Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken livers.
Dogs require food high in protein, especially in childhood.
It helps them grow strong muscles and shiny hair.
One of the best sources of protein is organ meat, like the liver.
It also contains many other nutrients but should be consumed consciously.
Here’s all you need to know about dogs eating chicken livers.
Nutritional Value of Raw Chicken Liver
- Proteins
- Iron
- Vitamin A
Proteins
Chicken livers are great sources of protein.
As opposed to fat and other nutrients, protein cannot be stored by the body, hence it must be a part of the regular diet.
Your pet’s protein requirements vary depending on their age and degree of exercise.
Animals that put in a lot of effort every day need a lot more protein. [1]
Animals who are pregnant or nursing also require more protein to meet their demands.
Animals will require more protein to heal if they are ill or damaged.
Iron
Due to its significance in physiological processes, iron is a necessary mineral.
It is abundantly present in chicken liver.
According to the NRC, adult dogs should consume 0.5 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight.
The maintenance and supply of oxygen to the circulatory system depend on iron.
Hemoglobin and red blood cells are produced with their aid.
Every cell receives hemoglobin, which carries iron and oxygen.
Enzymes that control procedures like digestion and metabolism are also composed of it.
Vitamin A
The health of the skin and vision are two of vitamin A‘s most well-known benefits.
Its capabilities go well beyond just having eyes and a coat.
The development of the brain and skeleton begins in utero, where vitamin A is essential.
Cellular differentiation is a process wherein cells change into more specialized cells.
Vitamin A works at the molecular level to aid in this process.
Since vitamin A supports the immune system, it even keeps dogs from getting sick.
It contributes to the production of the lungs’ protective mucus lining.
Risks of Feeding Raw Chicken Liver to Dogs
- Bacterial Contamination and Foodborne Illness
- Risk of Choking or Blockage in the Digestive Tract
- Hypervitaminosis A
Bacterial Contamination and Foodborne Illness
Salmonella enteritidis or S. aureus are frequently found infected in chickens.
Chicken can also include Campylobacter jejuni, L. monocytogenes, and E. coli.
To destroy the bacteria, the chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 °F.
Studies in New Zealand revealed that tissues of livers are infected with Campylobacter.
The appearance of livers will not be negatively impacted by this contamination.
Contamination is brought on by sloppy food handling procedures.
These include cutting boards and unhygienic machinery.
Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Typhimurium are all possible human and animal pathogens.
They can cause deadly illnesses including food-borne zoonosis.
Dogs consuming infected food products like chicken are at risk of developing salmonellosis.
Additionally, Salmonella food illness is caused by undercooked or barely grilled meat.
A frequent cause of foodborne illness is the enterohemorrhagic strain of E. coli.
Risk of Choking or Blockage in the Digestive Tract
Chicken livers are delicious and interesting for dogs to eat.
They might eat quickly and without chewing as a result.
It may very well result in liver choking.
Coughing is probably one of the first indications that your dog is choking.
Your dog will start coughing to attempt and get rid of anything that is lodged in its mouth or throat.
Due to the blocked airway, you can also notice that your dog is having trouble breathing.
Another indication that your dog might be choking is pawing at their lips or head.
As well as showing indications of distress or franticness.
In severe circumstances, a dog that is choking may lose consciousness.
Hypervitaminosis A
Chicken livers should be consumed consciously – they might lead to vitamin A overdose.
The symptoms of vitamin A toxicity might appear suddenly or develop gradually.
Dogs exhibit signs of vomiting, agitation, and peeling because of large doses of vitamin A.
Taking excessive amounts of vitamin A for several weeks to months can lead to rough or dry skin and a poor hair coat. [2]
Additionally, it causes constipation, weight loss, and weakness.
Excessive bone growth and restricted or painful movement are possible.
During pregnancy, it has been linked to the development of cleft palates. and other fetal malformations.
Vets may take the vomit if the pet had a big dose of vitamin A.
Activated charcoal can be given once the vomiting has been controlled.
This may result in less vitamin A being absorbed by the digestive system.
Only a veterinarian should provide activated charcoal. [3]
Otherwise, pulmonary aspiration and potentially fatal alterations in blood salt levels could happen.
Factors to Consider When Feeding Raw Chicken Liver to Dogs
- Age and Health Status of the Dog
- Raw Chicken Liver Quality
- Preparation and Storage Techniques
Age and Health Status of the Dog
Dogs over three months are allowed to eat chicken livers.
During the period of growth, up to 2 years of age, the need for this type of food is greatest.
In the later years of life, the probability of chronic diseases is higher.
Diseases of the liver, kidneys, and intestines are more pronounced. [4]
Therefore, high amounts of liver are not recommended in older dogs.
The vitamins represented in it are metabolized through the dog’s liver.
So, pets with liver disease require a low-protein diet.
So by giving high doses, we increase the burden on the liver and its efficiency decreases.
For small dogs, a portion of chicken liver is recommended once a week, and for older dogs 1-2 times a month. [5]
Raw Chicken Liver Quality
Frozen storage decreased the raw chicken livers’ ability to hold water.
It increases cooking loss and area shrinkage after heating.
With increased heating time and temperature, the cooking loss and area shrinkage grew.
The shear resistance for cutting through cooked livers was reduced at 60°C.
It is increased following heating at 73.9°C to 90°C in comparison to raw livers.
