Liver Dog Treats by Donna

Welcome to Liver Dog Treats by Donna K.

On Donna's chicken jerky page, we asked the same question: Are you fed up with mass-market pet jerky and treats that contain ingredients you can't even pronounce?

Health Benefits of Feeding Liver to Dogs

Here are some of the main health benefits of feeding your best friend (dog!!!) dehydrated liver dog treats:

• Dehydrated liver makes an incredibly palatable, nutrient-dense treat that most dogs love. The rich, meaty flavor of liver intensifies through the dehydration process, making it smell even more appealing to a dog.
• Liver itself contains high amounts of important vitamins and minerals that support overall health and bodily functions when used in tasty treats. 
• Liver is loaded with Vitamin A for vision and immune support, B vitamins for energy and metabolism, iron for oxygen circulation, copper for bone and enzyme production, and Coenzyme Q10 which promotes cellular energy. Condensing these nutrients into flavorful treats makes it easier for your dog to absorb - compared to vitamin supplements.
• Liver contains compounds like Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Selenium, and omega fatty acids that offer protective effects in your dog's body. Vitamin D in liver aids in Calcium regulation for stronger bones, while Vitamin E and Selenium act as antioxidants to reduce free radical damage to cells. It also provides anti-inflammatory Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that nourish skin and coats.

(Heck, I think I need to start eating liver...)

Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

Dehydrating Liver Creates a Softer Concentrated Texture

Dehydrating liver creates a softer, yet concentrated texture, compared to cooked liver. Dogs find this texture very easy to digest, chew, and break down... as you can see in Kylee's photo above.

Dehydrating liver dog treats gives them an extended shelf life of months - rather than days or weeks - like you would with fresh liver.  The dehydration process retains nutrients better than just cooking alone so you can store bags of these delicious doggie treats.

Of course moderation is still key to prevent overfeeding - and that goes for humans too. But overall, homemade dehydrated liver dog treats provide dogs with an exceptionally healthy, supplemental reward that packs highly bioavailable vitamins, minerals and compounds. It taps into the cravings  that dogs naturally have for organ meat.

Look Ma—No Slicing for These Liver Dog Treats!

Donna says: As a change from chicken for my dogs, I use beef liver. They love these liver dog treats. The nice thing about beef liver is you don't have to slice it!

Donna jokes: "For me, that's a good thing as sharp knives and I don't go well together!"

NOTE: Spray the dehydrator trays first with non-stick spray and then lay the liver on them.

Do the "Snap Test" to Check for "Doneness"

As seen on Donna's chicken pet jerky page, the same "doneness" test applies here for liver.

Simply bend the liver quickly and if it breaks, it's done. If it only bends, then there's still too much moisture in it. Put it back on the dehydrator and check every 12 to 18 hours.

Take note that on rare occasions meat can go bad. One time Donna forgot to turn on the dehydrator... and the other time she tested out dehydrating her treats in her shed in the winter time... it didn't work.

Do the "sniff test." If it smells bad, throw it away. Our pets are too precious to give 'em bad meat.

Add Glucosamine Chondroitin to your Liver Dog Treats

Stiff Joints Eased, and Fresh Breath too!

For Donna's senior dog, Kylee (a fabulous 12-year-young German Shepherd shown on the right, below), Donna opens a capsule of glucosamine chondroitin and sprinkles it on the raw meat.

When the liver dries, it's a joint supplement and a treat—all in one!

Donna says "If your dog has bad breath, you can sprinkle the raw meat with a bit of mint leaves. Use your imagination... just try to keep it natural for your pet's health!"

Donna's Chicken Dog Jerky:

Check out Donna's Chicken Doggie Jerky too - click the image below to see how to make these!

Thanks so much for reading Donna's liver dog treats page. She loves her dogs... and they love her too!

Before you go:

Don't forget to get your free "Six Simple Steps" eBook where I share how to dehydrate food safely!