Yes, in excess. Freeze-dried beef liver is nutritionally concentrated — far denser than a typical dog biscuit. Too many pieces at once can overwhelm a dog's digestive system and cause diarrhea, especially in smaller dogs or those not accustomed to high-fat treats. The fix is almost always simply giving fewer pieces.
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Why liver treats cause digestive upset
Freeze-dried liver is not a diet food. A single piece is roughly 4 calories — four times the caloric density of a typical puffed treat or biscuit. The fat content is at least 10% by dry matter, and real beef liver is rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K, and B12. When a dog eats a large number of pieces quickly, the GI tract gets hit with a fat and protein load it was not expecting.
The result is osmotic diarrhea — the intestines pull water into the gut to dilute the richness, and the stool becomes loose or watery within 6–24 hours. This is not an allergic reaction and it is not a sign something is wrong with the treats. It is a portion problem.
Vitamin A toxicity is a secondary concern with any liver product. Beef liver contains very high amounts of vitamin A. Feeding several ounces of liver daily over weeks can lead to hypervitaminosis A in dogs, which causes joint pain, bone changes, and lethargy. A few treats per day as a supplement to a balanced diet is fine; a handful of ounces of freeze-dried liver daily is not.
How much is too much
Stewart's packaging suggests "may be fed three times daily." That framing is for motivation, not veterinary dosing. A practical upper limit is treating as roughly 10% of daily caloric intake.
| Dog weight | Approx. daily calories | 10% = calories from treats | Approx. pieces per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 200 kcal | 20 kcal | 4–5 small pieces |
| 15 lbs | 450 kcal | 45 kcal | 10–12 pieces |
| 30 lbs | 750 kcal | 75 kcal | 18–20 pieces |
| 60 lbs | 1,100 kcal | 110 kcal | 25–28 pieces |
During training sessions where you go through many repetitions, break pieces into smaller bits. A single standard Stewart piece can be broken into 4–6 training-sized rewards, which keeps the calorie count manageable while still delivering enough liver flavor to motivate.
What to do if your dog has diarrhea now
Stop the treats. Withhold food for 8–12 hours (keep fresh water available) to let the GI tract settle. After the fast, offer a bland diet — plain cooked rice and boiled chicken or a commercial GI-support food — for 24–48 hours before returning to normal feeding. Most cases of treat-induced diarrhea resolve within 24 hours with this approach.
If diarrhea continues beyond 48 hours, contains blood, or is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal pain, contact your vet. These signs could indicate something more serious than dietary indiscretion.
Dogs who are more sensitive
Small dogs have less GI capacity relative to the richness of the treat, so they hit the threshold faster. Puppies under 6 months have immature digestive systems and should get very small amounts. Dogs with chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or confirmed fat malabsorption need veterinary guidance before any high-fat treat. Senior dogs with reduced liver or kidney function may need lower thresholds as well.
Introducing liver treats without problems
Start with one or two pieces on day one. If stools are normal the next day, you can use them regularly at appropriate amounts. If you are using them for intensive training, pre-portion a daily allowance and stick to it regardless of how many repetitions you do. Breaking pieces into pea-sized bits stretches the session without increasing total consumption.