Birch

What is birch?

The birch is a deciduous tree that is native to Europe, Asia and North America. There are different types of birch, for example the silver birch, the sand birch or the paper birch. The birch has white bark with black spots and green leaves with jagged edges. The flowers are elongated catkins that appear in spring.

What are the benefits of birch for dogs?

Birch has many positive properties for dogs, especially for the kidneys and bladder. Birch leaves contain flavonoids, essential oils and vitamins that have a diuretic effect and thus cleanse the urinary tract. They can also help with inflammation of the urinary tract or kidney stones. They can also stimulate the metabolism and lower blood sugar levels.

Birch bark contains betulin and betulinic acid, which have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. They can be used for skin problems such as eczema or wounds. Birch sap is extracted from the trunk and has a similar effect to the bark. It can also be used as a natural painkiller.

How can you use birch for your dog?

You can give your dog dried or fresh birch leaves as a food supplement or make a tea from them. The dosage depends on the size of your dog, but a general recommendation is about one teaspoon per 10 kg of body weight per day. You can also buy ready-made products such as capsules or tinctures.

For external use, you can make a paste from the bark or buy ready-made birch tar. This should be applied thickly to the affected area and covered with a gauze cloth. Birch sap can be applied directly to the skin or diluted and used as a rinse.

What are the disadvantages of birch for dogs?

In general, birch is well tolerated by dogs, but there are a few things to bear in mind. Firstly, you should make sure that the dog does not eat too much birch or nibble on it. This can lead to gastrointestinal problems or even be poisonous.

Secondly, you should always make sure that you use high-quality products or collect them yourself. The leaves should be harvested in spring, washed thoroughly and dried in the sun. They must be stored in a dark and airtight place. The bark should only be harvested from young trees, otherwise it may contain too many harmful substances. Sap should only be obtained from organically grown trees.