Myoglobin. Reduce waste & increase your pet's health at the same time!

If you’re a pet owner, you’re probably aware of how dramatically the cost of pet food has risen over the past year (maybe not our pet food but definitely store-bought pet food). During and after the holiday season, when budgeting can be especially tight, this can be even more stressful than normal. 

Would you be relieved, then, if I told you that there was a quality source of nutrition for your pet? And even better - that it’s already in your kitchen? 

The best pet food that you’ve probably never heard of is called myoglobin. You see it frequently - it’s the red, pink, or purple liquid that pools in the bottom of the bag when you thaw out a piece of meat. It’s often mistaken for blood, but it’s actually an incredibly important nutrient - for both you and your pet. 

Myoglobin is an iron- and oxygen-binding protein that’s found in our cardiac and skeletal muscles. Because it captures oxygen, it’s used by our muscle cells for energy. It’s also the source of heme iron that gives meat its particular color. The more myoglobin, the darker the color of both the meat and the liquid that it produces. Beef has the highest concentration; poultry the lowest. 

But myoglobin concentrations are also affected by the way animals are raised. The more an animal moves, the higher its myoglobin - because its muscles need more oxygen and energy. As you can imagine, this means that pasture-raised and grass-fed animals produce meat that is a better source of myoglobin. 

But what does this have to do with your pet? Myoglobin contains trace amounts of protein, amino acids, minerals, antioxidants, and essential nutrients - all things that your pet receives when it consumes myoglobin. 

What’s more, myoglobin is a source of taurine - an essential protein and antioxidant for cats and dogs. Taurine builds and strengthens heart muscle in pets. It also prevents muscle degeneration and arrhythmias, and supports eye and vision health. 

Moreover, since myoglobin is a raw ingredient, it contributes to the benefits of a raw food diet for pets: shinier coats, healthier skin, improved dental health, and increased energy. 

And just one more benefit - moisture! Some pets have a hard time drinking enough water. Myoglobin is a tasty liquid that helps them stay hydrated.

So the next time you find myoglobin in your bag of thawed meat, don’t discard it - pour it in a bowl for your pet! And let us know what happens - we bet they’ll love it. 

What do you feed your pet? Do you have any at-home hacks for extending your food budget? 

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