LiverSnacks for Dogs and Cats
It's a bit smelly but your dogs and cats will
appreciate it
MetPet.com Staff Writer
This is so easy, it barely qualifies as a recipe.
Here's what you will need: an oven, a clock and a flat cookie sheet. We make
this from beef liver which is very inexpensive, very nutritious and easy to cook.
Liver that is being baked in the oven has a peculiar, strong smell. This is not what
you want cooking when you have guests! Of course, if your guests have four legs and
tails, this is perfect.
We use frozen, sliced liver and defrost it overnight in the
refrigerator. To start off, try about 1/2 lb. which will probably cost you less than
$1.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Ovens vary in actual
temperature so you will want to adjust it accordingly. It is always better to start
off at a lower temperature and cook for a longer amount of time if you're unsure.
Place the defrosted liver slices completely flat on the
cookie sheet with at least 1/2 inch between them. A nonstick sheet will make clean
up easier or you can coat it very lightly with a cooking spray or a thin layer of oil
applied with a balled-up paper towel.
Place the cookie sheet into the oven and bake the liver for
about 1 hour. The liver should be a dark brown and hard to the touch when it is
done. To make it even drier, you can turn off the oven, crack open the door and
leave the pan in for another hour. The actual cooking time will depend on how hot
your oven is, how much liver you are cooking and how thick the slices are.
When the liver has cooled, break up the slices into chunks as
treats for your dogs and cats. Liver is quite rich so you don't want to feed this
all the time. Large amounts of liver can also result in Vitamin A toxicity
especially in cats. It is a very yummy occasional treat.
Store the liver in a plastic bag or on a covered plate in the
fridge. Since you went to all the trouble of cooking it fresh, feed it to your pets
as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may want to share it with your
neighbors. It makes an especially attractive gift placed in one of those inexpensive
plastic storage containers and wrapped in a pretty ribbon.
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