How to Introduce a Cleanse to Your Dog's Health Regimen

As we wind down the year and shift into New Year's resolution territory, many strive for better health. And often, that includes something called a cleanse.

If you’re not familiar with the term, it refers to detoxifying the body by temporarily eliminating certain foods from our diets and replacing them with fluids, juices, and other supplements.

What might surprise you is that your pet can also experience a cleanse that can help boost their natural detoxification process. Dogs that might well benefit from the procedure are not breed- specific, but those who have chronic health issues, have been on medications for a long period of time, or have been exposed to toxins on an ongoing basis.

Now, if you’re already thinking your pet could benefit from a cleanse, run it past your veterinarian. Particularly with older dogs or those on medications, any physical change to their intake should be done with input from the experts.

For dogs, a gentle cleanse can support liver, kidney, gut and skin health. In short, helping them function at an optimal level.

How to Introduce a Natural Detox

According to many Holistic Veterinarians (those who consider diet, environment, and lifestyle as factoring into your pet’s health and work with alternative practices to resolve any issues), it starts with the basics:

1. Provide your dog with a continual supply of fresh, filtered water. This helps with hydration and aid kidney function.
2. Introduce probiotics to help balance his gut bacteria and thereby remove toxins more efficiently.
3. Include fermented foods in his diet to enhance digestion and boost nutrient absorption. Options such as yogurt or kefir will be more palatable to your pet than pickled vegetables.
4. Add fibre-rich veggies to help with toxin elimination. Pumpkin, leafy greens and options like broccoli are a great choice.
5. Improve the quality of his food. High-quality, whole-food with minimal preservatives, typically found in grocery-store kibble.
6. Get him moving. Regular physical activity not only improves digestion but also lymphatic movement.
7. Eliminate his exposure to toxins. That includes chemicals used in household cleaners or lawn treatments, as well as indoor air, including smoke, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) found in new carpeting or furnishings or fresh paint.

What About Supplements?

Common herbal supplements include Omega-3 Fatty Acids to support liver function, as well as milk thistle, which is known to help regenerate liver cells.

And yes, small amounts of warm herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, or ginger (to aid digestion), as well as Rooibos (rich in antioxidants), are also a healthy choice.

Natural Support from the Pet Industry

Many of us struggle to ensure our pets get that optimal dose of any one supplement. Especially if we live in a multi-pet household where the fur kids tend to graze between one another’s bowls. If measuring out an appropriate scoop of probiotic yogurt, then ensuring it’s consumed in its entirety by the subject dog isn’t feasible, opting for a gentle support like this vet-recommended prebiotic/probiotic digest capsule from Ark Naturals instantly takes the guesswork out of it. Used daily, it helps promote the growth of good bacteria while aiding in digestion.

For older pets, kidney health is always a concern, and we love this bladder health cranberry supplement from Pet Honesty. Believe me, I’ve tried to entice my pooch to drink cranberry juice when I suspected a UTI. This simple to use chew is free of artificial flavors, colors and preservatives and helps balance pH levels to support normal kidney function, urinary tract health, as well as your pet’s overall immune system. Best of all, you’re not cleaning drips of cranberry juice from your kitchen floor.

We’ve all heard of superfoods that are loaded with antioxidants, but not all dogs are down for eating quinoa, berries, beets, or salmon. Nor are our budgets able to support this type of diet over the long haul. But there are options to ensure our pets get enzyme-rich foods that include many of these same powerful antioxidants. Something like this antioxidant dog treat from Nzymes is just the ticket. This wellness supplement helps promote energy, protect mobility, reduce oxidative stress using the enzyme catalase, and support cellular health. Meaning your pet’s fur, skin, and digestion get a kickstart.

Many breeds are prone to a serious condition known as pancreatitis. The pancreas produces enzymes to help your pet break down carbs and fats. When they’re depleted you run into issues, including vomiting and diarrhea, with triggers such as fatty foods producing instant, unpleasant results. Not the “cleanse” you want to wake up to each morning. With my Schnoodles, it required a pricey, vet-prescribed, low-fat kibble to get the situation under control, and me becoming hyper-diligent with any snacks or treats that make their way into eager little mouths. Now, this can be more challenging than one might expect, and that’s why products such as this Pancretase digestive enzyme powder are important to support your pet’s digestion. Sprinkled across wet or dry food, it contains three digestive enzymes that help ensure proper nutritional absorption.

Lastly, let’s consider the air quality issue. If you have pets, you know the challenge of keeping funky smells in check. And if you’re dealing with an older or health-compromised dog or cat, ensuring they’re eating clean foods, drinking filtered water, and breathing fresher air is important. Simply introducing a quality high-performance home air purifier with HEPA filter improves living conditions for both you and your pet by removing ultra-fine particles related to dust, smoke, and pollen. This small but powerful option filters air in spaces of approximately 1,000 square feet, which for many would include the entire main living area. I'm smelling a win here!