Can cats eat chicken gizzards? This question comes as no surprise since chicken is a common dish found in many cuisines of the world. Be it from North America to Asia and Europe, chicken gizzards are unavoidable ingredients.
If you’re a fan of dark meat, you may find chicken gizzards tasty. Their structure is somewhat harder and not as easy to chew as the white meat. Does it sound like the type of food your furkid may like?
Well, you’re not far from the truth. If you’re preparing chicken gizzards and wondering if cats can eat them, the answer is – yes! What a happiness it is to share this specialty with your kitto!
Why it is good for cats to eat chicken gizzards?
Cats are carnivores that need a lot of protein in their daily diet. Our furry friends need to take in a lot of nutrient-dense food to have enough energy to live all their 9 lives happily!
Chicken gizzards are a thing to go for! Packed with nutrition, they’re one the best treats you can give your cat.
Don’t forget though, that you need to prepare them properly to avoid any digestion problems. Cats can eat chicken gizzards only when cooked well.
The proper way of cooking them is a slow process. They should be cooked with moist heat and not at high temperatures. This way you’ll be sure that there are no bacteria and viruses left from the raw meat that can cause serious harm to your feline.
That said, this cut of chicken is from a chicken’s organ – the stomach. That’s why it may not be the most delicious part for your cat. Adding liver here is what can make it tastier. No doubt she’ll enjoy it then as a true gourmet treat!
Not to mention that chicken gizzards contain taurine, which is a crucial amino sulfonic acid for your cat to thrive. Taurine is specifically good for your cat’s eyes.
If you want your furkid to grow into a queen cat, then treating her with food rich in taurine is the way to go! She’ll be able to watch the world clearly for years to come.
For this reason alone, there’s no need to second-guess if cats can eat chicken gizzards! Other than that, they’re a real boost of necessary vitamins and other important chemicals.
Chicken gizzards are also great because they contain niacin (vitamin B3), which helps to prevent high blood pressure.
Cats need to have enough minerals to have strong bones and teeth, just as their human parents. A diet rich in minerals such as calcium is really beneficial to felines, and gizzards are one way to incorporate them more into your cat’s diet.
Ways to cook chicken gizzards
Since you want your little furball to be the happiest cat in the world, you’re ready to take more time to prepare meals for her. You want to make them as interesting as possible so you can be sure that she’ll eat them.
Try mixing up feline-safe flavors and adding a variety of textures to enrich the meal, but also to make it easier for your feline friend to digest.
First of all, clean chicken gizzards properly, which means removing any outer layers. The second step is to chop them into small pieces so it’s easier for your cat to chew. When cut into small pieces, they won’t only be cooked better, but will look also more attractive to eat.
While cutting, you’ll run into tendons that need to be removed as well. You don’t want to leave any chance for your cat to choke or have difficulties when chewing and digesting.
Also be sure to not include any seasonings or sauces, as most are dangerous to cats. Especially do not add any onions or garlic in any form, as these are highly toxic to felines.
Regardless of how you decide to cook them, they won’t lose their nutritional value. However, watch out not to overboil them, or they’ll be hard to chew and won’t be so tasty anymore. You don’t want to disappoint your favorite dinner companion!
Can my cat eat chicken gizzards safely? Are there any risks?
Eating chicken gizzards will benefit your cat immensely. The only thing to be cautious about is portion size, as chicken gizzards are high in cholesterol.
When consumed in large amounts, they can cause heart problems. And I’m sure that’s the last thing you want for your furchild.
Moreover, if your cat is on a low sodium, phosphorus, and potassium diet, it’s best that you refrain from feeding her gizzards.
To play it on the safe side, also check with your vet whether your cat is allergic to chicken gizzards. If you notice that your cat is vomiting, dizzy, or has diarrhea whenever she eats something, these are alarm bells! Don’t put off a visit to your local veterinary clinic.
The old saying goes: “You are what you eat!”. And since chicken gizzards are healthy, so will your cat be if she responsibly snacks on them. You want a healthy life companion, someone who’ll spend many more years purring on your lap.
Now that you’ve got your answer to the question, “Can cats eat chicken gizzards?” you can go on and prepare a meal for her. But don’t forget to pay attention to serving sizes since you don’t want to cause any harm to your pet.
Related post: Can Cats Eat Chicken Feet? Is This What They Need?
