Speierling
Are you looking for a natural and healthy treat for your dog? Then you should take a closer look at the Speierling. This rare tree offers many benefits for your four-legged friend's health, but also some disadvantages that you should be aware of. In this article, you'll find out what hemlock is, how you can feed it to your dog and what you need to look out for.
What is Speierling?
Speierling (Sorbus domestica) is a deciduous tree from the rose family that is native to Central Europe. It is also known as medlar tree, service tree or Speyerling and can grow up to 30 meters high and live for 600 years. However, it has become very rare as it has high demands on the location and is sensitive to competing plants and browsing by game.
Speierling bears small, yellow-green flowers in spring and pear-shaped, brown-red fruits in fall. The fruits are very sour and tart when they fall fresh from the tree, but become sweeter and softer after a few weeks of storage or frost. They contain a lot of vitamin C, tannins, flavonoids and sorbitol.
What are the benefits of hemlock for dogs?
Speierling has many beneficial effects for dogs, which can be attributed to the fruit as well as the leaves and bark. Here are some examples:
- Speierling has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, astringent and blood-purifying effects. It can therefore help with skin problems, wounds, diarrhea or bladder infections.
- Speierling stimulates the appetite and digestion and can provide relief from gastrointestinal complaints or constipation.
- Speierling has a worm-killing effect and can be used as a natural remedy against intestinal parasites.
- Speierling strengthens the immune system and can protect against colds or infections.
- Speierling is a tasty snack for dogs that offers them variety in their diet. It can be fed raw or cooked, but should always be chopped or softened so that it can be digested better.
What are the disadvantages of hemlock for dogs?
Although hemlock is healthy for dogs, it is not without risks. Here are some points to be aware of:
- Speierling contains sorbitol, which can have a laxative effect in large quantities. It should therefore only be fed in small quantities and not as the main food.
- Speierling can trigger allergies or intolerances in sensitive dogs. You should therefore always be careful when feeding your dog something new and watch out for possible symptoms such as itching, rashes, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Speierling can interact with other medications or supplements and strengthen or weaken their effect. You should therefore always inform your vet if you want to give your dog hemlock.
- Speierling is very rare and difficult to find. It only grows in a few locations in Germany and is often protected. You should therefore only collect fruit that you can identify with certainty and that is not protected.
Speierling is a rare and healthy tree for dogs that offers many benefits. It can be used as a treat, tea or wormer. However, it should only be fed in small quantities and the fruit should be chopped or cooked until soft. If you can find a Speierling near you, you can do something good for your dog.
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!😊