Is beef liver good for dogs? All pet parents want to feed their pups meals full of nutrients and vitamins but it can be overwhelming to choose the right food for your pet. Beef liver for dogs is a delicious ingredient in a well-balanced and complete meal.
If you’re wondering if beef liver is good for dogs, the answer is absolutely yes! It is a true superfood and a powerful source of nutrients for your pet’s body.
Some pet parents shy away from this organ meat, but the liver is a doggy delicacy of note. If you’re not feeding your dog beef liver, your pet is missing out on a tasty, healthy treat.
Some people are squeamish about dining on organ meat. You might not be keen to feed liver to your dog because you don’t eat it yourself. However, liver is a perfect addition to your dog’s diet.
Beef liver is rich in low-fat proteins, unlike beef muscle meat cuts. The organ meat also contains vital nutrients, healthy fats, iron, vitamin A, copper, zinc, phosphorus, essential fatty acids, and different B vitamins.
Not only is beef liver good for dogs, but it’s exceptionally tasty too. You won’t struggle to get your pet to dig into this treat.
In the following sections, we’ll explore the benefits of beef liver for your dog, how much your dog can have in a day, and whether it can be harmful to your dog in some or any circumstances.
You’ll also learn how to prepare the liver for your dog and get answers to some frequently asked questions you might have.
The Benefits of Beef Liver for Your Dog
Unlike other treats, beef liver is jam-packed with nutrients, proteins, and vitamins. No matter the form: dried liver, cooked liver, or raw liver for dogs, it contains six times more iron, 1200 times more vitamin D, and 23 times more calcium than the same amount of muscle beef.
Here are some important benefits that this superfood offers your dog:
- Iron – Iron transports oxygen to blood cells, regulates body temperature, and supports brain functioning. Iron improves your dog’s endurance and strength, while making them more intelligent.
- Vitamin A – This is a powerful antioxidant that helps improve your dog’s vision. It also supports the healthy functioning of their heart, digestive system, reproductive organs, and kidneys.
- B Vitamins – The liver offers vitamins like folate (B9), riboflavin (B2), and B12 which are vital for the growth and functioning of body cells. B12 can help support your dog’s mental and nerve health by creating and improving the protective tissue coating the brain’s nerves. B vitamins might give your dog superior control over all physiological functions and help prevent anemia and fatigue.
- Copper and Zinc – These minerals may act like keys in activating different enzymes. They’re essential in helping the maintenance of healthy skin, coat, joints, and bones and regulating energy production, brain function, and metabolism.
- High-Quality Protein – Although your dog’s body can make some amino acids, some essential ones have to come from food. The proteins from the beef liver help support your dog build muscle, reduce appetite, increase metabolic rate, and protect against muscle loss.
- Liver For Your Dog’s Liver – Liver contains adequate levels of choline which help protect your dog’s liver against damage. Choline also improves brain development.
How Much Can Your Dog Have in A Day?
Like everything in life, moderation is key to feeding beef liver to your dog. It’s recommended that you start by giving the liver as a nutrient supplement, especially if your dog isn’t used to eating it.
Beef liver is rich in nutrients which can upset your dog’s tummy or lead to loose stools if you feed them much at first. Therefore, gradually ease your furry friend into it.
For a medium-sized dog, that’s around 1 ounce of beef liver per day max. A small breed dog would only require about a 1/5 of an ounce per day, while a large dog can have 2 to 2.5 ounces per day.
Is It Harmful To Dogs?
You may read online that beef liver for dogs can only be harmful if consumed in excess. Keep track of how much you’re giving your dog to avoid excess vitamin A. For example, hypervitaminosis A and copper toxicity may result from too much liver.
Excess vitamin A can decalcify your dog’s teeth and bones and cause liver damage. However, it’s improbable that you can cause excess vitamin A by feeding your dog beef liver.
The recommended maximum for vitamin A by AAFCO is 62,500 IU per 1000 calories. 100 g of beef liver is 135 calories with 16,989 IU of vitamin A.
You’re therefore unlikely to go over the maximum recommended amount. You’d have to overfeed it to your dog every day for years to reach excessive cumulative levels of vitamin A.
Some dogs have problems with copper metabolism, so you shouldn’t go overboard on this organ meat. Breeds susceptible to copper toxicity include the Bedlington Terrier, Skye Terriers, Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers, Dalmatians, and West Highland White Terriers.
How To Prepare Beef Liver For Your Dog
Preparing the right amount of liver according to your pup’s profile may seem overwhelming. Luckily you can find many packaged treats that contain beef liver and will save you some time.
Spot and Tango’s UnKibble recipe of Beef & Barley contains beef liver in the ingredients. This food doesn’t contain any powdered meat meals or mystery meats. All meals are made with 100% fresh, human-grade ingredients with no additives, artificial preservatives, or fillers.
The USA beef liver is mixed with other whole ingredients, formed into bite-sized pieces, and cooked gently and slowly in a vacuum chamber to maintain freshness. It’s then packed and frozen.
We use a unique fresh dry process that maximizes nutritional integrity in all dried liver dog treats. This recipe also includes other organs, like beef heart and all of our meat is USDA certified.
If instead you prefer to cook it at home, you may rest assured knowing that cooking beef liver for your pet is a simple process. The most important part of the process is avoiding oil, butter, flavorings, salt, spices, and other sauces. Also avoid adding garlic as it’s dangerous for your dog.
If you plan to provide fresh liver, you can simmer it in hot water for about 15 minutes. You can also place raw liver on a baking sheet and pop it into the oven at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
However, you can rest easy thanks to Spot and Tango’s freshly cooked, ready-to-serve fresh and dry meals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Liver For Dogs
How To Cook Beef Liver For Dogs?
It’s best to serve your dog cooked liver if you’re going to introduce this organ meat to your pet’s diet. You can steam, boil, or oven-grill it for around 15 mins to ensure there are no nasty bacteria present when feeding it to your pet.
As mentioned before, an easier way of providing beef liver to your pet is to buy high-quality pet food, like Spot & Tango’s, that contains healthy human-grade liver in the correct proportions for your pet.
Freeze-dried beef liver dog treats are a good option for pet parents who want to convenience.
Is Raw Beef Liver Good For Dogs?
Yes. Raw beef liver for dogs provides all the nutritional benefits that may be lost in cooking. However, the digestive system of dogs has evolved quite a bit since domestication.
Cooked liver is tastier and also safer for your pet, as the cooking process kills bacteria. At Spot and Tango, we ensure every nutritional benefit is preserved, so your dog doesn’t miss much from raw liver.
How Much Beef Liver Can A Puppy Have?
Normally, 1/5 of an ounce per day should be enough for your puppy.
Final Thoughts
Given in moderation, beef liver is a great treat for your best friend. It has an additional set of nutrients, including iron which is essential for your dog to be healthy.
Instead of buying dog food with loads of conservatives and jammed with ‘mystery meats’, it’s healthier to buy fresh beef liver from trustworthy butcher’ shops, cook it and serve to your dog.
Or, if you don’t have time to waste, you can find a perfectly balanced meal plan for your dog in our website. Check out our recipe plan. You can personalize it and add multiple meals to keep your pup’s diet as diverse as possible.
Want to Learn More?
- Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
- Can Dogs Eat Quinoa?
- Can Dogs Have Onions?
- Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? Benefits Of Pumpkin For Dogs
- Can Dogs Eat Cranberries?
