Wow! That’s fantastic, right?
What’s the herb? It’s Milk Thistle.
When I was reading an article over on Dogs Naturally Magazine, I was drawn in by the statement “the number one herb that we think all dogs should receive at some point in their life.” When I started reading, I had that “of course” moment, because my dad told me about milk thistle ages ago when he started taking it.
Liver damage is a real threat for both humans and dogs in this toxic world in which we live. It’s no wonder liver is considered such a rich food for dogs. When we were trying to determine the cause of Poopapalooza this past winter, liver became one of the culprits.
I consulting with holistic veterinarian Dr. Cathy Alinovi and she told me that when looking at raw liver, we need to see how many white (or whitish) lines we see going through the organ meat. If there are a ton, then that liver has been working overtime to clear toxins out of the animals body and they’re all sitting there in the liver.
Yuck!
Of course, that’s not the only source of the threat…
Topical flea and tick medications
Gardening products that aren’t pet safe
Cleaning products that aren’t pet safe
Dog food
“There are several causes for liver damage. Viruses, bacteria, drugs, the aforementioned toxins, free radicals, and inflammation are all guilty of wreaking havoc on the liver. Signs of liver damage or disease include a loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, dark urine, pale gums or a sudden unexplained weight loss.” ~ Dogs Naturally Magazine
That’s where milk thistle comes in; humans have been using it forever as a natural detox. My dad said that after he started using milk thistle, he gained more energy, he was more alert, and he stopped coming down with random colds.
He urged me to start taking it and I did, for a while, and saw the same benefits. Now I’m adding it back into my regime and into our dogs diet as well, because not only does milk thistle promote healthy liver functions and stop liver damage, it’s said to be able to start the repair process of a damaged liver as well.
“Liver disease is more common in pets than you might expect. Certain breeds of dogs (such as Labrador Retrievers, Dalmatians and Great Danes) are more susceptible to liver disease due to a genetic difficulty excreting copper.” ~ Dogs Naturally Magazine
Read the article in Dogs Naturally Magazine to learn more about milk thistle, including the other benefits (kidney disease, pancreatitis, diabetes and cancer).
Speak with your holistic vet about the proper dosage for your dog.