Why Liver, Gizzard and Heart are Good for Pets

Most dogs and cats are wild about organ meats, and it goes back to their wild roots! When their ancestors hunted their prey, the first parts they would consume are the organs. Today, organ meat, like liver, gizzard and heart, are still canine and feline favorites and included in many healthy, commercial diets – for good reason! Organ meats are:

Powerfully Rich In Nutrients

Liver, gizzards and hearts are not just excellent sources of protein; they are packed with important vitamins, minerals and amino acids. In fact, they’re significantly more nutrient-dense than muscle meat!

Liver is chock-full of vitamin A, which supports healthy vision among many other benefits, vitamin B12 and iron to boost energy, plus vitamin C, folate, selenium and copper.

Gizzard is rich in cartilage, zinc, vitamin B12 and iron. It’s also a natural source of glucosamine, which helps support joint health.

Heart is a great source of CoQ10, a protective super-antioxidant that promotes cardiovascular health, and taurine, an essential amino acid that also aids cardiac function. Feeding heart is good for your pet’s heart! Taurine is especially important for cats, because their bodies cannot synthesize it, so it must be obtained from their diet.

Super Tasty

When it comes to flavor, organ meats bring it full force, earning rave reviews from both dogs and cats. Picky pets? Try enticing them with a Tiki Pets® formula containing organ meat (see the list below). They might just lick the bowl clean!

Part of Their Natural Prey Diet

As mentioned, cats and dogs are natural hunters. Their wild ancestors ate the organs of their prey along with the muscle. So, including organ meats in your cat or dog’s diet actually helps to mimic their natural prey diets.

An Alternative to Raw

Feeding a raw diet offers many advantages, but it’s not for every pet parent. By including organ meats in your dog or cat’s diet, you are helping to provide some of the same benefits of raw feeding. Another great option is Tiki Cat® and Tiki Dog® Raw, which offer all of the benefits of raw food, including organ meat, in a convenient, complete and balanced meal.

For these reasons and more, Tiki Pets® proudly includes high-quality liver, gizzard and heart in many of our cat and dog food formulas. Here is a comprehensive list of all of our products lines that contain organ meats: