Chicken Hearts for Dogs: A Healthy, Natural Treat

You love your dog to pieces and want to give them the very best. Treat time is their favorite time of day, and you want treats that are tasty, natural, and healthy. Chicken hearts just might be the perfect choice. These little pink morsels are chock-full of nutrients dogs need. They’re easy to find, budget-friendly, and a big hit with most pups. If you’re looking for a protein-packed treat that avoids questionable ingredients, chicken hearts are worth considering. Read on to learn all about the benefits of chicken hearts for dogs and how to serve them safely. You and your dog just might find your new favorite treat.

Chicken Hearts for Dogs

Chicken hearts are a delicious, nutritious treat for dogs. Their meaty texture and rich flavor will drive your dog wild. At the same time, chicken hearts provide essential nutrients to support your dog’s health.

Natural Source of Protein

Chicken hearts are a natural source of high-quality protein for dogs. They contain amino acids that are essential for building and repairing muscle, bone, cartilage, blood, and skin. The protein in chicken hearts is highly digestible for most dogs.

Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to protein, chicken hearts contain many vitamins and minerals that are vital for your dog. They are a great source of B vitamins like B6 and B12, which are important for energy, digestion, and the nervous system. Chicken hearts also provide iron, zinc, copper, and selenium. These minerals play key roles in immune function, metabolism, and other areas of health.

Low in Fat

Although chicken hearts are meaty and filling, they are actually quite low in fat. This makes them a good option if you want to avoid excess fat in your dog’s diet or need to help your dog lose some pounds. Most of the calories in chicken hearts come from protein, not fat.

Natural Chew Toy

For dogs that love to chew, chicken hearts can double as a natural chew toy. Their firm, meaty texture satisfies the urge to chew and provides mental stimulation for dogs. Just supervise your dog the first time to ensure they chew thoroughly before swallowing.

Chicken hearts are simple, wholesome, and budget-friendly. When fed in moderation, they make a nutritious and delicious treat for most dogs. Check with your vet first, especially for dogs with medical issues. But for healthy dogs, natural treats like chicken hearts are a great option.

Are Chicken Hearts Good for Dogs?

Chicken hearts can absolutely be part of a healthy diet for dogs. They are natural, meaty treats packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals that most dogs go crazy for. As with any treat, chicken hearts should be fed in moderation to avoid nutritional imbalance, but giving your dog a few hearts two or three times a week is a great way to supplement their diet with natural nutrition.

High in Nutrients

Chicken hearts are loaded with high-quality protein, as well as iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and B vitamins. The amino acids in the protein are essential for building and repairing your dog’s muscles, bones, cartilage, blood, and hair. The minerals like zinc and iron support a healthy immune system and metabolism.

Natural and Grain-Free

Chicken hearts are simply dehydrated meat – there are no additives, preservatives or fillers. This makes them a perfect option if your dog has grain sensitivities or allergies. The single-source protein is less likely to trigger an adverse reaction.

Convenient and Budget-Friendly

Chicken hearts are inexpensive and easy to find at most butcher shops or meat counters. They have a protracted shelf life and may be saved inside the freezer for months. Simply thaw and serve, or you can also rehydrate them in water or broth to make a tasty topper for your dog’s regular food.

Provides Mental Stimulation

Chicken hearts, like any treat, provide mental stimulation and enrichment for dogs. The chewing and gnawing required to eat the hearts helps satisfy dogs’ natural urge to chew in a constructive way. This can help ease boredom and anxiety in dogs left alone for long periods.

Chicken hearts are a simple, natural treat that most dogs go wild for. In moderation, they are a very nutritious way to supplement your dog’s diet and support their overall health and well-being. Check with your vet first, but for most dogs, a few chicken hearts a couple times a week is a safe and healthy treat option.

Benefits of Chicken Hearts for Dogs

Chicken hearts are a natural, healthy treat for dogs that provides many benefits. They are high in protein and low in fat, so they make an excellent training reward without packing on extra calories.

