Attention, health-conscious dog owners! If you’re looking to upgrade your pup’s treat game with something nutritious and delicious, look no further. We’re about to dive into 8 homemade liver dog treat recipes that’ll have your furry friend begging for more.
Liver isn’t just good for your dog—it’s a nutrient-packed powerhouse that can support their overall health. These treats are loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals that’ll keep your pup’s tail wagging and their body thriving.
From simple dehydrated liver chips to more elaborate liver and veggie biscuits, we’ve got options for every skill level. Don’t worry if you’re not a master chef; these recipes are easier to make than teaching your dog to “stay” in front of a squirrel.
So, grab your apron and get ready to whip up some liver-licious goodies.
Beef Liver Dog Treats
#1 Simple Beef Liver Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef liver
- 2 tbsp olive oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This low temperature will help dehydrate the liver slowly, making them chewy and long-lasting.
- Prep the Liver: Rinse the beef liver thoroughly and pat it dry with a paper towel. You’ll want to slice the liver into thin, even strips—about ¼ inch thick—so they cook evenly. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect; your dog won’t judge!
- Optional Oil: If you’re feeling fancy, lightly coat the liver strips in olive oil. This adds a little extra flavor and healthy fats.
- Bake: Lay the strips flat on your lined baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. Pop them in the oven and bake for 3-4 hours. Check occasionally—they should be firm but still a bit chewy when done.
- Cool: Let the liver strips cool completely before serving. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
#2 Beef Liver & Sweet Potato Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef liver
- 1 medium sweet potato, cooked and mashed
- 1 egg
- 1 cup oat flour (or grind rolled oats into flour)
- ½ cup water
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the Liver: Clean and slice the beef liver into small, bite-sized chunks. Set aside.
- Mash Sweet Potato: Make sure your sweet potato is soft and mashed well. If you don’t have a cooked one handy, simply bake or microwave it until tender.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the liver chunks, mashed sweet potato, egg, and water. Stir until everything looks evenly combined.
- Add Flour: Slowly add the oat flour, mixing as you go until a dough forms. The dough should be thick enough to shape into little balls or patties—adjust with more flour or water if needed.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and place them on your baking sheet. Flatten each ball gently with a fork. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and firm.
- Cool: Let them cool completely before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Chicken Liver Dog Treats
#3 Oatmeal Chicken Liver Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken liver
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup oat flour
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup water
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Get your oven going at 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Liver: Rinse the chicken liver well, then chop it into small pieces. Chicken liver is softer than beef liver, so don’t worry about perfect shapes—just make them small enough for bite-sized treats.
- Blend Oats: Pulse your rolled oats in a blender until they’re coarsely ground, then mix with the oat flour.
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the chopped chicken liver, egg, and water. Slowly add the oat mixture, stirring until you have a dough-like consistency.
- Shape and Bake: Use a spoon to drop small portions onto your baking sheet. You can shape them with your hands if you want neat circles, but rustic works too. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until firm to the touch.
- Cool: Let the bites cool completely before treating your dog. Store them in the fridge to keep them fresh.
#4 Chicken Liver & Pumpkin Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken liver
- 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup rolled oats
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Prep the Liver: Rinse the chicken liver, pat dry, and chop into small pieces.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the chopped liver, pumpkin, and egg. Stir until well mixed.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour and oats, stirring until everything is combined. The batter should be thick but spreadable.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bars are firm in the center.
- Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment paper and cut into bite-sized squares.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Pork Liver Dog Treats
#5 Pork Liver Crisps
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pork liver
- 1 tsp turmeric (optional for extra health benefits)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to a low 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the Liver: Rinse the pork liver thoroughly, pat it dry, and slice it into thin strips, around ¼ inch thick.
- Optional Seasoning: If you’re using turmeric, sprinkle it evenly over the liver strips. Turmeric is great for dogs’ joints, but it’s totally optional!
- Bake Low and Slow: Lay the liver strips on the lined baking sheet without overlapping. Bake for 3-4 hours, flipping halfway through. You want the strips to be dry and crispy.
- Cool: Let the crisps cool completely before treating your dog. They should be crunchy and easy to break apart.
- Storage: Keep them in an airtight container or freeze them for longer shelf life.
#6 Pork Liver & Veggie Chews
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pork liver
- 1 small zucchini, shredded
- ½ cup finely chopped carrots
- 1 egg
- 1 cup oat flour
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Get your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the Liver: Rinse the pork liver, then chop into small pieces.
- Prep Veggies: Shred the zucchini and finely chop the carrots. You can also use a food processor for quick prep.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the liver, shredded zucchini, chopped carrots, egg, and oat flour. Stir until everything comes together into a dough-like consistency.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop out spoonfuls of the mixture and shape them into logs or bars. Place them on your baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until firm.
- Cool: Let the chews cool completely before serving. These are a great veggie-packed snack!
- Storage: Keep in the fridge or freeze for longer storage.
Deer Liver Dog Treats
#7 Simple Venison Liver Chips
Ingredients:
- 1 lb venison liver
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the Liver: Rinse the venison liver well and pat it dry. Slice into thin strips about ¼ inch thick.
- Optional Oil: Lightly coat the strips with olive oil for a little extra flavor.
- Bake: Lay the liver strips on your lined sheet, making sure they don’t touch. Bake for 3-4 hours, flipping halfway through. They should turn crispy and dry.
- Cool: Let them cool completely before treating your dog. The texture should be crunchy and easy to break apart.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze them for a longer-lasting treat.
#8 Venison Liver & Beetroot Biscuits
Ingredients:
- 1 lb venison liver
- ½ cup cooked beetroot, mashed
- 1 egg
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep the Liver: Clean and chop the venison liver into small pieces.
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the chopped liver, mashed beetroot, and egg. Stir well to combine. Gradually add the oat flour and rolled oats until a thick dough forms.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop out small portions of dough and roll into balls. Flatten each one gently with a fork. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until firm.
- Cool: Let the biscuits cool completely before serving to your dog. They’ll love the earthy flavor of the beets mixed with the liver!
- Storage: Keep in the fridge for freshness or freeze for later.
The Benefits of Liver Dog Treats
Liver is a powerhouse of nutrients for your furry friend! It’s packed with protein, iron, and essential vitamins like A and B, which help support healthy skin, coat, and energy levels.
Plus, liver is great for maintaining a strong immune system and promoting overall well-being in dogs. These treats are not only tasty but also help give your dog a healthy boost without unnecessary fillers.
Just be sure to feed liver in moderation, as too much can lead to an overload of certain vitamins.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about making liver dog treats at home is the freedom to get creative! You can swap out different types of liver—like chicken, beef, or venison—depending on your dog’s taste or dietary needs.
Want to add some extra nutrition? Toss in veggies like carrots, spinach, or sweet potatoes. For a little crunch, try adding some crushed oats or chia seeds to the mix.
You can also adjust the size and shape of the treats to suit your dog, whether they prefer bite-sized snacks or bigger chews.
Storage Tips
To keep your homemade liver treats fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll typically stay good for up to a week.
If you’ve made a big batch, you can freeze them in small portions to make them last longer—just thaw a few treats at a time as needed.
For extra crispness, try popping them back in the oven for a few minutes after thawing!