Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Dr. Julie
How much chicken liver to feed your dog is one of the most researched questions by dog owners who swear by how much their dog loves it.
We will look at it in detail to see how much your dogs should have.
If you have not tried yet, it’s time to introduce your dog to chicken liver. It’s very nutritious and helps improve your dog’s eyesight. Besides that, it can also make his coat look shinier and healthier.
Chicken liver for dogs should only make up no more than 5% of their diet. This is about 10-15g for small dogs, 25-30g for medium dogs, and 40-60g for large dogs.
Table of Contents
Is Chicken Liver Suitable For Dogs?
The liver is an integral part of a dog’s diet, and chances are you are not feeding it enough. It is known as a true superfood for dogs!
The liver is an excellent source of protein lower in fat than muscle meat. It is also rich in nutrients, commonly known as nature’s multivitamin. Here are some of the nutrients that the liver offers your furry friend.
- Omega 3 and Omega 6. These are responsible for keeping your dog’s coat smooth and silky.
- Vitamin D. This vitally important nutrient helps with immune function. It protects your dog against cancers, autoimmune and infectious diseases while supporting muscle and bone strength.
- Vitamin A. A powerful antioxidant supports eyesight, reproductive organs and digestion.
- Folic acid and Vitamin B. Support the dog’s nerve and mental health while avoiding fatigue and preventing anaemia.
- Iron. It forms haemoglobin, regulates body temperatures and brain function. Iron also transports oxygen to the blood cells increasing your dog’s endurance and strength. Lack of iron exhausts T-cells and antibodies in the immune system.
- Other essential minerals like copper and zinc that supports skin, coat, bone and joint health, as well as immunity.
Read more about: What to Feed a Rottweiler to Gain Weight: A Guide
How Much Chicken Liver To Feed Your Dog?
And now the big question is, how much liver you can feed your dog.
As a rule of thumb, it is advisable to feed your dog with chicken liver once a week. If you have a small dog breed, once a week will do, while medium dog breeds should eat 2 or 3 ounces, and larger species give them 4 to 6 ounces.
You can feed your dog with the liver every day, but you must control the amount. The amount of liver we have indicated above can be subdivided several times a week.
However, if you are unsure about the amount of liver to give your dog, talk to your vet about it.
Some dogs develop a stomach upset from the liver diet; if you notice this happening, be sure to talk to your vet officer.
Do not feed your dog with too much liver continuously. Your dog requires a balanced diet, so too much of this liver will not work out well.
What Happens When You Feed Your Dog With Too Much Chicken Liver?
There are side effects for feeding your dog with too much liver, and they include,
- Hypervitaminosis A. This is a condition where dogs get too much vitamin A in their system. While Vitamin A promotes healthy eyes and maintains a strong coat, it can cause severe problems in high doses.
- Hypervitaminosis A is caused by eating large quantities of organ meat. The liver and all the other organ meats contain plenty of vitamin A. If you feed them in moderation, they should be no problems.
- High in Fat. The liver is very high in fat, so if you feed your dog with too much of it or if the dog is already eating a very fatty diet, it could lead to too much weight gain.
- Trouble Metabolizing Copper. Some breeds like Labrador, Dobermans, and Terrier have problems with metabolizing copper. The copper settles in their liver, eventually causing liver damage and cirrhosis. If your dog is one of the breeds susceptible to this condition, feed them with chicken liver sparingly. Chicken liver has copper in it, but it’s lesser than in beef liver. Therefore, providing your dog in small amounts is better to avoid getting your dog in this condition.
What Is The Best Way To Feed Chicken Liver To Your Dogs?
If you introduce chicken liver to your dog, start in small portions and introduce it gradually to make sure it agrees with him.
You can use chicken liver as a reward for training or good behaviour or as a snack instead of the main meal.
Can Dogs Eat Liver Raw Or Cooked?
Your dog can handle either raw or cooked liver. You can try both to see their preference in taste and texture or taste. Choosing to either serve raw or cooked liver comes down to your preference.
Most people serve it raw because cooking it in high heat reduces the levels of some beneficial nutrients. And, after all, raw is easier.
On the other hand, cooking reduces the risk of bacterial infection that might be present in raw meat. That’s a risk for your dog, as well as the rest of your family, that encounters leftovers of the raw meat in your dog’s bowl.
How To Prepare The Chicken Liver For Your Dog
The simplest way to prepare this liver is through boiling. Here is a step by step guide to preparing this liver.
- Step 1: Wash the liver under running water. You will notice some particles or discolouration in the water. Pour out these contents and repeat the washing.
- Step 2: If you want, you can chop it up or not, but it is necessary for proper cooking. Put the clean sliced liver in a pot red for cooking. Add enough water and place the pot on the fire bringing it to a boil.
- Step 3: Turn the heat down and let it simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes. When finished, pour out the excess water and transfer the cooked liver to a plate to cool down. Once cooled, you can mix the liver in the bowl of kibble or serve it alone.
- Store uncooked liver in the freezer in a ziplock bag labelled. It can last for a few weeks before you cook it. Don’t keep it for more than 3 weeks in the freezer.
Take home
Dogs require plenty of protein in their diet to thrive, and chicken liver is one of the protein sources. Learn how to measure the correct quantity for your dog breed.