Raw meat is safe to feed dogs and fills them with vitamins and nutrients that can benefit their wellness, metabolism, and overall health.
Among all raw meat varieties, chicken is by far the most preferred choice of most dog owners.
Though all parts of raw chicken meat are safe to consume, you might have some doubts regarding the fatty details like liver, gizzards, and hearts?
Are they safe to consume?
How much can you feed them?
All the answers to your possible doubts will be answered in this article:
In this article, we’ll learn about:
- Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Liver, Gizzards, and Hearts?
- Nutritional benefits of each
- And more…
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Liver?
Dogs can eat raw chicken livers. The elements zinc, copper, iron, and other vital fatty acids are abundant in raw chicken livers. Though pet parents must exercise caution on not feeding their pups too much liver as they might cause food poisoning.
Livers are excellent sources of nutritional elements and also are low in fat which makes them a perfect raw snack or part of a meal for your canines.
However, too much intake of chicken livers is hardly a good practice.
Raw chicken livers are rich in Vitamin A. when fed too much; dogs may experience a fatal condition called vitamin A poisoning or toxicosis.
According to the VCA hospital, vitamin A poisoning symptoms are
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Skin peeling
- Constipation
- Fatigue
There may also be some unpleasant side effects, including the growth of new bone around their joints. Paralysis, bone fractures, and poor liver function are among the other issues.
So to avoid such painful side effects, limit the amount of raw liver in your dog’s diet.
If your dog is new to the raw meat diet, begin by introducing small chunks of liver and gradually increasing the nutritious intake.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Gizzards?
Dogs can eat raw chicken gizzards as they are packed with rich nutrients such as vitamin A, C, B6, B12, iron, riboflavin, niacin, and many more. Not only are they nutritious, but they are also less in terms of fat, so they are safe and healthy to feed your dogs.
As beneficial as they are, pet owners must note that chicken gizzards are also high in levels of cholesterol, which may cause obesity in dogs.
So when feeding chicken gizzards, make sure the limit does not exceed more than 20 percent of your pup’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Hearts?
Raw chicken hearts are lean proteins that are safe and healthy to feed your dogs. Chicken hearts are a source of nutrients such as vitamin A, B, essential fatty acids, zinc, calcium, and many more. They also include taurine, a nutrient that is beneficial for your dog’s heart health.
According to PetMD, taurine is one of the vital amino acids found in dogs and cats that helps lower the pet’s cholesterol level, regulate blood pressure, and, most importantly, keep their heart healthy.
Usually, dogs with taurine deficiency are given supplements, but since they are naturally found in raw chicken hearts, the need for supplements can be avoided.
Like liver and gizzard, the raw chicken hearts should also be fed in limited amounts to dogs as they are rich in vitamin A and can cause vitamin A overdose in dogs.
Overdosing on vitamin A causes bone spurs and deformities, stiffness, weak muscles, an upset stomach, and weight loss. In addition, loose stools are a risk for a dog that eats chicken heart as more than 5% of his overall diet.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits Of Feeding Raw Chicken Heart, Liver, And Gizzards To Dogs?
Feeding dogs raw meat is still a matter of concern for many pet parents. This is due to the misconceptions that raw meat causes fatal diseases to dogs.
Dogs are carnivores that used to roam around forests and hunt down prey. So there is absolutely no harm for your dogs in eating raw meat.
Still not convinced?
The reason why dog food and supplement are popular food choices for pets is that they are packed with essential nutrients.
What if we told you that raw meat has the same, if not, even more, essential vitamins and nutrients that can improve your pet’s overall health?
Here’s a rundown of the essential nutrients contained in raw chicken liver, gizzards, and heart and the benefits they bring to dogs when eaten.
Nutritional Benefits Of Feeding Raw Chicken Hearts
The nutrient-rich organ of chicken that comes with essential fatty acids and lean protein offers the following benefits for your dogs:
- The fatty acids, B vitamins, and iron keep your dog’s coat lustrous and smooth.
- Folate helps to prevent anemia and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).
- The chicken heart contains thiamine, which enhances your pet’s general metabolism.
- Phosphorus builds and strengthens your dog’s skeletal system.
- And most importantly, taurine, which is very healthy for your dog’s heart.
Nutritional Benefits Of Feeding Raw Chicken Liver
The following are some of the benefits that your pets can enjoy when consuming raw chicken liver:
- Vitamin A in the livers helps regulate the healthy functioning of the heart, kidneys, and reproductive organs.
- Vitamins B2 and B9 can help to prevent fatigue and anemia.
- Copper and zinc aid in the maintenance of healthy bones and joints.
- Iron in raw chicken liver
- Controls the body’s temperature.
- It helps the brain to work correctly.
- The strength and endurance of the dog are improved.
Consuming raw chicken liver on a regular basis also helps to cleanse the blood of toxins and promotes good vision.
Nutritional Benefits Of Feeding Raw Chicken Gizzards
As a natural part that is packed with rich nutrients, raw chicken gizzards provides the following benefits to dogs:
- Vitamin B12 aids in improving brain function and forming white blood cells of canines.
- The riboflavin contributes to keeping your pet’s skin and hair healthy.
- Niacin helps in regulating the hormonal balance in dogs.
- Gizzards are also high in glucosamine, which is beneficial to joint health.
Also Read: A Guide To Getting Your Dog’s Diet Right
How To Cook Chicken Gizzards, Liver, And Hearts For Dogs?
