Pork liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat that offers many health benefits for dogs. Liver in general is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients. But is pork liver in particular a good choice for your canine companion? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.
Nutritional Benefits of Pork Liver for Dogs
Pork liver is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals that dogs need to stay healthy. Here are some of the top nutrients found in pork liver:
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Vitamin A – Supports vision, reproductive health, immune function and more. Pork liver is very high in vitamin A
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B Vitamins – Important for metabolism, skin health, and energy levels. Liver contains vitamin B12, B5, B2 and more.
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Vitamin D – Needed for calcium absorption and bone health since dogs can’t make vitamin D on their own
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Iron – Helps transport oxygen in the blood to all cells. Anemia is a risk if dogs are deficient.
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Copper – Plays a role in immune system function, iron metabolism, and more.
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CoQ10 – An antioxidant that supports heart health and cellular energy.
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Protein – Pork liver provides high-quality, concentrated protein for muscle maintenance.
Many commercial dog foods already contain small amounts of pork liver to boost the nutritional profile. It offers a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients dogs need.
Is Pork Liver Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Pork liver is safe for dogs to eat as long as it is fully cooked and fed in moderation. Raw or undercooked pork liver may contain parasites like trichinella, which can cause trichinosis. This infection causes diarrhea, vomiting, and even neurological symptoms.
Thoroughly cooking pork liver to an internal temperature of 160°F kills any potential parasites or bacteria, making it safe for consumption. Incorporating cooked pork liver into your dog’s diet provides huge nutritional benefits without parasites risks.
Potential Concerns with Too Much Pork Liver
While pork liver is very nutritious, too much can potentially cause issues. Here are some precautions:
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Vitamin A toxicity – Pork liver is extremely high in vitamin A. Too much can cause bone growth abnormalities and liver damage.
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Pancreatitis – Rich organ meats may inflame the pancreas if fed in excess, especially to overweight or older dogs. Introduce slowly.
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Weight gain – Pork liver is high in calories and fat compared to muscle meat. Limit intake for overweight dogs.
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Nutritional imbalance – Feeding too much liver can lead to excess or deficient levels of some nutrients. Variety is key.
To prevent issues, pork liver should make up no more than 5-10% of your dog’s total diet. Follow your vet’s specific recommendations based on your dog’s health.
Feeding Guidelines and Recipe for Pork Liver
When introduced slowly and fed properly, pork liver makes an excellent addition to a balanced homemade dog food diet. Here are some feeding tips:
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For small dogs, serve 1-2 tablespoons of cooked pork liver 1-2 times per week.
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Medium dogs can have around 2-4 tablespoons 1-2 times per week.
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For large breed dogs, 3-6 tablespoons 1-2 times per week is appropriate.
To cook pork liver:
- Rinse liver and pat dry with paper towels
- Place liver pieces in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to blanch
- Transfer to baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes
- Chop or puree cooked liver before serving
Mix a few tablespoons of cooked pork liver into your dog’s regular meals a couple times a week for added nutrition. Always start with small amounts and monitor your dog’s reaction.
The Bottom Line on Pork Liver for Dogs
When included as part of a balanced diet and fed properly, pork liver can be a nutritious supplement for dogs. It provides concentrated sources of many essential vitamins and minerals dogs need. Just be mindful of vitamin A toxicity risks and introduce new foods slowly. Talk to your vet for specific feeding recommendations for your dog.
What is Pork Liver ?
Liver is a secreting organ that aids in ridding the body of toxins. Find more about it on the #feedreal dog food glossary pork liver.
air-dried in 48 hours
Real Dog Box’s Pork Liver are freshly air-dried in San Diego.
The Real Dog Box kitchen is located in San Diego, CA. All of our food is sourced from American ranchers, farms, or distributors. When we get our meat, it’s raw. We prepare it by hand, and then our patent-pending air dryers dry it slowly. To make sure your dog’s food is as fresh as possible, we pack and ship it all as soon as it’s ready.
7 Reasons to Feed Pork Liver
Can my dog eat Pork Liver ?
It’s rare that dogs cannot consume pork liver due to a protein intolerance. But organ meats might not be the best choice if your dog is a Dalmatian or another breed that needs a low-purine diet.
Why should I feed Pork Liver ?
Liver is nature’s multivitamin! It is low fat and nutrient dense. It is an excellent source of many vitamins including Bs, A, and magnesium!.
Can dogs have Pork Liver allergies?
Some dogs are allergic to or sensitive to pork. However, many dogs that are allergic to cooked pork protein don’t react to raw or dried pork protein.
Mental enrichment Sprinkle on a lick mat and use kefir, Greek yogurt, or goat milk as the glue. Freeze for a tasty treat and mental stimulation.
DIY meal Include in your dog’s raw diet as his 5% secreting organ content.
Meal top Level up your dogs bowl by sprinkling pork liver on top of your dog’s bowl. This can be especially helpful with picky eaters.
Use as high value training treats Simple to feed, break into as small as you want.
Softer treats Rehydrate the treats in warm water for 2-3 minutes to create softer, meatier treats. This is helpful for senior dogs or those with dental challenges.
Pup cake decor One of favorite nutrient-rich garnishes for pup cupcakes!
100% pork liver. Nothing else.
calories230.4 kcal per bag
Each 2 oz bag is made from 11.8 oz of raw pork liver.
According to TCM, pork is considered a NEUTRAL protein. Read more about TCM here.
Can Dogs Eat Liver? YES! 4 Reasons Why From a Nutrition Expert
FAQ
Is cooked pork liver good for dogs?
Which liver is best for dogs?
Are dogs allergic to pork liver?
Can you use pork liver for dog treats?
Can dogs eat pork liver?
Pork liver can contribute to healthy development and organ function in dogs. However, it must be carefully prepared and fed to your dog in the right quantity to avoid nutritional imbalances. How much pork liver should I feed to my dog? Like all foods in your dog’s diet (and your own!), moderation is key when feeding them pork liver.
Can I eat poultry with fatty liver?
Yes you can. A priori, for healthy patients, no food is absolutely contraindicated, with a healthy life being more associated with balance, consistency of healthy habits and moderation in choices than the withdrawal of one or another specific food. For patients who have a health condition, specific diets can help, for example, patients with hepatic steatosis, popularly recognized as fatty liver, benefit from reduced consumption of red meat, processed meats, fatty cheeses, simple carbohydrates, bacon, oil, fried foods, mayonnaise, lard, butter, among other foods rich in fat, all associated with regular physical activity. The consumption of poultry, which are lean meats with high biological value, should be encouraged.
Is liver good for dogs?
The liver is good for dogs because of how many vitamins and nutrients are in it. The liver is packed full of vitamin A, Vitamin B2, B9 and B12, and iron. Get Our #1 Easy, Homemade Dog Food Recipe (Vet-Approved), 100% Free!!! Click to get it NOW! The liver is also less fatty than traditional muscle meat.
Can dogs eat liver?
Organic or grass-fed meats are always healthiest. You’ll avoid toxins like herbicides or antibiotics in meat. But any liver is good for your dog. There’s another advantage to feeding liver … and that’s to support the liver itself. Your dog’s liver performs thousands of vital functions in the body. So it’s important to help it work smoothly.