Elevated Liver Enzymes In Dogs

The liver is a very important organ that helps the body process nutrients, remove toxins, support digestion, and regulate hormones. Liver enzymes are substances made by liver cells that help these processes run smoothly. Because the liver is involved in so many jobs, it often reacts when something in the body isn’t quite right. Medications, toxins, inflammation, or illness elsewhere in the body can all put extra stress on the liver, causing liver enzyme levels to rise on blood tests. While elevated liver enzymes don’t always mean liver disease, they are a helpful signal that the liver may need extra attention and support.

What Does Elevated Liver Enzyme Mean in Dogs? 

Finding out your dog has "elevated liver enzymes" can sound scary, but it’s actually a very common finding on blood tests. It doesn't always mean your dog has "liver disease." Think of the liver as a massive chemical factory. When the factory is under stress or some of its "machinery" (cells) gets damaged, certain chemicals (enzymes) leak out into the bloodstream. A blood test picks these up.

What Are the Common Enzymes?

There are four main ones you’ll likely see on your vet's report:

• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) & Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): These live inside the liver cells. If these are high, it usually means liver cells are being damaged or "leaking." 

• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP/ALKP) & Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT): These are related to the flow of bile. If these are high, it often means there is a "traffic jam" in the bile ducts or the liver is being signaled by other parts of the body (like the adrenal glands) to produce more.

Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes in Dogs

The liver is very sensitive and reacts to problems happening elsewhere in the body.

• Medications: Steroids (like Prednisone) are famous for spiking liver enzymes without actually damaging the liver.

• Age: Older dogs can have benign (harmless) lumps on the liver that raise enzymes.

• Other Illnesses: Problems like Liver inflammation (hepatitis, Gallbladder disease, Endocrine disorders (Cushing’s Disease), diabetes, or even dental infections can cause the liver enzymes to jump

• Toxins: Long-term use of NSAIDs, steroids, anticonvulsants, Flea/tick preventatives, household chemicals or toxic plants. Acute toxin ingestion, such as eating certain wild mushrooms, xylitol, or blue-green algae.

• Genetics: Several breeds of dogs are predisposed to this condition, including Bedlington Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, Skye Terriers, Standard Poodles, Springer Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Maltese and West Highland White Terriers.

• Diet & Lifestyle Factors: Highly Processed foods and obesity stress the liver via inflammation and fat overload

Symptoms of Elevated Liver Enzymes in Dogs

Elevated liver enzymes themselves aren’t a diagnosis, they’re a clue. Causes can range from dietary imbalances, toxin exposure, infections, medications, endocrine disorders, to chronic inflammatory conditions. Some dogs show symptoms only when the liver is already significantly compromised, which makes early detection critical.

These can range from subtle to obvious, many dogs act totally normal with mild elevations:

When to See a Veterinarian

If you notice any combination of these symptoms, especially jaundice, vomiting, or behavior changes, a veterinary visit and bloodwork are essential. Early intervention can often prevent progression and support liver recovery.

What to Feed Dogs with Elevated Liver Enzymes? 

When a dog has elevated liver enzymes, food becomes one of the most powerful tools to support healing by essentially "unloading" the liver's workload. By switching to high-quality, easily digestible proteins like eggs or white fish and avoiding copper-rich organ meats, you reduce the amount of toxic waste (like ammonia) the liver has to filter.  The goal is to minimize toxins while supplying the nutrients the liver needs to repair and regenerate.

1. Prioritize Fresh, Minimally Processed Foods

Highly processed kibble places a greater detox burden on the liver due to heat-damaged proteins, oxidized fats, preservatives and additives

Many dogs with elevated liver enzymes do better when transitioned, slowly and intentionally, to fresh, home-prepared, or gently cooked diets. Fresh foods are easier to digest, improve nutrient absorption, and reduce inflammatory load on the liver. For many pet parents, elevated liver enzymes are the moment that sparks a deeper search for answers. Prescription diets and medications may help manage numbers, but they don’t always address why the liver is struggling in the first place. 

Supporting liver function through fresh, minimally processed food can be a turning point, not just on paper, but in a dog’s energy, longevity, and overall vitality. Bogart’s story is a beautiful example of what’s possible when the liver is truly supported.