Nutrition

Chicken hearts are loaded with protein, amino acids, and glucosamine, which helps support joint and skin health in dogs. They contain taurine, an amino acid important for heart and eye health. Chicken hearts also provide iron, B vitamins, and selenium. While they are high in nutrients, they are low in calories, so they won’t lead to weight gain in your pooch.

Natural Chew Toy

Chicken hearts make a great chew toy for dogs. They are naturally chewy and take dogs a while to gnaw through, keeping them occupied for long periods. The chewy texture also helps clean teeth and massage gums.

Safe Alternative

Many commercial dog treats contain artificial additives, fillers, and byproducts. Chicken hearts are a single-ingredient, all-natural treat you can feel good about giving your dog. They comprise no artificial shades, flavors or preservatives. For dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, chicken hearts are a safe alternative.

Budget-Friendly

Chicken hearts are an affordable source of high-value training treats. You can often find them for less than the cost of commercial dog treats. Buy them in bulk and use them as rewards during training or just as an occasional snack.

Easy to Prepare Chicken hearts are simple to prepare as dog treats. Rinse them, pat dry, and they are ready to serve. For extra crispness, you can bake them in the oven at 350 F for about 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until browned and firm. You can also dehydrate them to make chewy jerky treats. Either way, your dog will surely love them!

In summary, chicken hearts provide nutritional, dental, and financial benefits for dogs and their owners. As a single-ingredient, natural treat, chicken hearts are a safe and healthy alternative to commercial dog treats. Your dog will go wild for these meaty, chewy morsels.

How to Cook Chicken Hearts for Dogs

Chicken hearts are a delicious, natural treat for dogs. To prepare chicken hearts for your pup, start by rinsing them well under cold water. Pat the hearts dry with paper towels or a clean cloth.

Blanching (Optional)

Some owners prefer to blanch the hearts before cooking to remove excess blood and make them more digestible for dogs. To blanch, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the hearts, then boil for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Pat dry again. Blanching is optional, but can help avoid an upset stomach in dogs new to chicken hearts.

Grilling or Baking

Grilling or baking chicken hearts is an easy, healthy way to cook them. For grilling, thread the hearts onto metal or wooden skewers and grill over high heat, turning frequently, until the hearts are lightly charred and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.

For baking, spread the hearts in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400 F for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the hearts are browned and firm.

Portioning

Once cooked, let the chicken hearts cool before serving to avoid burns. Cut larger hearts in half to make them easier to chew. For small breed dogs, hearts can be a choking hazard, so mince or puree them. Most owners recommend starting with just 1 or 2 hearts to allow your dog’s stomach to adjust, and slowly increasing the amount over time.

Chicken hearts are packed with nutrients like protein, iron and B vitamins. When prepared properly and fed in moderation, they make a healthy, natural reward for your loyal companion. Your dog will surely thank you for this tasty treat!

How Many Chicken Hearts Can a Dog Eat?

Chicken hearts can be a highly nutritious treat for dogs, but too many can lead to weight gain or nutritional imbalance. As a general rule of thumb, limit your dog to no more than one or two chicken hearts per meal. The exact amount will depend on your dog’s size and activity level.

For Small Dogs

If you have a small breed dog, one or two chicken hearts totaling an ounce or less per meal is a good place to start. Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and other tiny pups have higher metabolisms but still need to watch their waistlines. Start with just half a heart to see how they do, and you can always give more if they seem interested and handle it well.

For Medium Dogs

For dogs in the 15 to 30 pound range, such as Cocker Spaniels or Bulldogs, two or three small chicken hearts totaling 1 to 2 ounces is a reasonable amount. Medium breeds are prone to obesity, so keep a close eye on your dog to make sure they don’t start packing on excess pounds from the treats. It’s best to substitute some of their regular dog food for the chicken hearts.

For Large Dogs

Big dogs like Labradors, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers can handle three to five chicken hearts at a time, totaling 2 to 3 ounces. However, they also need more calories in general, so the chicken hearts should make up no more than 10% of their total daily food amount. These breeds are also prone to obesity and joint issues, so avoid giving too many fatty treats.

In the end, you know your dog best. Watch them closely when first introducing chicken hearts to see how they handle them and make adjustments as needed. It’s always better to start with less and build up slowly. That way, you can make sure they enjoy the treat without upsetting their balance!

