Why is liver good for dogs?
Organ meats like liver, gizzard, or hearts are extremely rich in nutrients, and they are good for your dog’s diet. You should only feed the liver to your dog from a certified butcher or store. The liver contains key nutrients, healthy fats and is rich in protein. Also, the liver contains no sugar, flour, or preservatives.
I feed my Siberian huskies puppies liver because of its beneficial effect and its smell. Training it’s easier when you use high-value treats such as liver treats. And that tail will not stop wiggling when I show them liver treats. Most people that show their dogs frequently use the cooked liver to get their majestic dogs to look happy and alert in the show ring and to capture their attention.
When you have active dogs, such as I do, the liver is perfect for them because of the wonderful source of protein. It’s important to know your dog and how he will react to different foods. You should give your dog a little bit at first and see what are his reactions. If he enjoys liver and there is no problem to ingest it, then you should find out what is the proper amount that suits your puppy. The quantity varies according to breed, diet, age, and size.
Let’s dig more about why is liver good for dogs
- Vitamin A is essential for dogs because is a powerful antioxidant. Also, it helps to aid digestion and will make reproductive organs work well.
- B Vitamins – The liver is a source of various B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B12). Vitamins B prevents anemia and protects your dog’s mental health.
- Vitamin E for smooth muscle growth
- Vitamin K
- Choline helps memory and muscle control
- Biotin can help skin and hair
- Omega 3, Omega 6
- Iron is an essential mineral that plays a role in brain development, regulation of body temperature and metabolism.
The liver is perfect for active and working dogs, such as Siberian dogs because it has an anti-fatigue factor and it has more nutrients than muscle meat. The liver also cleans your puppy’s body from the toxins.
Are liver treats good for dogs?
Liver treats are good for dogs, and these treats are an instant hit. If you are training your dog, then you’ll discover that puppies respond so much better to homemade treats. These kinds of treats are usually a healthier alternative to salty and fatty store-bought treats. Also, it’s much cheaper, and you can find the liver at your local supermarket or butcher.
I give a lot of treats to my huskies. I like to spoil them and to make them happy. If you’re doing the same thing, then you need to keep a balanced diet too. That’s why I go for a variety of treats, from vegetables, fruits, and homemade treats to store-bought treats. I give treats to my dogs during training sessions and walks and also before bedtime.
During walks, I carry treats in my pockets to practice with my Siberian huskies’ training commands. Also, my husky lady is still very young, and she is at her first walks. She gets afraid when hearing different noises, especially those made by cars. To overcome the fear of cars, I give her a liver treat when a car passes by. This worked with my husky buddy so it might work with her too. Still trying to overcome the fear. I tried to capture her attention with other treats, but nothing worked until I made some liver treats. I guess I found her weakness. Believe me, I will exploit this weakness during training. She tends to be strong-headed.
Is liver toxic for your dog?
As with everything, the liver must be consumed in moderation. Too much liver can have negative consequences on your dog, such as an overdose of vitamin A.
How do I cook liver for my dogs?
There is no perfect recipe. The liver is preferred by most dogs, no matter how it is cooked. I don’t feed raw meat to my dogs. They are not used to it, and it’s my choice not to give them raw food. Also, it’s easy to cook liver for your puppies, and you can be pretty creative with it.
I don’t use the liver only for treats. I also make liver and vegetable stew, grill it or boil it, and mixed it with the kibbles.
Liver cookies treats
Ingredients for my liver treats recipe
- 500 grams of raw liver – chopped into smaller chunks
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup peanut butter for extra flavor
- 1 teaspoon garlic (if you want, it’s optional)
Preparing the recipe
- Rinse the liver
- Line a pan with baking foil or no foil if you have no sticky pans. Spray with some olive oil.
- Cut the liver into small pieces or use a food processor. Then add the remaining ingredients, moist ones first, blending as you add. Place the composition into the pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 30-45 minutes at 170°C. Check if It is done with a toothpick. Just as you do with a regular cake, insert the toothpick and see if it comes out clean. If it’s clean, then the treats are ready, and you can remove them from the oven.
- Cut it in small squares, or in what shape you need during the training sessions.
Another Simple liver treats recipe
Ingredients
- Liver
- A bit of garlic (optional) extra taste
Preparation
- Rinse the liver
- Boil liver
- Cut liver into cubes
- Place the liver cubes on a baking sheet and sprinkle on the garlic (Garlic it’s optional, don’t add if you are worried about it)
- Bake at 170°C for about one hour or until it’s dry
- You can store the treats in the refrigerator
Fast liver treats recipe
Ingredients
- Liver
Preparation
- Rinse the liver
- Place it on an electric grill
- Grill until the liver is browned, about 5 minutes per side
- Cut it in small pieces and let it cool off before you feed it to your husky
I hope this article will help you to train your puppies easier and spoil them with tasty doggy treats. Don’t forget to limit treats! Treats shouldn’t be more than 10% of your puppy’s total diet. You don’t want to get your dog overweight. If that happens, cut back on the treats and exercise with him more.
