As you enjoy your delicious holiday meal, your pet looks at you desperately in the corner licking their chops, uncontrollably drooling and panting for a piece of your feast. We know you want them to feel apart of the festivities, why not make them something both scrumptiously tasty and good for their health as well? Here are Thanksgiving recipes for your pet to show them how grateful you are to be apart of their furry lives!
Turkey giblets can provide great nutritional benefits for cats when properly prepared. As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on a meat-rich diet closely resembling the whole prey they would catch in the wild. Giblets offer protein vitamins and minerals to supplement commercial cat food diets. However, raw giblets can harbor bacteria like salmonella. Safe handling and thorough cooking are essential.
What are Turkey Giblets?
Turkey giblets refer to the internal organs packaged inside a whole turkey. A typical giblet package contains:
- Heart
- Liver
- Gizzard
- Neck
These organs are packed with nutrients cats need. Hearts and livers provide vitamin A, several B vitamins, iron, zinc, and other minerals. Gizzards are a great source of protein and taurine.
Benefits of Feeding Turkey Giblets to Cats
There are many benefits to adding cooked giblets to your cat’s diet:
- High-quality protein to support muscle growth and tissue repair
- Nutrient-dense organs with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
- Mimics the whole prey diet feral cats follow naturally
- Aids dental health by encouraging chewing
- Provides variety from regular cat food
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Turkey Giblets for Cats
Follow these simple steps for preparing safe. nutritious turkey giblets your cat will love
Ingredients:
- 1 lb turkey giblets (hearts, livers, gizzard, neck)
- 3 cups water
- Pinch of cat-safe herbs (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse giblets and pat dry with paper towels
- Place giblets in a saucepan, add water to cover
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes until fully cooked
- Drain and let cool
- Chop or shred giblets into bite-sized pieces
- Season lightly with catnip, parsley, or other cat-safe herbs
- Refrigerate leftover portions for up to 4 days
Always monitor your cat when introducing new foods. Start with small portions to allow their stomach to adjust.
Feeding Guidelines
- Introduce giblets slowly and watch for signs of an upset stomach
- Chop giblets into pea-sized pieces to prevent choking hazards
- Limit giblets to an occasional treat or less than 10% of daily calories
Food Safety Tips
- Only feed fully cooked giblets, never raw
- Avoid using salt, onions, garlic, or other flavorings
- Cook fresh giblets within 1-2 days or freeze for later
- Refrigerate cooked giblets promptly in sealed containers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I cook giblets for cats?
Cook for 20-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Ensure there is no pink meat left.
Can I freeze leftover turkey giblets?
Yes, freeze cooled giblets in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before feeding.
What’s the best way to chop giblets?
Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to cut giblets into small, pea-sized pieces for cats. This prevents choking hazards.
How much should I feed my cat?
Feed a few bites of giblets as an occasional treat. Limit to less than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake.
Conclusion
With the proper preparation, turkey giblets can make a tasty, nutritious supplement for your cat’s diet. Be sure to fully cook them to eliminate harmful bacteria before feeding. Chop the giblets into bite-sized pieces and limit the amount to prevent stomach upset. Follow these simple tips so your cat can enjoy all the benefits of turkey giblets safely!
Immune-boosting Turkey Meatballs
Use that leftover turkey to make your pet a delicious treat! About 1 lb of leftover turkey meat will work for this recipe. Be sure to remove all of the skin and bones. Turkey skin contains too much sodium, which isn’t healthy for your cat or dog to consume. Use ½ cup rolled oats, 2 eggs, 2 tbsps plain low-fat yogurt, ¼ cup fresh parsley, 1 cup mixed veggies (carrots, peas or green beans) and 1 scoop of pre + probiotic for cats or 1 scoop of pre + probiotic powder for dogs. The powder depends on whether or not you are giving to a cat or a dog. Be sure to not give a probiotic powder made for cats to dogs and vice versa.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Add the leftover turkey to a food processor or blender to chop up the meat. Add rolled oats and blend together the ingredients. Next, add the eggs, yogurt and probiotic powder. Be sure they mix well enough to hold together. Transfer to a separate bowl. Mix in your veggies and parsley by hand. Roll them into 1 inch balls. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes. You want to be sure they are golden around the edges. Be sure they cool down before serving to your furry friends. They can last up to 5 days in the fridge. For cats and smaller dogs, you will want to cut them into smaller pieces once they are finished baking! These make the perfect immune-boosting turkey balls for your beloved pet!
We know you may be tempted to discreetly give your pet a couple of hand-outs underneath the Thanksgiving dinner table. Don’t do it! Instead utilize those leftovers or make them something special for the holiday. They will thank you for it!
Probiotic Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin is excellent for your dogs digestion. These probiotic pumpkin pies will be put to good use, especially if you aren’t the only one tempted to feed your pooch Thanksgiving table food this year! Use 16 ounces plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling), ½ of a banana, ¾ cup gluten free flour, ½ cup gluten free oatmeal, ½ cup plain low-fat yogurt, ¼ to ½ cup of water and 1-2 scoops of pre + probiotic powder for dogs. You will need a cupcake / muffin tin with liners.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Mix flour and oatmeal in a bowl. Slowly add water to the mixture. Be sure to add it slowly because you want the consistency of the dough to be both firm and soft enough to be pliable. Line the cupcake tin with liners. Take pieces of the dough and press into the liners. The dough should be about ½ inch thick per liner. Bake for about 8 minutes until lightly brown. Remove the crusts from the tin and allow to cool on a rack. In a separate bowl, combine the banana, yogurt, canned pumpkin and pre + probiotic powder for dogs. Mix together well. Fill each tiny crust with the probiotic pumpkin mixture. You can freeze or serve as is! We don’t recommend giving them more than 2 probiotic pumpkin pies in a day. They contain a healthy chunk of fiber to help ease digestion!
We don’t recommend feeding your cat or dog food made for humans all of the time. This can instill some bad habits. However, for the holiday, you can indulge them for the day. When preparing a turkey, there is that part which makes even the best chefs a little squeamish. The giblets are what we pull out from the turkey cavity before preparing the turkey to bake. The giblets contain the liver, kidneys, heart, gizzard and neck. Instead of just tossing them, we can turn them into a healthy treat for our pet!
Remove the turkey giblets from the turkey cavity. Be sure to not include the neck as it contains bones. If the giblets are in packaging, remove them from the packaging. Rinse the giblets thoroughly. For cats and smaller dogs, chop them into small pieces. Place the giblets in a small pot and cover with water. Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cook for 5 to 10 minutes. You want to be sure they are cooked through. Transfer them to a separate bowl to cool down. Mix the giblets with the recommended dosage (based on weight) of salmon + hemp oil. This natural salmon + hemp oil for pets combination contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are exceptional ingredients to reduce inflammation, boost a healthy heart and provide a shiny coat.