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Liver Problems in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Tips

Liver Problems in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Tips

A functioning liver is essential to your dog's health. However, various liver diseases can severely impair the performance of the organ and, in the worst case, even lead to liver failure.


In the following you will find out which liver problems are common, why they are often discovered very late and what you can do about poor liver values in your dog.

What Is the Purpose of the Dog's Liver?

Just like in humans, the liver also plays a central role in the metabolism of dogs. Its purpose includes the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. 


In addition, the liver is responsible for the production of bile and hormones and supports the immune function. Another important task of the liver is to store various vitamins and minerals. 


Furthermore, it is essential for detoxification. It ensures that metabolic breakdown products and foreign substances, such as drugs or toxins, can be rendered harmless and then excreted via the bile or the kidneys.

Possible Liver Diseases in Dogs

Dogs can develop several different acute and chronic liver problems. These include an inflammation of the dog's liver (hepatitis). 


Apart from that, dogs can also develop liver insufficiency. This means that the liver's performance decreases and at some point can no longer fully function.

Liver Tumours in Dogs

In addition to hepatitis and liver failure, dogs can also develop liver cancer. The symptoms of a canine liver tumour are similar to those of other common liver problems. Therefore only a veterinary examination can provide clarity.

Copper Storage Disease in Dogs

The copper storage disease is triggered by genetic defects. In affected dogs, it leads to an excessive absorption and storage of copper. As a result, the trace element, which is actually very important in small doses, can seriously damage the dog's liver and other organs.

Cirrhosis of the Liver in Dogs

If chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis or liver insufficiency in dogs are not treated, the organ will continue to be damaged. In the end-stage of liver disease, the dog eventually develops cirrhosis of the liver.


If this is the case, scar tissue spreads in the liver, which leads to disturbances in the blood flow and a severe decrease in functionality. The damage associated with cirrhosis of the liver cannot be reversed and eventually liver failure will occur in affected dogs.

Why Is Liver Disease in Dogs often Recognised Late?

The liver is an extremely efficient organ that is normally able to perform its tasks without any problems and can compensate for existing functional limitations to a certain extent.


It therefore usually takes a long time for a dog's liver disease to actually manifest itself in recognisable symptoms. Occasionally it is picked up by chance during routine check-ups if the blood values in the dog are poor or the liver values are too high even though there are no symptoms. However, it is usually difficult to identify and treat problems with the four-legged friend's liver at an early stage.

Possible Symptoms of Liver Dysfunction in Dogs

Liver problems can manifest themselves in a variety of symptoms in dogs. At the beginning, the symptoms that occur are usually unspecific, so that a liver disease cannot be diagnosed without appropriate tests.

Symptoms of liver disease in dogs include the following:

  • The dog has less appetite and is losing weight.
  • The dog is vomiting bile and has diarrhoea.
  • The dog becomes weaker.
  • The four-legged friend often looks exhausted and tired.
  • The dog has bad breath.
  • The dog drinks a lot.

In advanced stages, liver diseases in dogs can cause a swollen abdomen and a pale yellow discolouration of the faeces. In addition, it can lead to cramps as well as increased irritability and other behavioural problems. 


Another typical sign of advanced liver disease is jaundice. You can recognize jaundice in your dog by the yellow discoloured mucous membranes.

Diagnosing Liver Disease in Dogs

If you notice symptoms of liver disease in your dog, you should seek a veterinarian immediately. Of course, symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, vomiting or diarrhoea in dogs can have many causes.


The veterinarian must therefore first determine whether there is really a problem with the liver or whether the symptoms are caused by a different dog disease.


In order to be able to make a diagnosis, the vet will carry out various examinations and arrange blood tests to check whether the dog has high liver levels. 


Imaging tests such as ultrasound can also help to get to the bottom of the cause of the symptoms. Chronic liver disease often leads to an enlarged dog's liver. In some cases, however, a liver biopsy may be required for a clear diagnosis.

How is Liver Disease in Dogs Treated?

The type of required treatment will depend on the severity and type of liver disease in the dog. If, for example, there is acute poisoning, the four-legged friend may be given an antidote while a bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics.


The veterinarian will explain the therapy options to you and, depending on the diagnosis, determine the appropriate measures. The aim of any treatment is primarily to maintain or restore the functionality of the liver as effectively as possible.


Depending on the cause of the dog's liver problems, this can succeed if treatment is started in good time. Liver tissue that is already destroyed, however, will normally not recover.

Appropriate Nutrition for Dogs with Liver Disease

A special liver diet is an important part of the treatment for dogs with liver disease. The dog food should contain high quality fats and highly digestible proteins. This can reduce metabolic waste products and the associated burden on the liver.

Food Recommended by Bellfor for Dogs with Liver Disease

We recommend feeding dogs with liver problems with our hypoallergenic insect-based varieties. The food, for which we use the larvae of Hermetia illucens (black soldier flies) as an ingredient, is very wholesome and particularly easy to digest. 


It contains high-quality fats and proteins with a high biological value, which optimally supply your four-legged friend with all essential amino acids. Thanks to the excellent digestibility, there are fewer metabolic waste products, so that the strain on your dog's liver is reduced.


Get to know Bellfor dog food with insects.

Natural Detox Support

In addition to feeding our insect-based dog food, it makes sense to supplement the food for dogs with liver disease with Bellfor Kidney Strength. The natural preparation consists of selected herbs and can help to support the function of the liver and thus counteract overburdening of the vital organ.


Get to know Bellfor Kidney Strength.

Liver Disease in Dogs – Our Conclusion

As you can see, liver problems in dogs are serious and should not be taken lightly. A visit to the vet is essential in the event of symptoms in order to determine the trigger and to take suitable treatment measures with which the liver values of the dog can be reduced and the liver can be relieved.


Depending on the type of liver disease, the problems can be managed with a bit of luck, so that the dog's liver is not damaged any further. In addition to veterinary treatment, the diet of your four-legged friend also plays an important role for this purpose.

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