Hawthorn fruits
Hawthorn fruits are the red berries of a prickly shrub from the rose family. They have been used for centuries in folk medicine to strengthen the heart and circulation. But are they also suitable for dogs? In this article, you can find out more about the effects, ingredients and advantages and disadvantages of hawthorn fruit for your four-legged friend.
What is hawthorn and how does it work?
Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a genus of shrubs and trees found in Europe, Asia and North America. It has white or pink flowers in spring and red berries in fall. The berries contain many valuable substances such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolcarboxylic acids, procyanidins and sterols. These have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system of humans and animals.
Hawthorn fruits can have the following effects:
- They promote blood flow to the coronary arteries and thus improve the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
- They have a muscle-relaxing effect on the vessel walls and thus lower blood pressure.
- They regulate the heart rhythm and thus prevent cardiac arrhythmia.
- They protect the heart from oxidative stress and free radicals.
What are the benefits of hawthorn for dogs?
Hawthorncan help older dogs in particular or those with heart disease or cardiac insufficiency. It can be given as a supplement to veterinary treatment to improve quality of life. Hawthorn can also be used preventatively to keep the heart healthy.
Hawthorn can be prepared as a tea from the leaves, flowers or fruit. You can add a small amount to your dog's drinking water or food every day. Alternatively, you can also buy hawthorn powder or make your own from dried fruit. The dosage depends on your dog's weight: One teaspoon per 0 kg body weight is considered a guideline.
What are the disadvantages of hawthorn for dogs?
Hawthorn is generallywell tolerated by dogs. However, you should bear a few points in mind:
- Hawthorn can interact with other medications, especially those that affect the heart (e.g. digitalis). Therefore, you should always consult your vet before giving hawthorn to your dog.
- Hawthorn can trigger allergic reactions in dogs with a hypersensitivity to rose plants (e.g. apple). Watch out for symptoms such as itching, skin rash or shortness of breath in your dog after giving hawthorn.
- Hawthornshould not be given to pregnant or lactating bitches as it can stimulate labor.
Hawthorn fruits are a natural means of supporting the cardiovascular system in dogs. They can especially help older dogs or dogs with heart disease to improve their quality of life.
If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.
Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