Pork liver

What is pork liver?

Pig liver is an organ of the pig that fulfills many important functions in the body. Among other things, the liver is responsible for detoxification, digestion, blood formation and hormone production. The liver consists of two lobes surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. The liver has a dark red to brown color and a soft consistency.

How is pork liver for dogs processed?

Pork liver for dogs can be processed in various ways. The most common are

• Dried: The liver is cut into thin slices and dried at a low temperature. This increases the shelf life and reduces the weight. Dried pork liver makes a good treat or reward for your dog.
• Raw: The liver is offered fresh or frozen and can be fed directly to your dog. Raw meat and offal are particularly popular for raw feeding (BARF) as they contain many natural nutrients.
• Cooked: The liver is cooked in water or broth until it is soft. Cooked pork liver can be used as the main ingredient or as a supplement to your dog's food.

What are the benefits of pork liver for dogs?

Pork liver for dogs has many benefits for your four-legged friend's health. Here are some of them:

• It provides high-quality protein, which is important for muscle building, wound healing and the immune system.
• It contains a lot of iron, which is needed for the formation of red blood cells and the transportation of oxygen in the blood.
• It provides your dog with zinc, which is essential for skin, coat and claw health as well as wound healing.
• It provides copper, which is involved in the formation of connective tissue, bones and pigments.
• It contains selenium, which acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from free radicals.
• It is rich in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B12, all of which play important roles in metabolism.
• It has a high content of vitamin A, which is important for vision, growth, skin and mucous membranes.

What are the disadvantages of pork liver for dogs?

Pork liver for dogs also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of. Here are some of them:

• It can contain parasites that can infect your dog. You should therefore always make sure that the liver comes from a trustworthy supplier and has been processed hygienically.
• It may contain harmful substances that have accumulated in the pig's liver. You should therefore always make sure that the liver comes from a healthy animal and not from factory farming.
• It can contain too much vitamin A, which can lead to symptoms of poisoning if overdosed. You should therefore always make sure that you do not feed your dog liver too often or too much.
• It can soften your dog's stools or have a laxative effect. You should therefore always make sure that you introduce the liver to your dog slowly and monitor its digestion.

How much pork liver can my dog eat?

The amount of pork liver your dog is allowed to eat depends on various factors, such as its weight, age, activity level and state of health. As a rule of thumb, you should not allow liver to make up more than 5% of your dog's daily food ration. This means, for example, that a 10 kg dog should not eat more than 25 g of liver per day. You should also make sure that you do not feed your dog liver more than once or twice a week to avoid an overdose of vitamin A.