Can dogs eat liver?
Liver is packed with vitamin A, and feeding a dog lots of it over weeks can cause vitamin A toxicity (VCA, Merck). Dogs are less sensitive than cats (Merck), but keep liver a rare, small treat.
How to serve it: cooked, occasionally, small amount
Good to know: Don’t feed it raw: raw meat can carry Salmonella and E. coli (ASPCA).
Questions
Can cats eat liver?
Yes, but only a little. Too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity in cats; kittens fed a liver-rich diet are especially at risk (Merck). So only occasionally and in small amounts.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals – Vitamin A Poisoning in Dogs
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control – People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Last checked: October 2026