The Best Dog Foods for Liver Disease in 2025: Vet-Approved
Canine Bible is reader-supported. We receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Learn more.
Imagine your dog’s liver as the body’s master filter—processing toxins, aiding digestion, and producing vital proteins. Now imagine that filter breaking down. Liver disease affects nearly 1 in 10 dogs, often going unnoticed until the damage is advanced. And while medication plays a role, the true turning point in managing this condition often lies in something deceptively simple: your dog’s food bowl. Here’s the twist—many well-meaning owners unknowingly feed their dogs meals that stress the liver further, thinking they’re doing the right thing. In this guide, we’ll break down the best dog foods for liver disease and reveal what to avoid at all costs.
Best Food for Dogs With Liver Disease According to Science
Liver disease in dogs requires careful dietary management to support liver function, minimize further damage, and prevent nutrient deficiencies. According to the latest research, the best dog food for liver disease is typically a complete and balanced diet with moderately low copper, moderate protein, and added antioxidants and hepatoprotective nutrients.
| Dietary Component | Recommendation & Rationale |
|---|---|
| Copper | Moderately low copper content to reduce liver burden, especially in copper-associated hepatitis. |
| Protein | Moderate protein levels to support liver regeneration without overwhelming metabolism. |
| Antioxidants & Hepatoprotectants | Include nutrients like vitamin E, zinc, silybin (milk thistle), S-acetyl-glutathione, and artichoke for liver protection and improved antioxidant status. |
Table source: [1],[2],[3],[4],[5]
Ingredients & Nutrients to Avoid
| What to Avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| High Copper | Excess copper accumulates in the liver and can cause or worsen copper-associated hepatitis. |
| Excessive Protein (esp. low-quality) | Low-quality or high-protein diets can lead to excess ammonia, worsening hepatic encephalopathy. |
| High-Fat Content | Can contribute to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), especially in dogs with reduced bile flow. |
| Artificial Additives | Synthetic preservatives, colors, and flavors may burden the liver’s detox systems. |
| Gluten or Fillers | Corn, soy, wheat, and other cheap fillers can be harder to digest and offer little nutritional value. |
| Garlic & Onion | These can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, putting additional stress on the liver. |
| Excessive Salt | Can increase fluid retention and blood pressure, problematic in dogs with liver dysfunction. |
| Vitamin A in Excess | Large amounts are stored in the liver and may become toxic over time. |
| Buckwheat | Buckwheat in homemade diets has been linked to increased liver disease risk in some regions. |
| Aflatoxin-Contaminated Food | Ensure food is free from aflatoxins, as contaminated commercial foods can cause severe liver damage. |
Table source: [6],[7]
Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. You can get personalized nutritional advice tailored to your dog’s liver-supportive needs from the comfort of your home through an online registered vet nutritionist on Vetster—available anytime, anywhere. You can also chat with an online vet to ask questions about copper levels, protein moderation, fat content, and other liver-friendly dietary considerations. Additionally, an at-home dog gut health test can assess your dog’s microbiome, revealing how well they absorb and process nutrients—crucial for dogs with compromised liver function. An at-home allergy test may also help pinpoint ingredients that trigger inflammation or place unnecessary strain on the liver, helping you make informed dietary choices that support your dog’s liver health and overall well-being.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were selected for qualities that may support dogs with liver disease, but they are not medical treatments or substitutes for veterinary care. Every dog’s condition is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your dog’s specific needs.
Best Food for Dogs With Liver Disease
Here are the best foods for dogs with liver disease this year.
Chidog Wood Diet
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want a non-prescription diet for dogs dealing with liver issues. It’s also gentle enough for puppies or senior dogs with weaker digestion.
Hill’s Prescription Diet l/d Liver Care
Who It’s For: Adult dogs diagnosed with liver disease or elevated liver enzymes that require clinical nutritional support. It’s ideal for dogs dealing with chronic liver stress or congenital shunts.
JFFD Hepatic Recipe
Who It’s For: Dogs whose liver health demands a diet free of chemicals, particularly helpful for dogs that struggle with processed foods or prefer a human-grade diet for optimal nutrition.
ROYAL CANIN Canine Hepatic
Who It’s For: Adult dogs diagnosed with chronic liver insufficiency or hepatic encephalopathy, particularly those with sensitive digestion or elevated liver enzymes.
Hill’s Live Care I/d
Who It’s For: Dogs needing a balanced nutrient profile that minimizes toxins and supports liver regeneration.
Rx Vitamins
Who It’s For: Dogs with elevated liver enzymes or diagnosed liver dysfunction, particularly when veterinary guidance recommends nutritional liver support.
The Bottom Line
Feeding a dog with liver disease isn’t just about choosing “healthy” food—it’s about choosing food that supports the liver’s delicate balancing act. The right diet can ease the organ’s workload, slow the progression of disease, and dramatically improve your dog’s comfort and quality of life. From low-copper recipes to highly digestible proteins and liver-supporting supplements, every ingredient matters. And while the diagnosis can feel overwhelming, you’re not powerless—you’re your dog’s best advocate. By understanding what fuels healing and what fuels harm, you can make confident, compassionate choices—starting with what you put in their bowl. Because with the right nutrition, dogs with liver disease can still live happy, tail-wagging lives.
Sources
- Nutritional management of a dog with hepatic enzymopathy suspected to be secondary to copper-associated hepatitis: a case report
- Nutritional Considerations for Dogs and Cats with Liver Disease.
- Evidences on Molecules Most Frequently Included in Canine and Feline Complementary Feed to Support Liver Function
- Antioxidant Effect of a Dietary Supplement Containing Fermentative S-Acetyl-Glutathione and Silybin in Dogs with Liver Disease
- Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effect of a Nutritional Supplement with Silymarin Phytosome, Choline Chloride, l-Cystine, Artichoke, and Vitamin E in Dogs
- Aflatoxicosis in Nine Dogs after Exposure to Contaminated Commercial Dog Food
- Remarkable frequency of a history of liver disease in dogs fed homemade diets with buckwheat
Canine Bible authorship represents the unified voice of our entire editorial team and our in-house veterinarians rather than a single author. Each article, blog post, and review published under the Canine Bible name undergoes a rigorous review process, involving all team members to guarantee accuracy and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This collaborative effort is an integral part of our editorial process and aligns with our four pillars of content creation. This approach ensures our content is backed by expert knowledge and factual information, offering our readers reliable, actionable, and trustworthy content.
