Many people choose to undertake a detoxification or cleansing of their bodily systems in an effort to achieve and maintain good health. You may be surprised to learn that many holistic veterinarians believe that a routine cleansing of the canine system can be extremely beneficial too. In fact, detoxification can extend your furry friend’s life.
Although canine detoxification is not a new idea, it is one that is fast increasing in popularity. One of the main reasons for this is that more and more dogs are suffering from a bigger array of chronic diseases, including bad breath, bad body odor, yeast infections, allergies, digestive problems, skin conditions and tumors. These physical ailments are signs that a dog’s body is working overtime to rid itself of the toxins that have accumulated internally. This overtime workload is the dog’s way of cleansing its body. In essence, the dog’s body is actually in the process of detoxifying itself.
One might wonder why dogs are developing the problems listed above. Unfortunately, the answer is simple; the solution is almost impossible unless you take yourself and your dog off to the wide open spaces away from cities, industries, airplane flight pathways, interstates and all of the other manmade elements that bring pollution with them. The main reason dogs are more commonly being inflicted by these unwanted health issues is that there are more toxins in today’s world than there were in the past. It seems that there is always a price to pay for progress.
Take a look around you. It doesn’t take long to make a list of toxins that are frequently found in our environment. These may include household cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, antifreeze, motor oil, flea and tick products, mold, mildew, polluted air and secondhand cigarette smoke. The toxins can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation and absorption through the skin.
Unfortunately, the common toxins don’t stop with the above list. Dog owners unknowingly provide their pets with toxins when they feed food that is chemically-preserved or contains artificial flavors and colorings found in many commercial varieties of foods and treats.
Another reason that dogs are suffering from unwanted diseases that are linked to today’s lifestyle is the extensive use of medications such as antibiotics, anti-fungal drugs, vaccines, corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs that do not contain steroids.
The use of herbal and homeopathic remedies and nutritional supplements don’t release the same toxins as do the commercially-manufactured drugs. That’s why homeopathic veterinarians and even those who practice a combination of homeopathic and traditional medicine promote canine body cleansing. Eliminating the toxins helps the body to heal.
A healthy dog’s body has a sophisticated detoxification system in place that can eliminate unwanted toxins through the removal organs that include the liver, kidneys, skin, lymphatic system and immune system. When these systems are overburdened with toxic overloads or are compromised by a disease or injury due to illness, the body is forced to find alternative ways to eliminate waste. For example, if a dog’s body is working to eliminate the unwanted toxins through the skin, conditions such as itching, dandruff and dry skin can occur. If the dog’s body tries to rid itself of waste via mucous membranes, a runny nose, nasal discharge, teary eyes or a mucus discharge at the rectum or urethra can occur.
If the dog’s body cannot rid itself of the toxins, they accumulate indefinitely and can lead to serious health issues such as chronic allergies, arthritis, inflammation, infections and cancers.
Once you accept the fact that your dog may not be as healthy as you think he or she is, it’s time to take steps to rectify the situation. One of the first things to do in the detoxification process is to fast the dog for 12 to 24 hours. However, one should always discuss the fasting process with the dog’s veterinarian BEFORE beginning the process. In fact, it’s important to discuss this entire procedure with the vet before deciding if it’s the right choice for your puppy.
When starting a dog’s fast, it is vital that your pet have access to plenty of fresh, clean water. It is best to use filtered water so that you know toxins are minimal. If you don’t drink the water from your faucet, don’t give it to your dog. Contaminants such as chlorine, fluoride, bacteria and parasites are all too frequently found in city and country water sources. Would you allow your children to drink this stuff? If the answer is no, don’t give it to your dog. The additional money spent providing clean water can save in costly veterinarian bills.
Regular daily exercise is very important to the detoxification process because it gets the body functions working. Exercise helps to increase blood circulation, which in turn benefits many of the body’s organs. The chance for expulsion of the toxins increases as the bodily systems become active.
There are many herbs and supplements that can help with the detoxification process. However, one should note that it is best to work with a homeopathic veterinarian who is knowledgeable on the subject. The doctor can prescribe a regiment of herbs and supplements that can help the body rid itself of the bad toxins.
If your dog is taking conventional medication, it is important that the homeopathic veterinarian knows that. Be prepared to give a complete medical history for your dog so that the doctor can make well informed, intelligent decisions.
Nutritional supplements that contain greens or chlorophyll are commonly used in the detoxification process. Greens supplements add a variety of nutrients that all too often missing from commercial pet food products. These supplements might also include antioxidants, trace minerals, essential fatty acids and a full spectrum of amino acids.
In addition, chlorophyll is a known natural cleanser that can help reverse many health problems that affect the intestines, skin and liver.
A homeopathic veterinarian may suggest adding some herbs to the dog’s diet. Since a healthy liver is vital to detoxification, the doctor may prescribe milk thistle, which promotes healing of the liver.
Other natural remedies that have proven very effective are burdock root, dandelion and licorice root. These help flush toxins from the liver, kidneys and the lymphatic and immune systems. They also improve the body’s ability to rid the blood of toxins.
Many of the necessary homeopathic remedies and supplements can be found in health food stores. In addition, there is a wide variety of herbs and supplements available online. Some pet stores carry these items too.
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