Chicken Liver Dog Treats
Homemade chicken liver dog treats are a tasty, grain free and nutritious reward for your furry friend. With a chewy texture and savory aroma, they’re perfect for training or as an occasional snack.
These treats are made with dog-friendly ingredients like rice flour and parsley, ensuring a tasty and healthy reward. Easy to make and store, these treats let you provide your dog with a wholesome, homemade alternative to store-bought options.
My dogs went crazy for these treats as they love chicken livers. The long strips were the favorite as they managed to have a happy chew for a few seconds!
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Are Chicken Livers Good For Dogs?
In moderation, chicken liver is a fantastic addition to a dog’s diet and can be used in homemade treats or as an occasional topper to regular meals.
Moderation is Key at too much liver can lead to vitamin A toxicity, especially if given daily or in large quantities. It’s recommended to limit liver treats to no more than a few times a week.
Ingredients
Just 6 ingredients make these tasty dog treats.
- Chicken livers: Chicken livers are rich in protein, iron, and vitamins A and B, which support your dog’s immune system and overall health. They add a meaty flavor that dogs love.
- Rice flour: This gluten-free flour is easy on a dog’s digestive system and helps bind the treats together. This can be substituted with other dog friendly flour.
- Ground flaxseed: High in omega-3 fatty acids, ground flaxseed promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Egg: Provides additional protein and help to bind the ingredients, giving the treats structure.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh flavor and can help freshen your dog’s breath. It also contains beneficial antioxidants.
- Pumpkin puree: Pumpkin is rich in fiber, which aids digestion and adds moisture to the treats. We make our own pumpkin puree but you could use plain, canned pumpkin puree. Make sure it’s not pumpkin pie filling.
How to Make Chicken Liver Dog Treats
We bake these liver treats but they could be made in a dehydrator too. The blender part was a bit gross for me and I will never look at my food processor the same!
We found the mixture not thick enough to roll and cut out, so baked it flat in a baking pan, then cut into strips and squares once cool.
Blend liver, pumpkin, parsley and ground flaxseed.
Add the rice flour until a thick mixture is formed.
Spread out on a baking tin and bake.
Cut into slices and pieces and cool before serving.
Storage
Make sure the treats are completely cooled before storing to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mold. Place the treats in an airtight container or a resealable bag and store them in the refrigerator. The treats will stay fresh for up to a week in the fridge.
Freezing
This recipe makes a large batch as I have 4 dogs but I still froze half of them as there were a lot of treats! Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and they will last up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to use them, simply thaw the desired amount in the refrigerator overnight or let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Recipe Tips
Make sure the chicken livers are blended until smooth in a food processor for an even texture. This helps the dough come together and ensures that every bite is packed with flavor.
If the dough feels too sticky to roll out, add a little more rice flour (1 tablespoon at a time) until it reaches a manageable consistency.
Baking times may vary depending on the thickness of the treats. Keep an eye on them during baking and look for a firm texture and lightly browned color. If you want crunchier treats, you can bake them for an extra 5-10 minutes.
How Many Treats Does This Recipe Make?
The chicken liver dog treat recipe makes about 40-50 small treats, depending on the size and thickness of the shapes you cut out. If you prefer larger treats, you may get around 20-30. For training purposes, cutting the treats into smaller bite-sized pieces can yield up to 60-70 servings.
Chicken Liver Dog Treats
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Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken livers
- 2 1/2 cups rice flour
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 18 x 13 baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, blend the chicken livers until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken liver puree, ground flaxseed, egg, parsley and pumpkin puree.
- Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl and add the flour to thicken.
- Spoon the mixture into the baking tin and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes until firm.
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool and then slice into squares and sticks.
- Give as a treat in moderation.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.