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Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT IS ASTRAGALUS FOR DOGS?
There are several health benefits of astragalus for dogs. But first, what is astragalus for dogs? Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) also known as huang qi or milkvetch or radix astragali and is considered an adaptogenic herb.
What this means is that it adapts to the body’s needs (typically stressors) and can help support the body into reaching a state of restored balance. Astragalus is antiviral, antibacterial and an immune modulant.
An immune modulant means that it has the ability to modify the immune system. Astragalus is also a diuretic and cardio tonic. These are some benefits of astragalus for dogs.
It is also regarded as an immune enhancing tonic. It helps boost the activity, production and function of T-cells.1Hou, Y. C., Wu, J. M., Wang, M. Y., Wu, M. H., Chen, K. Y., Yeh, S. L., & Lin, M. T. (2015). Modulatory Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on T-Cell Polarization in Mice with Polymicrobial Sepsis. Mediators of inflammation, 2015, 826319. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/826319 2Jin, H., Luo, Q., Zheng, Y., Nurahmat, M., Wu, J., Li, B., Lv, Y., Wang, G., Duan, X., & Dong, J. (2013). CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells contribute to the antiasthmatic effects of Astragalus membranaceus extract in a rat model of asthma. International immunopharmacology, 15(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2012.11.009 3https://ndnr.com/autoimmuneallergy-medicine/herbs-autoimmunity-using-botanicals-to-balance-t-cell-activity/
What are T- cells? They are a type of white blood cell that is used in helping the body fight off diseases. 4T cell | Definition, Function, & Facts | Britannica In fact, immune cells have heightened activity when on Astragalus. 5https://www.alive.com/health/astragalus-the-immune-warrior/
ASTRAGALUS ROOT BENEFITS FOR DOGS
There are a variety of health benefits when using astragalus for dogs such as supporting;
KIDNEY DISEASE
Supporting the kidneys is one reason that astragalus is used as an herbal supplement for dogs. There have been over 20 different studies with over 1,000 people monitoring the effects of astragalus on kidney disease patients. Results show that astragalus can reduce proteinuria6Zhang, H. W., Lin, Z. X., Xu, C., Leung, C., & Chan, L. S. (2014). Astragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (10), CD008369. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008369.pub2 It also acts as a diuretic creating a need to go to the bathroom more in pets.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Astragalus has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine as a cardiotonic for certain heart conditions. In one such study done on rats that were given astragalus at
“3.3 or 10g/kg/day”7Su, D., Li, H. Y., Yan, H. R., Liu, P. F., Zhang, L., & Cheng, J. H. (2009). Astragalus Improved Cardiac Function of Adriamycin-Injured Rat Hearts by Upregulation of SERCA2a Expression. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 37(3), 519–529. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X09007028
for 50 days the rats showed improved cardiac function.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-CANCER
Astragalus has been studied for its immunomodulatory effects. Like I mentioned earlier the immunomodulatory effects can be one of the benefits of astragalus for dogs as this has the ability to not only support but modify the immune system. Most notably it has been found to be effective in treating certain gastrointestinal cancers and also helping with gastrointestinal inflammation. 8Auyeung, K. K., Han, Q. B., & Ko, J. K. (2016). Astragalus membranaceus: A Review of its Protection Against Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Cancers. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 44(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X16500014
HOW MUCH ASTRAGALUS TO GIVE A DOG
Astragalus can be given in a variety of different ways such as the dried herbal form. The astragalus dosage for dogs that I give my little 70 pound girl is anywhere from 1,000 mg – 4,000 mg of whole dried herb, depending on if I am mixing it with other herbs or using it alone. I usually separate it into 3 doses, spread apart into 6-hour intervals and mix it in with her food.
The dose of astragalus works out to somewhere between 35mg – 125mg per kg of her body weight. You will need to consult with your veterinarian to meet your furbaby’s specific needs.
I use astragalus in my little girl, daily and the product that I use is organic and sun dried, whole herb, but not an extract.
If you are looking for an extract then this could be an option but it’s only 4 oz bag.
So, if you are looking to save some money there is a non-organic option which is approx. 1 pound from Bulk Supplements.
Another option is organic tincture made from glycerin and not alcohol such as
SIDE EFFECTS OF ASTRAGLUS FOR DOGS
In studies astragalus has been tested for its safety in both rats and dogs. It was found that the after being administered for 3 consecutive months there was no distinct toxicity or side effects. 9Yu SY, Ouyang HT, Yang JY, Huang XL, Yang T, Duan JP, Cheng JP, Chen YX, Yang YJ, Qiong P. Subchronic toxicity studies of Radix Astragali extract in rats and dogs. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Mar 21;110(2):352-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.09.024. Epub 2006 Sep 27. PMID: 17052876. Subchronic toxicity studies of Radix Astragali extract in rats and dogs – PubMed (nih.gov)
It was stated that,
“the safety dosage range is 2.85-19.95g/kg for beagle dogs”10 Yu SY, Ouyang HT, Yang JY, Huang XL, Yang T, Duan JP, Cheng JP, Chen YX, Yang YJ, Qiong P. Subchronic toxicity studies of Radix Astragali extract in rats and dogs. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Mar 21;110(2):352-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.09.024. Epub 2006 Sep 27. PMID: 17052876. Subchronic toxicity studies of Radix Astragali extract in rats and dogs – PubMed (nih.gov)
Keep in mind that dosage of astragalus for dogs and types of products will vary depending on your individual situation. If you are giving an extract, you will use less since it is concentrated then if you were going to use the whole herb.
If you are going to use an extract made with glycerin instead of alcohol, then there is a possibility that the glycerin could cause digestive upset as well.
And don’t forget that this can also act as a diuretic meaning your fur kid might have to go to the bathroom a little more than usual.
Check out our other article below for more information on other helpful herbs and their uses.
