A Guide to Cooking Liver for Dogs (Including Recipes) (2024)

While organ meat may seem a little icky, it’s chock-full of essential nutrients and dogs absolutely love it, so it’s not hard to get them to eat this delicious and nutritious treat.

Let’s cover a few of the reasons why cooking liver for dogs is a great idea, what kind of liver is best, how to prepare liver, and how much to feed your pup.

If you think you can stomach it, try taste testing a little sample for yourself – you might be surprised how much you enjoy it!

A Guide to Cooking Liver for Dogs (Including Recipes) (1)

Is it worth cooking liver for dogs?

Yes, without a doubt!

Liver isn’t really all that different from other meat when you think about it, other than being super high in nutrients.

What would your dog eat in the wild? Mostly raw meat.

Since dogs have been domesticated, their digestive systems have evolved a little bit, so raw meat isn’t as good for them and cooked meat is much better.

Liver contains 10 to 100 times1 the amount of nutrients of muscle meat, the type of meat that’s in chicken breast, hamburger, and more.

It has tons of vitamin A, B vitamins, and is high in iron and protein. It’s also a great source of choline, copper, and other important micronutrients.

However, be sure to feed your dog not only liver meat, but other organs as well, such as the heart, kidney, and spleen to give your dog other essential nutrients and balance their diet.

Recommended reading: How to Start Cooking Dog Food at Home

What kind of liver is best for dogs?

Like any source of protein, it’s best if you can procure grass-fed and/or pasture-raised sources of liver, but if not, other types of liver are still healthy food options.

Liver from chicken, beef, pork, or lamb are all good choices for your dog.

However, you should probably avoid liver from wild game, such as deer or turkey since you can’t guarantee its quality. It may be infected with parasites or toxins that could make the liver unsafe for your dog.

Stick to farm animals, preferably from high-quality sources, when you’re buying liver for your dog, and for yourself.

Can raw liver make my dog sick?

Although raw liver is a good source of nutrients, you should be aware that it can potentially make your dog sick.

Raw liver has the potential to carry certain bacteria, such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. This can cause gastrointestinal problems including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The best way to avoid this is to buy organic, grass-fed liver from a reputable source.

How much liver can I give my dog?

Although liver is considered healthy, like most things, it can be harmful to dogs if consumed in large quantities.

Because liver meat is so rich in vitamin A, if your dog eats too much of it they could develop a condition known as hypervitaminosis A, which basically refers to an overdose of vitamin A.

This means your dog has consumed so much vitamin A that their body can’t absorb or process it properly.

Too much vitamin A can lead to bone deformities, weight loss, bone spurs, weakened muscles, digestive issues, and more.

But don’t let this scare you off completely from feeding liver to your dog though, as it’s still a good food choice in moderation.

Feed liver to your dog as a supplement to their diet rather than as a meal replacement and make sure to consider their weight.

Can my dog eat liver every day?

As a rule of thumb, organs should account for around 5% of your dog’s diet.

For a small breed dog, that might mean only 1/5 ounces a day. A medium-sized dog can have about 1 ounce of liver, while a large dog can have up to 2.5 ounces of liver per day.

Boiled chicken liver for dogs

Ingredients

  • Chicken (or any other) liver
  • Water

Instructions

  1. Remove the livers from packaging (if they’re frozen, thaw them first).
  2. Thoroughly rinse the livers with cool water to remove any dirt or debris from the packaging.
  3. Place the livers in a boiling pot on the stove, and cover them with about an inch of water.
  4. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow the livers to simmer for about 15 minutes.
  5. When the livers are tender, remove the pot from heat and drain the water.
  6. Place the livers on a plate to cool and dice them up before serving.

Notes

Storage

Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

Here’s another recipe, this time for liver dog treats.

Homemade liver dog treats

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. liver
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350.
  2. Put the washed livers in a food processor or blender, and run until smooth.
  3. Using a large mixing bowl, combine the ground livers, flour, egg, and water. This should make a thick paste.
  4. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for about 30 minutes.
  5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
  6. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve to your dog.
  7. For crispier treats, turn off the oven and leave them in for another 10 minutes

Notes

Storage

Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

Can you freeze cooked liver?

Yes, definitely!

Frozen cooked liver is a great, healthy treat with no additives or preservatives.

If you use the above recipes, you can place the diced liver pieces in an airtight container and freeze them. Whenever you’re ready to use them, pop a few pieces in the fridge to thaw.

Freeze-dried beef liver treats are an excellent alternative when you don’t have time to cook.

A Guide to Cooking Liver for Dogs (Including Recipes) (2)

In summary

Cooking liver for dogs is extremely easy, especially since when preparing any food for your dog, it’s best to add as few seasonings as possible. You can also freeze it and use it later as a nutritious snack or a reward for your good boy.

When procured from the right sources and fed in the proper amounts, liver is a superfood for dogs (and humans). It’s full of vitamins and minerals your dog needs and is a great source of protein.

Just remember that too much liver can be toxic and that raw liver and livers from wild game could be dangerous.

Also, be sure to feed your dog other organ meats for a balanced diet.

