Straight from the Heart: the Ultimate Superfood for Cats

Packed with taurine and essential nutrients—discover why chicken hearts are a must-have in your cat’s diet.

What are chicken hearts?

Chicken hearts are a small but nutrient-dense protein source for cats. While often classified as organ meat, hearts are technically muscle meat, just like chicken breast or thigh¹. This makes them a high-protein and low-fat addition to a balanced diet.

How do chicken hearts benefit cats?

Chicken hearts are:

• High in taurine, supporting a healthy heart, vision, and reproduction^2,3,4.
• A natural source of protein and fats, maintaining healthy muscle and energy levels.
• Easily digestible, perfect for cats with sensitive tummies.

How many chicken hearts can I feed my cat?

It is important to feed your cat the right amount to ensure your kitty receives a balanced amount of nutrients without receiving too much of any one nutrient.

• Whole chicken hearts: Limit to 2-3 per day to avoid excess sodium⁵.
• Freeze-dried sliced chicken hearts: 6-9 small slices per day is a good guideline.

Pro tip: If your cats eat a homemade or raw diet, chicken hearts can make up to 10% of their total diet for balanced nutrition.

Are chicken hearts high in taurine?

Yes! Taurine is an essential nutrient, meaning cats cannot produce it themselves and must obtain it from their diet⁶. Taurine supports:

• Heart health, preventing heart disease².
• Vision, supporting retinal function and preventing blindness³.
• Reproduction, crucial for healthy pregnancies and kitten development⁴.

Why are hearts so rich in taurine?

The darker the muscle meat, the more taurine it contains. Since the heart never stops working, it has one of the highest taurine levels of any muscle⁷.

Can my cat get too much taurine?

Nope! Cats naturally regulate taurine levels, excreting any excess through urine⁸. Studies show that even with extremely high intake, there are no harmful effects⁹. This makes natural taurine sources like chicken hearts a safe and nutritious addition to your cat’s diet.

How do I feed chicken hearts to my cat?

• Use freeze-dried chicken hearts as a convenient, mess-free option.
• Rehydrate freeze-dried chicken heart slices in warm water for a softer texture.
• Chop chicken hearts into smaller pieces for kittens and seniors with dental issues.

Final thoughts

Chicken hearts are a fantastic addition to any cat’s diet, providing essential taurine and high-quality protein. Whether served raw, cooked, or freeze-dried, they’re a natural and nutritious treat your cat will love.

Thinking of trying chicken hearts? Our premium freeze-dried chicken hearts are carefully sliced and refined to remove excess fat and blood vessels, giving your pet a lean, mess-free, and nutrient-packed snack!

References

1. Muscle Meat. Perfectly Rawsome. 2022.
2. Novotny MJ, Hogan PM, Flannigan G. Echocardiographic evidence for myocardial failure induced by taurine deficiency in domestic cats. Can J Vet Res. 1994.
3. Hayes KC, Carey RE, Schmidt SY. Retinal degeneration associated with taurine deficiency in the cat. Science. 1975;188(4191):949–51.
4. Sturman JA. Dietary taurine and feline reproduction and development. J Nutr. 1991;121 Suppl 11:S166.
5. Katz E. Raw Information and Resources, Feline Nutrition - Take Heart, But Not Too Much. Hare Today. 2010.
6. Morris JG. Idiosyncratic nutrient requirements of cats appear to be diet-induced evolutionary adaptations. Nutr Res Rev. 2002;15(01):153.
7. Schaffer SW, et al. Physiological roles of taurine in heart and muscle. J Biomed Sci. 2010;17 Suppl 1:S2.
8. Glass EN, Odle J, Baker DH. Urinary taurine excretion as a function of taurine intake in adult cats. J Nutr. 1992;122(5):1135–42.
9. Sturman JA, Messing JM. High dietary taurine effects on feline tissue taurine concentrations and reproductive performance. J Nutr. 1992;122(1):82–8.