Is Beef Liver Good for Dogs?

In this article:

• Can my dog eat beef liver?
• Are there risks to feeding my dog beef liver?
• How can I prepare beef liver for my dog?
• The bottom line

You may be curious about whether organ meats, like beef liver, are right for your dog. While beef liver can indeed be safe and healthy for dogs, it’s a nutrient-dense ingredient that must be doled out deliberately, with an eye toward portion control.

Always follow the 10% rule when feeding treats—extras outside of a complete and balanced diet should not make up any more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Beef liver itself should make up far less than this amount—certainly no more than 5% of your dog’s daily calories, and maybe less. In general, follow the “law of the paw”—a dog’s combined intake of all treats over the course of the day should not exceed the size of their paw. And talk to your veterinarian about what portions of beef liver and other treats are right for your dog.

To maintain healthy body condition and prevent nutrient imbalances, the vast majority of your dog’s diet should be a complete and balanced food formulated by board-certified nutritionists.

Can my dog eat beef liver?

Beef liver can make for a low-calorie, nutrient-dense treat that provides vitamins A, C, and D, along with many B-vitamins, iron, copper, and zinc.

Dogs can enjoy small amounts of cooked beef liver along with a complete and balanced diet—it’s even an ingredient in some formulas from The Farmer’s Dog.

Are there risks to feeding my dog beef liver?

If you feed your dog beef liver, it’s crucial to always make sure it’s cooked. Eating raw beef liver puts dogs at risk for bacterial infections from salmonella, listeria, and other pathogens that can make them seriously ill.

Beef liver’s nutrient density means that keeping portions small is vital. Otherwise, your dog may suffer from excessive levels of certain vitamins. 

Certain dogs are predisposed to accumulating copper. This is called copper storage disease. If your veterinarian says your dog is among the dogs with this issue, talk to them about what foods are right for them.

Talk to your veterinarian or a vet nutritionist about whether beef liver treats have a healthy place in your dog’s diet—and before making any change to what you’re feeding your best friend.

How can I prepare beef liver for my dog?

Again, always cook beef liver before feeding it to your dog, and keep portions scant. If you’re not sure how much beef liver your dog can eat, check with your vet first; you’re better off safe than sorry.

When cooking beef liver for your dog, pat it dry with paper towels. Cut it into pea-sized bites before or after cooking. Gently pan-searing or simmering beef liver until fully cooked, about 15 minutes, will eliminate pathogens while retaining nutrients. You can also cook it in a pressure cooker on high for one to three minutes to kill any bacteria and retain nutrients. Only feed your dog plain beef liver—don’t cook it with onions, garlic, salt, seasonings, or oil. Once cool, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

The bottom line

Healthy dogs can eat small amounts of cooked beef liver as an extra or treat, kept within the 10% rule. For everyday nutrition, a complete and balanced food, formulated by on-staff, board-certified nutritionists, should be your dog’s primary diet.