The shear resistance of the livers heated to 70°C was comparable to that of fresh liver. [6]
Preparation and Storage Techniques
- Primary preparation
- Boiling process
- Cooling
- Portion preparing
Primary preparation
Cooking chicken livers can be an easy process.
Put the raw chicken livers in a bowl after removing them from the packing.
To properly rinse off debris, add cool water and gently agitate the pieces of raw liver in the water as you do so.
Livers are once again drained and rinsed.
Boiling Process
Place cleaned chicken livers and 1 inch of water in a medium-sized pot and boil the mixture over high heat.
After boiling, lower the heat to a gentle boil for ten to fifteen minutes.
Don’t season or add any additional ingredients; your dog will enjoy the livers just the way they are. [7]
Cooling
After 15 minutes of mild boiling, turn off the heat and run a strainer over the livers to drain the water.
Before continuing, let the livers cool to room temperature on a dish.
Portion Preparing
Your livers should be chopped and diced into portions suitable for your dog when cooled.
A rough cut is acceptable if serving as a treat.
Consider using smaller dice when putting them inside their meals so you can mix them quickly.
If your dog requires a finer texture, you can also use a food processor. [8]
How Much Raw Chicken Liver Can Dogs Safely Eat?
Dogs can safely eat up to 60 grams of raw chicken liver.
This goes for the large-sized dogs, once or twice per week.
Recommended Serving Portions
You need to know right away if the dog food you are currently feeding contains liver.
You can give your dog up to a few times per week if that is the case.
You can give your dog up to 5% of its daily diet in the form of the liver.
This is suitable when the food they are currently eating does not contain any liver.
Feed small dogs up to 10-15 grams (0.35-0.53 oz) as a serving size estimate.
It is advised to feed medium dogs up to 25-30 grams (0.88-1.06 ounces).
1-2 times a week, large dogs need up to 40-60 grams (1.4-2.1 oz) of chicken liver.
Alternatives to Raw Chicken Liver
- Safer Alternatives
- Other Protein Sources
Safer Alternatives
Owners can’t always feed raw chicken liver to pets.
So, a food high in protein derived from soybeans is unexpectedly found in dog food. [9]
With the added benefit of being high in fiber, soy can serve as a meat substitute that is high in protein.
The digestive tract benefits from the fiber’s assistance and can heal more quickly.
Additionally, soy has a lot of vitamins and minerals that would be beneficial for the health of your dog.
A meal strong in protein might be made from half a cup of cooked soy.
Quinoa, though it is a seed, is a grain that is packed with nutrients.
It is the safest plant-based complete protein.
It has a lower protein-to-volume ratio than the majority of animal substitutes.
Your dog would receive 8.14 grams of protein from a cup of quinoa. [10]
Other Protein Sources
Both barley and quinoa are excellent sources of protein.
Barley has a high fiber content and low cholesterol.
About 4 grams of protein are contained in one cup of boiled barley.
The most popular cereal, oats, is a fantastic source of both carbs and fiber.
They are a fantastic source of proteins, which enables dogs to develop body strength.
They can be utilized as a substitute for wheat.
10 grams of protein are provided by one cup of rolled oats.
Green peas are one of the best sources of nutrients for your dog.
They include fiber, and minerals, in addition to protein.
About 8 grams of protein are provided by one cup of cooked peas. [11]
Buckwheat is not the same as wheat even though it contains the name.
It is a surprisingly gluten-free seed that is high in magnesium, potassium, iron, and copper.
Large amounts of protein in buckwheat support the dog’s health and build him up.
4 grams of protein are provided per cup of properly prepared buckwheat.
Typically, cheese isn’t a main component of dog diets.
However, it can be a fantastic extra protein source for your dog. [12]
The type of cheese that is ideal for your dog depends on his needs.
It varies on whether you’re giving it to him as a treat or including it in his food.
Should I Feed My Dog Raw or Cooked Chicken Liver?
You should feed your dog cooked chicken liver.
Eating raw chicken might lead to bacterial infections and vomiting.
Many owners have questions about how to eat chicken liver.
Make sure to prepare the food first because dogs shouldn’t consume raw liver. [13]
The safest approach to feeding your dog this meal is to boil or steam it because raw meat may carry parasites.
The stomach of your dog may become irritated if you sauté the liver.
Small liver bits should be cut up.
Make sure to cut the liver into tiny pieces since larger chunks might be a choking hazard.
Additionally, you can introduce it by adding it to your dog’s kibble.
Always wait until the liver has cooled.
Your dog won’t burn their mouth by waiting for this meal to cool off first. [14]
Differences Between Organic and Non-organic Chicken Liver
There are no changes in the micronutrients or protein content between the two types.
They both have comparable nutritional profiles.
The amount of fat in the skin is the distinction between organic and conventional meat.
Depending on the cut, organic contains between 5 and 13% less total fat.
However, once the skin is removed, the amount of fat in the meat is comparable between the two varieties.
Additionally, both varieties of chicken naturally contain less salt.
Are Raw Chicken Livers Good for Dogs?
No, raw chicken livers are not good for dogs.
Make sure to prepare the food first because dogs shouldn’t consume raw liver.
The safest approach to feeding your dog this meal is to boil or steam it because raw meat may carry parasites.
Before offering it for the first time, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.
References
