From cancer to hepatitis, liver problems in dogs and cats can develop in a variety of forms, sometimes taking years to present themselves fully.
While a diagnosis of liver disease is news no pet parent wants to hear, feeding a natural, whole food diet can act as an incredible support to the liver, improving your pet’s health and wellbeing.
Balanced meals can play an important role in preventing and combatting future risks, helping to protect and detoxify this phenomenal organ. For advice please get in touch
What causes liver problems in dogs & cats?
The liver is a highly complex, specialised organ, and is responsible for performing multiple essential functions in your pet’s body. One of its main jobs is to process everything that’s offered to the gut through a mechanism called ‘first pass’, handling every single particle that enters your pet’s mouth – amazing, right?
This clever organ carries out many more key duties, though. These include:
• Filtering and detoxifying the blood • Metabolising fat and carbohydrate • Storing vitamins, fat, and trace elements • Generating vital blood clotting proteins • Producing bile
Along with genetics, the following factors can contribute to the development of liver problems in dogs and cats: diet, physical trauma, medication, copper toxicity, viral infection, and endocrine disease.
Symptoms of liver problems in dogs & cats
• Lethargy Diarrhoea • Weight loss • Excessive thirst and more frequent urination • Dehydration • Vomiting • Swollen abdomen • Jaundice • Blood in stools or urine • Disorientation
If you’re concerned your pet may be suffering from liver problems, it’s always best to consult your vet as a first step.
Supporting the liver with a whole food diet
The impact that diet can have on liver health makes sense: the liver is the first port of call for nutrients coming from the digestive system via the bloodstream.
Poor-quality processed pet food often contains ingredients such as maize and corn, which are not biologically appropriate for the feline or canine species. Additionally, a diet featuring toxins such as artificial colours and preservatives gives the liver extra work detoxifying the blood – not ideal when combatting liver problems in dogs or cats.
