What is milk thistle?
With its spiky purple flowers and vibrant green leaves laced with white veins, milk thistle is definitely an attention-grabbing shrub. And thanks to its prickly spines, probably not one you’d want your dog to munch on while out walking! Don’t worry though – we’re not going to suggest dishing out a milk thistle dosage for dogs using raw plants.
The flower is native to the Mediterranean, and its robust nature allows it to grow on rocky slopes and outcrops where other vegetation may struggle to thrive. You might not guess from looking at it, but milk thistle belongs to the same family as sunflowers and daisies. What’s more, people have been using it as a traditional remedy to enhance wellbeing for generations. In particular, practitioners value it for its potential to support liver health and help cleanse the body.
But it’s not just us humans that the plant could benefit – it’s also our beloved pups. Which is why today we’re discussing the optimum milk thistle dosage for dogs and how it might aid your pooch. Let’s start by exploring the possible milk thistle benefits for dogs.
How can milk thistle help dogs?
If you choose the right milk thistle dosage for dogs, the plant could support your pup’s health in several ways. And many of its advantages for wellness are thanks to a group of active compounds known collectively as silymarin.
For instance, silymarin possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This means milk thistle can reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress and tackle chronic inflammation. Experts have linked both of those to an increased risk of animals developing conditions like heart disease and cancer.(1) That makes these milk thistle benefits for dogs quite wide-ranging. However, the most common reason people want to know the best milk thistle dosage for dogs is to support their pooch’s liver health.
The plant’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties both play a role in looking after the liver.(2) As an example, untreated liver inflammation can lead to scar tissue replacing healthy liver cells, decreasing the organ’s functionality. Further, studies have found milk thistle may lessen the damage caused by both acute and chronic liver disease in canines.(3)
Research also suggests the right milk thistle dosage for dogs could help prevent toxins from binding to their liver cells.(4) The liver is an important organ, playing a key role in functions like digestion, metabolism, blood clotting, and detoxification. So, you can see why taking care of it should be a priority. And adding milk thistle to your pup’s diet could be an effective way to do so.
Other possible milk thistle benefits for dogs
Interestingly, there may be some milk thistle benefits for dogs with allergies. The liver helps to get rid of excess histamine in the body. That’s a chemical the immune system produces in response to an allergy trigger, resulting in symptoms like sneezing and itchiness. As such, keeping the liver in top shape could reduce the chances of experiencing these symptoms, or lessen their severity.
Finally, some studies on mice and rats have found that silymarin can decrease oxidative damage to brain cells.(5) This might help to slow mental decline. In addition, the research suggests milk thistle has the potential to assist with the treatment of neurological conditions. For example, it may be able to lower the number of amyloid plaques in the brains of animals with Alzheimer’s. However, further investigation is necessary to confirm whether the ingredient could be useful in treating pups with this disease.
Can you safely give milk thistle to your dog?
As you can see, there are several potential milk thistle benefits for dogs. But is it safe to feed the ingredient to your pet? The general consensus is yes, as long as you stick to the appropriate milk thistle dosage for dogs. However, we recommend you speak to a vet before adding it to your pet’s diet. Every animal is unique, and it’s important to make sure the plant is suitable for your pup’s individual needs.
Research into the use of milk thistle in pets is still limited. That makes it difficult to say with certainty whether there are any potential side effects of the plant. However, so far, this doesn’t appear to be a concern. Remember that there’s always a small chance your pup could be allergic to the ingredient. As such, keep a close eye on your pooch after feeding them milk thistle (or any new functional food). If you notice any negative symptoms or changes in behaviour, take them to the vet straight away.
When should you avoid giving milk thistle to your dog?
It’s not enough to know the correct milk thistle dosage for dogs. You also need to be aware of which pups the ingredient might not be suitable for in any amount. For example, we do not recommend giving the plant – or any functional food – to animals that are pregnant or nursing. This is because there hasn’t yet been sufficient research to determine if it’s safe for them. Similarly, never give milk thistle to puppies. It’s a potent plant, so is for grown-up pooches only!
If your pet has an existing health condition or is taking medication, consult a vet before giving them milk thistle. This is to make sure they don’t experience any unwanted side effects or interactions. For instance, the plant may lower blood sugar, which could be relevant for animals on diabetes medication. Likewise, milk thistle can affect drugs that are metabolised in the liver or processed by certain enzymes. Your vet will be able to confirm whether this applies to any medicine your pup is on.
Milk thistle dosage for dogs
The correct milk thistle dose for dogs will depend on a few different factors. These include the size of your pooch, and the type and strength of the product you’ve chosen. Because of this, we can only speak to the appropriate milk thistle dosage for dogs taking our powder or oil.
