Can I Feed My Dog Raw Liver Treats That Are Not Organic?

By Scott Ouska

I always consider the following factors before feeding my dog liver.

Is it...

• Free-range?
• Drug-free?
• Pesticide-free?
• No GMOs?

There are other things to consider as well.  Was the animal able to forage wild plants and other species-specific food?  Also consider access to large outdoor areas...

...including pure water, sunshine, and fresh air most of the time.  Finally...was the animal raised humanely?

At times, raw, organic liver seems expensive, or it's hard to find.

I'll help you feel confident when buying liver that is not stamped organic... and fed raw like a treat (all of my dogs think raw liver is a tasty treat!).

Before You Feed Your Dog Raw Liver...

I've included all the information you'll need to make an informed decision about buying healthy liver for your dog.

Rest assured... you can feed your dog non-organic liver treats that are just as healthy as organic liver... maybe even healthier.

I've been feeding my dogs organic and non-organic liver and other dog foods for over 20 years...

Whatever is more convenient (less expensive).  I always make sure my dogs' non-organic (or organic) food is healthy before I buy it.

If you don't know the source... stay away from non-organic.

Here's What to Look for When Buying Your Dog's Liver

“Free to Roam”

 I mean, really free-range!   Sometimes, when the packaging or ad says:

• Free-range
• Free to roam
• Pasture-raised
• Etc...

...this means nothing more than a very short period of time outdoors... in a small, fenced-in area!  Make sure the animal spends most of the time outdoors, not indoors, in crowded (filthy) living conditions.

• No antbiotics and other harmful drugs of any kind... period.
  

I heard, from a reliable source, that certified organic animals can still be given antibiotics.  If one bird is sick, it's legal to treat all the other animals as well.  I feel that if these animals weren't raised in constricted quarters, they wouldn't get sick in the first place!

Free of All Chemicals, Including Pesticides

Soil, plants, and other forage must be free of chemicals.

“After 'x' amount of days... the chemicals are no longer rendered harmful."  Don't believe this for a second!

Genetically Modified Organisms

Food and other forage must not be genetically altered in any way.

This is a bad excuse for increasing shelf life, discouraging insects and other hosts, etc.

Other Factors to Consider When Feeding Your Dog Non-Organic Raw Liver

• Raised in pastures:  Filthy, cramped living quarters harbor disease
  
  
• Automobile traffic pollution:  If possible, try to make sure the animals are not raised next to a high-traffic road
  
  
• Air-cooled vs water-cooled:  The packaging needs to say “Air Cooled.” Don't feed your dog birds that were injected with impure tap water

Many of Us Don't Think of This...

Do you know the grower?  Have you been to their farm?  When you called the farm directly, did you:

• Speak with someone in customer service or...
  
  
• ...did you actually talk with the business owner or manager?  Did you get your information from a third party (website) or a 4th party (AI)?

Years ago, I called customer service about a so-called healthy, “natural” oatmeal dog treat.  Then I called back and happened to reach the owner.  I was shocked to get two different answers!

Some growers follow organic guidelines but do not want to pay for organic certification.  You just need to speak with the person in charge. Period.

“Natural” Is One of the Most Misleading Words Used in the Dog Food Industry

“If the dog treat packaging says 'Natural'... shouldn't it be healthy for my dog?”

Not always.  "Natural" is one of those words that can be deceiving when used as an advertising gimmick.  Unfortunately, it's loosely regulated by the dog and human food industry.  Also...

Watch out for:

• Organix
  
  
• Free-range
  
  
• Cage-free
  
  
• Free to roam
  
  
• Pasture-raised

“Is Non-Organic Liver Loaded With Toxins Since It Acts As a Filter?”

The liver filters out toxins which are usually stored in the fatty tissues.  However, this is not an excuse to feed non-organic raw or cooked liver.  Some harmful residue will remain in the liver.... which is a good reason to avoid conventional raw or cooked liver unless you know the grower..

Cooking Your Dog's Raw Liver Treats

Sure, raw liver is more nutritious.  However, feeding your dog lightly cooked, healthy liver treats is more convenient during treat time!

If you're feeding your dog other species-specific healthy foods on a regular basis... just cook them for convenience.

How I Buy Healthy Liver for My Dog (and I)

I buy my dog's liver from two differet sources:

• A friend of mine raises the animals.  These animals are raised almost like a wild animal.
  
  
• I buy from my health store.  I visited the farm where the animals are raised and talkd with the owner.

Biscuit and I can't wait to come back here tomorrow and finish this page!

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