Yes, dogs can eat chicken hearts – and most dogs think they’re one of the best treats in the world. Chicken hearts are a lean, nutrient-dense meat packed with protein, B vitamins, iron and zinc, and they’re a natural source of taurine. Fed plain and in sensible amounts, they make an excellent treat or meal topper for most healthy dogs.
Are Chicken Hearts Organ Meat or Muscle Meat?
Even though the heart is an organ, nutritionally it behaves like muscle meat – it’s a hard-working muscle, very different from liver or kidney. That matters because liver and kidney are extremely rich in vitamin A and other nutrients and must be limited, while heart can be fed a little more freely. In raw-feeding circles, heart is usually counted as muscle meat for this reason.
Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Hearts for Dogs
| Nutrient | Why it matters for dogs |
|---|---|
| High-quality protein | Contains all the essential amino acids for muscles, skin and coat |
| Taurine | Supports heart muscle function and eye health |
| Coenzyme Q10 | Involved in cellular energy production, especially in the heart |
| Iron | Needed for healthy red blood cells |
| Zinc | Supports skin, coat and immune function |
| Vitamin B12, riboflavin, folate | Energy metabolism and nervous system health |
| Low carbohydrate | Mostly protein and fat |
Chicken hearts are one of the best natural sources of taurine. Most dogs make their own taurine from other amino acids, but some breeds and dogs on certain diets have been linked to low taurine levels and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. Taurine-rich foods are a nice bonus – but if you’re worried about your dog’s heart, talk to your vet rather than relying on treats.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Hearts Safely? The Risks
Stomach upset
Like any rich food, too many chicken hearts at once can cause soft stools, diarrhoea or vomiting, especially in dogs that aren’t used to them. Start with one or two small pieces and build up slowly over a week or so, watching your dog’s stools as you go.
Fat and calories
Chicken hearts contain more fat and calories than plain chicken breast – roughly 150–185 kcal per 100 g. Overdoing them can lead to weight gain or, in dogs prone to it, pancreatitis. Trim visible fat before cooking.
Chicken allergy
Chicken is one of the more common food allergens in dogs. If your dog reacts to chicken – itchy skin, ear infections, upset stomach – chicken hearts will trigger the same problem.
Bacteria in raw hearts
Raw chicken hearts carry the same risks as any raw poultry. Salmonella and Campylobacter are common, and dogs can spread these bacteria to people through saliva and faeces even when they look perfectly well. Cooking hearts thoroughly removes this risk. Unlike chicken feet or necks, hearts have no bones, so cooking them doesn’t create a splinter hazard.
How to Cook Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Rinse the hearts and trim off any visible fat and blood vessels at the top.
- Place them in a pan and cover with plain water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 15–20 minutes until cooked through with no pink inside.
- Drain and let cool completely.
- Slice into small, bite-sized pieces for treats, or chop and mix into your dog’s food.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
Never add salt, oil, butter, garlic, onion or spices – garlic and onion are toxic to dogs. You can also bake plain hearts at a moderate temperature, or dehydrate cooked slices into chewy training treats. Don’t feed fried hearts or leftovers from human meals.
How Many Chicken Hearts Can a Dog Eat?
Treats and toppers combined should be no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. A single chicken heart weighs about 6–8 g. As a rough guide:
| Dog size | Suggested amount (as a treat) |
|---|---|
| Toy (under 5 kg) | 1 heart, a few times a week |
| Small (5–10 kg) | 1–2 hearts, a few times a week |
| Medium (10–25 kg) | 2–4 hearts, a few times a week |
| Large (25 kg +) | 4–6 hearts, a few times a week |
If you feed hearts as part of a home-prepared or raw diet, they shouldn’t be the only meat. Unbalanced homemade diets can cause serious deficiencies, so work with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate the full recipe.
