"Five Useful Liver Support Supplements for Canines, as Endorsed by Veterinarians
The canine liver serves a plethora of roles, from filtering out toxins to metabolizing drugs and aiding in digestion. Despite its resilience, it can succumb to age, toxins, and other factors. Thankfully, there's a variety of dog liver supplements on the market to support the liver when it's not functioning optimally.
Here's a lowdown on how liver supplements help dogs, the reasons why your vet might recommend one, and the factors to consider when picking a supplement.
Embracing Liver Support for Your Dog
Liver disease supplements for dogs are brimming with active ingredients like S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) and milk thistle, catering to vital liver functions such as detoxification, protein synthesis, digestion, and antioxidant activity. These supplements step in when the liver needs an extra boost.
Normal livers churn out antioxidants that safeguard cells from harmful free radicals. Augmented with antioxidant activity, these supplements protect liver cells against damage and promote cellular repair. Moreover, liver supplements lend a hand by offering additional nutrients like vitamins and probiotics.
But remember, liver supplements won't reverse liver disease; instead, they offer a helping hand in managing symptoms.
The Lowdown on When a Liver Supplement May be Needed
In a nutshell, a liver supplement is typically out of reach for a healthy dog with no liver health issues. However, vets often prescribe liver supplements to support dogs battling issues like:
- Liver cancer and other liver-related illnesses
- Digestive problems, as the liver plays a significant role in digestion
- Malnourishment in dogs on homemade diets or those lacking nutrients crucial for liver health
- Senior dogs and pets taking medications
The regular intake of a liver supplement is usually a long-term commitment, with your vet calling the shots on how long your pet will be on the supplement.
Remember, it's always best to consult your vet before incorporating a liver supplement into your dog's regimen.
Top Liver Supplements Prescribed by Veterinarians
Choosing the right dog liver supplement from the abundant options online can be daunting. So, here's a roundup of notable supplements to consider discussing with your vet. All canine-friendly liver supplements on this list are meant for oral intake and come in different doses, tailored to your dog's weight.
Denamarin
Denamarin houses two active components: SAMe and silybin. SAMe, generated naturally in the liver, gets converted into glutathione – a crucial component in detoxification and antioxidant activity. A liver supplement helps boost SAMe levels depleted due to liver disease.
SAMe can contribute to brain health by spurring improved cognition, especially beneficial for senior dogs grappling with cognitive decline. Additionally, silybin, derived from milk thistle, boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
- Features:
- Contains two active ingredients that help support liver health
- Offers reduced inflammation
- Promotes detoxification
- Antioxidant properties
- Helps brain health
- Available as tablets or chewable tablets
- Only available through your vet
Note: There's also an advanced version of Denamarin with improved absorption, leading to fewer tablets being required daily.
Denosyl
Denosyl showcases SAMe as its main active ingredient. In line with Denamarin, Denosyl supports liver health via detoxification, antioxidant activity, and cellular repair. Denosyl can also boost brain function.
- Features:
- Boasts SAMe as the active ingredient
- Assists with detoxification
- Encourages antioxidant activity
- Helps brain function
- Only available through your vet
Vetri SAMe Tablets
Vetri SAMe tablets bring together SAMe and glutathione to encourage detoxification and antioxidant activity. These tablets boast a special coating to protect them from stomach acid, ensuring they're fully absorbed in the small intestine.
- Features:
- Combines SAMe and glutathione as active ingredients
- Promotes detoxification and offers antioxidant effects
- Protective coating to optimize absorption
- Earned the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal of approval
- Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Should be administered on an empty stomach, about an hour before mealtime
Vetri-Liver Support Soft Chew for Dogs
Vetri-Liver Support soft chews designed for dogs feature a tempting chicken flavor and comprise 15 ingredients promoting liver health. These ingredients operate in two phases: phase 1 to convert toxins into less dangerous forms, and phase 2 to transform those substances into water-soluble compounds for easy elimination from the body. More than that, the ingredients support fat metabolism and antioxidant activity.
- Features:
- Contains 15 active ingredients to bolster liver health
- Helps with detoxification and fat metabolism
- Encourages antioxidant activity
- Earned the NASC seal of approval
Rx Vitamins Hepato Support Capsules
Rx Vitamins Hepato Support capsules incorporate silymarin, extricated from the seeds of the milk thistle plant, together with B vitamins and alpha-lipoic acid to facilitate normal liver function. Silymarin enhances glutathione levels and safeguards the liver from toxins. An individual capsule provides 100 milligrams of milk thistle extract. In addition, a liquid version of this supplement is available for those who find giving their dog pills challenging.
- Features:
- Boasts several active ingredients to support normal liver function
- Offers detoxification support
- Showcases antioxidant activity
- Earned the NASC seal of approval
Tips for Safe and Effective Use of Dog Liver Support Supplements
When considering giving your dog a liver supplement, keep the following factors in mind:
- Consult your vet: Your vet is the best resource for questions about liver supplements for dogs. They'll advise you on which supplement would work best for your dog.
- Evaluate your pet's current medications: Liver supplements might interact with other medications, potentially diminishing their effectiveness. Discuss your dog's medication history with your vet.
- Assess costs: Liver supplements, particularly when used long-term, can be pricey. Your vet can help you choose budget-friendly options and advise on how long you may need to give the supplement to your pet.
- Follow label instructions: The label provides crucial information about dosing and storage. Please read this information thoroughly to ensure you administer the right dosage based on your pet's weight and securely store the product away from pets and children.
- Identify the lot number: Make sure the supplement displays a lot number on the label. The lot number signifies that the product has undergone rigorous quality control checks for safety.
- Research the manufacturer: Avoid relying on marketing hype. Examine the manufacturer's website or contact them via phone to determine whether they subject their products to independent safety and efficacy testing.
- Keep human supplements away from your pet: Human supplements may contain components harmful to your dog. In addition, the human dose may lead to an overdose for your dog.
Science plays a crucial role in developing health-and-wellness products for dogs, including liver supplements. These supplements are designed with active ingredients like S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) and milk thistle, which support the liver's functions such as detoxification, protein synthesis, digestion, antioxidant activity, and cellular repair. In addition, these supplements often provide additional nutrients like vitamins and probiotics to promote overall health and wellness.
Moreover, nutrition plays a significant part in maintaining a dog's liver health. Some vets may recommend liver supplements for dogs dealing with specific issues such as liver cancer, digestive problems, malnourishment, or senior dogs on medication. Regular use of liver supplements can be a long-term commitment, and it is essential to consult a vet before incorporating one into a dog's regimen.
