What to Feed Your Dog for Liver Health

You probably know how important the liver is. But how can you support your dog's liver health?

We dive into the science behind this vital organ, explore how you can support it through nutrition, and note some potent supplements that can help.

Key Takeaways

The liver is one of the most important organs in your dog's body.
A healthy diet and adequate hydration are necessary for supporting liver health.
Certain supplements, like glutathione and milk thistle, can also help support healthy liver function.

See More: How Often Should You Walk Your Dog for Joint Health?

Dog Food and Liver Health

Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says,

"Nutrition is vital for supporting liver health. A healthy diet and certain supplements are great ways to support liver function."

The liver is the second-largest organ in your dog's body, behind the skin. It's also one of the most important.

Supporting your furry friend's liver health and function is extremely important. The liver is quite resilient and can naturally regenerate. But it still needs support.

Without proper support, liver problems can emerge. These problems can be serious.

Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to support your pup's liver. A healthy diet is one. We'll cover some basic principles and common changes done when the liver needs a little extra help.

Supplements are another way. Several compounds, including antioxidants like glutathione, have the potential to support liver function. We'll explore some of the research into these potent compounds and point you to where you can get them, if you decide your pup may benefit.

But first, let's recap why the liver needs this support.

The Importance of the Liver

Some parts of the body have multiple different functions. Important parts may have dozens. The liver has over 500 crucial functions.¹

Covering them all would require a textbook. But we can outline some of the most important.

You might already know that the liver is involved in detoxification. It's kind of like your dog's filtration plant. The liver filters the blood, removing toxins, waste products, and other potentially harmful substances.

What you might not know is that the liver is also related to the digestive system. It produces bile acids, which are needed for digesting and absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamin E.

The liver also stores some of these vital nutrients. It hangs on to glycogen, which is used for energy, plus some B vitamins and minerals like iron. When your dog's body needs these nutrients, the liver releases them into the bloodstream.

“You have to have the right nutrients,” notes Nikki Burnett in conversation with Earth Buddy founder Sean Zyer, to “help these pathways work properly.”

Your dog's liver is also important for immune system function. During filtration, it helps destroy harmful bacteria. It also produces immune factors and proteins that are crucial for the immune response.

The liver produces cholesterol and special proteins, helps regulate blood clotting, and much more.

We've described several crucial functions, and we're still only scratching the surface of what the liver does. You can hopefully see why supporting this vital organ is so important.

Bonus: What Age Do Dogs Calm Down? What You Need to Know

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The Best Diet for Dogs With Liver Problems

All those functions make the liver relatively energy hungry. In fact, it consumes more energy than many other parts of the body, at least while at rest.

That makes nutrition extremely important for supporting liver health.

Dietary requirements vary widely between different dogs. Age, size, weight, breed, activity levels, and various other factors can all affect what your dog needs to eat.

If you're worried about your dog's liver, make sure to consult with your veterinarian. They'll be able to help you tailor your pup's diet to best support them, whether that involves trying a new food, giving them CBD-Based Calming Treats, or something else entirely.

That said, there are a few general principles that experts recommend for supporting liver function.

Lots of Water

Staying hydrated is important for overall wellness, but it's particularly vital for liver health. For example, your dog's liver needs enough fluids to properly flush toxins out of the blood.

Make sure your dog has clean, fresh water available to them at all times. Many dogs might be happy to drink from a dirty puddle, but that doesn't mean it's appropriate for their health! Try to remember to clean their bowls regularly and consider adding fluid to their food if you think they need additional hydration.

Caloric Intake

As we mentioned, the liver is quite calorie-hungry. That means it needs adequate energy to function properly.

Of course, that doesn't mean you should overfeed your dog. Instead, try to ensure they are getting the right amount of food for their specific size, breed, age, and so on.

One trick that may help is breaking up meals. Smaller meals can be a little less strenuous for the liver to handle.

Dietary Protein

Protein is a cornerstone of any dog's diet. The liver is central to how your dog's body processes proteins.

For example, when your dog breaks down proteins, it produces toxic ammonia. The liver is responsible for processing that ammonia, allowing it to be safely excreted from the body.

Liver issues can undermine this process. To avoid overwhelming a struggling liver, experts often recommend protein restrictions.

However, protein intake must still be enough to support your dog's overall health. One way to achieve this is by using digestible, high-quality protein sources like eggs, dairy, white fish, and poultry. Digestive supplements, including Supplements With Colostrum, can also help.

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Supporting Liver Function

A healthy, balanced diet is one of the key pillars supporting your dog's overall health. Certain supplements may specifically help your dog maintain healthy liver function.

Glutathione

For example, antioxidants are important for normal liver function. One great antioxidant for supporting liver health is glutathione. It's known as the "master antioxidant."

As an antioxidant, glutathione can help protect your liver from damage caused by free radicals. It also plays a key role in the detoxification process in the liver.

Glutathione is actually produced by liver cells. However, glutathione levels often decline with age.²

Research has found an association between low glutathione levels and poor health outcomes in several animals, including dogs.³

Therefore, you can see why maintaining glutathione levels is so important.

Earth Buddy's Liposomal Glutathione is a great way to deliver glutathione to your dog's liver. It's the first supplement of its kind to encapsulate the glutathione in tiny fat bubbles, helping to prevent it from being destroyed during digestion. That means more of it gets to your dog's cells, where it's actually needed.

L-Glutamine

L-Glutamine is another molecule that can help support liver function. It's an amino acid.

In dogs, it's considered "conditionally essential." That means dogs can naturally produce it, but might not always be able to produce enough of it. In those situations, they may benefit from L-Glutamine supplementation.

One reason L-Glutamine is so important is that it's a precursor to glutathione. It can help your dog's body maintain glutathione levels.⁴

Earth Buddy's Maxx Life Liver & Immune Support blends L-Glutamine with other important amino acids and glutathione. It also contains a powerful immune support complex, which includes L-lysine, zinc glycinate, vitamin C, and more.

Our Liposomal Glutathione also contains L-Glutamine.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is sometimes called the holy thistle. Humans have used it for thousands of years in traditional medicine.

The seeds of the milk thistle plant contain silymarin. That term described a variety of plant compounds. Together, these compounds are thought to provide various potential benefits, including for the liver.

For example, many of the compounds in silymarin are antioxidants.⁵ Silymarin can also increase levels of glutathione in the body.⁶

Research suggests that silymarin can help maintain healthy liver function in dogs.⁷ As one 2020 review noted, silymarin has hepatoprotective properties. That's the scientific term for "liver-protecting."⁸

All that is exactly why Earth Buddy includes Milk Thistle Extract in its Liposomal Glutathione.

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Conclusion

The liver is one of the most important organs in your dog's body. Proper nutrition is vital for supporting liver health. Certain supplements like glutathione, L-Glutamine, and Milk Thistle may also help maintain healthy liver function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Foods Are Good for a Dog's Liver?

Digestible proteins like eggs, cottage cheese, and white fish are great options. So are complex carbohydrates like brown rice. Antioxidant-rich foods are also good, like carrots and blueberries.

Are Scrambled Eggs Good for a Dog's Liver?

Many experts consider scrambled eggs an excellent food for liver health. They're high in protein while relatively gentle on the liver. Make sure to cook them plain and serve them in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Is Wet or Dry Food Better for a Dog's Liver?

Wet food is often considered better, because its moisture helps with hydration. Maintaining hydration is extremely important for supporting normal liver function.

Keep Reading: Amino Acids for Dogs: Everything to Know

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From CBDa Extracts to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

What to Feed Your Dog for Liver Health

Key Takeaways

Dog Food and Liver Health

The Importance of the Liver