The Best Beef Lung Treats for Dogs (with Reviews)
Last Saturday, I was out in the yard training my three pups. It was one of those sunny mornings that makes training sessions feel like a breeze. But let me tell you, they were more interested in sniffing around for the stray cat that likes to treat our backyard like its personal little box than listening to me. Luckily, I had my secret weapon: beef lung treats. With just one whiff, they were sitting and staying like pros.,
Beef lung treats are my go-to at training time—they're nutritious and tasty. I can feel good about giving this treat to my dogs.
In this article, I'll share a bit about these phenomenal treats, what to look for, where to find the best beef lung dog treats with reviews, and why they've become a staple in my house.
What is beef lung?
Beef lung is a healthy dried dog treat made from nutrient-dense cattle organ meat. Each one is small, soft, and easy to chew. Because lung treats are a cattle product, they're high in protein and low in calories and fat.
Most dogs love eating beef lung, while dog parents appreciate their versatility. They make for excellent training treats, delicious rewards, and a quick snack. Best of all, they're good for dogs of any breed, size, and age.
My terrier Pixie lights up when she hears me pulling the bulk of beef lung treats out of the treat cabinet. She knows we're getting ready for some quality training time in the backyard. She's a big show-off.
Beef lung is a great addition to keep in your dog treat drawer, box, or cabinet, along with beef marrow dog bones for good measure.
Are beef lung treats good for dogs?
Absolutely! I don't give my dogs just anything—beef lung is packed with protein to keep them lean and strong. They're a nutritious treat for dogs. Because they don't contain many calories or much fat, I can give several healthy treats during a training session without feeling like I'm spoiling their dinner.
Beef is also a great source of collagen for dogs. Collagen offers various wellness benefits, including joint pain relief, improved mobility, and optimal digestive health.
In fact, I wrote a whole article about it. You should check it out next: Collagen for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know.
Beef lung treats are oh-so-good for dogs in so many ways. According to USDA data, they're rich in other nutrients, like vitamins C, A, and B12, plus calcium, iron, and zinc. They're relatively low in saturated fat with significant polyunsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fats are commonly known as the essential omega fats 3 and 6. These healthy fats are more abundant in grass-fed animals.
Fun fact: Most treats help with dental health, as chewing can help eliminate plaque buildup on teeth and gums. Beef lung is even better because it’s natural and protects teeth from bacteria.
Getting treats is also important for a dog's sense of well-being. It doesn't last as long as a marrow bone, but getting treats and the positive associations made with training can boost a dog's sense of safety and belongingness. The experts say dogs can't understand complex emotions.
Although I'd beg to differ.
But one thing they can understand is that getting treats sometimes means they're loved. All the better if those treats are also healthy.
Tips for Choosing the Right Treats
Beef lung treats are an excellent choice for my dogs health and happiness! With that said, the quality of beef lung treats matters to me.
With so many treat options, knowing which ones are the right ones can be challenging. When best beef lung dog treats, it's best to:
- Look at the ingredients
- Consider the health benefits
- Opt for a high-quality treat
- Be mindful of your dog's preferences
Look at the ingredients.
If you're a doting pet parent like me, there's a good chance you'll look at the ingredients on treats before you buy them. You'd do just about anything to ensure treats are safe and health-promoting.
I'm the same way!
After all, we want the best for our pups.
As you've read some labels, you've probably noticed long lists of ingredients, half of which you can't even pronounce. That's a red flag!
I approach dog treat ingredient labels the same way I do human food labels. So, if I can't pronounce it and it doesn't sound like real food, that's probably not something I want in there.
Maybe it's just me, but I want to avoid treats loaded with tons of ingredients because this usually means there are unnecessary and harmful preservatives and fillers. In fact, the fewer ingredients, the better.
This way, I can ensure the treats I'm giving my dog are truly all-natural. Although many labels say "natural", they may still contain genetically modified ingredients, added sugar, and palm oil. To avoid this, opt for treats that are made with recognizable ingredients from a dog bone vendor you can trust.
To make things easy – look for treats made with grass-fed, free-range animals. Because these products appeal to more decerning consumers, those who sell them must be extra careful with the ingredients. I always buy grass-fed beef lung treats.
