Are Chicken Gizzards Good For Dogs

Have you noticed that we dont see chicken gizzards as a dog treat option in stores? When I was shopping recently, I noticed that the three foods left behind in the meat department are chicken hearts, liver, and gizzards. I decided that this would be a great time to make dog treats and purchased all of the hearts and a few of the gizzards. Why not all? Because I began to wonder if dogs can eat chicken gizzards. I mean, I know they can, but are gizzards good for dogs? If I make a ton of dehydrated gizzard dog treats, will my dogs develop some random health issues?

So I returned to the grocery store and purchased all of the gizzards too. Some people stock up on toilet paper and water, I stock up on hearts and gizzards. I left the liver behind because dehydrating liver makes the house smell like liver – for days. Were already stuck inside and its going to be challenging – no point adding the smell of liver to the list of hardships.

This past weekend, I made dog treats. Ive spent a serious amount of money recently in preparation for being locked down during the coronavirus pandemic and so now Im doing my best to save money and DIY dog treats is a step in the right direction.

Note: Oregano isnt toxic to dogs, however, too much can lead to liver or kidney issues. You can go easy on the oregano as I do, you can choose a different spice (parsley is a good one), or you can forgo the spice all together because I doubt that my dogs care.

I dont know how long these last in the fridge. With five dogs, its easy to go through a bag of treats quickly. And while Im okay with making dog treats from gizzards, I wouldnt make these a steady part of my dogs diet (replacing meat with gizzards, for example).

During our local Shelter in Place order, Ive decided to get a lot done at home and one thing I need to do is clear all of the grass-fed beef a friend gave to me out of the freezers. So Im dehydrating beef and a few packages of chicken hearts and oysters too. Its less expensive than buying dog treats and its easy to do since we have a food dehydrator. If you dont have a dehydrator, you can also use your oven at low temperatures. The oysters are filled with water, so I prefer to bake them at 200 degrees F in the oven for 90 minutes.

Liver and hearts from chicken, turkey, and beef are a healthy source of vitamins and minerals for your dog. Chicken gizzards are rich in cartilage. It is sometimes sold with hearts and is an important component of a healthy pet diet.

Can dogs have gizzards?

Well, you must have become aware that chickens don’t have teeth! When a hen eats on the ground, it intakes small stones and rocks along with the food. These bits are accumulated in its gizzard, a strapping makeup in the digestive system. It is a point where they help crush food into easily digestible bits. So, in short, gizzards works like chicken teethes.

Gizzards are considered a very healthy supplement and treat as well. Any white meat product is safe for your dog. But it’s up to you, how you feed it to your pet, whether supply as raw or cook it, but we suggest you raw is fine, and many of us follow that path.

You can also test the liver, heart, and kidneys. If you can get the full side, you can also serve the neck and legs to your dog.

How to Tell If Chicken Gizzards Are Bad?

A bad gizzard will have a shiny texture, offensive smell, or a change in color from brownish or whitish to greenish, moldy, or grayish. If you are already noticing these signs, then throw it away and get something fresh for your dog. This is important because bad chicken contains harmful bacteria that can cause stomach upset for your dog or make him sick.

Cooked bones can easily break into pieces that can cause intestinal damage. Thus, cooked bones are not safe for dogs to eat. Chances are that dogs that eat cooked bones may develop the following problems: mouth or tongue injuries, rectal bleeding, constipation, broken teeth, esophagus, windpipe or gastrointestinal blockage, peritonitis, etc.

Cooked bones so dangerous that I always recommend taking out the trash if you’ve had chicken bones just to keep your dog from sneaking into it and eating the bones!

Can puppies eat gizzards?

Canned pet foods and chicken-based snakes are an essential part of pet food everywhere, but home-cooked breasts taste and smell great for dogs of any age. So gizzards can be provided to puppies in small amounts. After feeding the first time, watch them for any allergic reaction, vomiting, or diarrhea. If they are okay after 5 to 6 hours of eating, you can continue to supply them with gizzards.

FAQ

Can I feed my dog chicken gizzards everyday?

You can feed your dog chicken hearts and gizzards around three times a week. To make your dog’s regular diet more balanced and nutritious, you can add some chicken hearts and gizzards to your dog’s normal meal.

How many chicken gizzards can a dog eat?

Limit chicken gizzards to no more than 20 percent of your dog’s diet, because they are also high in cholesterol.

Should I cook chicken gizzards for my dog?

Cook for 15 minutes or until cooked through, then remove them from the heat and let them cool. Due to their toughness, gizzards should be diced or chopped finely to increase digestibility. This is important if your dog is new to gizzards.

Can I give my dog chicken giblets?

The only part that is not recommended for your dog is the neck as there are bones in that part. Even if you already feed your dog a raw meat diet, it’s not recommended to giving the giblets to your dog raw.