Can dogs eat liver?
Not as a regular food, and not raw. Vitamin A poisoning in pets most often happens when they are fed raw liver or vitamin A-rich supplements, and raw liver carries the germ risks of all raw meat. Ask your vet before adding liver to your dog's diet.
Updated:
Why
Vitamin A poisoning most often happens when pets are fed raw liver, cod liver oil or other vitamin A-rich supplements. Too much over weeks or months can lead to a poor coat and dry skin; a large amount at once can cause vomiting, drowsiness and irritability. Raw animal protein can also carry Salmonella and other bacteria.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting, drowsiness or irritability after a large amount
- Poor, dry coat or skin after weeks or months
What to do
If your dog ate a large amount of liver at once, or has been fed liver often and has a poor coat or dry skin, call your vet. A balanced commercial diet or a vet-formulated home diet avoids the problem.
Questions and answers
Why is too much liver a problem?
Vitamin A poisoning in pets most often happens when they are fed raw liver, cod liver oil or other vitamin A-rich supplements.
Related foods
All foods: What can dogs eat?Sources
- Vitamin A Poisoning in Dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals / Pet Poison Helpline authors (updated 2026-09-11)
- Raw diets for dogs and cats (Raw or undercooked animal-source protein in cat and dog diets) — American Veterinary Medical Association (policy)
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — ASPCA Animal Poison Control (no date; ©2026)
- Feeding your pet a raw diet — PDSA (no date)
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic dog: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.