But I like to take it a step further.
Ideally, single-ingredient treats are best!
And beef lung is a single-ingredient product—just organ meat.
Consider the health benefits.
Of course, a treat isn't a treat if it's not enjoyable. But it can be healthy too! As we mentioned, beef lung treats are the ideal snack and training treat because they contain collagen and other nutrients that offer health benefits like better mobility, a good digestive system, and pain relief.
Opt for high-quality.
Again, knowing which treats are genuinely high-quality can be tricky. A good rule of thumb is to stick with ones that are locally sourced in the United States.
It can also be telling to read reviews and reach out to customer service with any questions.
Be mindful of your dog's preferences.
Know what flavors and textures they like. It's safe to say most dogs wag their tail at beefy soft treats like beef lung.
And did you know dogs actually crave organs like beef lung? That's because they're loaded with nutrients and minerals that make dogs feel good. The wolf ancestors or my pampered pups would always eat the organ meat. This nutrient-dense meat is the most nutritious part of the animal —especially when it comes from grass-fed cattle.
My terrier, Pixie, loves the soft texture and rich taste of beef lung. She may not realize why she craves it. But I know. And that's why I buy a bag every few months for training sessions and just to show I care.
The Best Beef Lung Treats: K9 Connoisseur Slow-Roasted Beef Lung Bites
Now for the fun part! My favorite beef lung dog treats are the K9 Connoisseur Slow Roasted Beef Lung Bites. Dogs and their dog parents can get excited about all these chew treats have to offer.
- Single-ingredient: With only 1 ingredient (free-range, grass-fed cattle), there's no concern about any unknown ingredients.
- A treat I can feel good about: These treats are filled with healthy nutrients, are protein-rich, and are low in fat and calories – the perfect healthy snack!
- Little to no odor: There's no concern over a bad smell with these. I can even cuddle up with your pup while they enjoy them. Even Pixie can chew on these right next to me—no bad smells!
- Locally sourced: All K9 Connoisseur treats, including the beef lung bites, are made from beef cattle born and raised in the US. Beef cattle are processed at a younger age, around 29 months, which means they tend to have healthier lungs than older dairy cows—a less-than-ideal source of some dog treats.
- Great for all dogs: No matter what size your dog is, these treats are an excellent option. They're bite-sized and can also be broken into even smaller bites. This allows you to treat for a trick more, reducing the chance of overfeeding treats to a smaller dog during training—and bonus, the bag lasts longer.
- Good for training, love, and more: Whether you want these handy for training sessions, to reward your pup for good behavior, a snack between meals, or to show affection, these work well for any situation.
- Improves wellness: Dogs can experience better digestive health, joint pain relief, and even improved skin and coat with these collagen-filled treats.
- Excellent value: A 2.5-pound bag of the K9 Connoisseur Slow Roasted Beef Lung Bites comes at a very reasonable price and lasts for a while, making for a great value.
- Tasty: Best of all, these lung bites are delicious, and most dogs drool over them!
Check out some customer reviews:
How I Use the Best Beef Lung Treats with My 3 Dogs
Beef lung treats are a great addition to the dog treat stash. But remember, treats, including nutritious ones, should never be more than 10% of your dog's diet. And that includes all treats put together.
So here's what I do.
I buy beef marrow bones from the US-based vendor I trust on Amazon or Walmart marketplace. And I buy beef lung treats, which will last for several months. My dogs get to have their beef marrow bones 3 times a week for about 20 minutes per session. Then, I give them lung treats during training, occasionally as a treat, and to reinforce good behavior—like coming when I call at the dog park.
I also use beef lung to exchange when marrow bone chew time is over, so I can safely take my dogs' dog bones away to freeze and save for later.
Then, when the bone marrow in the marrow bone is gone, I refill it with some fun and fabulous recipes from my free dog bone refill guide. Hint: you can cut up some beef lung and add it to your fillings like natural Greek yogurt and real peanut butter.
Beef lung treats are the perfect snack for your k9. They're healthy, delicious, and enjoyed by all dogs. Whether you're looking for something to help with training your pup or you just want a special snack, these are perfect.