Short answer: You treat high liver enzymes in dogs by working with your vet to find the cause, then supporting the liver while it recovers — usually a low-fat, high-quality-protein diet, any medications or supplements your vet prescribes (such as SAMe or milk thistle), steady exercise, and cutting your dog's exposure to toxins. High liver enzymes are a signal, not a diagnosis on their own, so the first move is always a proper vet workup.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. A lot of dog owners email us after routine bloodwork comes back with elevated ALT or ALP, worried and unsure what to do next. Here's a plain-English rundown of what elevated liver enzymes mean and the practical steps that help.
What do high liver enzymes in dogs mean?
Liver enzymes like ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) leak into the bloodstream when liver cells are stressed or damaged. A high reading tells your vet the liver is under strain — but it doesn't say why. Causes range from mild, temporary issues to more serious conditions like infection, inflammation (chronic hepatitis), a portosystemic shunt, or exposure to certain drugs and toxins. Some medications, including corticosteroids and phenobarbital, can raise these numbers on their own. Because the enzymes aren't liver-specific, your vet may recommend follow-up testing such as a bile acid test, an ultrasound, or in some cases a biopsy to pinpoint the cause. You can read more about how vets interpret these results from VCA Animal Hospitals.
How do you treat dogs with high liver enzymes?
There's no single pill for it — treatment targets the underlying cause and supports the liver while it heals. Here's what that usually looks like.
1. Get an accurate diagnosis and monitor
Everything starts with a proper workup. Your vet may run additional blood tests, imaging, or a biopsy to find the cause, then recheck enzyme levels over time to see whether treatment is working. Persistent elevations across several tests matter more than a single reading, as VCA notes in its guidance on chronic hepatitis in dogs.
2. Adjust the diet
Diet is one of the biggest levers you have. Vets typically recommend food that's easy to digest, moderate in high-quality protein, and low in fat, since a struggling liver has a harder time processing fatty foods. This is also where treats matter. Rich, fatty, or heavily processed chews can work against a liver-support diet. We built Bully Sticks Central around single-ingredient chews that are 100% natural, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and contain no rawhide — so you always know exactly what your dog is eating. A very lean option many owners choose for weight- and fat-sensitive dogs is beef trachea, which is low in fat and calories. Whatever you pick, run treat choices past your vet first, since the right fat and protein levels depend on your dog's specific condition.
3. Give medications and supplements as prescribed
Depending on the cause, your vet may prescribe medication to treat an infection, reduce inflammation, or support liver function. Liver-support supplements such as SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) and milk thistle are commonly used, but dosing should come from your vet — don't start supplements on your own, since some can interact with medications.
4. Keep your dog moving
Regular, moderate exercise helps your dog hold a healthy weight and takes some strain off the liver. It doesn't need to be intense — consistent daily walks and play go a long way.
5. Cut out toxins
The liver filters toxins, so reducing what it has to process helps it recover. Check the ingredients in your dog's food and treats, use pet-safe cleaning products, and keep harmful plants, chemicals, and human medications out of reach. Choosing no-rawhide, single-ingredient chews that are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms is one simple way to keep mystery additives out of your dog's diet.
When should you call the vet?
Call your vet promptly if your dog shows lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes or gums (jaundice), increased thirst or urination, or a swollen belly. These can point to more advanced liver trouble and shouldn't wait. Even without symptoms, elevated enzymes on routine bloodwork are worth a follow-up conversation.
The bottom line
High liver enzymes are a prompt to investigate, not a reason to panic. With an accurate diagnosis, a liver-friendly low-fat diet, vet-guided medication or supplements, steady exercise, and fewer toxins, many dogs see their numbers improve. Clean, simple treats make the diet side easier — that's exactly why every chew we make is 100% natural, single-ingredient, fully digestible, and 100% high-quality guaranteed. Always partner with your veterinarian on the specifics for your dog.
This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your dog's health.
This post was last updated at July 16, 2026 03:34
