Chicken Hearts for Dogs: Benefits and How Many to Give

Chicken hearts are a dog-favorite treat for good reason. They are rich, meaty, and packed with nutrients, and freeze-dried hearts are easy to carry anywhere.

Here is why chicken hearts are good for dogs, how many to give, and how they compare to other heart treats. Shop freeze-dried heart treats.

Are Chicken Hearts Good for Dogs?

Yes. Heart is technically an organ, classified as muscle meat, that is naturally rich in:

• Protein
• Taurine, an amino acid that supports heart function
• Iron
• B vitamins

Unlike liver, heart isn’t especially high in vitamin A, so it can be fed a little more freely as long as you watch calories. Learn more in why organ meats belong in the bowl.

How Many Chicken Hearts Can a Dog Eat?

Treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Our freeze-dried chicken hearts have about 8.4 calories each, so a small dog might get a few a day and a large dog more. Break them into pieces for training.

Raw, Cooked, or Freeze-Dried?

• Freeze-dried hearts keep the flavor of raw, are shelf-stable, and travel well.
• Raw hearts can be part of a balanced raw diet but need careful handling and storage.
• Cooked hearts are fine if they are plain, with no seasoning, onion, or garlic.

Why Pet Parents Love Smallbatch Chicken Hearts

• One ingredient: humanely raised chicken hearts
• Gently freeze-dried, with nothing artificial
• Made for dogs and cats
• Available in a bulk bag with up to 200 hearts

Our single-ingredient freeze-dried heart treats were voted a winner in the Dog Treats category of the 2026 PETS+ Retailer’s Choice Awards by independent pet retailers.

Have a cat too? See chicken hearts for cats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chicken hearts good for dogs?

Yes. Chicken hearts are rich in protein, taurine, iron, and B vitamins. Freeze-dried single-ingredient hearts make a healthy, high-value treat.

How many chicken hearts can I give my dog a day?

Keep all treats to about 10% of daily calories. Our freeze-dried chicken hearts have about 8.4 calories each, so adjust the number to your dog’s size.

Are freeze-dried chicken hearts safe for dogs?

Yes. Freeze-dried chicken hearts made from a single ingredient are a safe, popular treat for most dogs. Break them up for small dogs.

Are chicken hearts better than liver for dogs?

They are different. Liver is very high in vitamin A and best in small amounts, while heart is a nutrient-rich muscle meat that can be fed more often within your dog’s calorie needs.