Top four benefits of beef liver for your dog
At first glance, the idea of the cooked liver may sound repulsive, but dogs love this treat, due to apparent benefits. Beef liver contains up to 100 times more nutrient than any other meat, which is an excellent choice for your furry friend. It means that only small amount during the day is enough to keep him sated. The liver also has health benefits because it cleans your dog body from the toxins. But, like with any food, you need to use moderate amounts and about three times a week will be more than enough. There are couple of ways to prepare the liver so we recommend you check our article on preparing liver for your dog.
High in nutrients
The liver is a nutrient-rich organ that most dogs love eating. This organ will provide your pet with proteins, fat and vitamin A. These features will help your dog stay healthy. The liver is also a good source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus. It will provide your four-legged friend with vitamin B, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids. This is an essential amino acid your dog requires to keep a balanced diet. Apart from being very tasty, the liver will provide them a lot of benefits and keep them in shape.
Use a trusted supplier
Regardless of the type of liver you use, make sure to get it from a supermarket or butcher shop. Never use liver from a wild source because no one can guarantee you the quality of meat. For example, some deer are affected with liver flukes, and that makes their liver unsafe for animal consumption. Considering that liver is an essential component of a raw food diet, you can also use other organs, like heart, kidneys, and brain. This will provide a variety of nutrients to your dog and keep him sated during the day.
Possible disadvantages of the liver use
Although, the liver is rich in nutrients, too much consumption can have negative consequences for your dog. He can get a condition called hypervitaminosis A, of an overdose of vitamin A. The symptoms may involve bone deformity, bone spurs, digestive problems, muscle weakness, weight loss, and stiffness. If such issues occur, then you might need to contact your veterinarian. He will provide you an adequate therapy, and you will have to eliminate liver from your dog’s diet, to prevent future overdose.
Most common ways to prepare liver
Usually, you can prepare liver by cooking it. In this case, you don’t only have to rely on this single ingredient, but you can throw in some vegetables and make a stew. This can be a perfect meal for your dog, and you can always freeze it to last you longer.
The other way of preparing liver is by baking it. Slice the liver into equal pieces, season it and bake it for 30 minutes. Make sure to avoid aggressive seasonings like pepper and salt because it can damage your dog’s smell.
You can always decide to buy dehydrated treats, but it cheaper to make them.