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Dogs are arguably the best non-human companions you could ever have. They love unconditionally, learn so much from you, and are fiercely loyal till the end. So it’s only natural to want the best for your furry friend.
Dogs, being the ever-curious creatures that they are, tend to eat a lot of things they find on their adventures. Some of these may cause them to have minor stomach upsets and/or issues with digestion.
While there are great veterinarians and awesome pet stores that cure your dogs and stock up on all the very best dog products, why not look at a very natural option? Nature can sometimes serve up great remedies that have zero added substances.
One such remedy that is very readily available and completely ‘natural,’ is the humble dandelion flower. Oh yes, they’re so much more useful than just blowing on in those slow-motion videos you’ve all seen.
For a long time, dandelions have been a natural cure for dogs’ stomachs. There are some misconceptions and doubts about how dandelions help dogs and if they’re safe for them. Let’s take a look at that.
Can Dogs Eat Dandelions?
The Dandelion flower is known for its antioxidant properties and is loaded with potassium. They can do wonders for your pooch’s digestive system.
You’re very well aware that as your dog takes a walk through a garden, the multitude of leaves and flowers are going to be of interest to your furry buddy.
They are very inquisitive, and after their sense of smell, their next instinct is always to taste things they see. You might even have seen your dog chewing on grass and leaves sometimes. These flowers have amazing medicinal properties that help cure many problems your dog could face.
So, the next time you see your dog chewing on a dandelion, don’t worry. It’s good for them in many, many ways.
Are Dandelions Bad for Dogs?
Dandelions themselves are not a danger to your four-legged friend. However, the only thing to watch out for is that some of the plants may have been sprayed with pesticides, germicides, and other medicines.
These are harmful to dogs and could affect their stomachs quite soon. So, if your dog is chewing on a dandelion, ensure that it’s not been sprayed with any sort of pesticide previously. Never let your dog eat dandelions from places that you aren’t familiar with.
Contrary to being bad for dogs, Dandelions have many benefits for your dog. Some of them include:
Dandelions as a ‘bitter tonic.’
Dandelion leaves have been known to have a ‘bitter tonic’ effect on dogs. This means that the leaves can heat your dog’s metabolic system and generate more saliva.
The leaves make their way through the stomach, the bile, and all other parts of the digestive tract; this greatly improves your dog’s digestion process.
Dandelions as a liver tonic
The stems of dandelions can be made into a very useful liver tonic for your furry buddy. Prepared in the form of a tea or tincture, they can be given to your dogs quite regularly.
The stems of dandelions help correct any imbalance in your dog’s liver with respect to an imbalance in toxicity. This could lead to lengthy spells of constipation.
Dandelions have been known to stimulate the gallbladder in dogs, which helps them create more than 3-4 times the ordinary amount of bile. More bile in the system helps them to expel all the toxins and waste products in their blood, leading to the absorption of only good nutrients.
If you feel your dog is having issues with constipation, why don’t you try a liver tonic of dandelion stems as a remedy?
Dandelions as a nutritional food
Dandelions are a superb form of nutrition for your dog, and using them as a dietary supplement is a very good idea. You could use a little dried dandelion powder mixed in with your dog’s food or make a tea out of it. This depends on your dog’s taste preferences.
Rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and K, as well as having a very high iron, manganese, and potassium content, dandelions are a sort of superfood that your dog could really benefit from. It helps detox the liver and gallbladder while also doing wonders for your dog’s digestion process.
There are vitamin supplements that are available at pet stores. Still, some of these supplements are packed with such highly concentrated vitamins that your dog may struggle actually to absorb all the vitamin content before it gets digested. While dandelions may not be as potent as store-bought nutrition supplements, they are natural and an easy way to improve your dog’s diet.
Dandelions as a diabetic food
Dandelions are a great food supplement in case your dog is diabetic. The fructose levels help maintain the blood sugar level in your diabetic dog.
The diuretic properties of the dandelion root aid kidney function and helps in the assimilation of nutrients.
A large portion of the dandelion’s roots is made out of inulin, which is a carbohydrate fiber. This helps convert a lot of excess sugar into energy in your dog’s system.
It is also believed that the dandelion root possesses properties that stimulate pancreatic functions, which are crucial in taking care of diabetic dogs.
Dandelions as a mild disinfectant
Dandelions work as a mild, all-natural disinfectant for your cuddly friends. They can be made into a tea that helps disinfect wounds, while a combination of this tea and a sterile saline solution can help manage conjunctivitis.
Medical disinfectants will always be more effective and quicker, but if you’re in a pinch and don’t have some on hand, dandelions are a great natural remedy for your dogs.
Can Dandelions cause dogs to have diarrhea?
Dandelions contain a lot of natural laxatives, so it is possible that excess consumption of them could cause diarrhea in dogs. It’s important to regulate the intake because we all know that saying about too much is a good thing.
While dogs have upset stomachs, they tend to eat a lot more leaves and flowers that they find. If your dog is already suffering from diarrhea, it’s best to ensure you keep dandelions away for a while. The laxatives present could cause diarrhea to continue longer.
Dandelions help cure constipation in dogs. While that’s a great effect the flower has on dogs, using them in excess could turn constipation into diarrhea. So remember, it’s all about maintaining the right balance.
How do Dandelions help dogs with Heart Disease?
Dogs that suffer from heart disease tend to have weaker muscles in and around their hearts. Weaker muscles can lead to a build-up of fluids around the heart. Heart disease can be very dangerous for dogs, as they become inactive, lethargic, and tend to put on a lot of excess weight.
The best natural remedy is the dandelion flower. Using them as a proactive measure is also a good idea. The diuretic properties of Dandelions help eliminate all the excess fluid in the heart muscles, ensuring that it can pump normally again.
End notes
As discussed before, dandelions are a great natural medication for your dog’s liver. A well-functioning liver is crucial to a healthy heart in dogs.
Everyone wishes that their dogs could live forever. If that were possible, wouldn’t it be the greatest thing ever? But, sadly, that’s not a reality, so all you can do is to make sure that your dog eats healthy, gets plenty of exercise, and is loved 24×7.
Dandelions are an all-natural remedy that is readily available to many dog owners. They have fantastic properties that have so many great effects on a dog’s system. As you’ve seen above, from helping to cure a small wound, they can even help prevent heart disease.
A couple of things to remember, though. Take care while picking dandelions. Do not let your dog eat them from unknown areas, as they could be sprayed with pesticides that could harm your dog. Make sure you pick the dandelions from places you are familiar with.
Use them sparingly. Now that you know about the great medicinal properties of Dandelions, don’t let them gorge on them all the time. Everything needs to be used sparingly, even something that can help cure so many problems for your dog.
The next time you’re on a walk or hike with your four-legged best friend, and they’ve got a small cut or wound, or if they seem to be having any trouble with their stomachs, you now know how much dandelions can help them.
The great thing is that, since all dog owners don’t always carry all their dog’s medication with them all the time, now you know about a great natural remedy that’s readily available.