Licorice

What is licorice?

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the legume family. It grows in warm and dry areas, especially in the Mediterranean region, Asia and Africa. The plant has long stems with pinnate leaves and small purple or blue flowers. However, the most important part of the plant is the root, which reaches up to one meter deep into the ground. The root contains a sweet sap called glycyrrhizin. This substance is about 50 times sweeter than sugar and gives licorice its characteristic taste.

How does licorice affect your dog?

Licorice has various effects on your dog's body. On the one hand, it has an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, which can help with skin problems, respiratory problems or gastrointestinal disorders. On the other hand, it has an expectorant and antitussive effect, which can be useful for colds or bronchitis. It also has a calming and mood-enhancing effect, which can relax your dog in times of stress or anxiety.

Licorice is therefore a versatile remedy that can help your dog with various ailments. However, you should also take a few precautions before giving your dog licorice.

What are the disadvantages of licorice?

Licorice is not suitable for every dog. It can also have some side effects that you should keep in mind. For one thing, licorice can increase blood pressure, which can be dangerous for dogs with heart or kidney problems. On the other hand, licorice can lower the potassium level in the blood, which can lead to muscle weakness, cramps or cardiac arrhythmia. Licorice can also affect the hormone balance, which can be problematic for pregnant or lactating bitches or dogs with diabetes or thyroid problems.

Licorice should therefore only be given in moderation and under the supervision of a vet. An overdose of licorice can lead to poisoning, which can be manifested by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or seizures. If you notice these symptoms in your dog, you should consult a vet immediately.

How can you give your dog licorice?

If you want to give your dog licorice, you should first talk to your vet to determine the correct dosage and duration of use. As a general rule, you should not give more than 1 gram of dried licorice root per kilogram of body weight per day. You can either prepare the root as a tea or sprinkle it as a powder over the food. You can also buy ready-made preparations from specialist retailers that contain licorice extract. However, make sure that these do not contain any additional ingredients such as sugar or alcohol.

Licorice should not be given for more than four to six weeks at a time to avoid side effects. You should also have your dog's blood pressure and potassium levels checked regularly to detect possible complications at an early stage.