The liver is the largest internal organ of our canine companions. Made up of large lobes, it sits tucked up behind the diaphragm, protected by the lower rib cage. It has an amazing ability to regenerate and can even regrow if parts of it are removed. However, it is not immune to disease and sudden or chronic damage can reduce its function. If this arises, targeted nutritional support can be a key part of treatment alongside medical therapy.

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What does the liver do?

The liver has many important roles in the body. Combined with the gallbladder, which is attached to it, it is involved in the digestion of food. It does this by producing a substance called bile which is sent to the intestines to break down fat. It has an extensive network of blood vessels which receives blood rich with nutrients absorbed from the gut, allowing them to be extracted here. 

Liver cells are involved in the control of blood glucose, by locking away excess sugars, or releasing them into the bloodstream as needed. In addition, the liver is involved in the breakdown of protein into amino acids, releasing these essential nutrients for use around the body.

Vitamins and minerals such as iron and copper are stored within the liver’s cells, ready to be released when the body needs them. Vitamin K is one of those stored by the liver, and this vitamin is required to form blood clots. Without it, life-threatening blood loss could occur from even the smallest bump or cut.

These storage, breakdown and filtration systems mean that the liver has an important role in getting rid of the by-products created from body processes, such as ammonia. Medications and other toxins are also processed here. Additionally, the liver plays a role in the immune system, responding to infectious agents absorbed by the gut.

How does liver disease occur?

The liver may be defective from birth or could become diseased or damaged through trauma, or the processes of its own function. Its extensive blood supply makes it a target organ for some types of cancers and infectious agents. And its role in toxin filtration puts it at risk of inflammation and cell damage if your dog eats something poisonous or receives a medication overdose. Long-term feeding of unbalanced diets or those high in fat can trigger liver disease in some individuals.

If you ever witness or suspect that your dog has eaten something toxic, seek veterinary treatment immediately. An examination by your vet combined with blood tests can help to determine if liver disease is present. If it is, your vet can advise on what medical therapy and diet changes are best for your pet’s needs.

How can diet help the liver?

Animals with liver disease often have a reduced appetite and may vomit or have diarrhoea. This can make it harder to absorb adequate amounts of nutrition to heal and maintain weight. Diets for liver disease patients need to be tasty and easy to digest. This generally involves modifying the types and amount of fat and protein provided. They also need to be energy-rich to combat weight loss resulting from reduced intake and decreased absorption of nutrients.

Diets providing liver support have two additional roles: minimising further damage and promoting an environment where healing can occur. To do so, they focus on limiting those compounds that promote inflammation or are toxic to cells and have increased levels of those nutrients that become deficient during periods of reduced liver function.

Excessive copper can be toxic to the liver in high amounts so reducing this mineral is common in liver diets. Altered digestion can affect the gut flora (the natural mix of bacteria, viruses and yeasts that live in the digestive system and aid digestion) which can slow the transit of food and increase toxin production. Reduced fibre and the addition of probiotics in the diet may help correct this.

Several of the nutrients normally stored in the liver are used up during tissue healing

Combined with reduced intake, previously non-essential nutrients become more important in body function, adding to weight loss and especially muscle wastage. Therefore, by focusing on correcting nutrient deficiencies, liver diets directly contribute to tissue repair and regeneration.

Antioxidants reduce disease-driven stress on cells. Vitamin E, S-adenosylmethionine (SAME) and silybin (an extract from the milk thistle plant) help to protect against tissue damage and are important nutrients commonly found in liver diets. Other nutrient alterations include those designed to promote a healthy immune system or minimise the neurological symptoms that can arise from liver disease such as seizures or weakness.

How can I provide a liver diet for my dog?

Liver disease comes in many shapes and forms and can vary considerably in its severity. As a result, there is no single diet that fits all liver patients. In fact, a diet that is recommended for one liver patient could be far from ideal for another liver patient. Your vet can advise whether a diet change is necessary and how best to go about this.

Your dog’s diet needs to not only optimise liver health but be balanced nutritionally to support all bodily functions. If a diet change is recommended, the easiest way is to feed one of the prescription diets available through your vet clinic. Prescription diets are either biscuit based (dry), or tinned (wet). And options are available to target the different nutritional needs of a variety of health conditions.

If you have a fussy dog, or you prefer to self-prepare meals at home, your vet can refer you to a veterinary nutritionist. A veterinary nutritionist will work with you to ensure your dog’s health condition is being catered for by producing nutritionally balanced recipes that you can use at home. If you have any concerns with your dog’s appetite, your vet and veterinary nutritionist can help find ways to improve this.

Conclusion

Whether simply to maintain appetite or weight, or to target disease recovery directly, good nutrition can have a key role in the health of our pets. Alongside medical therapy and the support of your veterinary team, a liver support diet, where appropriate, is an important tool in the fight against liver disease.

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