Milk Thistle for Dogs

Milk thistle, also known as Sylimarin, is a plant with sharp, prickly leaves and a flowering head that is known for its antioxidant properties when used as a dietary supplement. The part of the plant used to make the supplement is the seeds, the ingredients to make milk thistle are directly extracted from the seeds of the plant. People will often stew the leaves and the stems in boiling water to produce a milk thistle tea as well. The stems, leaves, flowers, and roots are all safe to consume, you just have to avoid those sharp leaves in mature plants.

The easiest way to give milk thistle to dogs is in pre-made supplements. They will usually come in the form of capsules or liquid extracts.

There are a number of alleged benefits to giving your dog milk thistle. While research is limited, studies have shown that it can have positive effects, especially when used to treat any liver ailments and boost functionality. Milk thistle has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and it’s even suggested that it aids the liver by promoting new cell growth. One study reviewed the effects of milk thistle on the liver and found that it worked by inhibiting cell damaging enzymes with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This means that it works by protecting the liver from becoming damaged as a preventative measure.

The use of milk thistle for dogs with liver disease started holistically but some vets have started to recommend it as a supportive treatment alongside medication. Signs that your dog may have liver disease and need the extra support of supplements or treatment include:

If you suspect your pooch may have a deficiency in their liver function, you should first contact your vet before providing supplements as they may need medication alongside it.

Other suggested benefits of milk thistle include reducing blood sugar in dogs with diabetes, aiding in digestion to help with gastrointestinal upsets and supporting joints and soft tissues all throughout the body.

While many supplements for dogs contain the same ingredients as the human equivalents, the dosage can be difficult to work out. Supplements for humans are usually based on their average weight which is usually substantially more than your four-legged friends. Another risk when dealing with supplements made for humans is that there might be some additional ingredients that may not cause any harm to people but could be toxic to dogs. Where possible, you should always try to give your pups supplements specifically manufactured for dogs so you know there are no hidden nasties.

If you want to start giving your dog milk thistle, have a word with your vet to make sure you’re providing the right dosage and have chosen a good brand that is animal-safe.

There are various ways in which you can give a dog milk thistle but the best way is usually in their food. Milk thistle for dogs will usually come in tablet or liquid form. Most liquid milk thistle supplements will come with a dropper to make it easy to dose your pup based on their body weight. Similarly, you will be able to dose your pup with tablets based on their weight.

With the liquid, you can just drop it on top of their food and allow it to absorb while tablets may need to be a little more cleverly hidden. Dogs who don’t like to take medication may try to eat around it so you may need to combine it with something tasty like cheese to hide it.

It’s usually recommended to split their daily dose into two so they get it spread evenly throughout the day.

As far as milk thistle goes, the risks are very minimal. If given on an empty stomach, it can cause vomiting so it should always be given with their meal. Some pups can be sensitive to milk thistle so if you give it with their food and it upsets their stomach, then they could be sensitive and it may not suit them. There isn’t much research into how it impacts pregnant or lactating animals so you will need to consult your vet if you want to provide a pregnant pooch with milk thistle supplements. There are a small number of medications that can interact with milk thistle so it’s always important to provide full details of any supplements your beloved pet is taking so the vet can inform you of any potential side effects or interactions.

Hopefully you now feel up-to-speed on the purpose and benefits of milk thistle, and whether it’s a good decision for you and your furry friend! For more pup health and nutrition, to all-things-dog, browse our range in store and online.