Published Dec 9, 2024
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Is your cat a pro at scoring a bite of whatever meat you’re cooking? Maybe you even like to make homemade cat food just for them. Then, you may have wondered if cats can eat chicken hearts. some people eat chicken hearts because they are nutritious and flavorful. They also tend to come in the bag of giblets tucked inside whole, raw chickens from the grocery store.
Every cat needs a balanced diet that provides the necessary nutrients for their life stage and health conditions. Chicken hearts are commonly found in commercial cat food, especially premium foods. Like many organ meats, chicken hearts are healthy for cats in moderation. Let’s explore the nutritional benefits of chicken hearts, how to feed them, and how much chicken hearts your cat can eat.
Too much organ meat, including chicken hearts, is not recommended because it could imbalance their regular diet.
Are Chicken Hearts Good for Cats?
Yes, chicken hearts are good for cats. According to Emma Passman, a commercial pet nutritionist based in the United Kingdom, “They are an excellent source of high-quality, animal-based protein, essential for muscle growth and repair. Chicken hearts are also rich in taurine, an amino acid critical for a cat’s heart health, vision, and overall well-being.”
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat animal protein to thrive. This is partly because meat contains taurine and cats cannot survive without taurine. Chicken hearts also contain iron, B vitamins, and zinc. These nutrients help cats maintain healthy blood, muscles, brain, skin, and eyes.
Do Cats Like the Taste of Chicken Hearts?
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Your cat will probably enjoy the smell and taste of cooked chicken hearts. House cats are ferocious hunters who may really love this special wild treat. If your cat is a selective eater, they may turn up their nose at first and demand something more familiar. But most cats will enjoy the flavor of cooked chicken hearts, whether eaten on its own or as an ingredient in cat food.
How Much Chicken Heart Can a Cat Eat?
If it’s an ingredient in a complete and balanced commercial cat food, your cat can eat it as directed by the label or your veterinarian. Want to serve chicken hearts in addition to your cat’s food? Just use small amounts as an occasional treat—for instance, one or two cooked chicken hearts a week.
According to Passman, “Supplemental foods like chicken hearts should not make up more than 10% of your cat’s diet. If you feed more than that, you risk unbalancing the nutrients in their regular food.”
Don’t feed your cat raw chicken hearts. Make sure they are unseasoned and aren’t cooked in oil, which might be too fatty for your cat.
Are Chicken Hearts Bad for Cats?
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
No, chicken hearts are not bad for cats when fed in small quantities occasionally, or when included in a complete and balanced cat food. However, if a cat eats too much organ meat, such as chicken hearts, they might suffer from stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Never feed your cat raw chicken hearts, which can be contaminated with bacteria. Cooking chicken hearts kills these pathogens so they are safe for your cat to eat.
How to Prepare Chicken Hearts for Cats
Prepare chicken hearts for cats by boiling, steaming, grilling, or baking them for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid using oils or seasonings when cooking anything for your pet. If you must keep the meat from sticking to a frying pan, you can use a very small amount of unsalted butter.