Where to Buy Chicken Hearts

As a natural, healthy treat for your dog, chicken hearts are readily available at many places. Here are some of the best options to find them:

Your local butcher shop is an excellent source for fresh chicken hearts. Butcher shops that process their own chickens will often sell the hearts, gizzards and other organ meats very cheaply, sometimes for as little as $1-2 per pound. Ask your butcher if they have any chicken hearts available—they may even give you some for free if you’re a regular customer.

Ethnic grocery stores, especially those catering to Latin, Asian or Caribbean communities may carry chicken hearts. They are used in various cuisines, so check with stores that sell ingredients for dishes like Peruvian anticuchos, Filipino adobo or Jamaican pepper pot soup. They will likely have fresh or frozen chicken hearts at a good price.

Some natural pet supply stores sell packaged chicken hearts as dog treats. Look for brands that source human-grade, all-natural chicken hearts with no additives. These may cost a bit more but will give you the peace of mind of a quality product. Popular brands include Blue Ridge Beef, Stewart and Bramble.

As a last resort, you can find chicken hearts online and have them shipped frozen. Some recommended sources include My Pet Carnivore, Chewy and Blue Ridge Beef. Be prepared to buy in larger quantities, usually 3-5 pounds at a time. Make sure the seller properly packs the hearts with an ice pack to keep them frozen during shipping.

Wherever you buy your chicken hearts, look for plump, meaty ones with a deep red color and minimal fat. Rinse them well, pat dry and they’re ready to serve to your dog as a delicious, nutritious treat. With so many options to find chicken hearts, your dog will be enjoying them in no time!

Other vitamins and minerals in chicken hearts

Chicken hearts are loaded with vitamins and minerals that are essential for your dog’s health. In addition to protein and fat, chicken hearts contain:

Vitamin B12 – Important for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation and proper neurological function. Deficiencies in B12 can cause anemia and damage to the nervous system.

Riboflavin (B2) – Helps convert food into energy and is important for healthy skin and coat.

Niacin (B3) – Important for proper digestion and converting food into energy. Deficiencies can cause diarrhea, dermatitis and dementia.

Pyridoxine (B6) – Important for breaking down carbohydrates and protein. Deficiencies can cause anemia, dermatitis and convulsions.

Folate – Important for cell growth and metabolism. Deficiencies can cause anemia and poor growth.

Pantothenic acid (B5) – Helps convert food into energy and is important for a healthy nervous system and digestive system.

Iron – Important for red blood cell production and preventing anemia. Anemia can cause lethargy, poor appetite and pale gums.

Zinc – Important for cell growth, immune function and wound healing. Deficiencies can cause poor growth, diarrhea, skin problems and a weakened immune system.

Manganese – Important for bone development and metabolism. Deficiencies can cause skeletal abnormalities and reduced fertility.

Phosphorus – Important for healthy bones and teeth. Deficiencies can cause bone loss, weakness and impaired growth.

By providing your dog with chicken hearts as an occasional treat, you’ll be giving them extra vitamins and minerals that their regular diet may be lacking. As with any treat, moderation is key to balance with your dog’s normal diet and calorie needs. Chicken hearts can be a very healthy addition to your dog’s diet when fed properly.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks. Chicken hearts are an awesome, natural treat for your dog. Packed with protein and nutrients but low in fat and calories, they make a healthy alternative to processed dog treats. Just be sure to introduce them slowly and in moderation. Your pup will be wagging his tail for these tasty, meaty bites. Who knew something so good could come in such a small package? Next time you’re prepping chicken for dinner, save a few hearts for your hungry hound. He’ll thank you for it, and your wallet will too. Now go grab some chicken hearts and make your dog’s day!

Recent Posts

• How to Identify a Reputable Dog Breeder in Russia
• Horses in Hungary: History, Breeds, and Riding Experiences
• Can Horses Eat Cucumbers? Benefits, Risks, and Recommendation
• Best Harness For English Bulldog: Ultimate Buying Guide
• Can Dogs Eat Slim Jims? The Risks and Benefits Explained

FAQ’S