Can Cats Eat Turkey Organs? A Guide to Feeding Turkey Giblets Safely

Many cat owners want to share holiday foods like turkey with their feline friends While fully cooked, boneless, skinless turkey meat is fine for cats in moderation, what about turkey organs like the heart, liver, and gizzard? Are these giblets safe for cats to eat?

As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on a meat-rich diet and do best when eating different parts of prey animals. This includes muscle meat as well as edible organs which are highly nutritious. Turkey giblets can make an excellent natural treat for cats and provide health benefits when fed properly and in moderation.

An Overview of Turkey Giblets

The term “giblets” refers to the edible internal organs of poultry like chicken, turkey, duck, and geese. A whole set of giblets usually includes the liver, heart, gizzard, and neck. Here’s a quick overview of each organ:

• Heart – This is rich in protein, iron, B vitamins, zinc, copper, and selenium. It’s also low in fat and cholesterol compared to muscle meat.

• Liver – Extremely nutrient-dense with high levels of vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, copper, CoQ10, and protein. It has a soft texture cats love.

• Gizzard – Mostly made up of lean protein and minerals like iron zinc copper, and selenium. It has a chewy, meaty texture.

• Neck – Contains bone as well as muscle meat, skin, and connective tissue. Not recommended for cats due to choking hazard.

So the heart, liver, and gizzard offer great nutritional value But are these giblets safe for cats to eat? Let’s take a closer look

Are Turkey Giblets Safe for Cats?

Turkey giblets are safe for cats to eat as long as they are fully cooked and any bones, especially the neck, are removed. Never feed cats raw giblets or those that are undercooked. Raw meat and organs may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli that can make your cat extremely sick.

It’s also crucial to remove any bones before feeding giblets to cats. Turkey bones splinter easily and pose a major choking hazard. Make sure giblets are finely chopped or diced into small pieces to prevent choking as well.

As long as giblets are cooked properly and bones are avoided, they make an excellent addition to your cat’s diet in moderation.

Health Benefits of Feeding Turkey Giblets

Turkey giblets provide a powerhouse of nutrition for cats. Here are some of the key benefits:

• High in protein – The heart, liver, and gizzard supply quality lean protein to support muscle growth and maintenance. Cats need a high protein diet.

• Rich in vitamins and minerals – Especially vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium which support immune health, vision, metabolism, and more.

• Promotes digestive health – Giblets add texture and variety plus natural enzymes to support healthy digestion.

• Low in fat and calories – The giblets are lean with less fat and calories compared to muscle meat. Good for weight management.

• Provides essential amino acids – Turkey giblets contain amino acids like taurine, arginine, methionine, and lysine that cats cannot produce on their own.

When included in the diet occasionally, turkey giblets can provide great nutritional value for cats.

Feeding Guidelines for Turkey Giblets

The key is moderation when feeding any new food to cats. Here are some tips for including turkey giblets safely:

• Cook giblets thoroughly until well done before feeding. Use braising, stewing, or pressure cooking to get them very soft.

• Chop finely or dice into pea-sized pieces. Remove any bones, especially the neck which poses a choking risk.

• Limit giblets to 1-2 small pieces per meal, 1-2 times a week at most. Too much organ meat can cause loose stools.

• Introduce slowly by mixing a little with their regular food. Monitor for any signs of an upset stomach.

• Don’t replace their main meals. Giblets should only be an occasional tasty treat and protein boost.

• Cats with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or other health issues should avoid giblets due to the high phosphorus content.

Follow these tips for safely adding turkey giblets into your cat’s home-prepared meal rotation. Always check with your vet before significantly changing your cat’s diet.

Other Ways to Feed Turkey Safely

If you want to share turkey with your cat but are uneasy about the giblets, focus on boneless, skinless breast meat or ground turkey instead. Cook it plain with no seasoning, let it cool, then dice a small piece to offer as a treat.

Cats can also be fed commercial cat foods that have turkey as the main protein source. Look for high quality wet or dry foods with turkey, turkey meal, turkey giblets, or turkey liver on the ingredients list. This allows your cat to get the benefits of turkey in a balanced formula.

Signs of an Upset Stomach

It’s normal for cats to experience some mild digestive upset when introduced to a new food. But contact your vet if you notice any of the following:

• Repeated vomiting
• Loose stools for more than 24 hours
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Dehydration

Stop feeding the new food and call your veterinarian if your cat shows any of these signs. They can advise you on managing your cat’s upset stomach.

Are Turkey Giblets Right for Your Cat?

From boosting protein to providing essential nutrients, turkey giblets can be a healthy treat for cats when fed properly. Focus on heart, liver, and gizzard and always cook thoroughly, dice into small pieces, and limit to just a bite or two at a time. Monitor your cat closely and stop feeding if any digestive upset occurs. Consult your veterinarian to see if giblets are recommended for your individual cat. With some precautions, turkey giblets can be a great addition to your cat’s homemade food rotation.