We always want to do the best we can for our fur babies. That’s no different when it comes to their treats! Making your pooch their own homemade liver dog treats just makes good sense. No preservatives, chemicals, or unsavory additives – a single-ingredient treat that’s delicious and good for them.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, I may earn a small commission AT NO COST TO YOU. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
DIY dog treats are the best because you KNOW what’s gone into them!
HOMEMADE LIVER DOG TREATS
So whether you’re a dog lover who is considering adoption, or you’re already a pet parent to one (or multiple furry buddies), you know how each dog is different. Some dogs have an enthusiastic personality and are easy to convince (and train) while others may need a teeny bit more effort.
That’s where these treats can come in and help.
What’s Great About Giving Liver Treats
If you’re not a fan of offal, you might be a bit skeptical about making these. (I know.. they look pretty gross.)
Well, it turns out, liver treats can actually be an incredibly healthy treat for your dog. When it comes to nutritive value, the liver packs in a ton of vitamins including A, B6, B12, C, and D, and other minerals such as riboflavin, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, folate, niacin, etc.
This is exactly why liver treats have recently become the most popular choice in the pet food category. Liver is readily available, and it’s easy to process.
Sure, you can always get your hands on one of the many commercially available dog treats, but some of them are loaded with additives and preservatives to increase their shelf life and improve their flavor, and feeding them to your dog on a daily basis can be harmful in the long run.
There have been several instances where dog treats have been recalled for possible contamination, which is always a risk when you’re opting for packaged treats.
These liver treats are, in contrast, easy to make, healthy, inexpensive, and safe for your furry friend.
Another reason, THE COST!!
I can tell you that at the local grocery stores and pet stores around me, I can buy a package of dried liver treats for almost $11.78 for 150 grams! That’s around 5 ounces or so.
Where, if you buy the raw liver from the meat department, you can buy it raw for around just over $4.oo a pound. It might even be cheaper in your area!
How To Make Homemade Liver Treats For Your Dog
Making liver dog treats for your puppers is super easy. All you need to do is get some liver from your local grocery store or butcher’s shop and chop it up into 1-2 inch chunks.
You might want to wear some plastic gloves when you handling the liver, only because the process can get a bit messy and well, the texture of raw liver….eeeek!
Lay them out on a baking pan, lined with parchment, (makes for easy cleanup!) while you preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Pop the liver in and roast thoroughly.
Now turn down the heat in your oven to the lowest setting to dehydrate and to remove the moisture from the liver.
***Read the recipe below for complete dehydration instructions.
Tips to Remember
Now that you’re done whipping up the treats, make sure you remember to offer them to your dog in moderation.
Liver may be the healthier choice as opposed to other dog treats available out there, but when consumed in large quantities, it might increase the risk of hypervitaminosis in your dog.
Liver contains an impressive amount of vitamin A, but offering it to your dog too often can give him way more of the vitamin than his body needs, increasing the risk of vitamin toxicity.
According to Spot and Tango, giving your pooch about one ounce per day is a safe amount (for a medium-sized dog. See the link for other recommendations for the size of your dog). Also, ALWAYS give your pets treats under your supervision!
Also, because dehydrated liver treats (and even kibble) are absent of water, it’s a good idea to have plenty of fresh water available at all times for your pooch so they can rehydrate their bods!
Storing Liver Dog Treats
I keep the treats I make for Bubba in a container in the fridge. I make sure they’re covered with a tight-fitting lid and they can stay in the fridge for a week, up to 10 days. If there is any mold, slime or funky smells coming from the pieces, pitch the whole batch.
Want To Freeze The Homemade Liver Treats?
I haven’t done it, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem. If I were to freeze them, I would place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and include a piece of paper towel in the bag to absorb any extra moisture should there be any.
They should stay good in the freezer for up to a few months.
Can I Make A Double Batch?
Absolutely. However, you’ll want to look at some safe storage. That’s when I’d freeze the treats and bring out only the amount I’ll use in the next few days. Let them thaw at room temp and then keep them in the fridge as described.
Well, again, I know they don’t look the greatest… but… I can almost guarantee that your pooch will LOVE them. My guy is THE pickiest eater on earth, and he loves them.
See, he’ll eat a stick before he eats some of those expensive dog treats I bought in the stores. Now I make them and he never refuses a liver treat made by me!
