Things You'll Need
- Raw, unwashed green tripe
- Heavy-duty apron
- Latex gloves
- Dust mask
- Two buckets
- Garden hose
- Large knife
- Kibble (optional)
Instructions
Call some area butchers to track down farmers or a slaughterhouse. A little homework will help you get your hands on the raw stuff. Frozen raw tripe is more expensive than the alternative, priced about $3.50 per pound. The advantage being that you don't have to handle the squishy, raw tripe yourself. Raw tripe is unwashed, unprocessed and slightly brownish in color because it still contains grass particles eaten by the cow, sheep, deer or goat. Remember, the white beef tripe packaged and sold in grocery stores has been processed and, in the making, drained of natural enzymes. Some co-ops sell raw "green" tripe from local suppliers.
Suit up as if you are going into surgery. Slap on a heavy-duty apron, slip on a pair of latex gloves and consider wearing a dust mask to better weather the smell.
Grab two buckets and find an outdoor spot close to a garden hose. Over one bucket, drain and rinse the excess hay and grass out of the raw tripe. Toss the rinsed raw tripe into the second bucket.
Take a large knife and cut the raw tripe into sizes of your choosing. Medium to large dogs will love working their jaw muscles on larger pieces, while smaller dogs will prefer little chunks.
Serve up several pieces of the raw tripe to your dog, along with other raw foods or some kibble. Measure it according to your dog's size, the way you would any food. The raw food diet experts recommend feeding healthy, active dogs 2 percent of their body weight per day. A 5-pound dog may get enough from 1 pound of food per day, while a 100-pound dog may eat 2 pounds of raw food each day. Every dog is different depending on age, weight, health and appetite.