Chicken Liver
Also known as: liver
The single most nutrient-dense organ dogs can eat — nature's multivitamin.
What it actually is
The whole liver of a chicken, fed raw, freeze-dried, or gently cooked. Roughly 5–10% of a raw-fed dog's diet.
Why it's used in dog food
Liver is the storage organ for vitamin A, copper, iron, B12, folate, and CoQ10. A small amount replaces most of what a synthetic vitamin premix does in kibble.
A bit of history
Working dogs, sled teams, and hunting dogs have been fed offal for centuries. Modern raw feeding formalized the '80/10/10' guideline (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ split evenly between liver and other secreting organs) in the early 2000s.
Pros
- •Extraordinarily dense in vitamin A, B12, folate, copper, and iron
- •A small amount goes a long way — dogs need only a teaspoon or two daily
- •Highly palatable — excellent freeze-dried training treat
Cons
- •Vitamin A toxicity is possible if fed in excess long-term (target ~5% of total diet)
- •Can cause loose stools when first introduced — build up slowly
- •Conventionally farmed liver may concentrate residues; organic is worth the cost here
Safety notes
Do not exceed 5–10% of the diet by weight on a long-term basis. One meal of 25% liver is fine; a month of it is not.
Sourcing & quality
Organic or pasture-raised liver from a named source is best.
Commonly found in
Skip this if…
Your dog is on a prescription low-copper diet (rare — for copper storage disease).
The verdict
Every dog benefits from a small amount of liver. Skip it only for medical reasons.