Raw chicken gizzards, liver, and hearts come with a bunch of vital nutrients. By now, you are probably convinced about feeding your dogs those raw chicken parts.
Is there, however, something that is still holding you back?
Maybe, are you not a fan of handling raw meat?
To feed your dogs raw meat, you can simply put the meat on their bowls. Or, you can feed them cooked meat.
Here are some tips on how to cook chicken gizzards, liver, and hearts for dogs:
Tips For Cooking Chicken Gizzards For Dogs
When we mentioned cooking, you need not worry about the complexity. The process for cooking chicken gizzards is quite simple and can be done in a matter of minutes:
- Fill a saucepan halfway with water and add the chicken gizzards.
- Turn the heat down to medium.
- Allow at least 15 minutes for the gizzards to thoroughly cook.
- Take note of the gizzard’s texture. If they appear firm, they’ve been thoroughly cooked and are ready to eat.
Feed your dogs with the cooked chicken gizzards after cooling them for a while. Make sure to chop the cooked gizzards into small pieces before feeding the dogs.
Your dog’s healthy meal is ready to be served.
You can also add some rice and vegetables like a carrot to make the meal more nutritious.
Tips For Cooking Chicken Liver For Dogs:
Livers are high in vitamin A, C, and a variety of other nutrients. Because chicken livers are quite small, you can buy up to ten of them before you start cooking.
- Fill a pot or saucepan halfway with water and add the livers.
- Turn the heat down to medium.
- It can take up to 15 minutes for the raw liver to be cooked appropriately.
- Turn off the heat after 15 minutes and take the cooked livers from the pan.
Now you can feed your dogs some tasty and nutritious livers.
Make sure only two or three livers per week should be diced and fed to dogs.
Tips For Cooking Chicken Hearts For Dogs
Chicken hearts come packed with nutrients that help in strengthening dogs’ overall health, especially their heart.
Make sure to clean the chicken hearts before beginning to cook them thoroughly. Unwanted remnants such as fats and veins are included in chicken hearts. Cut out the unneeded sections and thoroughly rinse the organs if you see them.
Then,
- Fill a pot halfway with water and add the chicken hearts.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook the chicken hearts for around 15 minutes.
- Take note of the texture of the hearts after a while. If they appear rough, they’ve been cooked thoroughly and are ready to eat.
Cooked hearts should be placed in your dog’s bowl. Make sure you’re not feeding more than 10% organ meat.
Here are some of our dog bowl recommendations: Canple Dog Bowl, Loving Pets - Bella Bowls - Dog Food Water Bowl No Tip Stainless Steel Pet Bowl No Skid Spill Proof (Large, Espresso Brown), and PEGGY11.
How Much Raw Chicken Liver, Heart, And Gizzards Can You Feed Your Dogs?
Raw organ meat of chicken provides myriads of health benefits for dogs. However, as healthy as they are, organ meat also carries a bunch of risks that may cause detrimental effects to canines.
On the bright side, the risks which we are talking about are rare and can be controlled when the raw diet is monitored properly by pet owners.
How Much Chicken Livers To Feed Your Dog Per Day?
When feeding raw chicken, livers are rich in almost every vital nutrient, especially vitamin A. When fed too much liver to dogs, there might be chances of Vitamin A poisoning. Pet owners should provide livers only 2-3 pieces of raw chicken liver per day to avoid that.
How Much Chicken Gizzards To Feed Your Dog Per Day?
According to PetMD, raw chicken meats are rich sources of amino acids and glucosamine. Glucosamine can be found on chicken gizzards. As healthy as they are, chicken gizzards too must be fed in small amounts since they are high in cholesterol levels. Providing chicken gizzards should not exceed 20% of their body weight.
How Much Chicken Hearts To Feed Your Dog Per Day?
Chicken hearts are rich sources of taurine and other essential vitamins. Like the other organ meat, owners must make sure the quantity must be within 10% when feeding hearts.
How Often Can You Feed Your Dog Raw Chicken Hearts, Gizzards, And Liver?
According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, feeding dogs a raw meat-based diet will result in improved immunity, behavior, energy, shinier coat, cleaner teeth, and countless other health benefits.
As many benefits a raw meat diet has, it also comes with its share of risks as well.
When feeding raw meat, owners must make sure not to overfeed their dogs. Too much raw meat consumption can result in nutritional imbalances and increased health risks.
This is why you should have a definite plan when feeding raw meat to dogs.
Make sure to feed your dogs raw hearts, gizzards, and livers a maximum of three times a week. Add the organs along with their normal meal and make sure the amount of natural organ meat does not exceed 10% of the whole meal.
Can Puppies Consume Raw Chicken Liver, Gizzards, And Hearts?
Puppies are capable of eating raw flesh. In fact, starting to give your puppies raw meat at a young age will help them develop their immunity and cognitive abilities.
Raw chicken, gizzards, and hearts are wonderful supplements for puppies’ early-stage improvements since they should be offered a rich and nutritious diet.
Make sure to introduce your puppy to the raw meat diet at a slow pace. Since raw livers and gizzards may be tough to chew, cut those parts into small pieces and feed your puppies.
Do Chicken Gizzards Have Bones?
A chicken gizzard is organ meat found in a chicken’s digestive tract, so obviously, they do not have any bones and are safe to consume for small puppies and adult dogs. Though there might be rare chances of the presence of pebbles and grit, they can be removed easily.
Chicken gizzards contain rich nutrients that help in enhancing canines’ overall physical health, so make sure to include them in their diet.
