Can dogs eat Liver Meal?

Overview

Yes, Liver meal is a safe protein source for dogs. Even with the exceptional nutritional profile of liver meal, dogs should only consume it sparingly and within recommended limits. Excessive intake of liver can cause vitamin A toxicity in dogs.

Benefits

Liver meal is the rendered liver tissue from cattle, sheep, pig, and poultry. This nutrient-dense ingredient is used in commercially available dog food.
The protein content of liver meal reaches 50-75% with a complete amino acid profile.
Liver meal contains vitamin A together with B vitamins (especially B12), which help maintain vision health, regulate metabolism, and produce red blood cells.
The addition of liver meal to dog food results in better taste and stronger aroma.

Risks

The consumption of more than the recommended liver meal intake can result in vitamin A toxicity (hypervitaminosis A) in dogs.
The high nutritional value of liver meal makes it unsuitable for dogs that suffer from pancreatitis or have liver disease.
Liver meal has a short shelf life because it becomes rancid quickly unless properly stored.

Servings

The use of liver meal as a DIY supplement for homemade dog food is not advised. Its intended use is to add proteins and create a nutritious and well-balanced commercial dog food formula.
The daily food consumption of liver meal should not exceed 5% of the total food intake.