6 Dog-Friendly Herbs to Combat Fatty Lipomas

Discovering a lipoma on your beloved canine companion can be a heart-wrenching experience, sending your thoughts spiraling into worst-case scenarios. As a dog mom myself, I've been there, and quite frankly, it can be terrifying. But I am excited to share with you the knowledge I've learned on fatty lipomas in dogs and the natural remedies that have proven effective in shrinking my dogs lipomas.

Understanding Lipomas:

Lipomas, while initially alarming, are benign fatty deposits that pose no serious threat. The only threat they pose is if they get too large and get in the way or your dogs mobility. Distinguishing lipomas from cancerous tumors is crucial for peace of mind. They vary in size, ranging from small to large, occasionally exceeding the dimensions of a tennis ball. Predominantly found on the chest, flanks, legs, and neck, these growths manifest in different sizes across the body. The tactile feel of a lipoma is soft and somewhat moveable. Knowing this can alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with the discovery of lipomas on your furry friend. The crucial distinction between a benign fatty tumor in dogs and a liposarcoma lies in their mobility. Liposarcomas, a malignant variant of fatty tissue tumors, lack the characteristic movement beneath the skin. A cancerous mass will exhibit increased density and rigidity when touched, presenting itself as a solid and unyielding lump on your dog. Thankfully, these tumors are rare occurrences.

Breeds and Susceptibility:

Lipomas can affect dogs of all breeds, but certain breeds like Weimaraner, Doberman Pinscher, German Pointer, Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retriever are predisposed breeds. Additionally, overweight dogs face an increased risk of developing lipomas. Recognizing these factors allows for proactive measures to support your dog's health.

What Triggers the Development of Lipomas in Dogs?

The origin of fatty tumors in dogs remains a puzzle for conventional medicine. Many veterinarians attribute them to chance, aging, and genetics. While age and genetics may contribute to the formation of canine lipomas, there is another crucial factor to consider such as toxins and diet.

Understanding How Toxins Contribute to Fatty Tumors:

The accumulation of toxins often goes unnoticed in mainstream veterinary practice. However, from a holistic perspective, lipomas signify body congestion, where energy struggles to flow smoothly and becomes trapped. Toxins and fat become confined and isolated by the body's immune system, acting as a defense mechanism to push contaminants outward, safeguarding internal organ function.

Your dog's lymphatic system, comprising lymph ducts, nodes, and vessels, plays a pivotal role in transporting lymphatic fluids to the bloodstream. This system is essential for your dog's immune function, delivering nutrients to cells while eliminating wastes. When your dog's elimination pathways become obstructed, the transport system slows down. This stagnation can lead to restricted circulation, resulting in lipomas and other chronic diseases in your dog. This accumulation of wastes is sometimes referred to as a dog's 'toxic load.'

But where do these toxins originate?

They lurk in your dog's everyday environment, including:

1. Vaccines

2. Environmental contaminants like glyphosates, pesticides, and herbicides

3. Water contaminants like chlorine and fluoride

4. Heavy metals

5. Pharmaceuticals

6. Flea and tick medications

7. Grooming products like chemically laden shampoos

How Diet Plays a Role in Lipoma Formation:

Diet is another contributing factor to toxic load. Everything you feed your dog either contributes to disease or fights it. A cleaner diet reduces the burden on your dog's body.

When your dog consumes food, his/her liver, gallbladder, and pancreas determine how to react. They either release enzymes to break down and assimilate nutrients or trigger an immune response, assuming the body is under attack. This leads to inflammation and slow digestive motility.

When foods linger in the digestive tract without proper breakdown, toxins accumulate, and the cycle of stagnation results in chronic inflammation.

Can Excessive Fat Cause Lipomas in Dogs?

Contrary to popular belief, excessive fat does not necessarily lead to fatty tumor formation if the body effectively breaks down fats. The real issue lies in the type of fat, such as rancid and oxidized oils found in kibble. Examples include rendered animal fat, vegetable oil, and GMO soy and canola oils. Even higher-end and 'all-natural' foods may contain canola oils.

The body interprets these undigested oils as threats, prompting a defensive reaction. To shield itself, the body creates fatty deposits and isolates fat mixed with toxins, forming a lipoma.

If you suspect your dog struggles to digest food properly, consider these changes:

1. Ensure clean, filtered water

2. Provide pre and probiotics and digestive enzymes daily

3. If you feed kibble, contemplate transitioning to a fresh food diet.

4. If traditional raw feeding isn't feasible, explore alternatives such as commercial raw food, freeze-dried dog foods, or dehydrated dog foods. You can also home-cook for your dog to add variety, especially for senior dogs.

Natural Remedies and Healing Herbs:

In my journey to naturally address my dog's lipomas, I've incorporated healing herbs into his homemade dog food. These herbs not only contribute to overall well-being but have also shown success in shrinking fatty deposits. Importantly, they support the lymphatic system in eliminating toxins naturally. Here are six potent herbs that can be integrated into your dog's diet:

1. Chickweed: Chickweed possesses potent detoxifying properties that can significantly benefit dogs. The herb acts as a natural diuretic, aiding in the elimination of toxins from the body. Its diuretic nature encourages increased urine production, facilitating the removal of waste and impurities. Additionally, chickweed is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can contribute to alleviating various conditions in dogs. Whether used topically for skin irritations or ingested as part of their diet, chickweed emerges as a valuable ally in promoting overall canine health.

Recipe for tea: 1 tablespoons of dried herb, 2 if fresh, to 1 cup boiling water let sit for 10 min. Provide in 1/2 cup doses 2 to 4 times daily.

