However, some people might be wondering whether it is safe for dogs to eat chicken hearts?
Well, the short answer is yes!
It is extremely safe for dogs to consume chicken hearts.
The long answer is that they have lots of protein, which is important for growing puppies and dogs in general.
Here’s everything you need to know about feeding chicken hearts to your dog.
What are chicken hearts made of?
The heart is one of the most important organs in the body.
It is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout the entire body.
This organ is also responsible for maintaining the blood pressure in the body, regulating the heartbeat, and providing energy to the brain and muscles.
While humans and dogs share the same basic structure of the heart, there are several differences between the two species.
Dogs have four chambers while human has only three.
In addition, the size of the canine heart is much smaller than the human heart.
Nonetheless, both species have an atrium, ventricle, and two valves.
In fact, chickens have a similar heart structure as dogs.
They have four chambers, but their chambers are larger than those found in dogs.
Also, chickens have a single atrium with two ventricles and a septum separating them.
Like dogs, chickens have two valves on each side of their heart — the mitral valve and tricuspid valve.
Chickens have different arteries and veins compared to dogs because they do not have lungs like humans.
Therefore, their blood vessels are more complex than those of dogs.
All these organs are present in the chicken heart, so it makes sense why people want to feed their dogs this delicious treat.
Why chicken hearts are good for dogs?
Protein is one of the most vital nutrients that dogs require on a daily basis.
Protein helps with healthy growth and development of all body systems.
In addition, protein also plays an important role in maintaining muscle strength and metabolism.
In fact, dogs require around 25-30% of their total calorie intake from protein.
So, if you feed your dog a diet that has less than 30% of its calories coming from protein, it could lead to health issues.
This is why chicken hearts are so great for dogs.
They provide dogs with lots of protein at a low cost.
In fact, one pound of raw chicken heart meat contains around 27 grams of protein.
This means that feeding your dog a single chicken heart (approximately 1/4 pound) per day would meet his protein needs.
Another benefit of chicken hearts is that they are very inexpensive.
A single chicken heart costs just $1.49, making them one of the cheapest sources of protein out there.
If you want to save even more money, freeze your own chicken hearts instead of buying pre-made ones.
You will end up saving quite a bit of money this way.
How to cook chicken hearts for dogs
There are two main ways to cook chicken hearts for dogs.
You can either roast them or boil them.
Both methods work well, but there are a few differences between the two.
Roast chicken hearts
The best way to cook chicken hearts for dogs is to bake them.
This is because the roasting process leaves the chicken hearts tender and juicy.
If you decide to roast them on an outdoor grill, make sure to use a chicken heart rack so that the juices don’t drip onto the ground.
You should also take the time to prep the chicken hearts before cooking.
First, wash them thoroughly with cold water and then pat dry with paper towels.
Next, cut off any excess fat around the edges of the chicken hearts using a sharp knife.
Finally, season the chicken hearts with salt and pepper.
Make sure to do this step last, as seasoning the chicken hearts early will cause them to lose moisture during the roasting process.
Boil chicken hearts
If you want to get rid of the extra fat on the chicken hearts, you can always boil them instead.
Boiling is another great option if you want to save money since you aren’t buying a special pan or rack to roast the chicken hearts on.
To boil the chicken hearts, place them into a pot filled with cold water.
Bring the water to a boil over high heat, and let the water come back to a rolling boil.
Once the water comes back to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
After the chicken hearts have been simmering for 15 minutes, remove them from the pot and set aside to cool.
How to feed chicken hearts to dogs
Chicken hearts are a natural choice as a healthy pet food ingredient.
They contain high amounts of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which provide your dog with all the necessary nutrition he needs to stay healthy.
However, before you decide to put chicken hearts into your dog’s diet, make sure you read through our article on how to choose a healthy and nutritious recipe for your dog.
There, we will guide you through selecting the right ingredients for your puppy or dog to ensure that you get the best results from your dog food.
Ingredients to include in your dog’s chicken heart food
Once you have decided on the proper recipe, here are several ways to prepare your dog’s chicken heart meal:
This is a very simple way to mix up your dog’s chicken heart food.
Simply take one tablespoon of peanut butter, add it to a bowl, and then add two cups of dry kibble.
Then, mix everything together until the dry kibble has been completely coated.
Next, place this mixture into a large bowl and add your dog’s favorite treats.
Give him/her a few minutes to enjoy his/her new snack.
2. Mixing chicken hearts and oatmeal
Another great way to feed your dog chicken hearts is by mixing them with oats.
This combo will help your dog feel full and satisfied after eating his/her meal.
To create this delicious treat, first, pour three tablespoons of oats in a bowl.
Then, add one cup of dry kibble and mix well.
Afterward, add one teaspoon of peanut butter and mix thoroughly.
Finally, add one cup of water and stir well.
Once the mix is ready, serve it to your dog.
3. Adding chicken hearts to dog food
If you want to use chicken hearts as an additional ingredient in your dog’s regular meal, you can simply add a few pieces of chicken hearts into your dog’s bowl.
But remember to only add a small amount at a time so that you don’t overwhelm your dog’s digestive system.
4. Feeding your dog chicken hearts straight out of the package
If you don’t want to spend any money on buying ingredients, you can just buy plain chicken hearts off the shelf.
To feed your dog these hearts, open the package and cut them into small chunks.
Place them into a bowl and let your dog lick them clean.
What to do if your dog does not like chicken hearts
If you are worried that your dog will not respond well to chicken hearts, there are things that you should consider before giving them to him or her.
First, make sure that your dog is healthy.
If he or she is underweight, then this could affect the way they react to chicken hearts.
Also, if your dog has any health issues such as kidney disease or heart problems, you should consult with your vet before introducing chicken hearts into his or her diet.
Second, make sure that the chicken hearts are properly cooked.
You can either get frozen or fresh chicken hearts from your local grocery stores.
Make sure that you cook them thoroughly until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius).
This ensures that all the harmful bacteria in the raw meat is killed off, and that the food is safe for your dog to eat.
Third, keep the amount of chicken hearts that your dog eats small.
Do not overfeed your dog, because this can cause digestive problems.
Remember that dogs do not process food very quickly, so try to feed them one to two servings per day.
How can you store chicken hearts?
When buying chicken hearts for your dog, you should always check the expiration date on the package.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
