Chicken Gizzard

Poultry processors remove the gizzard while dressing chickens for meat, then cut it open to clear out its contents and tough lining. Pet food and treat makers use that stream as a named chicken ingredient.^1,8

1. 01 // Source Chicken gizzards The muscular stomach is removed from the bird during poultry processing.
2. 02 // Process Cut and emptied The gizzard is cut open, and its contents and tough inner lining are removed.
3. 03 // Output Cleaned gizzard The edible muscle goes to food production; researchers have also dried and ground it for dog biscuits.

1. 01

   Adds chicken protein

   Cleaned gizzard is mostly protein after its water is excluded. Its contribution to a finished food depends on the amount used and the rest of the recipe.^3,4,6

2. 02

   Uses more of the bird

   Gizzards are recovered as a separate edible cut during poultry processing. Selling them for pet food uses that existing supply, although the label reveals no price or cost saving.^1,8

3. 03

   Works in dried treats

   Researchers dried and ground gizzards for dog biscuits. That demonstrates a practical treat use, but it does not show how gizzard performs in complete dog food.¹

How much A dog biscuit study tested 10 to 30% dried gizzard powder; no opened source gives a usual amount in complete food.¹

1. Brands say

   Gizzards add substantial chicken protein

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   USDA lists 17.66 g protein per 100 g raw gizzard, about 85% of its dry matter. It is a protein ingredient. Its name on a label cannot reveal its share of the finished food's protein.^4,7

2. Brands say

   Gizzards are a lean chicken protein

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   USDA reports 2.06 g fat per 100 g raw gizzard; a separately trimmed sample had 0.81 g. Both are lean as sold, but the finished food's fat level depends on the full recipe.^3,4

3. Brands say

   Gizzards make dogs love their food

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   In a 12-dog biscuit test, average intake fell as gizzard powder rose from 10 to 30% of the recipe. Biscuits are not complete food, but this test does not support a special taste claim.¹

4. Owners say

   Gizzards deliver nutrients like chicken liver

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   One chicken tissue analysis measured about 13 micrograms of vitamin A per 100 g raw gizzard versus 21,676 in liver. Gizzard contributes nutrients, but it does not share liver's vitamin A profile.³

5. Owners say

   Gizzard is safe for chicken allergic dogs

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   Gizzard is chicken tissue. A review identified chicken as an offending food in 45 of 297 dogs with food reactions. It did not test gizzard separately, so it gives no basis for exempting gizzard from chicken avoidance.^2,8