Can Dog’s Eat Liver?
Wondering if your dog can eat liver? Discover the benefits of liver in a home-cooked diet, which dogs should avoid it, how much is safe, and why too much can cause problems. Plus, get your copy of the “Can My Dog Eat That?” e-book for more expert guidance
Feeding your dog liver can feel like giving them a nutritional super-boost. After all, liver is packed with vitamins, minerals and flavour that most dogs absolutely adore. But it’s not a free-for‐all: liver must be introduced carefully, in the right amounts, and with awareness of which dogs should avoid it. In this blog we’ll examine which dogs should avoid liver, the benefits of liver in a home-cooked diet, the problems of adding too much liver to an already balanced food, and practical tips for safe feeding. Don’t forget to check the upsell at the end for the “Can My Dog Eat That?” e-book.
What is liver and why do dog-nutritionists talk about it?
Liver is an organ meat—typically from beef, chicken, lamb, pork or other meat-sources—that has a highly concentrated nutrient profile. According to multiple sources, liver is one of the most nutrient-dense meats available for dogs. DogCancer.com
Here are some key points:
It contains high-quality protein, essential amino acids, haem iron (especially in beef liver), B-vitamins, copper, zinc, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). Whole Dog Journal+2Earthborn Holistic Pet Food+2
In a home-cooked or freshly prepared diet it is often used as a “dinopower” organ meat to add micronutrients and variety. dogsnaturallymagazine.com
Because so many commercial foods already include some liver or organ meats, any addition needs to be carefully evaluated so you don’t oversupply certain nutrients.
Dogs that should avoid or limit liver
While many dogs can safely have liver in moderation, there are circumstances where liver should be avoided or strictly limited. Here are key categories:
Dogs with existing liver disease or hepatic issues
If a dog already has liver disease, compromised liver function or is on medications processed by the liver, adding extra organ meat may add strain. While liver is nutritious, it is still rich in many nutrients that require hepatic processing (especially fat-soluble vitamins, copper, etc.). Discuss with the vet first.
Dogs prone to vitamin A & copper toxicity
Because liver is very high in vitamin A (and in some cases copper) feeding too much can lead to nutrient overload. Also, dogs of breeds predisposed to copper accumulation (for example some Bedlington Terriers, Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers) might be at increased risk if their diet includes frequent organ meats rich in copper.
Dogs with pancreatitis, digestive sensitivities or fat-restrictions
Some types of liver (e.g., chicken liver) have higher fat content than others. If a dog has a history of pancreatitis or needs a low-fat diet, liver may need to be used sparingly. DogCancer.com
Dogs already on a nutrient-dense or prescription diet
If your dog is on a commercial prescription diet (for example renal, joint, liver, cardiac) or a home cooked recipe that is already balanced, adding extra liver might skew the nutrient balance (too much vitamin A, copper, iron or other elements). In those cases, consult your nutritionist or vet before adding liver.
Puppies and large‐breed growing dogs (with caution)
While puppies and growing dogs can benefit from high-quality organ meats, the dosing and balance are critical. Because liver is so concentrated, mis-feeding can risk nutrient imbalances during important growth phases. It’s best to introduce gradually and under guidance.
Summary:
If your dog is healthy, not on a restricted diet, and you feed liver in moderation, it is generally safe. But if the dog falls into one of the categories above, extra caution is warranted.
Dogs on low-purine diets (urinary or kidney concerns)
Liver is naturally high in purines—compounds that break down into uric acid in the body. For most healthy dogs, this poses no issue. However, for dogs on low-purine diets (typically those with urinary stones, bladder crystals, or specific metabolic disorders such as urate urolithiasis or xanthinuria), liver should be strictly limited or avoided.
Breeds predisposed to urate stones include Dalmatians, Bulldogs, and some terriers. In these dogs, purines can accumulate due to their reduced ability to convert uric acid into allantoin, leading to stone formation in the bladder or kidneys.
Feeding liver—even in small amounts—can significantly raise dietary purine levels and counteract the benefits of a carefully managed urinary diet. These dogs generally require protein sources that are low in purines, such as certain white fish, eggs, or plant-based proteins.
If your dog has a history of urinary stones or has been prescribed a low-purine or renal diet, always check with your vet or a qualified canine nutritionist before introducing liver or other organ meats.
Benefits of liver in a home-cooked diet
When properly used, liver offers many excellent benefits in a home-cooked or fresh-food diet. Below are the major benefits, and how they support canine health.
Micronutrient boost
Liver brings a heavy dose of vitamins and minerals. For instance:
Vitamin A – supports vision, skin health, immune function.
B-vitamins (B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12) – support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, neurological function. Careers Collectiv
Iron and copper – assist oxygen transport in the blood, help prevent anemia.
Zinc, selenium and other trace minerals – support enzymatic and immune functions.
These nutrients are often harder to very reliably get in some home-cooked diets unless carefully planned. Liver helps “top up” those nutrients in a natural form.
