How to Cook Chicken Hearts for Dogs (Easy Steps)

If you don’t like eating the same thing every day, why would your dog be any different? If you’re trying to mix up what you’re feeding to your furry little friend, perhaps chicken hearts would be a good alternative? They may seem gross to you, but your dog will be very grateful that you find them to be so nasty. 

So how do you cook chicken hearts for your dog? Boiling them is the best way to prepare them. Boil them on low heat for a long period of time for the best effect. Serve them with carbs and vegetables to make a healthy, balanced meal for your dog.

The Cooking Process

The way to properly cook chicken hearts for your dog is to boil them. First, you’re going to want to bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil. Afterwards, put your raw chicken hearts inside. Boil the chicken hearts for forty to sixty minutes on low heat. 

You’re going to want to avoid adding any kind of flavoring, seasoning, or spices to your chicken hearts. These can make them unpleasant for your dog and upset its stomach. Boiled, plain chicken hearts are best.

Afterwards, add your carbs, such as rice or pasta, and perhaps some vegetables for vitamins and minerals too.

What to know before serving chicken hearts to your dog

There are a number of things you should know before serving chicken hearts to your dog. Although they are rich in vitamins and minerals and can be a good source of protein, organ meat is a bit fatty and should not be fed every day to your dog. 

There is also the threat of salmonella from all chicken products, so make sure your chicken hearts and other chicken are rinsed and then cooked thoroughly to avoid any bacteria making it into your dog’s bowl. 

Are chicken hearts healthy?

Chicken hearts are good for your dog! They are rich in vitamins and minerals that are crucial for your dog to live a healthy lifestyle. They can also be a solid source of protein. Gizzards and liver are very similar to chicken hearts as well, so any of these can be healthy for your pup. 

Negative health effects of chicken hearts

Chicken hearts are generally good for your dog, but they aren’t the perfect food. There are some negative health effects of chicken hearts. Feeding your dog too much organ meat can be dangerous. This is especially the case for smaller dogs. It’s important that you don’t do it too often. Once a week or so is a good amount.

Benefits of chicken hearts

As mentioned earlier, there are some great health benefits of feeding chicken hearts to your dog. Chicken hearts, like all organ meat, is very nutrient-dense. This means it has a ton of vitamins and minerals. These do things like help with your dog’s eyesight, skin health, fur health, and general health as well. 

Along with vitamins and minerals, chicken hearts are a source of protein as well. This will help your dog grow muscles and give it the energy to stay active every day. This can be especially beneficial for puppies that are still growing.

Are chicken hearts good for sick dogs?

Chicken hearts can be a bit tough to digest, so they’re not always the best for sick dogs. Organ meat in general should be avoided when your dog is sick. Instead, try some plain, boiled chicken with rice for when your dog is having digestion problems. 

What to serve along with chicken hearts

Chicken hearts can be a little boring or bland on their own. Try adding pasta or rice as a carb to go along with the chicken hearts. This will give your dog some much-needed energy for playing, training, and walks. It will also fill up your dog’s bowl, as just chicken hearts would be a bit much. 

You should also serve some veggies alongside your chicken hearts. These will give your dog even more vitamins and minerals that the chicken hearts might not contain. They will also add some flavor to your dog’s bowl. Kale, carrots, celery, and spinach are all great options when it comes to veggies for your dog.

Alternative proteins for dogs

There are many great proteins for dogs. Chicken hearts aren’t really an everyday protein, so most of your dog’s diet should be something like chicken thigh, chicken breast, or turkey. These lean proteins will give your dog the nutritional value it needs without being overly fatty. 

Try to avoid pork and red meats, as they are quite unhealthy for your dog. They can be decent treats once in a blue moon, but they should not become a regular part of your dog’s diet. Stick to lean proteins instead, such as the poultry that’s listed above. Eggs can be a good alternative as well.

Are chicken hearts a good daily meal?

As mentioned above, chicken hearts are not good daily meals. They do not have a ton of nutritional value that’s good for daily feeding and are a bit too fatty. This is the case for most organ meats, so it’s best to avoid all of them as daily food. Stick to them once a week. 

Again, organ meats aren’t necessarily unhealthy, as they’re packed with vitamins and minerals. They just aren’t the exact kind of food that can become a dietary staple for your puppy.

Other organ meat for dogs

There are some other organs that can also be good parts of your dog’s diet. The gizzards of the chicken, as well as the livers of both beef and chicken, can be good supplements to your dog’s normal diet. 

Other organs, much like chicken hearts, are a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals and are a good source of protein as well. However, they are also quite rich in fat, so, once again, use them with caution as a part of your dog’s diet. Feed them sparingly to healthy dogs, and not at all to dogs who have a few extra pounds that need to be shed.