Support and Detoxify your Dog's Liver!
Milk thistle is an amazing herb that supports liver cell regeneration. As a useful liver cleanser, milk thistle is especially beneficial for dogs with liver disease, heart worm prevention treatments, or pain and anti-inflammatory treatments.
There are no known side effects of milk thistle, so it is safe for long-term use in supporting and protecting liver function. The liver is an essential organ for your dog’s health as it clears toxins out of the body. Yet, older animals often suffer from liver disease and cirrhosis which can lead to more serious overall health effects.
Dogs are regularly exposed to environmental toxins such as household cleaners or lawn fertilizers, and over time these toxins have a detrimental effect on your pet’s liver. Years of research have shown that milk thistle has a number of liver-protective and regenerative properties, as well as antioxidant properties. Indeed, ancient texts show that milk thistle has been use for centuries to protect liver function.
Doctor Gordon's Advice
Regardless of whether your dog suffers from liver problems, milk thistle protects the liver so it is better equipped to deal with environmental toxins while also preventing the detrimental effects often associated with conventional pet treatments. More importantly, milk thistle is perfectly safe for use in any age of dog and there are no contraindications with milk thistle and other pet treatments.
Gentle enough for long-term use, milk thistle should be dosed according to the size of your dog. Milk thistle can be added to your dog’s food or squirted directly into your dog’s mouth. An animal under 25 lbs would take 1 ml of milk thistle twice daily, while a dog over 75 lbs might take 4 ml twice daily, so be sure to refer carefully to dosing instructions.
Always be careful to purchase milk thistle specifically designed for animals. Speak to your veterinarian about milk thistle and its beneficial effects especially when your pet is being treated with the following:
- Convnetional anti-inflammatory methods (NSAIDs)
- Conventional chemotherapy treatements
- Conventional seizure treatment
- Traditional heartworm treatments
Also remember that protecting your dog’s liver requires more than a daily dose of milk thistle. Processed foods that contain preservatives and other chemicals are particularly stressful for a pet’s liver. Try to choose foods that are organic and chemical-free to ensure healthy liver functioning throughout your dog’s life.