Liver disease is one of the health conditions that dogs owners should know about, because it affects quality of life, and it is easier to manage when it is caught early. This guide explains what liver disease is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual dog.
This guide covers liver disease in dogs in full: what it is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual dog, and a dog with liver disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
What is liver disease in dogs?
Liver disease is a condition where the liver — the organ that cleans the blood, makes proteins, stores energy, and helps with digestion — cannot do its jobs properly. The liver has a lot of spare capacity, so a dog can lose much of its liver function before it shows any signs, and liver disease is often found late, on a blood test done for another reason. There are many kinds of liver disease, and they behave differently: some come on suddenly and are cured, others develop slowly and need lifelong care.
The rest of this guide covers the signs, the causes, how liver disease is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. A dog with liver disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is — and because some of the signs of liver disease can also be signs of other conditions, which need a vet to tell apart. The dog ideal weight calculator works out a target weight range, and the when is a dog considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
Signs of liver disease in dogs
The signs of liver disease in dogs are listed below. Not every dog with liver disease will show every sign, and some dogs will show only one or two — but any one of these signs, especially if it lasts more than a few days or gets worse, is worth mentioning to a vet. A dog that is bright, eating, drinking, and otherwise well between episodes is less likely to be seriously ill than a dog that is lethargic, off its food, or losing weight — but the only way to know is to check.
- Vomiting, or nausea that makes the dog lick its lips and turn away from food.
- Weight loss, even though the dog is eating normally at first.
- Jaundice — yellowing of the gums, the whites of the eyes, and the skin.
- Lethargy, weakness, and a dog that seems generally unwell.
- A bigger appetite for water, and urinating more than usual.
- A swollen belly, where fluid has built up.
- Confusion, disorientation, or a dog that seems not itself, in advanced disease.
If two or more of those signs apply, or if one sign is severe — a dog that cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, or has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes — see a vet the same day. Those are signs that need a vet, not waiting. Bring a note of when the signs started, how often they happen, and what the dog eats and drinks — that information helps the vet far more than a guess about the cause. The how to tell if your dog is overweight guide gives the hands-on check for weight, which matters for many of these conditions.
Causes and risk factors for liver disease
Liver disease has many causes: infections, toxins, some medicines, and some other conditions can all damage the liver. Some dogs are born with a liver problem, and some breeds are more prone than others. In cats, a common cause is fatty liver disease, which happens when a cat that is overweight stops eating — the liver fills with fat and stops working, which is why a cat that stops eating should be seen by a vet promptly, and why rapid weight loss in cats is dangerous. In many cases the exact cause is never found, and the vet treats the disease rather than the cause.
Some dogs are more prone to liver disease than others, because of their genes, their breed, their size, or their age — but breed and age are not destiny, and a dog of any breed can develop liver disease. What an owner can control is weight, food, exercise, and vet checks: a dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, is less likely to develop liver disease and will cope better with it if it does. A dog that is overweight, that eats a poor diet, or that never sees a vet is more likely to develop liver disease and to have it found late, when it is harder to treat.
How liver disease is diagnosed
A vet diagnoses liver disease with a blood test, which shows whether the liver is inflamed or damaged, and whether it is doing its jobs properly. The vet may also take an X-ray or use an ultrasound to look at the liver, and may take a small sample of liver tissue to find the cause. A dog that is vomiting, losing weight, or jaundiced should be checked promptly — liver disease is easier to treat when it is found early, and a dog that is left untreated can become seriously ill.
If you are worried about your dog, see a vet and mention liver disease by name, with the signs you have seen and when they started. Bring a note of what the dog eats, how much, and any medicines it takes, and whether it has had liver disease or a related condition before. A video of the signs, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description — especially for seizures, limping, or breathing problems. Do not try to diagnose liver disease yourself, and do not buy medicines or special diets for it without veterinary advice, because the wrong treatment can make it worse.
Treatment and management of liver disease
Treatment depends on the cause and the stage, but the core is the same: find and treat the cause if it can be found, support the liver while it heals, and feed a diet that is easy on the liver. The vet may prescribe medicines to protect the liver, to control vomiting, and to support the dog while it recovers. Diet matters: a dog with liver disease may need a food with controlled protein and easily digested nutrients, as the vet advises. Some liver disease is cured, and some needs lifelong care — and the vet will help the owner decide what is best for the dog at each stage.
