Many people enjoy liverwurst as a tasty sausage as part of their main meals or as a snack. This food which is eaten in widely in many parts of Europe is often counted as part of the culture.
If you’re a regular eater of liverwurst you’ve probably wondered to yourself, can dogs eat liverwurst? The short answer is yes, dogs can eat liverwurst, however there are risks and in many instances it’s probably best to avoid feeding it to your dog.
Read on to discover the full details about whether dogs can eat liverwurst and what the dangers are.
Table of Contents
What Is Liverwurst?
Liverwurst is a sausage made from the liver of animals. Typically, it’s made from cow’s liver or pig’s liver. There are numerous European nations where liverwurst is commonly eaten, including Germany, Poland, Norway and Sweden among other countries. As well as the beef or pork used, liverwurst contains spices, such as salt, black pepper, and crushed mustard seed.
Liverwurst is also known as leberwurst or liver sausage.
Depending on which part of the world you’re getting your liverwurst from, there will be some variances in the type of liverwurst available. In the USA, many varieties of liverwurst are spreadable and served on crackers.
You will also find liverwurst offered in pre-sliced packets or in open faced sandwiches.
Is Liverwurst And Braunschweiger The Same Thing?
In some parts of the USA, particularly the Midwest, liverwurst is also called braunschweiger.
On top of that, in the US, the term ‘Braunschweiger sausage’ refers to a pork liver sausage that is virtually always smoked, incorporates bacon, and is packed in natural casings.
Liverwurst, on the other hand, is never smoked and contains no bacon.
Ultimately, the main difference between liverwurst and braunschweiger is that liverwurst is made from both cow liver and pig liver, and is never smoked. While braunschweiger is made from pig liver only and is always smoked.
If you’re still unsure, the safest course of action is to read the label on the container of the liverwurst you want to buy and determine if it is suitable for your dog to consume.
Can Dogs Eat Liverwurst? Is Liverwurst Safe For Dogs?
Broadly speaking, liverwurst is safe for dogs. Small amounts will have no effect on your dog’s health and wellbeing.
Leading on from that, liverwurst is high in sodium and fat, for that reason it’s considered a high value treat by most veterinarians. It’s possible that significant negative side effects might result from feeding your dog too much.
With that said, many dog owners have found liverwurst to be really beneficial for dogs that don’t enjoy the flavor of their medication. Some veterinarians believe eating liverwurst may help. They advise putting the medication in the liverwurst. By doing this, when your dog consumes the liverwurst, they’ll also be taking their medication, which they’ll be unaware of at the time.
Related – Find out if your pet pooch and at pork bones by reading can dogs eat pork rib bones?
Is Braunschweiger Good For Dogs?
Braunschweiger is considered as safe for dogs as liverwurst. braunschweiger is also high in sodium and fat. This means that braunschweiger is safe for your dog to consume in small quantities. However, feeding it to your dog regularly can result in negative health effects.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Liverwurst For Dogs?
As a source of protein, iron and vitamins, liverwurst ranks highly. Overall liverwurst has the following benefits for dogs as below
Protein For Dogs
Liverwurst is a high-quality source of protein, which is vital for a dog’s overall health and wellbeing. When it comes to your body’s cells, protein is an essential building block.
Vitamin A For Dogs
Vitamin A is also abundant in liverwurst. The eyesight, immune system, and reproduction of a dog are all dependent on this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 For Dogs
Vitamin B12 may be found in abundance in liverwurst. Dogs need this vitamin to keep their neurological systems and red blood cells functioning at their best.
Iron For Dogs
Iron is also plentiful in liverwurst. The blood and immune systems of dogs depend on this mineral.
Promotes Efficient Digestion In Dogs
Dogs’ digestive systems may benefit from liverwurst consumption as well. Foods like liverwurst have enzymes that aid in digestion by breaking up food as they travel through the dog’s digestive tract.
Promotes Healthy Coats On Dogs
Giving your dog small amounts of liverwurst can aid in the maintenance and health of your dog’s coat.
What Are The Risks In Giving My Dog Liverwurst?
Giving your dog small amounts of liverwurst as an occasional treat will not harm your dog. The real risks in feeding your dog liverwurst lie in how frequently you give it to your dog, and the quantity that you give to your dog.
High Fat Content For Dogs
Liverwurst has a high fat content. While it’s true that dogs do need fat in their diet, it should be in moderation. feeding your dog too much liverwurst can result in your dog putting on excess weight and which can create a range of health problems for your dog.
High Salt Content For Dogs
Like, fat, dogs do need small quantities of sodium to main optimal health. However, if your dog overdoses on salt it can create neurological problems, intestinal discomfort, and intense thirst and dehydrations.
Ingredients That Are Toxic To Dogs
Many liverwurst varieties are made with ingredients that are damaging to dogs. These ingredients include garlic and onions.
further, some liverwurst varieties include preservatives and additives, none of which are healthy for your dog.
If you do choose to feed your dog liverwurst, you must read the ingredients carefully to ensure it doesn’t contain ingredients that can harm your dog.
Is Liverwurst Good For Dogs?
On balance, liverwurst is good for when it’s fed to dogs in very small quantities and as an occasional treat.
Giving your dog small amounts of liverwurst has health benefits for your dog, but giving your dog too much can harm your dog.
Related – Dogs like a lot of different fruits, but is pureed apples good for dogs? Find out by reading can dogs eat applesauce?
Can Puppies Eat Liverwurst?
Puppies can eat liverwurst and it will not hurt your puppy if consumed in small amounts on an occasional basis. However, you need to be mindful that giving your puppy too much liverwurst can cause harm.
A good rule of thumb is to only give puppies half an ounce of liverwurst no more than once every two weeks.
How Much Liverwurst Can I Give My Dog?
it’s important that you give your dog only small moderate amounts of liverwurst on an occasional basis as a high value treat. By doing so, your dog will gain all the health benefits of liverwurst, while also avoiding the harm that overdosing on liverwurst can do.
Broadly speaking, small breed dogs should be given no more than 1 ounce of liverwurst once every two weeks.
Medium breed dogs can have no more than 1.5 ounces of liverwurst every 2 weeks.
Large breed dogs should be given no more than 2 ounces of liverwurst every 2 weeks.
It’s not recommended to feed your dog liverwurst more often that once every 2 weeks.
Final Thoughts On Can Dogs Eat Liverwurst
After reading this article you now know the answer to the question; can dogs eat liverwurst? Yes, dogs can eat liverwurst, but only in moderation.
Liverwurst is a great source of protein and iron for dogs as well as a great source of other nutrients. However, if you over feed liverwurst to your dog, you could harm your dog, and they certainly won’t get any health benefits.
Another factor to be wary of is whether the particular variety of liverwurst you intend on buying contains ingredients that are harmful to dogs. So always check the label of the liverwurst carefully.