High-quality protein
Liver is a rich protein source, which helps support muscle maintenance, tissue repair and general metabolic health in dogs.
Palatability and added flavour
Many dogs absolutely love the taste of liver. In home-cooked diets this may help encourage eating (especially in picky dogs) or help diversify the diet. The flavour can also help mask other less popular ingredients, making meals more acceptable.
Complementing muscle meat with organ meat
If you are cooking for your dog at home, including both muscle meat and organ meat (such as liver) better mimics a whole-prey model or more ancestral style diet. This can help make the diet more “complete” in terms of micronutrients. For instance, liver can complement the nutrient profile of the rest of the diet. dogsnaturallymagazine.com
Supporting specific needs (with caution)
Dogs anaemic or recovering from blood-loss may benefit from iron-rich liver.
Dogs needing extra fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., A, D) may benefit in moderation.
Dogs transitioning to home-cooked diets or adding variety may gain from a small amount of liver for nutrient density.
Cost-effective nutrient density
Liver is often more affordable than many “premium” cuts of meat but offers more micronutrients per gram. For owners cooking for dogs on budget this can be helpful—just ensure quality and safe preparation.
How to safely integrate liver into a home-cooked diet
If you’ve decided liver is appropriate for your dog, here are practical steps:
Choose the right liver source
Choose fresh, good-quality liver (beef, chicken, lamb, duck etc).
Beef and lamb’s liver has more copper per 100g than poultry liver
Preferably from a reputable butcher or supplier; avoid livers with obvious spoilage or strong odour.
If your dog has fat sensitivity, choose lower-fat varieties (e.g., beef liver has less fat than chicken liver).
Cooking method
Most vets/nutritionists recommend cooking liver rather than feeding raw (unless you are confident in raw-diet safety and sourcing). Reasons: reduces bacterial/parasite risk and is easier to control portions.
Cooking tips:
Simmer or lightly pan-fry with no seasoning, onion, garlic or salt.
Avoid heavy fats or sauces.
After cooking, dice into small pieces or grate to mix into meals.
Freeze single-serve portions if batch cooking.
Add to a balanced recipe - you can find more on our FREE RECIPE PAGE
Recommended portion and frequency
Several sources suggest that liver should remain a small fraction of the total diet. For example:
One guideline: liver should make up no more than about 5% of your dog’s homemade diet
Introduce gradually & monitor
When first feeding liver:
Start with very small amount (e.g., a teaspoonful for small dogs) mixed into their usual meal.
Watch for signs of digestive upset (vomiting, loose stools) or behavioural changes (lethargy).
If all okay after a day or two, you may increase to your targeted portion.
Keep a log of how much you’ve fed over the week and ensure you’re not exceeding recommended levels.
Balance with the rest of the diet
Because liver is so nutrient-rich, it must be considered in the total nutrient balance of the diet. Make sure the other components (muscle meat, vegetables, fats, carbohydrates) remain balanced. If you’re feeding a commercial diet plus liver supplementation, ensure you’re not duplicating micronutrients already abundantly present.
For home-cooked diets, ideally work with a canine nutritionist to ensure calcium:phosphorus ratios and other nutrients remain correct.
Storage and food-safety
Store fresh liver in fridge and use within 24–48 hours.
Freeze extra portions.
Clean surfaces and utensils after handling raw liver to avoid cross-contamination.
If dog is immunocompromised, consider cooking to higher internal temperature to kill pathogens.
Problems & risks of adding too much liver on top of an already balanced food
Even though liver is a great addition, over-feeding or mis-feeding can cause issues. Below are the main concerns and how they manifest.
Vitamin A toxicity (Hypervitaminosis A)
Because liver is high in pre-formed vitamin A (fat-soluble), excessive intake over time can lead to toxicity. Signs may include: bone and joint deformities, lethargy, digestive issues, weight loss, weakness. Because vitamin A is stored in the body, regular frequent feeding of high amounts of liver is more risky than a single small addition.
Copper and other mineral overload
Though liver is rich in copper (and iron), in certain breeds or dogs with predisposition to copper‐storage disease or those already getting high copper from food/supplements, adding liver may push them to excess. Mineral imbalance may impair other nutrient absorption or cause metabolic stress.
Digestive upset
Liver is rich and concentrated—dogs not used to it may suffer nausea, vomiting, loose stools or diarrhea if too much too soon. If the dog already eats a rich diet, adding more rich food may overwhelm the digestive system.
Nutrient imbalance in home-cooked diet
If you add liver but do not reduce other sources of the same nutrients (for example other organ meats, or supplements), you may skew the diet. Example: if you feed a home meal that already includes liver or organ meats, adding ‘extra’ liver may cause over-supply of vitamins/minerals. Also, if you treat liver as ‘just another meat’ and feed large volumes, you may neglect calcium/phosphorus or fat/fibre balance.
