Dogs will eat anything. Your shoes. Your homework. Even so much as a crumb that you drop on the floor. Does that mean we should eat anything?
No, of course not! There are actually some foods that can make us dogs really sick if we even so much as nibble them.
When you are a dog owner you will do anything in your power to make sure your perfect pooch is safe and well. You monitor their diet like a hawk to ensure they don’t eat anything that will make them sick.
Of course, there are many human foods that dogs can eat that will give them excellent health benefits, but there are equally plenty of foods that can be fatal to us dogs. This can make feeding your dog a nutritious snack feel like a game of Russian Roulette.
Luckily for you, there are some world-renowned (OK, maybe that’s a bit far-fetched) dog experts out there who know the ins and outs of what dogs can and can’t eat….and that just so happens to be what I am.
I am Lolly the Labrador and today I will be telling you all about whether dogs can eat chicken liver.
Are chicken livers good for your dog?
Chicken livers can provide an excellent source of protein for your furry four-legged friend. Whilst it lacks appeal for you humans, we dogs think it is absolutely delicious.
Not only is it yummy but it is also packed full of goodness, giving us an extra dose of nutrients. These include vitamins A and B, zinc, iron, and copper. All of these work together to produce some wonderful health benefits.
These nutrients can help to strengthen your dog’s immune system, improve heart Beth, and promote overall wellness. As if that wasn’t enough, chicken liver is also chock full of omega-3. Omega-3 is not just for humans. In us dogs, it can help to boost vision, as well as help improve blood deficiencies. Cool, right?
Now, chicken livers, whilst full of goodness are also pretty high in fat. This means that they may not be suitable for consumption in huge amounts, especially if the dog in question is on the larger side (hey, all dogs are still wonderful regardless of size.!).
Excess consumption of fatty foods such as chicken liver can promote weight gain, thus increasing the risk of weight related illnesses and complications in your pooch.
Instead, err on the side of caution and feed chicken liver to your darling dog in small amounts. This leads us onto the next section really nicely – WOOF, DID SOMEONE SAY TREATS?
Can chicken liver be used as a training treat?
Chicken liver has long been used as a training treat for dogs. The reason for this is because dogs are so attracted to it.
Think of how humans react when there’s donuts in the office – well, chicken livers are donuts for dogs!
As such, rewarding them when you are training them with a piece of chicken liver can prove beneficial. Dogs will do anything for a little taste of something as yummy as liver.
Of course, this does not mean you should sue it as a bribe, especially as we all know how easy it is to overfeed your dogs treats – hey, those puppy dog eyes really work you know!
Can dogs eat too much chicken liver?
Yes, dogs can eat too much chicken liver. You know what they say about too much of a good thing? Well, I’m pretty sure that is in reference to chicken livers.
Whilst all the vitamins are great for dogs, there is one particular vitamin that can be lethal in high doses. This is vitamin A. Vitamin A toxicity can be caused by eating too much organ meat…and what is liver? It’s an organ!
As well as the possibility of too much vitamin A, you should also keep in mind that chicken liver can be high fat. As you know from the previous sections, too much fat can also cause issues if eaten in large quantities.
In order to make sure your dog doesn’t consume too much chicken liver you should only feed it to them in small amounts. Provided their existing dog food contains no liver, you can feed them enough liver to make up 5% of their diet.
Can dogs eat cooked chicken liver?
Yes! Dogs can eat cooked chicken liver. In fact, we prefer it. Raw chicken liver, whilst not technically unsafe, has the potential to be full of bacteria that could make your pooch sick.
Of course, if you cook the liver, then this bacteria will be killed off. For this reason, it is recommended by vets that you cook anything you give your dog.
There is certainly a case for feeding dogs a raw meat diet, but this is as much disputed as it is supported. If you do want to do this you should consult your veterinarian first.
To cook your liver you can simply boil it in a small amount of water, ensuring it is unsalted. Do this on low and bring it to a simmer. You can then let it simmer for 15 minutes.
When the 15 minutes is up, drain it fully and let the liver totally cool down before feeding to your pooch.
Summary
To answer the question presented at the start of the article, I am happy to inform you that chicken liver is safe for dogs and that they can eat it in small amounts.
Do not overfeed them chicken liver as this can cause weight gain and even vitamin A toxicity. However, in small amounts it can be a tasty treat packed full of all the nutrients and vitamins your pooch needs to live a healthy lifestyle.
Ensure you only use the freshest chicken livers you can find, and cook it thoroughly by gently simmering it before feeding it to your pooch. Use it as a treat or to make up 5% of their daily diet.