Important: Large doses of chickweed can have a laxative effect, so keep this in mind before administering it to your pet.

Jovvily: Chickweed

Ingredients: Chickweed

Inactive ingredients: None

*Available with Amazon Subscribe & Save*

2. Milk Thistle: Milk thistle, a herbal powerhouse, offers a range of benefits for our canine companions, particularly in the realm of toxin elimination. This botanical wonder contains a compound called silymarin, renowned for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the context of detoxification, milk thistle plays a crucial role in supporting and rejuvenating the liver, a central organ in the body's detoxification processes. By enhancing liver function, milk thistle facilitates the efficient breakdown and elimination of toxins that can accumulate in a dog's system. This herb becomes especially valuable in scenarios where dogs may be exposed to environmental pollutants, medications, or processed foods.

Wonder Paws: Milk Thistle

Ingredients: Milk Thistle, Curcumin (aka Turmeric) & Salmon Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)

Inactive ingredients: None

Recommended Dosage: dosage & instructions on label

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3. Dandelion: Dandelion, often dismissed as a common weed, holds remarkable benefits for dogs, particularly in the realm of toxin elimination. This humble herb is a potent natural diuretic, promoting increased urine production and facilitating the removal of toxins from the body. Dandelion is rich in antioxidants and contains essential vitamins and minerals that support liver health. By enhancing liver function, dandelion aids in breaking down and eliminating toxins that may accumulate due to exposure to environmental pollutants, processed foods, or medications. Additionally, dandelion has anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to overall wellness by reducing inflammation and supporting a healthy immune system in dogs.

Recipe for tea: Add 2 teaspoons of dried plant material to 1 cup of boiling water or 2 tablespoons of fresh leaves to 1 cup of water. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Strain herbs and serve infusion.

Recommended doseage: 1/3 of a cup per 20 lbs of your dog’s body weight

Other uses: It can also be added to meals fresh, dried, or juiced.

Starwest Botanicals: Organic Raw Dandelion Root Tea

Ingredients: Organic Loose Dandelion Root

Inactive ingredients: None

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4. Chamomile: Chamomile is celebrated for its calming effects on the digestive system, promoting healthy digestion and reducing inflammation. Chamomile acts as a mild diuretic, encouraging increased urine production, which aids in flushing out toxins from the body. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties contribute to overall well-being by alleviating oxidative stress and supporting the immune system. Chamomile can be particularly beneficial for dogs experiencing gastrointestinal distress or stress-related symptoms, helping to ease discomfort and support their natural detoxification processes. Whether administered as a soothing tea or incorporated into their diet, chamomile offers a holistic approach to promoting toxin elimination and supporting the health and vitality of our canine companions.

Recipe for tea: Brew the tea to a strong concentration and consider adding a touch of honey to aid your dog's digestion. Use four tea bags for one cup of boiling water. Ensure the tea cools completely before offering it to your furry friend.

Recommended dosage: Exercise your own discretion, taking into account your dog's size. Typically, a good guideline for most medium to large dogs is one tablespoon every two hours. Adjust the dosage if your dog is either tiny or extra-large.

US Wellness Naturals: Organic Chamomile Flowers Herbal Tea

Ingredients: Organic Chamomile Flowers

Inactive ingredients: None

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5. Burdock Root: Burdock root is renowned for its potent detoxifying abilities, burdock root stimulates various elimination pathways in the body, facilitating the removal of waste and harmful substances. This herb acts as a diuretic, promoting increased urine production, which aids in flushing out toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract. Additionally, burdock root supports liver function, playing a pivotal role in the detoxification process by assisting in the breakdown and elimination of metabolic byproducts. Its anti-inflammatory properties further contribute to overall well-being by reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system.

Recipe for tea: 1-2 teaspoons of dried Burdock root (not in powder form) to 1 cup of cold water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for approximately twenty minutes. Turn off the heat and allow it to rest for an additional ten minutes. Strain out root bits and store it in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Recommended dosage: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of tonic for every 10 lbs of your dog’s body weight to food daily. An important aspect to understand about burdock is that for optimal therapeutic results, it's advisable to administer comparatively large doses. However, considering we're addressing dogs, it's recommended to commence with a modest amount and gradually increase to determine the appropriate dosage.

Frontier: Organic Burdock Root

Ingredients: Organic Loose Burdock Root

Inactive ingredients: None

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6. Turmeric: Packed with the active compound curcumin, turmeric exhibits powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting the body's natural detoxification processes. Curcumin enhances liver function, a key player in detoxification, by aiding in the breakdown of toxins and promoting their elimination. Moreover, turmeric's anti-inflammatory effects contribute to reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which are often associated with toxin exposure.

Recommended usage: mix in & cook with homemade dog food, sprinkle over wet or dry food

Recommended dosage: 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per day for every 10 lbs in weight daily

FGO: Organic Turmeric Powder (Curcumin)

Ingredients: Organic Turmeric Powder

Inactive ingredients: None

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These herbs, when used thoughtfully, may aid in reducing inflammation, detoxifying the liver, and supporting the body's natural processes. It's crucial to approach this holistic healing journey with kindness, patience, and a commitment to your dog's comfort and happiness.

Facing the discovery of lipomas in your dog is undoubtedly a challenging experience. However, by understanding the nature of lipomas, recognizing susceptibility factors, and embracing natural remedies, you can embark on a compassionate journey towards healing. Always consult with your veterinarian to ensure the well-being of your furry friend, and approach the process with the love and care your dog deserves. Together, we can provide our canine companions with a natural and kind path to a healthier, happier life.

xo Becca

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