Is Liverwurst Good For Dogs?

The purpose of this research is to explain the “Is Liverwurst Good For Dogs?“.

Its okay to occasionally give your dog some Liverwurst if you’re looking to give him more variety in his diet. 

Occasionally like on top of his kibble he can be given a bit of chopped liverwurst. 

Because liverwurst has a high salt and fat content dogs should be fed this type of food sparingly. 

Liverwurst on the other hand is an excellent source of iron and vitamins that dogs do require. 

In conclusion Liverwurst is a nice snack but it should be served in moderation so the dog can benefit from it without suffering any negative consequences such as salt poisoning. 

Here we will discuss the main ingredients of Liverwurst and compare it to other foods such as liver pate and Braunschweiger. They are not the same thing as Liverwurst.

What is Liverwurst?

Sausages made with liver from pigs or calves are called liverwursts. Originating in Germany this food is very popular in many parts of Europe as well as North and South America. Wurst is the German word for sausage but liverwurst does not need to be cooked so it isnot your typical type of sausage. Although it can be served sliced spreadable versions are much more popular.

It is possible to offer your dog a slice of liverwurst or you can cut it into little pieces and spread it over his regular food.

Calories

Should you feed your dog this kind of food? Dogs should not consume so many human foods and some of them are even toxic. Here is some nutritional information about them.

First of all 100 grams of liverwurst contain 327 calories which is quite high especially for small dogs.

The good news is that a 100 g serving of liverwurst contains 15 g of protein and almost no carbs (1%).

Unfortunately liverwurst contains a lot of fats especially saturated fats.

Fats

Both humans and dogs require fat in order to absorb vitamins and to regulate body temperature.

Saturated fats on the other hand have been found to cause problems with the heart and circulatory system. Look for products rich in unsaturated fats if you want to keep your dog healthy.

The saturated fat content of liverwurst is 9.3 g per 100 g.

With a 2000 calorie diet this accounts for 47% of dietary needs.

In the case of a small dog a similar serving of liverwurst represents much more saturated fat than is recommended for him per day.

Experts suggest that fats should not make up more than 10% or 15% of a healthy dogs diet.

Fats in the dogs diet can contribute to heart disease as well as pancreatitis an inflammation of the pancreas that can be fatal if left untreated.

Salt

Approximately 42% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for an average person is found in 100 g of liverwurst as measured by the label.

A Western adult weighs around 180 lbs while an African or Asian adult weighs 130 lbs.

One serving of liverwurst has almost half the amount of salt an average human needs how much is that for a 30 lb dog?

Calculating how much salt a dog needs isnot necessary since its way above the recommended amount. Dogs weighing 30 pounds can safely consume around 100 mg per day.

A liverwurst serving has seven times more salt than that.

You do not have to worry about your pet being killed by the salt.

You do not need to worry even if your dog steals the liverwurst from the counter and wolfs it down before you realize what happened.

It is possible for the dog to get an upset stomach. As long as its a one-time thing nothing will go wrong.

The problem is that your dog is eating too much salt on a regular basis.

Vitamins and minerals

For your dog liverwurst is an excellent source of iron.

For example a 100 g serving contains 11.2 g of iron or 62% of the RDA for humans which is more than enough for dogs.

Anemia can be caused by iron deficiency so many pet owners wonder how they can sneak more iron into their dogs diet.

Iron is especially important for puppies and young dogs going through rapid growth spurts. It is advisable to give your dog small amounts of liverwurst every now and then if he falls into any of these categories.

Additionally liverwurst contains vitamin B3 which is beneficial to the nervous and digestive systems.

Additionally it provides the average person with more than 100% of the vitamin B2 (riboflavin) needed for normal cell function and growth.

What ingredients are in Liverwurst?

The meat used in liverwurst is the primary liver but it also contains offal meat and fat (lard).

Dogs can get quite a bit of nutrition from the liver. Although the liver has the same protein content as meat it has fewer calories.

You need to keep in mind that the liver contains a significant amount of vitamin A which is essential for a dogs health but in moderate amounts. If a dog consumes too much liver he can develop vitamin A toxicosis which causes new bone to grow around his joints causing stiffness and difficulty moving.

Liverwurst may also contain kidneys or hearts both of which are incredibly healthy and rich in vitamins and minerals

When buying liverwurst make sure you read the label carefully. Liverwurst comes in many varieties which are very different from the traditional recipe. In fact most of these products are filled with stabilizers preservatives (most often nitrites which are not healthy at all) as well as flavorings that are not recommended for dogs especially onion.

Your dog would not be poisoned by any of these ingredients in large enough quantities. In the long run liverwurst could be harmful to your dogs health if it is regularly fed this food. As an example vitamin A tends to be stored in the liver of dogs.

Is liver pate any better for your dog?

The liver pate is basically a variation of liverwurst. These terms are often used interchangeably in Northern and Eastern Europe. It is important to note that liver pate is usually spreadable whereas liverwurst has a more pronounced sausage texture and can easily be sliced.

There isnot much difference between the ingredients so your dog would not notice the difference.

The spices in liver pate may be more intense than in liverwurst particularly onions. At the same time liver pate made following traditional French recipes might also have eggs in it which is healthy for your dog.  

A pate that has a higher meat-to-liver ratio could contain less fat making it healthier for your dog. As liver pate has fewer calories than liverwurst it would be a healthier alternative if your dog is prone to obesity. Approximately 200 calories and 13 g of protein are in 100 g of liver pate.

A rich source of vitamins of the B group liver pate is similar to liverwurst.

Why might liverwurst be a convenient way to hide pills?

Those who do not know how to give their dogs the pills they might need for whatever illnesses they might have will find liverwurst a godsend. You cannot force the pills down his throat so the best trick is to hide them in a tasty treat. It is easy to conceal a pill inside liverwurst since it is soft enough to conceal one. The spherical versions are even easier to conceal. Alternatively you can coat the pill in liverwurst or liver pate and give it to your eager dog. While it might be sticky on your fingers all dog lovers are happy to pay that price if it means their pet gets the medicine he needs.

Liverwurst vs braunschweiger. What is the difference?

There is a lot of confusion surrounding these two products which look similar but are nevertheless different. Braunschweig is the name of the original Braunschweiger. The traditional recipe calls for raw minced pork or beef organ meat (with at least 30% liver) spiced with garlic salt and pepper. Both Braunschweiger and Liverwurst are smoked but Braunschweiger is boiled. In addition to Braunschweiger other spices might also be used in the recipe none of which should cause your dog any problems.

If you do not have a German granny who is dying to make Braunschweiger for the whole family dog included you’re probably going to buy it at the deli. As a result you need to assume that the product might contain more salt than your dog needs as well as other chemicals.

Are our smoked meats better for dogs than spicy heavily seasoned meats?

Dogs should eat meat preferably raw if possible. In the absence of that you should try to offer him boiled meat preferably without much seasoning.

There are few pet owners who have time to cook for their dogs so they rely heavily on store-bought products.

Smoked meats are generally a better choice because the manufacturing process requires fewer seasonings and preservatives. Some food producers rub the meats with salt and herbs to make them more appealing but this depends on their manufacturing process.

You should always read the label carefully and check out the ingredients especially those listed further down as thats where the not-so-healthy stuff like nitrites are hidden.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

Is Liverwurst Good For Dogs? (Watch Video)