If you’re looking for other dog treats I have a recipe for Grain Free Dog Treats that you can check out. Also, I have a compilation of other recipes made by other bloggers that you can check out called DIY DOG TREATS.
Lastly, if you’re dog is diabetic (Yes!! They do exist!), the recipe given today makes an occasional treat for them, but if you want more ideas, take a look at another compilation of recipes I have for DIY DIABETIC DOG TREATS
Thanks so much for stopping by The Salty Pot today, and I really hope you have a fantastic day! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below, or drop me an email at: joanne@thesaltypot.com
~Joanne (and Bubba!)
Bubba's Homemade Liver Treats
I make these homemade liver treats for my furbaby, Bubba, all the time. Cheap, healthy, 1 ingredient dog treats that can be made right in your own kitchen!
Ingredients
- ½ lb raw beef liver *see notes
- water for rinsing
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. Remove the liver from the package and rinse it with water. Tap water is fine. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the liver into pieces approximately 1.5 - 2" in size.
3. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes.
4. When the roasting time is up, reduce the temperature on your stove to the lowest it can possibly go. 190F or lower is ideal. (see notes).
5. Let the treats dehydrate for 3 - 5 hours. The treats will darken to almost a black color and become hard.
6. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. (see notes!!)
Notes
Rinsing the liver is an optional step. Sometimes if there is a lot of blood left in the package, I will rinse the liver and pat dry with some kitchen paper towels.
If your oven doesn't have a dehydrate option, reduce the temp to as low as it will go and prop the door open a few inches for the time you are dehydrating the treats.
If you have access to a countertop dehydrator, by all means, use that appliance. It will do an awesome job on dehydrating your liver treats.
You want to be sure there is no remaining moisture in the treats to develop mold, hence storing them in the refrigerator.
Always give the treats under supervision with plenty of fresh water nearby.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 45 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 19Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g
***DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE LIVER TREATS TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD TO USE FOR LATER!! ***
Rita says
I have made liver treats for my dogs for years but I skip the whole dehydration part. 350 degrees for 25 min. Chop into small pieces when cooled, and right into the freezer bag. So easy! Saves a lot of energy. I thaw 1 oz for a bit before mixing them into his dinner. He would do backflips for these!
SJam says
My dogs adore these! Thanks for the recipe. I make a huge batch and freeze, defrosting a few every week for special treat time 🙂
Joanne says
Yayy! I’m so happy they’re working out for you and your pups!
MicKay says
If only giving 3-4 one inch pieces per week and they only last 10 days in the fridge… that would nor even be 1 liver. Guess you need to keep 4 in the fridge and freeze the rest? You must have more than one dog to use that container in a week or 10 days? Or do I misunderstand something?
Betsy says
Such a great way to save money. I’m cheap, let’s face it. But my pooch comes first. Since he competes in AKC trials, using liver treats is ideal for training. I once bought a packet of store bought treats at the local pet shop. It was $9 for just 2 ounces. I went to the butcher shop at paid $2.50 for more than half a pound. Plus they are better. I rotate my liver with cheese bits and dehydrated hot dog slices. He is one obedient golden.
Joanne says
Betsy, you and I are like-minded!! No shame in being cheap – it gives us more money to do the things we love to do, right? And yes, I TOTALLY agree with you – my pooch comes first as well!
I just made another batch of these two days ago. Bubba’s such a picky eater but he never turns down these liver treats. They’re CRAZY expensive in the stores for sure!! Thanks for commenting!!
Dani says
Your dog is lovely! I will try to do them this week!thank you fir posting
Joanne says
Thank you Dani!! I hope your dog loves them as much as my guy does too! Send a photo of your pup if you’d like to Joanne@thesaltypot.com. I’d love to see your puppers!!
Amanda says
What do I set my settings to on my dehydrator?
Joanne says
Hi Amanda! Because it’s meat, my dehydrator usually indicates the hottest setting for any meat products. So depending on the brand you use, I would default to the hottest setting it goes to.
Pam says
How long in the dehydrator?
Joanne says
Hi Pam. It really would depend on the type of dehydrator you have and how hot it goes. My dehydrator goes to 135 and would take about 10 – 12 hours. But again, it depends on the strength and power of your machine. Just remember they need to be cooked fully in the oven before dehydrating.