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Liver Dog Treats: Healthy Homemade Snacks for Dogs

Portrait of Susan Gast, author of Easy Food Dehydrating
Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

Homemade liver dog treats are one of the simplest and healthiest rewards you can make for your pup. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and protein, dried liver provides a tasty boost without fillers, preservatives, or mystery ingredients. Best of all, making them at home is straightforward, affordable, and ensures you know exactly what’s in every bite.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you make liver dog treats at home?
Slice fresh beef or chicken liver into evenly sized pieces. Heat beef liver to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), or chicken liver to 165°F (74°C), before dehydrating. Dry at 140°F (60°C) until thoroughly dried, then cool completely. Refrigerate or freeze the finished treats for safe storage.

Recipe contributed by Donna K.

These homemade liver dog treats come courtesy of Donna K., who shared her preparation tips and experiences making treats for her much-loved dogs, Kylee and Molley. You'll find Donna's own comments and photographs throughout this page.

Illustrated golden retriever beside a food dehydrator in a kitchen

Why Liver Makes a Nutritious Dog Treat

Here are a few reasons why liver makes a nutritious occasional treat for dogs:

Pile of homemade dehydrated beef liver dog treatsA Pile of Ready-to-Eat Dehydrated Beef Liver Doggie Treats!
  • Rich in Protein: Liver provides high-quality animal protein, which helps maintain muscles and supports normal body functions.
  • Naturally Rich in Vitamins: Liver is an excellent source of vitamin A and several B vitamins, including vitamin B12. These nutrients play important roles in vision, metabolism, and normal cell function.
  • Contains Important Minerals: Liver provides iron and copper, which help support normal red blood cell production and other essential processes.

A little goes a long way! Liver is particularly high in vitamin A and copper, so offer small portions as an occasional treat rather than a daily snack. Dogs with certain health conditions or special diets may need to avoid it.

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

How to Make Liver Dog Treats

Kylee the dog enjoying a homemade liver treatKylee loves liver dog jerky treats!

Making your own liver dog treats means knowing exactly what goes into them. All you need is fresh liver and an electric food dehydrator.

As Donna puts it:

"It's not imported, it's not full of God-knows-what. It has no preservatives. No added color, or fillers. It has ONE (as in '1') ingredient. You gotta love '1'."

Use the Correct Internal Temperature Before Dehydrating

A food dehydrator may not heat raw liver quickly enough to destroy harmful bacteria. For safer homemade liver treats, cook the liver before dehydrating it.

  1. Prepare the liver: Keep fresh liver refrigerated until you're ready to use it. Cut it into thin, evenly sized pieces, trimming away any visible fat.
  2. Cook to a safe temperature: Bake or simmer the liver until it reaches the appropriate internal temperature, checked with a food thermometer:Beef or pork liver: 160°F (71°C).Chicken or turkey liver: 165°F (74°C).
  3. Arrange on dehydrator trays: Place the cooked liver pieces in a single layer, leaving space between them for air circulation.
  4. Dehydrate at 140°F (60°C): Dry until the pieces are thoroughly dried, with no moist centers. Drying time varies depending on thickness, moisture content, and your dehydrator.
  5. Cool and store: Allow the treats to cool completely before packaging. Refrigerate or freeze them rather than assuming they're shelf-stable.

Important: A dehydrator temperature setting is not the same as the liver's internal temperature. Cooking the liver first provides an essential food-safety step. Always use clean equipment and wash your hands after handling raw liver.


Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter

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135°F
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Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter

Move the slider to convert temperatures instantly.

135°F
95°F450°F
Celsius equivalent: 57.2°C

What Dehydrating Does to Liver

Dehydrating removes moisture from liver, concentrating its flavor and changing its texture. As it dries, the liver becomes smaller, darker, and firmer.

The finished texture depends on how thickly you cut the liver and how thoroughly you dry it. Thin pieces may become quite brittle, while thicker pieces can remain harder and chewier.

Removing moisture helps slow spoilage, but homemade liver treats aren't automatically shelf-stable. Once completely cooled, store them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Remember that liver is rich in vitamin A, so a few small pieces are plenty for an occasional reward.

"If we measured our affection toward others
by how many nicknames we bestow upon them,
our pets would be the most loved."

— Carrie Brownstein

"If we measured our affection
toward others by how many
nicknames we bestow upon
them, our pets would
be the most loved."

— Carrie Brownstein


Pieces of raw liver arranged on food dehydrator traysRaw Liver for Donna's Dog Jerky

Preparing Liver for Dehydrating

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

Tip: If liver tends to stick to your dehydrator trays, use dehydrator-safe mesh liners or silicone sheets approved for your machine. Make sure air can still circulate properly around the pieces.

Donna's approach certainly makes preparation easier, especially if you're not keen on handling sharp knives!

For food safety, however, we recommend cooking liver to the appropriate internal temperature before dehydrating it. Beef liver should reach 160°F (71°C), while chicken liver should reach 165°F (74°C).

If the cooked liver pieces are large or unevenly shaped, cut them into smaller, similar-sized portions before arranging them on the dehydrator trays. This helps them dry more evenly.

How to Tell When Liver Dog Treats Are Dry

Once the liver has been cooked to the appropriate safe internal temperature and placed in the dehydrator, check its progress periodically.

  • Look for a dry surface: The pieces should feel dry, without sticky or visibly moist areas.
  • Check the texture: Allow a test piece to cool before bending or breaking it. Thin pieces may snap, while thicker pieces may remain firm and chewy. There should be no soft, damp center.
  • Continue drying if needed: If a piece still feels moist inside, return it to the dehydrator and check again in 30–60 minutes as it approaches the desired dryness.
  • Cool before storing: Let the finished treats cool completely, then refrigerate or freeze them.

