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Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT IS HAWTHORN FOR DOGS
Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a plant whose leaves, berries and flowers are utilized for their therapeutic qualities primarily as a cardiotonic and diuretic. It is part of the Rosaceae or Rose family.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF HAWTHORN FOR DOGS
HEART HEALTH
In fact, hawthorn has been approved in Europe to treat heart failure.1Nitric Oxide Mediated Vasodilatory Response to Hawthorn Standardized Extract – Full Text View – ClinicalTrials.gov The active component in Hawthorn is thought to be in the flavonoids.2Dahmer, S., & Scott, E. (2010). Health effects of hawthorn. American family physician, 81(4), 465–468. Health effects of hawthorn – PubMed (nih.gov) Which as it turns out the flavonoids are highest in the leaves and flowers.3Jakstas, V., Janulis, V., Labokas, J., Kazlauskas, S., Benetis, R., & Puodziūniene, G. (2003). Flavonoidu kiekio tyrimas vienapiestes gudobeles vaistineje augalineje zaliavoje [Research of the amounts of flavonoids accumulated in the crude drug of single-styled hawthorn]. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 39 Suppl 2, 45–49. [Research of the amounts of flavonoids accumulated in the crude drug of single-styled hawthorn] – PubMed (nih.gov)
Hawthorn berries actually contain little seeds inside them that contain amygdalin.4Are Hawthorn Berries Poisonous? (reference.com) What is amygdalin you ask? Well, it is a natural cyanogenic compound found in the seeds or pits of Rosaceae family, such as in the case of the hawthorn berry.
Basically, after oral ingestion there have been reports of toxicity as this can turn into a form of cyanide in the stomach.5He, X. Y., Wu, L. J., Wang, W. X., Xie, P. J., Chen, Y. H., & Wang, F. (2020). Amygdalin – A pharmacological and toxicological review. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 254, 112717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112717
In a study on hawthorn for dogs that had ischemia, which is weakened heart muscle or the inability to pump blood effectively, hawthorn leaf was used at 5 or 10mg/kg and it was discovered that it could inhibit inflammation and decrease the degree of myocardial ischemia.6Fu, J. H., Zheng, Y. Q., Li, P., Li, X. Z., Shang, X. H., & Liu, J. X. (2013). Hawthorn leaves flavonoids decreases inflammation related to acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in anesthetized dogs. Chinese journal of integrative medicine, 19(8), 582–588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1250-4
LIVER ISSUES
One of the benefits of hawthorn for dogs is that it may be able to help support the liver. In a study on rats fed a high fat diet and then given hawthorn leaf, liver dysfunction was improved.7Li, Z., Xu, J., Zheng, P., Xing, L., Shen, H., Yang, L., Zhang, L., & Ji, G. (2015). Hawthorn leaf flavonoids alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by enhancing the adiponectin/AMPK pathway. International journal of clinical and experimental medicine, 8(10), 17295–17307. Hawthorn leaf flavonoids alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by enhancing the adiponectin/AMPK pathway – PubMed (nih.gov)
There is more research needed but hawthorn extracts appear to have a profound effect on the treatment of hepatic liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis and even cancer.8Kim, E., Jang, E., & Lee, J. H. (2022). Potential Roles and Key Mechanisms of Hawthorn Extract against Various Liver Diseases. Nutrients, 14(4), 867. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040867
KIDNEY ISSUES
In rats with kidney disease that were fed hawthorn leaf flavonoids there were reduced levels of urinary protein as well as creatine.9Qin, C., Xia, T., Li, G., Zou, Y., Cheng, Z., & Wang, Q. (2019). Hawthorne leaf flavonoids prevent oxidative stress injury of renal tissues in rats with diabetic kidney disease by regulating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. International journal of clinical and experimental pathology, 12(9), 3440–3446. Hawthorne leaf flavonoids prevent oxidative stress injury of renal tissues in rats with diabetic kidney disease by regulating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway – PubMed (nih.gov)
In the rats that were not given hawthorn there was more serious kidney damage suggesting the protective effects of hawthorn for the kidneys.
SIDE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS OF HAWTHORN BERRY FOR DOGS
The benefits of Hawthorn for dogs can take up to 3 months to see signs of improvement and sometimes even longer.10Hawthorn: For the Heart – Dr. Christopher Hobbs
Hawthorn has the ability to interfere with digoxin and should be used with caution.11Interference of hawthorn on serum digoxin measurements by immunoassays and pharmacodynamic interaction with digoxin – PubMed (nih.gov)
Hawthorn for dogs also has the ability to interfere with other medications as well as certain other herbs. It also has the ability to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.12Walker, A. F., Marakis, G., Morris, A. P., & Robinson, P. A. (2002). Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 16(1), 48–54. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.947
It also should not be used in those with slow heart rates as in a study on rabbits it was found to be able to slow the heart rate.13Does Hawthorn Slow Heart Rate? – News – Xi’an Xiaocao Botanical Development Co., Ltd (herb-spirit.com)
WHAT IS THE DOSE OF HAWTHORN FOR DOGS
Hawthorn berry or hawthorn leaf doses for dogs can range depending on your specific need so it is best to discuss with your veterinarian first to make sure this can be taken, and the dose is adequate for your situation.
The human dose of hawthorn has ranged from 160-900 mg daily.14Rigelsky, J. M., & Sweet, B. V. (2002). Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses. American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 59(5), 417–422. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/59.5.417
I usually give my dogs which are over 75 pounds somewhere around 300mg to 500mg of the extract below depending on whether I have other herbs or this is stand alone. The product I use is the hawthorn leaf NOT HAWTHORN BERRY. This is also an extract.
Amazon.com: BulkSupplements.com Hawthorn Leaf Extract Powder (500 Grams – 1.1 lbs) : Health & Household
IS HAWTHORN BERRY SAFE FOR DOGS
Like I said, I use hawthorn leaf for dogs as the leaf contains more flavonoids which as I mentioned above is the active constituent. The hawthorn berry contains little seeds inside which contain cyanide. 15Hawthorn berries: identify, harvest, and make an extract | (ouroneacrefarm.com)
As you know cyanide can be toxic to dogs. So I don’t feed hawthorn berry I will only use hawthorn leaf.
Or another option is the whole herb like this hawthorn leaf and flower, loose as an herb, not extract powder like the above
Amazon.com: Organic Hawthorn Leaf & Flower C/S – 4 oz (SWB209350-34) : Health & Household
Regardless of what you choose, make sure you always discuss your options with your veterinarian before ever starting anything new in your pet’s life.
There are hawthorn for dogs supplements on the market such as
that can help support the heart that are all organic as well and don’t use any fillers.
Or another hawthorn for dogs specific product on the market that is in a chew form, instead of capsule like the above but is not organic is
Check out our other articles for more information on herbs and their helpful benefits or cautions, such as;
