The thought of eating chicken liver is something that you may find disgusting.
But, that’s not how your doggy friend sees it!
Chicken liver is rich in nutrients and has large amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, trace minerals, iron, etc.
Not just that, chicken liver is also a good source of protein. But, is it safe for your dog?
In this article, I will answer the question, “Can dogs eat chicken liver?” in as much detail as I can.
So, let’s begin!
Chicken Liver: Is It Good for Dogs?
In the recent times, commercial dog foods have been brought under scrutiny and even called back for various reasons.
So, it is always good to look up some alternatives to dog foods.
After all, a good diet ensures a long and healthy life.
Chicken is one ingredient that is commonly found in dog food and contains Vitamin B, Vitamin A, iron, zinc, copper, niacin, phosphorus, etc.
The chicken liver is an amazing source of omega 3 and six fatty acids and is perfectly safe for your dog to consume.
In fact, chicken liver is beneficial for your furry friend’s vision and can help if your doggy suffers from blood or essence deficiency.
However, there’s one thing that you should keep in mind.
The liver is rich in nutrients and can cause loose stools if you feed too much of it to your dog.
My recommendation is that you start by feeding half a tablespoon of chicken to your dog once in every few days and monitor his stool/ Gradually increase the frequency if all’s okay.
Since the liver is high in copper, you shouldn’t feed it to your dog if he’s; got copper issues.
It’s better to ask a vet first.
Risks Associated with the Consumption of Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is high in fat and may cause your furry friend to gain a few extra pounds.
It’s not a big problem unless your dog is already obese or on the brink of obesity.
If that’s the case, you should avoid feeding it to your dog as it may lead to further complications in the short as well as long run.
Chicken liver may also pose a problem if you feed it to your dog in large quantities.
Consumption of chicken liver can cause Vitamin A hypervitaminosis which is a fatal condition that occurs due to the consumption of very large quantities of liver.
So, moderation is key.
Raw Chicken Liver
While some people believe that feeding your dog raw meat is safe, others don’t agree with that point of view.
It is true that wild dogs do eat raw meat and their bodies have evolved to be able to digest it.
However…
Another point of view suggests that your dog can get food-borne illness if he consumes raw chicken liver.
My recommendation is that you should add raw foods to your dog’s diet but, not put him on a 100% raw food diet.
5% of your dog’s diet can contain chicken liver and other raw meats.
Final Words: Can Dogs Eat Chicken Liver?
Chicken liver is a great source of nutrition for dogs and is even a named ingredient in several dog foods!
Yes, dogs can eat chicken liver, and it contains high amounts of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, trace minerals, etc.
However…
Chicken liver is something that takes getting used to. So, you’ll have to start by feeding it gradually to your dog.
I hope this article is helpful in answering the question, can dogs eat chicken liver.