Remember: The snap test helps you judge dryness, but it doesn't prove that harmful bacteria have been destroyed. That's why the cooking step before dehydrating is important.

Take note: On rare occasions, meat can go bad. One time Donna forgot to turn on the dehydrator… another time she tried dehydrating treats in her shed in winter—didn't work! 😅

Donna's Sniff Test: "If it smells bad, toss it. Our pets deserve the best!"

That's good advice! However, harmful bacteria don't always produce an unpleasant smell or visible signs of spoilage. Never rely on the sniff test alone to determine whether meat is safe. If the liver has been left at room temperature for more than two hours—or one hour in temperatures above 90°F—discard it.


The Funny Shapes Dehydrated Liver Can Make

Dried liver pieces in unusual shapes on a dehydrator trayDehydrated Liver for Donna's Dog Jerky Treats

Is it just me?

Can you see a hand with a finger pointing (top piece)?

How about a man with a sword and shield (center, right)? 

And the bottom piece—a Halloween scene with a cat with a huge tail, and another smaller cat to its right, catching a fish!

I swear, dehydrated liver is the Rorschach test of the dog treat world. 🤣


Make Nutritious Dog Food at Home

Make Your Own Dog Food eBook showing different reading devices

My Make Your Own Dog Food book brings the recipes and instructions together in one convenient guide. You’ll learn how to prepare Chicken Chow and Bow Wow Beefy Chow, handle the ingredients safely, and store the finished food.

It also explains how to dehydrate homemade dog food for travel or convenient storage, with clear, easy-to-follow steps from preparation through rehydration.

Read how to make NUTRITIOUS dog food here.

...or buy the book right here!


Can You Add Supplements or Mint to Liver Dog Treats?

Donna shared an interesting idea for making liver treats for her senior German Shepherd, Kylee. She used to open a glucosamine and chondroitin capsule and sprinkle the contents onto liver before dehydrating it.

Although glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly used in joint-support supplements for dogs, it's best to speak with your veterinarian before adding them to homemade treats. The appropriate product and dose depend on your dog's needs, and some human supplements contain ingredients unsuitable for pets.

What about mint?

Some varieties of culinary mint, such as spearmint and peppermint, may be tolerated by dogs in very small amounts. However, mint isn't a substitute for dental care, and concentrated mint oils should be avoided.

For a simple homemade treat, plain liver is the easiest option. If you'd like to add anything else, check with your veterinarian first.

Kylee and Molley waiting together for homemade dog treatsIs the jerky done yet? beg Molley and Kylee

"Molley and Kylee love our dog treats!"
— Donna K. and Jenna

Try Donna's Homemade Chicken Jerky Dog Treats

If your dog enjoys homemade liver treats, why not try Donna's chicken jerky treats next? She shares another simple way to prepare homemade snacks for your four-legged friend.

Fully dehydrated Chicken - dog jerky treatsDonna's CHICKEN Pet Jerky

Check out Donna's CHICKEN jerky dog treats

If you don't have time to make your own treats,
take a look at Donna's SimplaStix Etsy shop
and buy 'em ready-made!

→ A happy pet starts with a safe home. See these smart decor tips for pet-friendly kitchens.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liver Dog Treats

What type of liver is best for dog treats?

Beef and chicken liver are both popular choices for homemade dog treats. Beef liver has a stronger flavor, while chicken liver is generally smaller and easier to portion. Whichever you choose, use fresh liver, cook it to the appropriate safe internal temperature, and dehydrate it thoroughly.

How long do homemade liver dog treats last?

Because homemade liver treats contain no added preservatives and their shelf life hasn't been laboratory-tested, refrigerate them promptly after cooling. For a conservative approach, use refrigerated treats within 3–4 days or freeze portions for longer storage. Thaw frozen treats in the refrigerator. Don't assume they're safe to store at room temperature for several months.

Are liver treats safe for all dogs?

Liver can be a nutritious occasional treat for many dogs, but it isn't suitable for every dog. It's particularly rich in vitamin A and copper, so excessive amounts can cause problems. Dogs with certain medical conditions, including copper-storage liver disease, may need to avoid it. Ask your veterinarian if your dog has dietary restrictions or health concerns.

Can I bake liver instead of dehydrating it?

Yes! You can bake liver treats in the oven. Use a food thermometer to ensure beef liver reaches 160°F (71°C) or chicken liver reaches 165°F (74°C). If you want a drier, jerky-like texture, continue drying the cooked pieces at a low oven temperature, checking regularly. Refrigerate or freeze the cooled treats.

Making your own liver dog treats is an easy way to keep tails wagging while giving your pup a nutrient-packed snack you can trust.

While you’re here, grab the free 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great PDF below—featuring carrot soup, minestrone, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls.

Hand holding the 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great free PDF guide

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

← Get your free copy now!

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

Hand holding the 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great free PDF guide

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

Get your free copy now!

More From Easy Food Dehydrating

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Test Your Food-Dehydrating
Know-How

Choose a food, make the right preparation, drying, and storage decisions—and see how many stars you can earn!

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Test Your Food-Dehydrating
Know-How

Save the Harvest food dehydrating game featuring jars of dried bananas, beets, mushrooms, peas, and corn.

Choose a food, make the right preparation, drying, and storage decisions—and see how many stars you can earn!

Play “Save the Harvest”