Aloe Vera is a wonderful plant that can help to heal all sorts of ailments. However, it may not be quite so magical for your furry friends. Here’s the truth about aloe vera and dogs.
Aloe Vera is considered toxic toward dogs, but usually only if it is ingested in a large amount all at once or in small amounts over a large period of time. A dog would have to ingest a substantial amount of sap to become sick. Symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting.
It is very possible that your dog has ingested too much aloe vera and is sick, though there are several other possibilities. Here’s some helpful info so you can get your furry friend the best care!
Aloe Vera: Dangers and Symptoms
As mentioned above, aloe can be toxic to a dog but usually only if ingested in large amounts. Symptoms of aloe ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, painful/discolored urination, redness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and even depression. Ingestion of aloe vera could be manifested in any of these things.
The good news is, aloe is mild enough that it will most likely work its way through your dog’s system without causing too much damage. If you are worried that your dog has been poisoned, the best thing you can probably do is to call your vet. They will be able to help you identify the problem and get your furry friend the help they need to recover.
Obviously, you probably do not want to get rid of your aloe plants just because they made your dog sick. Aloe Vera still has its uses and can still be helpful. If you are noticing that your dog is taking a particular interest in your aloe plant(s) you can do one of two things:
You can move the plant out of the dog’s reach or you can try training your dog to stay away from it.
Ways Aloe Can Help Your Dog
Before you dismiss it entirely, however, take time to consider the many uses of aloe vera. It can be toxic, but it can also help to solve several health issues your furry friend might be plagued with. Here are just a few of its uses!
Rashes
For starters, dogs, like humans, can get skin rashes and irritations. Aloe can calm irritation and swelling by killing antimicrobial bacteria that could potentially infect inflamed skin. It works wonders for pets with skin issues and allergies and has been proven to prevent further growth of the rash.
You can apply it if your dog has suffered from heat rash, hot spots, sunburn, and plenty of other ailments. It will relieve itching, swelling, and even pain. It works for bug bites and eczema as well! Before jumping in, you should, of course, take precautionary measures. Not all dogs respond well to aloe so first try applying it to a small spot. If there is no reaction, you should be fine to apply it to the rest of the rash/irritation.
Gut Health
Aloe can also be good for your dog’s gut health. It is 98% water and can help regulate your dog’s digestive system by increasing the water content in the bowels. Aloe contains enzymes that can make breaking down food a lot easier. By giving it to your dog in safe doses, you might find that it improves the dog’s gut health remarkably.
Aloe can also protect your dog’s stomach lining and help cure it of “leaky gut.” Leaky gut happens when bacteria or undigested proteins leak out into the bloodstream, causing anything from yeast infections to allergies, to liver and kidney diseases.
Aloe can protect the lining of your dog’s stomach and prevent leaky gut or any of these other issues from happening. Of course, consult your veterinarian before doing anything. They will help you know if aloe is the right solution and how much of it to give your dog.
Other Uses
Aloe has many other uses. It can help with diabetes, joint issues, and even worms. Aloe vera will reduce inflammation in the urinary tract which will prevent your dog from contracting UTIs (urinary tract infections). As mentioned before, it also helps with inflammation and irritation, making it a great solution for any dog whose joint health is poor.
You can feed aloe to your dog if it is struggling with worms or other parasites, too. Not only will it expel those parasites, but it will also prevent the production of eggs. This will quickly stop the parasitic spread throughout your dog’s body. Again, you should not feed aloe vera to your dog without first consulting an expert or veterinarian, especially since aloe products vary greatly in potency.
Similar Symptoms and Causes
The only reason you might have cause for concern is if your dog is experiencing these symptoms but there’s not an aloe vera plant in sight. Here are a few other reasons your furry friend might not be feeling well! If your dog is throwing up, it could be for one of many reasons.
Before you panic, remember that dogs do throw up once in a while and it’s not necessarily an emergency. If it pukes once and is fine afterward, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. The only time you should really worry is if throwing up has become a regular occurrence.
This could be the result of a thousand different issues: bacterial infections, toxic ingestion, bloating, food intolerances, liver failure, medications, and a lot of other things. If your dog is not eating, it is possible that the dog is ill, suffering from depression, or suffering from a dental disease/infection.
If your dog is suffering from diarrhea, it might have ingested a foreign substance, it might be dehydrated, or it might have bowel movement issues. The truth is, there are too many possibilities to talk about at once. If you are worried about your dog’s health, the best thing you can probably do is take them to see a vet.
You can do as much research as you want, but unless you’re a canine expert, your best bet is to find a professional who can help you discover the root of the problem.
Thanks for the info!
You’re welcome 🙂