valuable during periods of stress, recovery, or growth. For companion animals with increased vitamin C requirements due to age, illness, or stress, the natural vitamin C content of pork spleen represents a bioavailable source that complements their endogenous production. When developing raw feeding protocols aimed at optimizing immune function, the inclusion of spleen provides natural vitamin C alongside other immune-supporting nutrients like zinc and selenium.

Applications in Raw Feeding Protocols for Dogs and Cats

Pork spleen represents an excellent addition to raw feeding protocols for dogs and cats, offering substantial nutritional benefits while avoiding some of the concerns associated with liver. As a secreting/filtering organ, pork spleen should make up approximately 10% of a raw-fed pet’s diet alongside liver, kidneys, and pancreas5. This recommendation aligns with ancestral feeding patterns and helps ensure complete nutrition through diverse organ meat inclusion.

The safety profile of pork spleen for canine consumption has been established, with its vitamin content contributing to immune system support6. Pet food manufacturers and raw feeding advocates specifically highlight pork spleen as a “high value” organ meat for pets due to its concentrated vitamin and mineral content1128. The rich B-vitamin complex and substantial iron content support energy metabolism and red blood cell formation in companion animals28.

For practical applications in raw feeding, pork spleen can be served in various ways. It’s available as freeze-dried treats that maintain nutritional integrity while improving convenience and shelf-stability30. The organ can be fed raw as part of a balanced protocol, typically making up a portion of the recommended 10% secreting organ allocation in raw diets. For animals with copper sensitivities, pork spleen offers a valuable alternative to liver while still providing excellent nutritional benefits.

When incorporating pork spleen into raw diets, balancing it with other organs remains important. Since pork spleen lacks vitamin A, which liver provides in abundance, complementary feeding with small amounts of liver helps ensure complete nutrition30. This combination allows for reduced liver quantities (minimizing copper and vitamin A excess risks) while maintaining nutritional completeness through strategic use of pork spleen as a primary secreting organ.

Conclusion

Pork spleen represents an exceptionally valuable yet underutilized organ meat for raw feeding protocols in dogs and cats. Its impressive nutritional profile features substantial protein content, exceptional iron levels, abundant B vitamins, and notable vitamin C content. Compared to liver options, pork spleen offers significantly lower copper content while still providing excellent nutrition, making it particularly suitable for breeds prone to copper storage disease or for reducing overall copper intake in balanced raw diets.

The comparative analysis with other organ meats reveals distinct advantages of pork spleen in certain applications. While lacking the vitamin A content of liver, its reduced copper levels, substantial protein, and impressive vitamin C content position it as an excellent rotational or primary secreting organ in raw feeding programs. For optimal results, complementing pork spleen with small amounts of liver allows for complete nutrition while minimizing risks associated with excessive liver consumption.

The versatility, safety profile, and exceptional nutritional value of pork spleen make it worthy of greater consideration in raw feeding protocols. As interest in species-appropriate nutrition continues to grow, pork spleen deserves recognition as a cornerstone secreting organ that offers substantial benefits while avoiding many of the concerns associated with exclusive or excessive liver use in raw diets for dogs and cats.