Can You Give A Dog Too Much Milk Thistle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If given too often and at too high a dose, milk thistle can also actually cause liver damage and suppress function

. This is one of the primary reasons this supplement should not be given to health dogs, but rather only to dogs who have existing liver problems.

Can milk thistle make my dog sick?


Some dogs may experience gastrointestinal upset when they take milk thistle

. This can include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as general discomfort. If your dog experiences any of these side effects, you should contact your vet straight away. Some dogs may also be allergic to milk thistle.

Can my dog overdose on milk thistle?

Milk thistle is pretty safe for dogs, but

at high doses is can cause GI upset, diarrhea, and gas

. The recommended dose for it is 75-100 mg per 10 lbs body weight per day. So for a 70 pound dog, that’s 525mg per day if you give Maggie the lower dose. You could give her one 240mg pill twice a day.

Can too much milk thistle be harmful?


Milk thistle is generally considered safe for most people at dosages up to 420 mg 3 times a day

. However, it may cause allergic reactions, such as itching, headaches, and joint pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or diarrhea.

Is thistle poisonous to dogs?

How safe is milk thistle?

Milk thistle appears to be a safe and well-tolerated herb for animals

. Side effects are usually mild and often involve the gastrointestinal tract, such as loose stools or mild digestive upsets.

How long should a dog take milk thistle?

Most holistic doctors feel milk thistle should be administered for only

3-6 weeks

, after which take a 1–3-week break. Discuss with your veterinarian about dosing for your particular dog. Always consult with your veterinarian before beginning any new supplement.

Can milk thistle help dogs kidneys?


Research is showing that Milk Thistle improves kidney function

. It is beneficial in supporting a pets kidney that may be damaged due to the use of drugs and radiation therapy, and for kidney damage caused by diabetes or infections. Milk Thistle is used today as an anticancer support.

Is 2000 mg of milk thistle too much?

There is no standardized dosage or recommended intake for milk thistle tea, but

it’s generally considered safe if consumed in moderation

. Milk thistle supplements, for reference, are tolerated at doses of up to 700 mg, 3 times per day for 24 weeks ( 1 ).

How long does it take for milk thistle to lower liver enzymes?

It depends. Sometimes it can take

up to 3 months

for a milk thistle supplement to show its benefit. Our best advice is to stick with it, as it’ll benefit you in the long run for sure! As for milk thistle dosage for fatty liver, a 90-day study found that 250-376mg of milk thistle per day helped reduce liver fat.

Does milk thistle detox the liver?

Care for your liver today


Consider using a potent milk thistle extract to protect and detox the liver

. This fantastic natural herb helps young persons maintain liver health. And after age 40, the detox power of the liver slows down. So regardless of age, milk thistle aids with prevention as well as repair.

What is milk thistle used for in dogs?

Because of its liver support, milk thistle is often used

when the dog or cat becomes too ill or toxic for the body to keep the liver healthy

. The herb can also be used when medications that could be toxic to the liver are given to the pet.

How many milligrams of milk thistle should I take?

The available forms of Milk thistle are capsules, tablet, tincture and intravenous solution. Adult dosage in terms of hepatoprotection is

420 mg/day of extract (standardized to 70-80% silymarin) three times a day for 6-8 weeks

. Maintenance dose is 280 mg/day.

Can I give my dog milk thistle and Denamarin?

Denamarin (which you can get from your Vet) contains Milk Thistle (Silymarin) in it along with SAMe. However the dosage of Milk Thistle is low.

You can give additional Milk Thistle when taking Denamarin

. But you should not give your dog both Denamarin and Denosyl (contains SAMe).

How do you detox a dog’s liver?


Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale and cauliflower sulforaphane

. This powerful anti-inflammatory helps prevent disease and helps with liver detox. It does this by breaking down toxins so that they’re easier to move out of the body.

What is the side effects of milk thistle?

  • Abdominal bloating/pain.
  • Allergic reactions.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Gas.
  • Indigestion.
  • Itching.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea.

Which is better milk thistle or silymarin?

Among all the parts,

silybin has the most potent antioxidant and anti-inflammation power

. Furthermore, our body absorbs silybin more readily compared to milk thistle and silymarin. Hence it works with the highest efficacy.

How do you give milk thistle to a dog?

“Milk thistle comes in capsules, liquid, or powder,” says Krause. For dogs

silymarin is given as an oral supplement, usually via a pill or capsule

. “Milk thistle can be given 2-3 times daily,” says Krause. If you’re hoping to use a milk thistle supplement that is formulated for humans, you should be extra cautious.

What causes a dogs liver enzymes to be elevated?

In terms of primary liver issues,

ingestion of certain toxins or chronic inflammation of the liver (due to infection, an over-reaction of the immune system, genetic disorders, etc.)

tend to create the most significant ALT elevations.

Does milk thistle cleanse kidneys?

Milk thistle (Silymarin marianum) is a well-known herbal therapeutic commonly used for liver support.

It supports detoxification through enhancing liver as well as kidney and pancreatic function

.

What supplements should not be taken with milk thistle?

In particular, if you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use milk thistle without talking to your doctor first.

Antipsychotics. Includes butyrophenones (such as haloperidol) and phenothiazines (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, and promethazine). Phenytoin (Dilantin)

.

Does milk thistle make you poop?

Safety and side effects

Taken in appropriate doses, oral use of milk thistle appears to be safe.

Milk thistle can cause: Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating

.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.