Liver toxins build up in every human being and animal as a result of natural processes. The liver, which is one of the organs that is designed to help purify and clean the blood to rid it of toxins, is not always able to completely to its job. Over time, toxins in your dog's bloodstream may build up in his liver as the organ is unable to process them. Knowing about which toxins tend to cause the most problems is good so that you can work to avoid those substances in your pet's food and environment. This can help to lower the chances that he'll develop liver disease or other liver abnormalities.
Copper
It's generally a good idea to avoid copper in canine food and nutrition supplements. You may have to do some searching for supplements that do not contain this metal, however, as it's relatively common. For most dogs, copper is not a huge problem. However, certain types of dogs and certain individual animals have a genetic deficiency that precludes them from being able to properly store and deal with this metal. These animals may build up a toxic level of copper in their bloodstream without humans being able to detect it.
Phenolics
Phenolics are not likely to come into your pet's system as a result of any of the food he eats normally. However, they are found in a wide array of different substances around in many environments. Everything from mouthwash to coal tar can potentially contain phenolics, and they are highly toxic to pets and humans alike. Avoid allowing your pet to consume any of the following substances that may contain these chemicals:
- Tar
- Mouthwash
- Antiseptics and disinfectants
- Hemp
Mushrooms
While many types of mushrooms are relatively safe, others will cause widespread liver damage to any dog that eats them. This is especially a concern for those people who own pets and live in a rural area or in a place where their dog will have access to an open forested area. Watch your pet carefully while he is in an environment like this so that he cannot eat any mushrooms. Mushrooms of the poisonous variety contain a wide mixture of different chemicals that can build up in your pet's liver and cause him damage quite quickly. The most poisonous mushrooms will only require a single bite to put your pet's liver in serious harm.
Iron
Like copper, some dogs are better equipped to handle large amounts of iron than others. All animals require some iron in order to keep their blood levels properly set. However, certain supplements provide much more iron than is commonly necessary for a pet. If you are concerned about your dog building up dangerous levels of iron in his blood, make sure that any supplements and foods that you give him do not exceed the recommended daily allowance of iron for his breed and size.
Ask a vet for more information about how to treat liver toxins in your pet's blood.