Every day, your pets are exposed to toxins. Toxins are in the food they eat, the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the pesticides on the grass in which they play. Unfortunately, these toxins can build up in your pet over time, and cause irreparable damage.

You’ve probably heard of detox for people, but pets can detox, too. It is important to help your pet live a long and healthy life.

What Is the Liver and What Does It Do?

The liver is the largest internal organ in cats and dogs. It handles:

Filtering the blood
Producing bile acid for digestion
Producing proteins for blood clotting
Storing vitamins

Unfortunately, liver problems can arise in our four-legged friends in a variety of ways. Because of this, it is important to remove toxins from the liver so it can function at its best. Toxins in the liver can cause disease and inflammation. (1)

What Causes an Unhealthy Liver?

There are a variety of ways your pet’s liver can be damaged, such as: (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

A compromised immune system: A compromised immune system can cause inflammation, tissue damage, and flow in and out of the liver. When this happens, the liver cannot filter out all toxins, causing them to back up in your pet. This can have detrimental effects.

Bacterial infection: Bacterial infection in the gut causes inflammation that can travel to the liver. This then causes the body to send liver cells to fight the infection. With the liver compromised, it can’t filter out toxins and pathogens, causing your pet to become quite sick.
Cholestasis: This is a condition with a reduction or stoppage of bile flow. When this happens, a back-up can occur within the liver, sometimes leading to a fatty liver and/or liver disease. A healthy bile flow is vital for the healthy function of the liver.
Endocrine disorders: Endocrine disorders in companion animals are similar to those in humans. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism are the most common. These disorders can cause symptoms such as excessive thirst, excessive urination, a pot belly, skin conditions, and lethargy.
Glyphosate: Glyphosate is a common herbicide sprayed onto everything from crops to grass in the neighborhood park. Pets come in contact with these harmful chemicals without you ever being aware. The toxins can build up in the body, making it difficult for the liver to filter them out. The liver then becomes diseased or compromised. Symptoms of glyphosate poisoning can include excessive salivation, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Heavy metals: Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and mercury can be poisonous in pets, causing toxicity. This is why detox is so vital to a pet's health.
Obesity: Overweight pets can develop fatty liver disease, which can not only make your pets sick, but can shorten their lifespans. Detox is important to help your pet’s liver to function well and to rid toxins from the body and help prevent fatty liver disease.
Pancreatitis: Years ago, chronic pancreatitis was uncommon in dogs, but recent studies confirm that it’s become a problem. Chronic pancreatitis is a significant cause of chronic pain in dogs. It damages the pancreas, impairs endocrine and exocrine function, and can lead to diabetes.

Sometimes, your pet will gradually begin to show symptoms of an unhealthy or diseased liver that could be mistaken for other issues. It is important to visit a veterinarian if your pet displays signs of being sick.

Symptoms of an Unhealthy Liver

An unhealthy liver can present itself in a variety of ways. Some of the symptoms a sick pet can display may not be unique to liver problems. That can make it difficult to know what is making your pet sick. Here are some symptoms of an unhealthy liver: (7)

Excessive thirst and urination
Fever
Jaundice
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Weight loss

If your pet displays any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately.

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Strategies to Help the Liver

Many people think “detox” only relates to humans. But detoxing your pet is vital to its health and longevity. Pets that spend the majority of their time outdoors are especially vulnerable to harmful toxins. Even pets that don’t go outside can ingest toxins through water, food, and non-food items such as toys. Thankfully, there are natural ways to restore your pet’s liver health. (8)

Diet

Pets often lack crucial minerals and nutrients in their diet. Essential minerals such as calcium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, and zinc are vital for your pet's bodily functions. Without proper minerals, your pet cannot contract its muscles, carry oxygen, or fight disease. Diet supplements that contain nutrients like B -complex vitamins, clinoptilolite, and omega fats can help your pet be as healthy as possible. Clinoptilolite in particular works in your pet’s digestive system to absorb toxins without interfering with other nutrient absorption. (9, 10)

Certain diet adjustments outside diet supplementation can help bridge this nutrient and mineral gap. Here are some general guidelines when you’re looking at your pet’s diet: (11)

Aim for a fresh-food diet that is low in phosphorus
Avoid or limit dry food, as it does not support healthy liver function
Look for food with organic ingredients to lessen possible chemical and pesticide contamination
Provide plenty of fresh water, and maybe consider a water fountain to encourage finicky pets to drink
Stay away from human food leftovers

Lifestyle

Certain lifestyle habits can help keep stress down and support your pet’s overall wellness. These may include: (11)

Ensuring adequate physical activity, including active playtime. Especially in older dogs, walking, playing, and mental activities can cease, which can reduce their quality of life and damage their health.
Maintenance of proper body weight. This helps lessen the chances of developing fatty liver and other liver diseases. An overweight pet is more likely to experience liver issues.
Providing a positive home environment with a consistent schedule. A safe, familiar environment can help your pets to anticipate and enjoy a more active lifestyle. By scheduling feedings and play, you’ll be sure your pets are receiving what they need for an active and healthy life.

Supplementation and Binders

Supplements should be tailored to your pets’ individual needs at every step of their lives. During the different stages of development, your pets’ needs change. Supplements can be helpful if they’re monitored by a veterinarian to ensure your pet is receiving the proper support throughout every phase of life. (12)

Binders are especially handy for detox. Most binders work by immobilizing toxins so they can leave the body and no longer cause harm. This helps support natural detox processes, digestion, and overall health. (13)

Humic and fulvic acids are super-nutrients that are found in the dirt as plants decompose. Through pesticides, herbicides, and overuse of dirt, soil becomes depleted of nutrients. Humic and fulvic acids are available in supplement form and can help to detox your pets. They bind and remove harmful toxins from the system without interfering with the essential vitamins and minerals your pet needs. (15)

It may be difficult to protect your pets from every chemical and toxin, but by taking steps to detoxify their liver, you can better protect them from potential long-term damage.

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