Detoxing For Dogs: Signs & Benefits

Although promoted as a weight loss program, detox is so much more. This full-body reset helps boost energy, improve mental clarity, reduce hunger and cravings, minimize aches and pain, rebalance hormones, restore sleep cycles, support digestion, and strengthen the immune system. Much the same way our bodies work, your dog’s liver and kidneys are responsible for filtering out toxic substances that enter the body. The problem is that your dog’s organs are much smaller than a human’s, so their toxic load is often much higher. This puts a heavy load on your pet’s organs and over time they begin to wear out, making a detox for your dog as important as it is for you.

Signs it’s Time for a Dog Detox

Unfortunately, our dogs can’t exactly “tell” us when they’re feeling sluggish, but if we pay attention we can easily make out the signs that our pet is struggling with toxins:

• Runny eyes
• Dry, flaky skin
• Dull fur
• Bad breath
• Lumps and bumps on the skin
• Itching
• Lethargy

How to Help Your Dog Detox Naturally

Fasting is one of the simplest ways to help your dog detox. Offer your dog plenty of water, and meat broth, and skip feeding them for the day. Holistic vets recommend this detox for the dogs in their practice and claim that these dogs are among the healthiest in their clinic. 

To help the body NOT feel overburdened by toxins, it’s always a good idea to clear them out whenever possible. To start your detoxing journey, go through your home and your daily routine and remove as many things as possible that are contributing to your dog’s toxic load: detergents, deodorizers, shampoos, etc.

Try dog foods that do not have a large number of additives and fillers. Try adding fresh and whole foods to your pet's bowl regularly and purchase organic whenever you can.

Exercising is another good daily detox. Fresh air works wonders for the body, and giving your pet’s lungs a good workout helps improve circulation and reduce stress. Perhaps even more important for detoxing though, exercise helps keep the intestines and colon moving well, allowing for the removal of waste from the body. Exercise also helps detox the lungs and blood!

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. Never use unfiltered tap water. And don’t forget to clean your dog’s water bowl regularly so the slime doesn’t build up!

You can also use Adored Beast Liver Tonic for 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. 

Visit Sweetie Paw Pets in Markham or our website to buy Natural Health & Wellness supplements for dogs.