How Chicken and Beef Liver & Heart Support Your Dog’s Health and Well-Being
The Power of Chicken and Beef Organs for Dogs
When it comes to feeding your dog the best diet possible, quality ingredients make all the difference. While muscle cuts like chicken breast or beef steak often get attention, nutrient-dense organs such as livers and hearts provide some of the most valuable nutrition you can offer your pup.
At ButcherBox For Pets, we believe in the power of a fresh, whole-food diet, slow-cooked in small batches to preserve nutrients and flavor. That's why our recipes include pasture-raised beef liver and heart, along with GAP-3 certified, organic chicken liver and heart—delivering premium, responsibly sourced nutrition in every meal.
But why are organs like livers and hearts so beneficial for your dog’s health? Let’s explore the nutritional powerhouses that are chicken and beef livers and hearts—and why they’re a key part of our Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food.
The Nutritional Benefits of Chicken and Beef Organs for Dogs
Organs such as liver and hearts provide vital nutrients that support your dog’s overall health. Compared to traditional muscle cuts, they contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids essential for energy, digestion, and immune function.
Beef & Chicken Liver: Nature’s Multivitamin
Liver is packed with:
- Vitamin A – Supports vision, immune function, and skin health
- B Vitamins (B12, B6, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Folate) – Aids in energy production and brain function
- Iron & Copper – Supports red blood cell production, healthy skin, and shiny coats.
- Zinc & Selenium – Supports immune health and thyroid function, as well as healthy skin and shiny coats. Zinc and Selenium work synergistically together in many different processes in the body and are involved in many enzymatic functions in the body.
Because liver is so nutrient-dense, even small amounts go a long way in improving your dog’s health. That’s why we incorporate pasture-raised beef liver and GAP-3 certified organic chicken liver into our ButcherBox For Pets recipes—to provide these critical nutrients in a natural, bioavailable form.
Beef & Chicken Heart: Essential for Cardiovascular Health
Heart is a great source of taurine, an amino acid like nutrient that supports heart health. Taurine also supports cognitive health and maintains healthy muscles.
Chicken Heart vs. Beef Heart: What’s the Difference?
- Chicken Heart – A great source of taurine and iron to support cardiovascular health
- Beef Heart – Higher in CoQ10, which supports cellular energy and cardiovascular health
The Best Way to Add Organ Cuts to Your Dog’s Diet
If you’re looking to introduce more organ cuts like heart and liver into your dog’s diet, there are a few key ways to do it safely and effectively:
Choose High-Quality Sources
Not all organ cuts are created equal. It’s important to source from trusted farms that provide pasture-raised beef and responsibly raised chicken—just like we do at ButcherBox For Pets. Poor-quality meat can contain hormones, antibiotics, and toxins.
Incorporate Into Meals
The easiest and most balanced way to include organ cuts in your dog’s diet is to choose a nutrient-rich, complete meal that already includes them—like our slow-cooked Beef or Chicken Recipe.
- For beef lovers – Our Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Beef Recipe features pasture-raised beef, beef liver, and beef heart, providing a rich source of iron, taurine, and B vitamins.
- For chicken lovers - Our Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Chicken Recipe includes high-quality GAP-3 certified chicken, chicken livers, and chicken heart, packed with lean protein and essential protein and essential nutrients for optimal health.
Both of our slow-cooked recipes ensure that your dog gets a healthy dose of organ cuts in every bite—without the guesswork!
Supplement Organ Cuts as Occasional Treats
If your dog enjoys fresh, raw, or lightly cooked organ cuts, you can also supplement their diet by adding small portions to their meals a few times per week. A few options include:
- Lightly cooked chicken or beef liver as a meal topper
- Dehydrated liver treats for training rewards
- Blending cooked organ meats with their regular ButcherBox For Pets Food
- Using our slow-cooked food as a topper
Avoid Overfeeding
While organ cuts are incredibly nutritious to feed as a topper, they should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily caloric needs.
Always Consult Your Veterinarian
Every dog is unique, with different nutritional needs. Before making any significant changes to your dog’s diet—including adding extra organ cuts—it’s always best to consult your veterinarian. They can help you determine the best approach for your pup’s age, breed, activity level, and overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often should I feed my dog organ meats?
Organ cuts should make up to 10% of your dog’s daily caloric requirements. Our recipes at ButcherBox For Pets include the perfect balance, so you don’t have to worry about portioning them separately.
2. Can dogs eat too much liver or heart?
Too much of anything can be an issue, and as liver is high in vitamin A, it is recommended not to feed too much liver.
3. What makes ButcherBox For Pets different from other dog foods?
We use pasture-raised beef, premium chicken, and real organ meats in our slow-cooked, small-batch recipes, setting us apart from mass-produced pet foods with artificial additives.
4. Why is taurine important for dogs?
Taurine, found in chicken and beef hearts, helps support heart health, eye function, and overall vitality.
5. Do you use any artificial preservatives or fillers?
No! We believe in whole-food nutrition, so our recipes contain no artificial preservatives, by-products, or fillers—just real, slow-cooked goodness.
6. Where do you source your ingredients?
We carefully select pasture-raised beef and high-quality chicken from trusted sources. You can learn more about our sourcing here.