Starting with the oil, you can feed this to your pet neat or mix it into their normal wet food. We suggest using a quarter of a teaspoon per 5kg of your pup’s body weight. For the powder, use between a quarter and half of a teaspoon per 5kg of their body weight. You could do this either once or twice a day. For reference, a quarter of a teaspoon of powder is about 500mg.
How much milk thistle for dogs who are fussy eaters? Start with an eighth of a teaspoon of powder per 5kg of body weight and see how they get on. You can then gradually increase the amount you feed them until you reach the recommended milk thistle dosage for dogs.
Can I give my dog milk thistle every day?
When it comes to milk thistle for dogs, dosage isn’t just about the amount. It’s also about the frequency with which you feed the ingredient to your pet. While you can give your dog milk thistle daily, most experts agree you shouldn’t do so long term. The only exception to this is if your vet recommends it.
One reason for this is that many believe the plant is more suitable as a treatment for existing disease or in response to an exposure to a toxin. They don’t suggest using it every day on an indefinite basis. It’s also possible that giving your pet high doses of milk thistle for a long time can actually suppress liver function.
To avoid this problem, you could dish up the appropriate milk thistle dosage for dogs in cycles. That might mean feeding it to your pup for approximately 3-6 weeks, then taking a break for 2-8 weeks. Alternatively, you can use it – with your vet’s approval – when your pooch has a problem with their liver or has been exposed to a toxin.
Common uses of silymarin for dogs
Some of the most frequent reasons a vet might recommend a milk thistle dosage for dogs include:
- To help treat liver conditions, such as chronic hepatitis or inflammation of the bile ducts
- To ease the symptoms of pups with inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis
- To aid in the treatment of conditions like diabetes and cancer
- To assist dogs who have consumed something toxic, like certain species of mushroom
- To lessen drug-induced kidney toxicity
- To help treat giardia infections and canine parvovirus
It’s important to remember that milk thistle is not a replacement for professional veterinary care and treatment. If your pet has any of the above conditions, don’t try to use milk thistle to cure them. Book a vet appointment immediately. Then, you can ask for their opinion on whether the plant could help when given alongside whichever treatment they recommend.
Does milk thistle really work?
We’re sure that before giving your pet the appropriate milk thistle dosage for dogs, you’ll want to know it works. Research into the efficacy of the ingredient for our canine companions is still in its infancy. Plus, there are all sorts of factors that affect whether a treatment is successful or not. These include the condition you’re using it for, the overall health of your pup, and your expectations. One thing we will say is that milk thistle is not a panacea. If your pooch has liver disease, for example, it’s not going to cure them overnight. However, evidence indicates that the plant could play a role in supporting the health of your pet’s liver and other aspects of their wellbeing.
Where to buy milk thistle for dogs
So, that pretty much covers milk thistle dosage for dogs and how the plant might benefit our furry friends. Time to look at how to pick the best product to give them.
There are a few factors to bear in mind when choosing milk thistle for dogs. First, we recommend opting for an organic product. That way, you can rest assured that no nasty chemicals got anywhere near the plants! Speaking of chemicals, it’s also a good idea to buy a product that’s 100% milk thistle. That means no artificial colourings and flavourings, no preservatives, and no bulking agents. Just pure plant goodness.
And while it is possible to get silymarin-only supplements, we recommend choosing milk thistle instead. This is because milk thistle contains a broader spectrum of nutrients and compounds, which can work together synergistically. That may result in greater wellness benefits for your pup. You might also want to choose a powder or oil rather than a capsule. As anyone who has tried to give their pup a tablet knows, this makes feeding it to them much easier!
Last, although humans can use milk thistle to support their health too, you should never give your pet yours. Always feed them a product that’s specifically designed for pets.
Introducing our milk thistle for dogs
We source our milk thistle from some amazing farmers we’ve partnered with in Eastern Europe. They’re just as passionate about quality as we are at Boosie, so you know your pup is in good hands. They cultivate their plants with love, using only organic techniques. After harvesting the seeds, they cold-press them to extract their valuable milk thistle oil. This ensures it retains all the plant’s key nutrients.
What’s left behind is a concentrated milk thistle ‘cake’, which we grind into a fine powder. We don’t sneak in any unwanted filler ingredients – your pet receives 100% pure organic milk thistle powder. We ship this out in environmentally friendly amber glass jars, to help protect the other animals on the planet. And, of course, we print all the information about the correct milk thistle dosage for dogs on the label. We hope your pup loves it!
