Dressed weight

[1] There is no singular way to dress an animal, as what is removed depends on whether it will be cooked whole or butchered further for sale of individual parts.

[4] Most of the material that is removed in a primary commercial dressing is not disposed of, but is processed or sold individually.

In some countries, there is an excess supply of these internal organs versus the demand for them, so they will simply be used as a byproduct food.

These items are not counted toward the dressed weight, which is focused primarily on the more desirable meat tissues.

[citation needed] This type of dressing leaves the skin intact, as a protective barrier against foreign objects and dirt.

Dressed pig, cut in half lengthwise, with head still attached.
Field dressing a deer.