Sources

  1. Liver: Nature’s Most Potent Superfood

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A Guide to Cooking Liver for Dogs (Including Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

A Guide to Cooking Liver for Dogs (Including Recipes)? ›

Pop it in a pot of boiling water and simmer for about 15 minutes until tender, pan-fry it over low-medium heat, or place it on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees. When preparing liver for your dog, avoid adding butter, oil, salt or any other spices.

What is the best way to cook liver for dogs? ›

In a medium-sized pot, add cleaned chicken livers and about an inch of water, then place on the stove over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a light boil for about 10-15 minutes. Don't add any additional seasoning or ingredients- the livers will taste great to your dog all by themselves.

Is it better to feed dogs raw or cooked liver? ›

Additionally, cooked beef liver can also be tough and difficult to digest. By contrast, raw beef liver is soft and easy to chew, making it ideal for dogs. Plus, since it's already in its most natural state, raw beef liver contains all of the nutrients your dog needs for optimal health.

What is the best cooking method for liver? ›

Liver is extremely nutritious and less expensive than most beef products. It's very lean, so it's most often pan-seared quickly to brown and keep it from drying out, although it can also be baked, braised, grilled or made into paté or liverwurst.

Can I give my dog cooked liver everyday? ›

Dogs can eat liver: Dehydrated as a snack. Cooked lightly and served as a small treat. Don't feed your dog more than an ounce of liver a day to avoid exposing your dog to an overdose of vitamin A.

What are you suppose to soak liver in before cooking? ›

While we are used to soaking liver in vinegar or lemon to get rid of the bad smell and kill any remaining toxins, American and European chefs advise to soak liver in milk. Yes, that's right: Milk! They claim that in addition to getting rid of toxins that usually are present in raw liver, milk helps tenderizing it.

Can a dog eat scrambled eggs? ›

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

Can too much liver make a dog sick? ›

Consumption of this vitamin in large amounts can lead to vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A. If your dog eats raw liver or consumes three servings of cooked liver a week it could lead to bone problems. Feeding liver to a dog taking Vitamin A supplements can lead to an overdose of Vitamin A.

Is rice good for dogs? ›

Yes, dogs can eat white rice. Although lower in nutritional value than brown rice, white varieties of rice can be included in a dog's diet. Since it's fairly bland, vets often recommend white rice for dogs with an upset stomach.

What is the best meat for dogs? ›

Some of the better options for lean meat cuts are chicken breasts, lean cuts of beef such as sirloin or flank steak, and pork tenderloin. These kinds of cuts can be boiled, baked, or grilled, but you'll want to avoid adding seasonings or other ingredients that might be harmful to your dog.

Should liver be cooked fast or slow? ›

Since a raw liver has high water content, you have to cook it rapidly with medium to high heat. If you try slow cooking a liver, the meat will become dehydrated, leading to tough fibers and dry, chewy meat. Cook liver and other organ meats until they reach a minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

What can I put on my liver to make it taste better? ›

Soak liver in milk for 1-2 hours before cooking.

If you follow a strict paleo diet, you can use coconut milk instead of dairy milk; you'll get the same benefit of mellowing out the flavor. Buttermilk is also a great option!

Why do chefs soak liver in milk? ›

Soak the liver in a dish or bowl of milk for 30-60 minutes. This is an important step in removing the bitter flavor from the liver. Salt and pepper the liver generously, and leave it out at room temperature while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Pat the liver dry.

What is the healthiest way to cook liver for dogs? ›

Pop it in a pot of boiling water and simmer for about 15 minutes until tender, pan-fry it over low-medium heat, or place it on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees. When preparing liver for your dog, avoid adding butter, oil, salt or any other spices.

How do you store cooked liver for dogs? ›

To avoid spoilage, keep them in the fridge for no longer than 2 days or freeze them to increase their longevity. Freeze the chicken livers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 months. If you cooked a hefty portion, then your best bet is to store the remaining livers in the freezer.

What is the best liver for dogs? ›

Just about any type of liver is good for dogs, but beef liver is a better choice than chicken liver if your dog has a sensitive stomach or is prone to pancreatitis. The benefits of liver include being a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and iron.

How long to dehydrate the liver for dog treats? ›

Cut the liver into thin strips and cut into bite sized pieces. Dehydrate at 160-165°F (71-74°C) for 10-14 hours. Once completely dry and are cracking, let cool completely and store in airtight freezer or Mylar bags in a cool dry place for 2-4 weeks or in a freezer for up to 6 months.

Should liver be cooked thoroughly? ›

Livers should be cooked until they are no longer bloody in the core. Colour is not a reliable indicator of effective cooking. Studies have shown that liver tissue can remain pink after it has reached a safe temperature (see figure 2). Ensure juice from uncooked livers does not leak onto other foods.

How do you detox a dog's liver? ›

There are some foods known to have a highly positive effect on the liver. Bile flow and liver flow can be promoted by adding leafy greens and also watercress, basil and turmeric. You can harmonize the liver by adding apple cider vinegar (1/4 tsp to 1 tsp) into food to promote cleansing.

References

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