When it comes to our pets, proper feeding is critical for their health. In turn, improper feeding leads to various diseases, such as ones of the digestive system, and related metabolic disorders, intoxication, etc. Often these diseases develop very slowly (sometimes for years), due to compensatory mechanisms of the body. As a result, clear clinical signs sometimes appear only after significant damage has been done to the body. Unfortunately, by this time, it may be too late to react. So, a responsible dog owner should always be sure that his or her pet receives every chance to be healthy.
Dogs are known to be carnivorous animals that feed on other animals. Yet, no predator, even in the wild, eats only meat. In order for the dog to be healthy, it should receive all vital substances in its daily diet necessary for long term health. These are not just proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, but also minerals and vitamins. Therefore the composition of a healthy canine diet includes not just muscle meat, but also fruits, vegetables, and organ meat (liver, kidney, heart, offal, etc.).
And whereas it cannot provide itself with food, the mission of every owner is to make sure that its feed contains all the necessary nutrients for continued health.
Liver is a nutrient- rich in organ. In addition to being considered tasty (the consensus of many dogs), liver can provide them with fat, protein, and vitamin A. All these can help your pet to stay healthy if given in moderation. Liver also contains a great deal of copper, niacin, iron, and phosphorus, along with B vitamins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as basic amino acids (such as DHA and arachidonic acid) which every dog needs to obtain in its diet to keep healthy.
Nevertheless, in addition to a large number of microelements and other nutrients, liver can also cause damage to the pet, if fed in excess. Too much liver can lead to an overdose of vitamin A (or hypervitaminosis A), which can lead to bone deformity, digestive upset, weight loss, and muscle weakness. So, a responsible owner should only give liver to his or her pet once or twice a week when fed as a treat.
Pet owners who feed complete and balanced diet can rest assured that their pet is getting the proper amounts of liver necessary for long term health. So when you feed them any extra liver on the side just keep in mind that feeding these once or twice a week is OK.
So whenever you are feeding your dog any diet, make sure it contains the right amount of liver as well as other important vitamins and minerals so that you pet is on the road to good health. Diets that are labeled complete and balanced, use no artificial ingredients, and are made from real fresh whole foods are the safest and quickest way to good health.