Chicken Hearts vs Other Chicken Parts
| Chicken part | Safe for dogs? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hearts | ✅ Yes, cooked plain | Lean, taurine-rich, no bones |
| Gizzards | ✅ Yes, cooked plain | Chewy, high protein, low fat |
| Liver | ✅ In small amounts | Very rich in vitamin A – limit to about 5% of the diet |
| Feet | ✅ Dried, not home-cooked | Cartilage and small bones |
| Cooked bones | ❌ No | Splinter risk |
| Skin | ⚠️ Rarely | High in fat; pancreatitis risk |
Read more in our guides to can dogs eat chicken gizzards and can dogs eat chicken feet.
Can Puppies Eat Chicken Hearts?
Yes, puppies can have small pieces of plain, cooked chicken heart as a training treat once they’re settled on solid food. Keep portions tiny so they don’t unbalance a growing puppy’s diet, which should come mainly from a complete puppy food. Chopped heart makes a high-value reward for recall and toilet training.
Which Dogs Should Avoid Chicken Hearts?
- Dogs with a chicken allergy or intolerance
- Dogs with a history of pancreatitis
- Dogs on a prescription diet for kidney, liver or other disease, unless your vet approves
- Overweight dogs (use tiny pieces and count the calories)
Fun Ways to Serve Chicken Hearts
- Chop into pea-sized pieces for training sessions
- Stuff a few pieces into a rubber chew toy with your dog’s regular food, then freeze it
- Scatter tiny pieces in a snuffle mat for a sniffing game
- Mix a little chopped heart into food for fussy eaters or dogs recovering from illness (with your vet’s approval)
- Dehydrate cooked slices at a low temperature for chewy, portable treats
Rotate treats rather than relying on one food every day. Variety keeps your dog interested and lowers the risk of developing a food sensitivity.
Buying Chicken Heart Treats
Freeze-dried and dehydrated chicken heart treats are widely available and very convenient. When choosing one, look for a single-ingredient product (just chicken heart), a clear country of origin, and a reputable brand with good quality control. Freeze-dried treats are often raw inside, so handle them like raw meat: wash your hands after use and store them sealed. They’re very light and calorie-dense, so break them into small pieces for training.
Signs Your Dog Ate Too Many Chicken Hearts
If your dog raids the bag or you overdo the toppers, watch for:
- Soft stools or diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Gassiness or a gurgling tummy
- Reduced appetite the next day
- Hunched posture, belly pain or repeated vomiting (possible pancreatitis – call your vet)
Most mild tummy upsets settle within 24 hours with a bland diet and plenty of water. If your dog is very young, very small, older or has other health problems, or if vomiting and diarrhoea continue, contact your vet.
A Vet’s Bottom Line
So, can dogs eat chicken hearts? Absolutely – they’re one of the healthiest “people foods” you can share, as long as they’re plain, cooked and given in moderation. Use them as high-value training rewards, a tasty topper for fussy eaters, or an occasional treat. Just keep portions sensible, skip the seasoning, and talk to your vet if your dog has allergies, pancreatitis or a special diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Plain, cooked chicken hearts are a healthy, protein-rich treat for most dogs when fed in moderation.
Yes. They are rich in protein, taurine, iron, zinc, coenzyme Q10 and B vitamins, which support muscles, the heart, blood and immune health.
Some owners feed raw chicken hearts, but raw poultry carries a high risk of Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can affect dogs and people. Cooking removes this risk.
Boil or simmer them in plain water for 15 to 20 minutes until cooked through, cool, and chop into small pieces. Do not add salt, oil, garlic, onion or seasoning.
Keep treats under 10% of daily calories. Small dogs can have 1 to 2 hearts and large dogs 4 to 6 hearts a few times a week.
Although the heart is an organ, it is nutritionally similar to muscle meat and is usually counted as muscle meat in dog diets, unlike liver or kidney.
References
- American Kennel Club – Can dogs eat chicken?
- Petfood Industry – FDA study on raw pet food risks
- Fellow – Chicken hearts ingredient profile
- Darwin’s – Are chicken hearts good for dogs?
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Usman, DVM, RVMP, a licensed veterinarian in Pakistan and Qatar. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for an exam by your own vet.