Treatment is a decision made with the vet, weighing the dog's age, health, and quality of life against the treatment and its side effects. Some owners choose not to treat, and to keep the dog comfortable instead — and that is a valid choice, made with the vet, not on the basis of a web page. Whatever is decided, the treatment must be followed every day, at the same times, and the dog must be checked regularly, because liver disease changes over time, and the treatment needs to change with it. Do not stop a medicine suddenly, and do not change the dose without veterinary advice.
Living with a dog with liver disease
A dog with liver disease can live a comfortable life for months or years with the right care, but it needs a routine: medicines and a diet as the vet advises, fresh water at all times, and regular vet checks with blood tests. The owner must watch appetite, vomiting, and weight, and mention any change to the vet promptly — a dog with liver disease that stops eating or is jaundiced needs a vet the same day. As the disease advances, the dog will need more care, and the vet will help the owner decide what is best for the dog at each stage.
Keep a routine: the same times for food, medicines, walks, and play, the same places for furniture, food, and water, and a calm, predictable home. Keep a note of appetite, drinking, weight, and behaviour, and mention any change to the vet promptly — a change that lasts more than a few days, or that gets worse, is worth a vet visit. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise at a level that suits its body, and keep vet checks regular: once a year as an adult, and twice a year as a senior. The senior dog diet guide covers feeding older dogs, and the dog calorie calculator works out daily calories for any weight.
Can liver disease be prevented?
Liver disease cannot always be prevented, because much of it is about genes and chance — but the risk can be reduced. Do not give medicines without veterinary advice, because some medicines damage the liver. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, and do not let a cat stop eating: a cat that stops eating should be seen by a vet promptly, because fatty liver disease can follow within days. Keep the dog away from toxins, and have it checked regularly as it gets older, with blood tests, so liver disease is found early, when treatment works best.
Early checks matter most: have the dog checked regularly, so liver disease is found early, when treatment works best. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, and mention any change in drinking, eating, weight, or behaviour to your vet early, because a change caught early is easier to treat than one left for weeks.
For related reading, see the dog ideal weight calculator, the dog body condition score chart, the how to tell if your dog is overweight guide, the senior dog diet guide, the dog calorie calculator, the when is a dog considered a senior guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is liver disease in dogs?
Liver disease is a condition where the liver — the organ that cleans the blood, makes proteins, stores energy, and helps with digestion — cannot do its jobs properly. The liver has a lot of spare capacity, so a dog can lose much of its liver function before it shows any signs, and liver disease is often found late, on a blood test done for another reason. There are many kinds of liver disease, and they behave differently: some come on suddenly and are cured, others develop slowly and need lifelong care.
What are the signs of liver disease in dogs?
The most common signs are: Vomiting, or nausea that makes the dog lick its lips and turn away from food. Weight loss, even though the dog is eating normally at first. Jaundice — yellowing of the gums, the whites of the eyes, and the skin. See the full list above for every sign to watch for, and see a vet promptly if two or more apply, or if one sign is severe.
What causes liver disease in dogs?
Liver disease has many causes: infections, toxins, some medicines, and some other conditions can all damage the liver. Some dogs are born with a liver problem, and some breeds are more prone than others. In cats, a common cause is fatty liver disease, which happens when a cat that is overweight stops eating — the liver fills with fat and stops working, which is why a cat that stops eating should be seen by a vet promptly, and why rapid weight loss in cats is dangerous. In many cases the exact cause is never found, and the vet treats the disease rather than the cause.
How is liver disease diagnosed?
A vet diagnoses liver disease with a blood test, which shows whether the liver is inflamed or damaged, and whether it is doing its jobs properly. The vet may also take an X-ray or use an ultrasound to look at the liver, and may take a small sample of liver tissue to find the cause. A dog that is vomiting, losing weight, or jaundiced should be checked promptly — liver disease is easier to treat when it is found early, and a dog that is left untreated can become seriously ill.
How is liver disease treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and the stage, but the core is the same: find and treat the cause if it can be found, support the liver while it heals, and feed a diet that is easy on the liver. The vet may prescribe medicines to protect the liver, to control vomiting, and to support the dog while it recovers. Diet matters: a dog with liver disease may need a food with controlled protein and easily digested nutrients, as the vet advises. Some liver disease is cured, and some needs lifelong care — and the vet will help the owner decide what is best for the dog at each stage.
When should a dog with liver disease see a vet?
See a vet promptly if the dog shows any of the signs above, especially if they last more than a few days or get worse — and the same day if the dog cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes, or is lethargic or off its food. Bring a note of when the signs started and what the dog eats and drinks. A dog with liver disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.