Dried liver dog treats

by Jamie Shanks | May 8, 2011 | 82 comments

Last Updated: August 31, 2025

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The definitive training treat

These dried liver treats are unbeatable for training sessions and anytime you need your dog’s attention. I use them when out walking the dogs, and the difference compared to shop-bought treats is remarkable—your pups will love them! Liver is affordable at local supermarkets or butchers, making these treats cheaper and healthier than branded options. Dogs go wild for them, even those who ignore other treats. 

To make cleanup easier, line your oven tray with tin foil or use disposable foil trays. Dried liver is gorgeous and has a nice smell, I even like eating it but it can make your clothes smell if you carry it in them so use a treat bag when out and about.  If you fancy an alternative liver recipe, try my liver cake recipe for dogs, a super dog treat.

treat bag

Get yourself a treat bag and you’re good to go!

 

Ingredients

A packet of liver (any liver will do).

Method

packet of liver

Get yourself some liver. Any liver will do.

rinsing blood of liver

Rinse the blood of the liver

baking tray wrapped in tin foil

Wrap a baking tray in kitchen foil.

strips of liver on baking tray

Lay your liver on the tray. Preheat your oven to 120c (250f/Gas mark 1). Cook for 1½ – 2 hrs or until fully dry.

dried liver on baking tray

Two hours later and this is it now dried. There is no juices in the tray and liver is dry inside and out..

dicing liver

Cut into little squares and fridge what you will use in a few days and freeze the rest. See now why we’re using kitchen foil?

dog wanting a liver treat

Flo you are getting some, don’t worry!

How to store

As a general guide if meat protein is present in recipe then it will last around 3 to 5 days stored in a cool place.  If it has second class protein in it eg. cheese, lentils, eggs, etc, then they will store for about 10 days in a cool place. If there is no meat or second class proteins present then it will last around 3 weeks before they go soft like human biscuits.

Buy the book!

These dog treat recipes are now available to buy in book on Amazon.   An ideal gift!

open cook book
raw pig ears

By Jamie Shanks

BDWS is owned and run by me, Jamie Shanks. I’ve been a professional dog walker since 2010. When I’m not walking dogs, I’m usually at home entertaining my three dogs and attending to five hens and my vegetable garden. 

82 Comments

  1. Do I use the fan setting or eco? I have been drying them on 80 for hours, according to other methods but this recipe seems much better

    • When the cooked mean is thawed after freezing it, is it safe to use straight away or does it have to be re-heated again

  2. Can you freeze this?

    • yes, perfect for freezing

  3. I rescued a dog 3 weeks ago and she loves liver. Its the only treat outside the house she pays attention to me for!

  4. Brilliant idea and great high value training treats. Really cheap to buy liver but so expensive to buy ready made liver treats. Made with lamb and chicken liver so far and 7 month old puppy loves them. Got a batch in the oven now and she is going mad because of the smell!!

    • My daughter got me onto this we have a 9 week old German Shepard we where buying the dried liver treats but at $12 to $14 an average bag this is a awesome treat for our pup we try not to give him to much as you can see when he poops it’s very richly looking.
      Also I’m finding when cooked I’ll try to dry it out on a plate for a few hours then bag it then put it in the fridge I find it sticky should I put the plate in the liver in the fridge not bagged would it dry better thx.

    • Yeah it is a bit sticky, that’s why a treat bag is a must. Also liver is a natural laxative so just little amounts while pup so young.

  5. I soak thin sliced pigs liver overnight in lightly salted water.
    Next morning rinse well and dry
    Place on tray and leave in sun all day with a food net over it
    All 3 of my dogs love it as a treat

  6. How old a puppy can you give liver treats too

  7. Should it be really dry after the time in the oven, mine is quite juicey!

    • yeah it will be dry, you’ll defo notice it when you start cutting it up. sounds like you need to dry it a bit longer.

    • Can l freeze the liver after chopping up

    • Yip, freeze for whenever you need them. This is actually the best way to store them if more than a few days.

  8. ARE THERE A LOT OF CALORIES IN DRIED LIVER?