Liver Support for Dogs

Your dog's liver is considered one of the most important organs in his or her body. To maintain the health of your dog's liver, you must provide your pet with the proper nutrition, supplements and external environment.

  1. Liver Function

    • The liver is responsible ridding the body of toxic waste. It breaks down the fat taken in by the body and produces urine as a way to rid the body of products that are unbeneficial. Most of the fat is converted to glucose for the body's use. Vitamins including A, D, E and K are stored in the liver and help maintain the proper level of glucose.

    Nourishment

    • The best way to assure your dog maintains proper liver function is to provide it with a healthy diet. If your pet eats store-bought dog food, add a dose of fresh vegetables once a day. This will help control appropriate vitamin levels. Fruit is another food that will add the necessary vitamins, but you must avoid giving your dog onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, baby food, mushrooms, raw eggs, raisins and grapes. Small quantities of raw meat can also be administered to your dog for liver support, but do not feed him or her raw fish.

    Vitamin Support

    • Liver support capsules containing vitamins and minerals should be given daily with your dog's meal. Most pills are composed of a handful of benefit herbs including dandelion, Indian ginseng, eastern purple coneflower and milk thistle. The dandelion additive boosts A, B, C and D vitamins and incorporates silicon, magnesium, manganese, iron, lecithin, potassium and zinc. Indian ginseng nourishes the blood and vital organs promoting function, growth and vigor. Eastern purple coneflower, also known as echinacea purpurea, increases immune functionality. Milk thistle contains silymarin, which provides the body with antioxidant properties.

    Dosage

    • Every dog, without regard to weight, should receive some portion of a vitamin supplement every day. Give your dog a half a capsule twice a day if he or she is less than 20 pounds, one capsule twice a day for dogs 20 to 50 pounds and up to two pills twice a day if your dog exceeds 50 pounds.

    External Factors

    • External support will also aid in your dog's liver health. Give your dog plenty of exercise, whether it be a run in the park or free range of the backyard. This promotes blood circulation and keeps the liver active. Keep your dog from being exposed to toxins and chemicals, such as secondhand smoke. These poisonous substances are just as harmful to your pet as they are for humans.