HOW TO DETOXIFY MY DOG NATURALLY

by Christa Jones February 19, 2024

DETOX YOUR DOG NATURALLY

Spring is a great time to detox your pet. It is a time to take a fresh start as the sun shines and the days get longer. It is time for spring cleaning and this means cleaning the house, focusing on our bodies and taking some time to reexamine what we are doing for our furry family members.

Every day our dogs encounter numerous environmental and chemical toxins from inside and outside the home. Many of the toxins we don’t even think about, so when I talk to my customers I often suggest toxins that could be harming our dogs. We all love our dogs and sometimes we are not even aware of what could be harming their bodies.

5 TOXINS IN YOUR DOGS WORLD

Pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate – Found everywhere, however less exposure is better. Well-manicured yards, parks and golf courses are treated with chemicals. The water your dog drinks should be considered.
Flea and Tick Meds – There are many natural remedies to help with flea and ticks. One of my favorites is Raw Baltic Amber collars.
Vaccines – Research the vaccinations you are giving your pet. Many holistic vets have vaccination protocols and alternatives.
Cleaning Products – Read your labels
Laundry Detergent and Dryer Sheets

The list goes on and on….Take some time to think about your environment and create your own list.

Your pets eliminate toxins every day as toxins are excreted through urinating and defecating. It’s important that our dogs have safe drinking water and are having regular, healthy bowel movements. However, just like our bodies the buildup or toxic overload is sometimes too much to handle. We need to support our systems so they are able to perform at an optimal level.

WHEN SHOULD I DETOX MY DOG?

Spring and Fall are two great times to detox and reset the body. There are also some symptoms that might signal a need for extra support. Beginning symptoms might include:

Runny Eyes
Bad Breath
Lethargy
Dry Flaky Skin/Skin Issues
Increased Shedding/Dull Fur

Take some time to do a body scan and look for changes. It’s always important to monitor your dog as when the body has more than it can handle, disease can present its ugly head. It is always better to be proactive than reactive.

HOW DO I DETOX NATURALLY?

CLEAR OUT THE CHEMICAL INSIDE AND OUT

Skip the lawn chemicals

Choose organic all natural grooming supplies

FOCUS ON FOOD

Try to feed the highest quality diet you can afford. Far too many chemicals are in processed food. Feeding high quality raw is biologically appropriate, and is transformational.

If feeding raw all of the time isn’t in your budget, then try to add in as many fresh whole foods as possible. Maybe you can budget 25% raw to each meal, or take one week, as often as possible and feed a raw diet. Have questions, just reach out to Raw Dog Food Complete and we can help.

Look for Single ingredient treats or make your own

Feed more antioxidants to help fight free radical damage caused by chemicals. Antioxidants also aid immune system function and give those cleansing systems a boost. Berries, cruciferous vegetables, and antioxidant powerhouse Phytoplankton are all great.

EXERCISE

We all know fresh air works wonders for the body. Dogs don’t often get the chance to ground. Giving your dogs a chance to smell, run and play helps stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This system increases the endorphins and the happy hormones. Keeping the body in motion also helps the colon with the removal of waste and detoxes the lungs and body. Exercise helps our entire family both physically and emotionally.

PROVIDE FRESH WATER

Water is crucial for the proper functioning of the body. It regulates body temperature, lubricates the joints, aids digestion and nutrient absorption, and detoxifies by transporting waste from the body. Staying properly hydrated is important for detoxification.

But did you know that most tap water contains numerous chemicals like fluoride and chlorine? It’s true. And these can negatively affect the good bacteria in your dog’s gut. Give your dog fresh spring or filtered water. Make sure that it’s NOT de-mineralized filtered water. Never use unfiltered tap water. And don’t forget to clean your dog’s water bowl regularly so the slime doesn’t build up! (According to Adored Beast)

THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS

According to Adored Beast, “The liver’s primary job is to get rid of toxins in the body. It also plays a role in bile production, metabolism, enzyme activation, and vitamin storage – all of which are essential for proper digestion. It’s really important to keep the liver running efficiently to avoid liver disease and other issues.

Also, don’t forget about that other set of critical detoxification organs – the kidneys. This pair filters toxins out of your pet’s body up to 70 times a day! It’s very important that this system is supported.

These are some of the best herbs for cleansing and detoxifying the liver and kidneys.

Milk thistle works to stabilize liver cell membranes and acts as an antioxidant to protect liver cells from free radical damage.
- Powder: 100mg per 10 pounds of body weight, 1 to 4 times daily. Divide the dose equally if you give it more than once a day
- Tincture: 1 to 2 drop per 10 pounds of body weight, 1 to 4 times daily. Divide the dose equally if you give it more than once a day
  *Don’t use this all the time unless your animal has a chronic liver disease (speak to your vet) – a few times a year is good. Also, don’t give to pregnant or lactating animals”
Parsley Is a great support for your dogs breath and it also helps support the kidneys, Its diuretic properties help it filter toxins through the body and out through urine. Raw Dog Food Complete adds Parsley to their complete and balanced blends.
Dandelion root According to Adored Beast, "Supports bile secretion and healthy digestion, as well as healthy liver and kidney function. It also supports the removal of toxins from the body. With dried dandelion root, work up to 1 tsp per 20 lbs of weight. With dandelion root, be careful with dogs on diuretics – speak with your vet first."

In our house, we use the Adored Beast Liver Tonic for our seasonal detoxes. It supports the health of the liver and kidneys by helping regenerate healthy liver cells and boosting the organs’ ability to filter toxins from the blood and waste from the body. It contains milk thistle and dandelion root, as well as barberry and greater celandine. Its reasonably priced and easy to use.