Can Dogs Eat Raw Beef Liver

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I know that, just like me, you want to make sure your raw fed pet is getting everything they need from their diet. Vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, the works.

Below I’m going to share with you the detailed importance of raw liver in your raw fed dog’s diet.

If your dog (or cat) doesn’t like liver, have no fear! I will share feeding tips and tricks at the end of the post.

If you’re wondering if beef liver is good for dogs, the answer is absolutely yes! Beef liveris a true superfood and a powerful source of nutrients for your pet’s body.

Liver for Dogs: All Your Questions Answered

Can Dogs Eat Raw Beef Liver

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What Type Of Meat Is Liver?

You probably know that liver is an organ. However, it’s not JUST an organ, but in raw feeding circles, it’s known as a secreting organ.

All organs that secrete a substance fall into that category. Others are:

Is Beef Or Chicken Liver Better For Dogs?

You may find beef or calves’ liver in the freezer. And chicken livers are easy to find. They’re usually in the fresh meat section, in plastic containers. Always ask if you don’t see them.

If you can get both, you can rotate. In general, beef is higher in important minerals like Iron, calcium and zinc than chicken livers. But chicken livers have more vitamins A and D and some B vitamins.

Chicken livers have about 30% more total fat than beef liver. And … like chicken meat generally, chicken livers are higher in polyunsaturated fats than beef liver. But don’t worry too much about the fat, because liver is lower in fat than muscle meats. It’s also quite a small part of your dog’s diet.

To really give your dog the rich benefits of liver, he should eat it raw. Cooking kills a lot of nutrients. In 2007, a USDA paper showed that cooking liver caused the loss of …

  • 40% of iron, magnesium and vitamin A
  • 55% of niacin and B6
  • 35% of folate
  • 30% of phosphorus
  • 25% of copper and vitamin C

    • There wasn’t much effect on calcium, beta carotene and choline. But it’s obviously much better to feed liver raw if you can. But not every dog likes to eat raw liver.

    FAQ

    How much raw liver can I feed my dog?

    Because liver’s so rich in nutrients, it can cause tummy upset or loose stool. So ease him into liver-feeding gradually! Start with about ½ Tbsp a few times a week for a medium sized dog.

    Is raw or cooked liver best for dogs?

    Healthy adult dogs can usually eat some raw liver without issues, but it isn’t always safe for a dog to eat raw liver. If your pooch isn’t used to raw foods, suddenly eating some could cause them digestive upset, so it’s best to introduce raw liver to your dog slowly and in small pieces under supervision.

    How much beef liver can I feed my dog?

    With its high level of iron, vitamin B12, and protein, beef liver is a good choice to replenish these nutrients levels in your dog’s bloodstream. The recommended amount of cooked liver for a large dog is 4 ounces and 2 ounces for a smaller dog.

    How do you prepare raw liver for dogs?

    Pop it in a pot of boiling water and simmer for about 15 minutes until tender, pan-fry it over low-medium heat, or place it on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees. When preparing liver for your dog, avoid adding butter, oil, salt or any other spices.