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Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT IS ASHWAGANDHA FOR DOGS?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and sometimes called Indian ginseng is another adaptogenic herb. Because it is regarded as an adaptogen it can give energy as well as relax you depending on the body’s needs. The parts used depend on the specific needs and can be the roots, leaves, stems or even the whole plant.
WHAT ARE THE ASHWAGANDHA BENEFITS FOR DOGS?
The ashwagandha benefits for dogs are plentiful as you will see below. Ashwagandha for dogs can be used to support the body systems in various ways. Depending on your reasons for wanting to try ashwagandha for your dog, certain conditions may be able to benefit from using this herb. Conditions such as;
HYPOTHYROIDISM
One of the benefits of ashwagandha for dogs thyroid is that has been shown to increase thyroid hormone production. In pets with hyperthyroidism (meaning they are producing too much thyroid hormone), ashwagandha can cause an unwanted effect.
However, in pets who are hypothyroid meaning they don’t produce enough hormone, this could be a complementary herbal option for your furbaby. In fact, in one such study after 8 weeks of 600mg/day all the patient’s serum TSH, T3 and T4 had increased.1Sharma, A. K., Basu, I., & Singh, S. (2018). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(3), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0183
ANTI-ARTHRITIC
Another ashwagandha benefits for dogs is that it is also regarded as a nervine tonic meaning that it has certain effects on the nervous system and can also act as a sedative. This means that is your furbaby has arthritis or is stiff getting up or laying down then giving your dog ashwagandha might be an option for your as it could help relieve some of the pain.
In a study on rats of 1000mg/kg/ it was shown to have significant pain-relieving effects. 2Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-13. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9. Epub 2011 Jul 3. PMID: 22754076; PMCID: PMC3252722.An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda – PMC (nih.gov)
In another study, for those with rheumatoid arthritis there was a significant change in their RA scores where swollen, tender joints and pain were concerned, and it showed signs of improvement.3Kumar G, Srivastava A, Sharma SK, Rao TD, Gupta YK. Efficacy & safety evaluation of Ayurvedic treatment (Ashwagandha powder & Sidh Makardhwaj) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot prospective study. Indian J Med Res. 2015 Jan;141(1):100-6. doi: 10.4103/0971-5916.154510. PMID: 25857501; PMCID: PMC4405924. Efficacy & safety evaluation of Ayurvedic treatment (Ashwagandha powder & Sidh Makardhwaj) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot prospective study – PMC (nih.gov)
ANTI-CANCER
Ashwagandha for dogs with cancer could be an option as it has anti-cancer properties that have been extracted from the roots, stems and leaves.4Mehta, V., Chander, H., & Munshi, A. (2021). Mechanisms of Anti-Tumor Activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Nutrition and cancer, 73(6), 914–926. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2020.1778746
Withanolides are one of the active constituents found in ashwagandha giving it its anti-cancer potential. It has been shown to be highly effective in combating various types of cancers such as mammary, lung, skin, liver and kidney.5Singh, N., Yadav, S. S., Rao, A. S., Nandal, A., Kumar, S., Ganaie, S. A., & Narasihman, B. (2021). Review on anticancerous therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 270, 113704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113704
CUSHING’S DISEASE IN DOGS, STRESS AND ANXIETY
Ashwagandha for dogs with Cushing’s disease could be an option. Cushing’s disease is where the dog’s body is producing too much cortisol. Ashwagandha has been found to be effective in lowering cortisol levels. In one such study patients took 250mg/day or 600mg/day and serum cortisol levels were found to be reduced.6Salve J, Pate S, Debnath K, Langade D. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. 2019 Dec 25;11(12):e6466. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6466. PMID: 32021735; PMCID: PMC6979308. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study – PMC (nih.gov)
Ashwagandha benefits for dogs doesn’t stop there as ashwagandha can be helpful in lowering cortisol levels and is beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety. If your furbaby has anxiety when you leave the house or during a storm then discuss with your vet if giving ashwagandha to your dog is an option for you.
In a study where patients took 240mg standardized ashwagandha extract, showed a 41% reduction in anxiety levels. 7Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Sep;98(37):e17186. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017186. PMID: 31517876; PMCID: PMC6750292. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract – PMC (nih.gov)
Check out our other article below for more information on;
CUSHING’S DISEASE IN DOGS AND ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ASHWAGHANDA PRODUCTS FOR DOGS
If you are interested in giving ashwagandha for dogs, then know that there are several different varieties on the market. Make sure the products you choose don’t have any added fillers. Ashwagandha comes in many forms, from dried whole root, root powder, extract and tincture.
If you are going to use an extract then you will not need to use as much as you would if your were going to use the dried herb form. This can also be beneficial as some dogs don’t like the taste of the powder and extract is easier to ingest or mix in with food.
Another thing to look for if you are looking for the withanolide content to obtain specific benefits of ashwagandha for your dog then make sure it is listed on the bag as not all products will have an amount listed, while others might be standardized.
I have used this for myself and my dogs
this also says root powder but the seller which is Micro Ingredients says this is an extract powder with 1.5% withanolides and >15:1 extract ratio.
Another non-organic option that says extract on the bag by Bulk Supplements.
Or an organic tincture option that is more concentrated and easier to mix in with food is
ASHWAGANDHA FOR DOGS SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS
This herb should not be used in pregnant or lactating dogs. Giving ashwagandha to your dog also has the potential create other side effects for dogs such as to lower blood pressure as well as blood sugar levels.
Some of the other ashwagandha for dogs side effects can include but are not limited to; upset stomach, loose stools, sleepiness and nausea8Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? – Health Professional Fact Sheet (nih.gov)
If your furbaby has any medical conditions or is on any other medications, you should not use this. For example, if your dog is taking certain sedative or seizure medications this could interfere. Always discuss with your vet first before starting anything new in your pet’s life as even taking with other herbs could interfere.
