Heart vs. Liver—Which Chicken Organ Is Best?
TREATS & NUTRITIONS
March 28, 2025
It's a common question for pet parents venturing into the world of organ meats: should I feed chicken heart or chicken liver? Both are incredibly nutritious and offer unique benefits, making them excellent additions to your pet's diet.Rather than a "best," it's more about understanding their individual strengths and how they complement each other for a well-rounded approach.
Let's break down the nutritional profiles of chicken heart and liver to help you decide how to incorporate these poultry powerhouses.
Chicken Liver: The Multi-Vitamin Powerhouse
Chicken liver is often hailed as a "superfood" for good reason. It's an exceptionally nutrient-dense organ, packing a wide array of vitamins and minerals crucial for your pet's health.
Key Nutritional Highlights of Chicken Liver:
Vitamin A (Retinol): This is where liver truly shines. It's one of the richest natural sources of highly bioavailable Vitamin A, essential for vision, immune function, healthy skin and coat, and cell growth.
B Vitamins: Liver is a fantastic source of various B vitamins, including B12 (cobalamin), folate (B9), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3). These are vital for energy production, metabolism, nerve function, and red blood cell formation.
Iron: An excellent source of heme iron, which is easily absorbed and crucial for preventing anemia and supporting oxygen transport in the blood.
Copper: While beef liver generally has more, chicken liver still provides a good amount of copper, important for iron absorption, connective tissue development, and brain health.
Other Minerals: Contains good amounts of zinc, selenium, and phosphorus.
Protein: High-quality complete protein.
Best For:
Boosting overall nutrient intake.
Supporting vision and immune health.
Addressing or preventing anemia.
Promoting healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Considerations:
Vitamin A Toxicity: Because liver is so rich in Vitamin A, it's crucial to feed it in moderation to avoid hypervitaminosis A (Vitamin A toxicity). This is rare but can occur with excessive intake over time.
Richness: Some pets might experience loose stools if given too much liver initially due to its richness. Introduce it slowly.
Chicken Heart: The Muscle and Energy Booster
Chicken heart is a muscle meat, but it's an incredibly nutrient-dense one. While it shares some nutritional similarities with liver, it also offers its own unique advantages, particularly for cardiovascular health and energy.
Key Nutritional Highlights of Chicken Heart:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): This is a standout for chicken heart. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant crucial for cellular energy production and, most notably, cardiovascular health. It's often recommended as a supplement for pets with heart conditions.
Taurine: Especially important for cats (who are obligate carnivores and cannot synthesize it themselves), taurine is an essential amino acid vital for heart function, vision, and digestion. Dogs can synthesize some taurine, but dietary sources are still beneficial.
B Vitamins: Like liver, heart is rich in B vitamins, particularly B12, supporting energy metabolism and nervous system health.
Iron: A good source of easily absorbed heme iron.
Zinc: Important for immune function, wound healing, and skin health.
Protein: High-quality, complete protein, excellent for muscle development and repair.
Best For:
Supporting cardiovascular health.
Boosting energy levels.
Providing essential amino acids like taurine.
Muscle building and overall vitality.
Considerations:
Cholesterol: Chicken hearts are higher in cholesterol than some other meats, but for healthy pets, dietary cholesterol typically doesn't directly translate to high blood cholesterol. As with any treat, moderation is key.
The Verdict: A Complementary Duo
Instead of choosing one over the other, the "gold standard" approach is to include both chicken liver and chicken heart in your pet's diet. They offer complementary nutritional profiles that cover a broader spectrum of essential vitamins, minerals, and compounds.
Liver provides the concentrated dose of Vitamin A and a wide array of B vitamins and minerals.
Heart excels in CoQ10 and taurine for cardiovascular support, along with excellent protein and other B vitamins.
How to Incorporate Them Safely:
Moderation is key: Organ meats are incredibly nutrient-dense, so a little goes a long way. For most pets, organ meats (including both liver and heart) should comprise no more than 5-10% of their total daily caloric intake.
Introduce slowly: If your pet isn't used to organ meats, start with very small amounts to allow their digestive system to adjust.
Variety: Rotate between chicken liver, chicken heart, and even other organ meats like beef liver or beef heart to provide a diverse range of nutrients.
Form: Freeze-dried treats are an excellent, convenient, and safe way to offer these organs, as the freeze-drying process preserves nutrients while making them shelf-stable and easy to portion. You can also lightly cook fresh organ meats if you prefer.
By incorporating both chicken heart and liver into your pet's diet, you're not just giving them a treat; you're providing them with a nutritional boost that supports their overall health, vitality, and a long, happy life