A pet parent has to make some big decisions about their furry companion’s health. Many choose to vaccinate their pets and administer medication when necessary because the benefits far outweigh the potential side effects. Although modern medicine can transform a pet’s health for the better, it has also been known to wreak havoc on the detoxification systems.

Vaccines and prescription medications add toxic substances to your pet’s body. These toxins can overwhelm the liver, which is responsible for keeping the toxic load under control. Keep reading to learn how medication affects the liver and natural ways you can detoxify your pet.

Reasons to detox pets on medication

It’s no exaggeration to say vaccines and prescription drugs can save your pet’s life. But these substances aren’t meant to sit in their body forever. Once medication serves its intended purpose, vital organs must use their natural powers of detoxification to break down and eliminate these substances from the body.

The liver plays a pivotal role in the detoxification process. It’s responsible for storing, neutralizing and moving toxins out of the body. This includes the toxins found in vaccines and prescribed medications. The liver pulls toxins from the bloodstream and temporarily stores them in fat cells. Then, the liver converts toxins into their water-soluble form, so they can enter the kidneys and get eliminated through the pet’s urine.

Your pet’s liver can’t handle all the detoxifying on its own. The liver needs support every once in a while, especially when your pet gets vaccinated or put on a new medication. Vaccines and prescription drugs place extra stress on the liver because they introduce more toxins to the body. A heavy toxin load can overwhelm the liver and cause cellular damage. Too many toxins can make it difficult for liver cells to regenerate, which increases the risk of liver disease.

Natural ways to detox your pet’s liver

Detoxifying your pet is a great way to flush out the toxins leftover from vaccines and prescribed medications. Adding certain ingredients to your pet’s diet can enhance the liver’s ability to remove toxic substances from the body. They provide the added benefit of protecting liver cells from damage so the liver can continue to do its job.

Consider giving your pet these foods after their vaccination or medication:

• Milk thistle: Milk thistle is one of the best herbs for detoxifying the liver. It contains a powerful compound called silymarin, which guards against cellular damage while speeding up the detoxification process. If toxins destroy some of the liver cells, silymarin helps these cells come back healthy and strong. You can find milk thistle in powder or tincture form at most health food stores. Place a few drops in your pet’s mouth, or sprinkle the powder on top of their regular food.
• Broccoli sprouts: Broccoli sprouts are chock full of sulforaphane. This compound triggers phase two of the liver’s detoxification cycle, which involves converting toxins into their water-soluble forms. Sulforaphane expedites phase two and pushes toxins into the kidneys for proper disposal. You’ll want to specifically look for broccoli sprouts because they contain 100 times more sulforaphane than a bushel of fully grown broccoli. If you can’t find broccoli sprouts in their raw form, they’re also available as a freeze-dried powder.
• Filtered water: Increasing your pet’s water intake can assist in the detoxification process. Proper hydration helps the kidneys produce urine and guide toxins out of the body. But the type of water you provide matters, too. Tap water contains harsh minerals and calcium deposits, and the liver will have to work hard to metabolize these substances. Refill your pet’s water bowl everyday with fresh, filtered water or provide a drinking fountain with a built-in filtration system.
• Detox supplement: Support the body’s entire detoxification system by offering your pet a daily detox supplement. These supplements blend an array of organic herbs known to reduce oxidative stress and detoxify vital organs, both of which can protect the liver from vaccines and prescription drugs. Many supplements contain slippery elm bark due to its antioxidants and ability to absorb toxins. Additional herbs like red clover, sheep sorrel and burdock root flush the lymphatic system and improve resiliency against cellular damage.

Every pet needs their vaccines, and most will require medication at some point to treat various health conditions. As helpful as these treatments can be, they can also place a heavy burden on your pet’s detoxification system. Help your furry friend avoid the unpleasant side effects of medication by bolstering their diet with detoxifying foods and supplements.