2. Choose the Right Proteins (Quality Over Quantity)

Protein is essential, but the type and digestibility matter. Best options:

• Pasture-raised turkey or chicken (skin removed if fat is an issue)

• Lean grass-fed beef or bison (in moderation)

• White fish (cod, pollock)

• Eggs (lightly cooked)

Use caution or avoid highly fatty meats, processed meats, large amounts of raw diets in dogs with compromised liver function. Severely restricting protein is rarely helpful and can worsen muscle loss, especially in senior dogs. Balance is key.

3. Support the Liver with Complex Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide energy without forcing the liver to work harder. Good choices:

• Sweet potatoes

• Pumpkin

• Butternut or acorn squash

• White rice or quinoa (well cooked)

These foods are gentle, soothing, and help stabilize blood sugar, important for dogs with liver stress.

4. Include Liver-Friendly Vegetables

Vegetables supply antioxidants and phytonutrients that protect liver cells. Always cook or finely chop vegetables to improve digestibility. Top options:

• Steamed broccoli or cauliflower

• Zucchini

• Green beans

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, lightly cooked)

5. Use Healthy Fats, But Don’t Overdo Them

The liver processes fats, so excess can raise enzymes further.

Helpful fats (small amounts):

• Sardine or anchovy oil (omega-3s for inflammation control)

• Coconut oil (tiny amounts only, if tolerated)

Avoid high-omega-6 oils and heavy fat supplementation unless guided by a professional.

6. Consider Targeted Supplements (With Guidance)

Certain nutrients can gently support liver detox pathways:

• Milk thistle (silymarin) – liver cell protection

• SAMe – supports glutathione production

• Vitamin E – antioxidant support

• Choline – supports fat metabolism in the liver

⚠️ Supplements should be chosen carefully, some can interact with medications or worsen bile issues.

7. Avoid Common Liver Stressors in the Diet

Remove or reduce artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, low-quality treats, excessive table scraps, xylitol (highly toxic), unknown herbal blends. Even “healthy” supplements can be harmful if they increase detox burden.

How Holistic Pet Health Coaches Support Dogs with Elevated Liver Enzymes

When a dog’s bloodwork shows elevated liver enzymes, many pet parents are left with more questions than answers. Is it serious? Is it diet-related? Medication-related? Age-related? Often, the liver is reacting to stress elsewhere in the body rather than suffering from primary liver disease.

This is where working with a Certified Holistic Pet Health Coach (HPHC) can be incredibly valuable. While your veterinarian focuses on diagnosis and medical management, an HPHC helps you look at the full picture, nutrition, toxin exposure, lifestyle factors, and chronic inflammation that may be contributing to liver stress.

Many pet parents seek holistic guidance when they want:

• Clear explanations of lab results in plain language

• Supportive nutrition strategies, including home-cooked diets

• A calmer, more confident path forward alongside veterinary care

Real-life experiences from pet parents highlight the difference this support can make:

“We are currently working on getting Raja’s liver enzymes down and helping clean out his gallbladder sludge. Working with our Holistic Pet Health Coach through this tough time has been so comforting. She was kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable—like having someone truly in our corner.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Dog parent

For senior dogs or dogs with multiple health challenges, nutritional changes can be especially impactful when done correctly and safely.

“Our nearly 15-year-old dog had severe arthritis and high liver enzymes. After transitioning to a home-cooked diet with guidance from a Holistic Pet Health Coach, he’s walking a mile again—jumping and playing. Her recommendations gave our dog new life.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Senior dog parent

These outcomes don’t come from quick fixes, they come from personalized support, education, and thoughtful lifestyle changes that reduce liver burden over time.

Supporting the Liver, Supporting the Whole Dog

Elevated liver enzymes can feel alarming, but they’re often an early warning rather than a diagnosis, signaling that the liver is under stress and needs support, not panic. By improving diet, reducing toxic load, and using fresh, species-appropriate nutrition alongside thoughtful lifestyle changes, many dogs show real improvements in both bloodwork and overall vitality, as Bogart’s story demonstrates. When veterinary diagnostics are paired with holistic, individualized support that looks beyond the numbers, elevated liver enzymes can become the beginning of better long-term health, even for senior dogs.