Weight gain and caloric excess
If the liver portions are large and added on top of the dog’s normal ration (i.e., you don’t reduce the meal by an equivalent amount), then you may increase overall calories and risk weight gain. This is particularly relevant in dogs already fed “complete” diets or prescription foods where extra additions are often not accounted for.
Raw feeding and pathogen risk
If the liver is fed raw rather than cooked, there is increased risk of bacterial or parasitic contamination. If your dog is immunocompromised or on chemotherapy or older, the risk may be greater.
Practical feeding guidelines & case examples
Here are some practical “how to” guidelines and how this might look in different scenarios.
Example guideline breakdown
Integrating into already balanced commercial diet
If your dog is on a complete commercial food (dry or wet) that already claims “complete and balanced for all life stages”, adding liver needs caution:
Check the ingredients and guarantee – some commercial foods already contain liver/organ meats, so adding extra may cause surplus.
Consider using liver as treat rather than main meal addition — treat rule maybe <10% of total calories. Check out our training treat recipe
If prescription diet, ask your vet before adding.
Special situations: dogs with joint disease, weight issues, allergies
If you are cooking for a dog with joint disease (e.g., hip dysplasia) and you’re using liver to boost nutrition, remember: the diet must still consider joint-supporting nutrients (omega-3s, collagen, controlled calories). Liver is one piece of the puzzle.
If weight has to be controlled (overweight dog), any addition of liver must be offset by reductions elsewhere.
If the dog has food allergies/intolerances: check the species of liver (beef, chicken, lamb) to avoid the allergen. One source: “avoid livers from animals your dog is allergic to – e.g., if your dog is allergic to chicken meat, she will also be allergic to chicken liver.” DogCancer.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I feed my dog liver every day?
A: Generally no—it’s better to limit to once or twice weekly. Feeding daily increases risk of vitamin A and mineral overload. Careers Collectiv+1
Q: Which type of liver is best: beef, chicken, lamb?
A: Each has pros/cons. For example: chicken liver has more fat and polyunsaturated fat than beef liver. Beef liver may have more iron/minerals than chicken liver. lamb has more copper than both beef and chicken livers. The best type may depend on the dog’s health status, fat tolerance and allergen status. Variety is good.
Q: Can puppies eat liver?
A: Yes, but in very small amounts and under vet or nutritionist guidance, because of growth and nutrient balance concerns. i would not introduce it until at least 6 months old
Q: What if my dog refuses to eat liver?
A: That’s okay. Not all dogs like it. You can finely dice/chop and mix into their regular meal for several days to introduce flavour, or use freeze-dried liver treats as a topper. If still refused, you can obtain the same nutrients from other organ meat or high-quality foods—but ensure balance.
Q: My dog had loose stools after trying liver — what should I do?
A: Stop feeding for 1–2 meals, then reintroduce at smaller amount. Ensure the rest of the diet is gentle. If the issue persists, stop liver and consult your vet.
Q: Are raw liver and cooked liver equally good?
A: Raw liver retains slightly more nutrients depending on the cooking method, but the risk of pathogens is higher. Many vets/nutritionists recommend cooking it (lightly) unless you are experienced with raw-diet safe handling.
Summary & The Canine Dietitian’s Recommendation
Liver can be a fantastic addition to your dog’s home-cooked diet—or used as a treat enhancement—when used smartly. It delivers a high dose of key nutrients, is often well-accepted by dogs, and helps add variety. However, it is not a “free” extra; you must:
Assess whether your dog can benefit from liver and whether there are contraindications (existing liver disease, copper risk breeds, fat sensitivity, already high nutrient diet).
Use moderation: keep liver to a small percentage of total diet (e.g., <= 5–10 %), frequency once or twice a week.
Balance: when you add liver, adjust the rest of the diet so you’re not increasing overall calories or skewing nutrient ratios.
Prepare safely: good quality, minimal seasoning, cooked if necessary, introduce gradually.
Monitor: for digestive responses, coat and skin changes, joint mobility, weight changes, signs of nutrient overload (e.g., lethargy, bone/joint changes).
In your home-cooked dog diet planning, I always recommend that you treat liver as one element in the “organ meat” section of your diet chart—not the entire protein source. For example, if you feed a meal of muscle meat, vegetables, safe fats, then include a small portion of liver (say 10 % of the meat portion) and rotate with other organ meats too.
The Canine Dietitian’s tip: Before you add liver, ask yourself: “Does this dog already have adequate organ meat in their diet? Are there contraindications? Am I adjusting the rest of the meal accordingly?” If the answer is yes, then liver can be a highly beneficial inclusion.
Want the full guide?
If you’d like the complete “Can My Dog Eat That?” e-book from The Canine Dietitian, which includes dozens of foods, safe/unsafe lists, recipe ideas and prep tips, you can find it here: https://www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk/ebooks/p/can-my-dog-eat-that-guide. While this blog has covered liver in depth, the e-book gives you a comprehensive manual for many more foods, ingredient-interactions, portioning calculators and more.
