Is raw liver good for dogs?

David D'Angelo 137 0

Liver is one of the most nutritious and essential organs in a raw diet for dogs, or even as a supplement or treat no matter what you feed your dog.

Liver is rich in Vitamins A, B12, iron, and more, and chicken and lamb livers are both cheap and easy to source in supermarkets.

For these reasons liver is good for your dog, and essential in a raw diet, but there are concerns which we must consider:

How much raw liver can you feed a dog?

In an 80/10/10 raw diet, which means 80% muscle meat, 10% organs/offal, and 10% bones, it is easy to assume 10% of the diet can be liver. This is not the case, and can lead to toxicity.

Liver should always be in moderation, and never more than 5% of the diet.

For a 10kg dog, that’s roughly 25g of liver per day if you were to feed daily, but because of its richness it is better to feed liver once or twice a week.

Dr Tom Lonsdale of Raw Meaty Bones states “Liver is an excellent foodstuff but should not be fed more than once weekly“

Overfeeding liver can lead to a condition hypervitaminosis A (discussed below), which is why moderating liver is essential.

To avoid this issue, and to address balance in general, it is worth rotating different organ meats (such as kidney or spleen).

Just make sure liver is never more than 5% of the diet.

Why you must not overfeed liver

Liver is packed with vitamin A which is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver and fatty tissues.

Unlike water-soluble vitamins which are easily flushed out, excess vitamin A can build up in the body over time and lead to the condition hypervitaminosis A.

Hypervitaminosis A can cause the following:

Bone deformities & stiffness – potentially leading to spinal and joint issues, abnormal bone growth, and in some cases fractures.
Muscle weakness & lethargy – Dogs with vitamin A toxicity may become weak, sluggish, or unwilling to move.
Digestive upset – such as diarrhea or vomiting, especially if your dog isn’t used to consuming liver.
Weight loss & poor coat condition – Chronic vitamin A toxicity can lead to reduced appetite, dry skin, and a dull coat.

Concerns with factory farmed chicken liver

Supermarket chicken livers often come from intensively farmed birds raised on poor-quality feed. Some killed within 30 days of birth.

Factory farmed chicken means potential exposure to antibiotics, hormones, vaccines, not to mention far less nutrient density in the meat and offal than if those birds were raised in a healthy environment and fed healthy foods rather than cheap grain feed likely GMO.

Sadly this is the price we pay for wanting the foods we buy to be cheap, and the food industry will happily reduce quality in favour of salability and profit.

Organic or grass-fed livers, whether chicken, beef, or lamb, will always be the better, more nutritious, and more ethical choice.

The benefits of feeding liver to a dog

Liver is a source of many nutrients required by your dog – Vitamins A, B, B1, B12 and K. Trace elements Choline, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Cobalt and the amino acid Cysteine.

As the most nutrient-dense food you can feed your dog, here are some of the many benefits:

High in vitamin A

Liver is one of the richest sources of vitamin A. This supports eye health, immune function, and skin regeneration. It also helps with cell growth and repair, keeping your dog’s body in top condition.

Rich in B vitamins

Packed with B12, B2, B6, folate, and niacin, liver plays a key role in energy production, brain function, and nerve health. These vitamins also support red blood cell formation, helping your dog stay active and alert.

Excellent source of iron

Liver contains heme iron, the most absorbable form. Iron is essential for oxygen transport in the blood, preventing anaemia and keeping muscles and organs well-oxygenated.

Loaded with essential minerals

Liver is a great source of copper, zinc, and phosphorus. Copper supports joint health and red blood cell production, zinc boosts immunity and skin health, and phosphorus keeps bones and teeth strong.

Supports heart health

It’s a natural source of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which aids heart function and energy production. CoQ10 also has anti-inflammatory properties, helping active or working dogs recover faster.

Aids detoxification

Liver contains glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps break down and eliminate toxins. This supports your dog’s liver function and overall health.