How Often Can I Give Milk Thistle To My Dog?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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“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.

Can I give my dog too much milk thistle?


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.

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 dogs take human 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 much probiotic should I give my dog?

Probiotics are measured in colony forming units, or CFUs. The current recommendation for dogs is

1-10 billion CFUs a day

.

How can I keep my dog’s liver healthy?


A change in a diet free from processed foods and chemicals, with small frequent meals that contain high fiber and digestible grains low in fat, combined with regular exercise, and weight regulation

, will readily improve your dog’s liver function.

How long does it take for milk thistle to work?

How Long Does Milk Thistle Take to Work. There isn’t an exact science behind this, but generally it can take around

3 to 4 months

before someone will see any benefits of milk thistle on their health, and this is after daily intake of some form of milk thistle.

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 milk thistle good for dogs with liver problems?

Milk thistle is one of the best-known and most often used herbs for humans and pets with liver disease. Only a few conventional medications are available for this condition.

Supplementing with milk thistle may be useful for pets with liver problems

.

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 do you feed a dog with liver problems?

Good proteins to feed for liver disease are

eggs for the most bioavailable protein and choline content, poultry and a little fish such as sardines, salmon and cod

. Proteins to reduce or avoid would be red meats high in phosphorus.

How long does it take for a dog liver to regenerate?

Liver regeneration begins

within hours after liver lobectomy

and may last up to 6 – 10 weeks. Shaved abdomen of a dog with a very large liver mass, prior to undergoing surgery.

What are the signs of liver failure in a dog?

Signs that a dog has liver disease can vary and include loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach ulceration, diarrhea, seizures or other neurologic problems, fever, blood clotting problems, jaundice (a yellow tinge noticeable in the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes), fluid collection in the abdomen, excessive urination and …

Can a dog recover from liver damage?

It is not reversible.

Before the liver reaches this terminal stage, it can recover from damage and heal itself to the point where your dog has normal liver function

. This is possible if proper treatment is instituted early on; the extent of recovery depends on the exact cause of the liver damage.

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).

Can I give my dog probiotics twice a day?

Depending on the pet’s weight, probiotic dosage will vary from 1-5 billion CFU.

This amount can be given twice daily with meals

. Dosages will be increased or decreased based on your pet’s needs and health.

Should I give my dog a probiotic every day?


Yes, you want to give your dog probiotics every day.

Can I give my dog probiotics everyday?


Dogs can take probiotics on a regular basis

to promote everyday digestive health and well-being.

What makes a dog’s 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.

How long can a dog live with high liver enzymes?

While your veterinarian can prescribe liver support in the form of medications and prescription diets, they may still experience a shortened life span. What is this? The average life expectancy of dogs with liver disease or liver damage can range from

6 months to 3 years

.

Can a dog recover from high liver enzymes?

If you have a dog with acute liver injury, it might have a sky-high ALT, but

if you can support the dog through that initial injury, then the disease could be reversible, and the liver can get back to normal

.

Can milk thistle reverse liver damage?

In a comprehensive review of studies on milk thistle by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ),

milk thistle improved liver function in people with mild liver disease, but was less effective for those with severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis

.

Does milk thistle flush 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 are the negative side effects of milk thistle?

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

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.

How can I help my dogs kidneys?

  1. Prioritize hydration and circulation. …
  2. Feed appropriate food. …
  3. Provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support. …
  4. Keep micronutrients in balance. …
  5. Don’t forget about the microbiome! …
  6. 4 questions every pet parent should ask about the ingredients in their pet’s food.

How much milk thistle can you give a cat?

Because of its excellent safety record and lack of adverse drug interactions, when I’m treating a very sick animal with advanced liver disease, I do not hesitate to use the full human dose–

up to 200 mg per 10 pounds of body weight

–of milk thistle extract daily.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.