Is your dog getting enough protection from the toxins in his world?
Let's face it, we live in a pretty toxic world and even when we feed our dogs well, they're still exposed to many toxins. By helping your dog's body detox more efficiently you can reduce or prevent disease.
The good news is that there are a few great ways you can detox your dog. So, here's one simple way you can boost his meals for detox support.
And no, you don't need to have Fido drink three green smoothies each morning. I'm talking about adding a simple natural clay. Yep, dirt will clean your dog!
Bentonite Clay For Detox In Dogs
Bentonite is a negatively charged, highly absorbent clay. Native American tribes call bentonite ‘Ea-Wah-Kee’ which means “the mud that heals.” There are different types of bentonite clay, depending on the dominant mineral within its sodium, calcium, potassium, etc.
It's mainly composed of aged volcanic ash. And its healing qualities and ability to draw out toxins are known throughout the world. Applications of bentonite clay can be used for:
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Digestive problems like constipation, bloating, gas
- Skin and allergy issues
- Recovery from vomiting and diarrhea
Bentonite clay can be used orally to draw toxins from the body ... or externally as a poultice. And that's why it has so many healing benefits!
Its effectiveness is due to its negative charge which allows it to pull charged toxins from the body, to be eliminated through your dog's stool.
Topical Bentonite Clay For Dogs
There are several ways to use Bentonite clay externally for your dog to help heal and soothe his skin.
As a paste:
- Mix it with equal parts of filtered water in a glass container.
- Apply it as a paste to itchy skin, bug bites or other skin irritations. Allow the clay to fully dry and then wash it off.
- This paste is also great as a pet-friendly toothpaste.
Caution: Don’t allow the clay to touch metal, as that can reduce its effectiveness.
As a poultice:
- You can use it as a poultice for a more potent application. Simply apply the paste to the area and wrap it carefully with wet gauze or cloth.
- Be very careful to monitor the wrap so it doesn’t shift or "cord" around the area and tighten.
- Dampen and rewrap every two hours until the desired result has been achieved.
- To treat mastitis, apply a paste or mask to the affected area to help draw out the toxins in the body. Repeat hourly.
A soothing bath:
- Add a 1/2 -1 cup of Bentonite clay to a bathtub for general detoxification.
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Let your dog soak for 20 minutes or so if he will allow it. This is a great option for dogs who have many areas of irritated skin.
Oral Bentonite Clay For Dogs
There are many reports that dogs have evolved to eat clay to counteract environmental and synthetic toxins ... So your dog instinctively knows how beneficial these clays are.
Feeding clay regularly can help your dog recover from sickness ... and prevent it.
- You can add some Bentonite clay to your dog's water. Or you can give it orally with a dropper to soothe vomiting, diarrhea or other illness.
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Bentonite clay is also effective at treating internal parasites.
- It supports detoxification of the liver and kidneys, organs that can become overloaded with toxins.
Bentonite Clay Dosing For Dogs
Feed your dog 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon daily to provide him with all the health benefits of this clay.
Where To Buy Bentonite Clay
You can usually find Bentonite clay as a nutrition supplement at your health store.
Or you can choose a commercial nutrition support product that contains Bentonite clay.
FOUR LEAF ROVER RECOMMENDS: Protect is a daily, soil-based probiotic that contains Bentonite clay to help remove heavy metals and other contaminants from your dog's body. Buy Protect now >>
REMEMBER to make sure your dog always has access to plenty of clean water. Clay is highly absorbable so you don't want to cause any constipation issues. And it's a good idea to take breaks from supplementation every few weeks. Consider Bentonite clay as part of his rotation of support products.
Use caution with Bentonite clay if your dog is on any medications or herbal remedies. You'll want to check in with your holistic vet first to make sure that it won't interfere. And if your dog is pregnant or nursing you'll want to avoid using bentonite clay orally.
References
Moosavi M. Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review. Iran J Public Health. 2017;46(9):1176-1183.