Dogs need a healthy liver and there are a few things to do cleanse the liver. The liver is an essential component of the dog’s system and is often ill-treated due to an unsuitable diet or the consumption of different ingredients that are toxic. The liver can be cleansed periodically to avoid liver failure, which is a fatal condition. There are a few foods that cleanse the liver. A detox cure may contain foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal can be particularly healthy to cleanse the liver, as it contains a lot of fibers and will absorb some toxins. Feed oatmeal to your pet for 2 weeks, in combination with other liver cleansing foods.
Green Vegetables
Green vegetables are low in fat, but high in protein and fiber content. Leaf vegetables are particularly recommended, containing iron, vitamin C, folic acid and carotenoids.
Add these vegetables to the other foods chosen for the cleansing diet.
Olives or Olive Oil
Olives should be included in a cleansing diet, containing a lot of antioxidants that help in the liver cleansing. Olive oil is particularly beneficial, being a rich source of monosaturated fats, which can replace the regular fats that are normally present in the dog’s diet for the duration of the cleansing cure.
Olives and olive oils contain also omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which offer immune system support.
Legumes
Legumes such as peas, lentils, soy or peanuts can be used during a cleaning diet, being an essential source of amino acids (i.e. lysine). Legumes can replace the meat during the cleansing period.
Turmeric
Turmeric is rich in beta carotene, which cleanses the liver from the free radicals. Turmeric also contains antioxidants, which is an aid in fat metabolizing, making the liver’s task easier.
Nuts
Nuts have numerous nutritional benefits including liver support and prevention of heart disease.
Nuts contain omega 3 fatty acids, unsaturated fats and antioxidants, which should be included in a cleansing diet.
Flax Seeds or Oils
Flax seeds can be used in a cleansing diet instead of nuts. The flax seed oil has similar nutritional contents and benefits as the olive oil.
Other Foods
Other foods that help cleansing the diet include tomatoes, cayenne peppers (remove the seeds, which are toxic for dogs) or cinnamon.
Meat should be avoided during the cleansing, but the dog may get some fish.
Ready Made Cleansing Foods
If you don’t have time to prepare the food for the cleansing diet, you may opt to purchase the food from a pet store. The cleansing food should contain 1 or several of the above mentioned foods that cleanse the liver and have to contain natural preservatives only.
The synthetic preservatives and colors are not beneficial for the liver and are not recommended during a cleansing diet.
The cleansing diet should be kept for up to 14 days. The pet may look lethargic during the first days of the diet, until he gets used to the regimen, but should show signs of improvement after the diet is over.