Internal Uses of Aloe Vera for Dogs

Aloe vera is known to have healing properties to which dogs may respond positively. Although aloe vera is commonly used topically to treat skin conditions, dogs can also take the medicinal herb internally to gain particular health benefits. When your canine has an ailment, seek medical advice from your veterinarian and talk to your vet about whether aloe vera is right for your dog. Although aloe vera is all natural, it should not be a substitute for professional help.

Taking aloe vera orally can help some dogs with constipation. Aloe vera juice is believed to have anti-constipation effects since it is considered a medicinal agent that helps with bowel elimination. You can feed your dog aloe vera juice by mixing it in with your dog's wet or dry food. The weight of your dog will determine how much aloe juice to feed it. The Well Vet website recommends giving your dog one to three drops of aloe vera juice per pound of body weight, twice a day. So, your 20-lb. dog should be given between 20 and 60 drops of aloe vera juice two times a day.

If your dog has an internal inflammation somewhere within the body, aloe vera juice may be able to help. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why the plant sap is soothing to burn and bite victims. When you give your dog aloe vera juice, the anti-inflammatory effects can help it feel relieved if it has been experiencing inflammation in the stomach or colon with conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, according to Dr. Jeannie Thomason, who operates The Whole Dog website.

Homeopathic and naturopathic doctors at the Aloe Medical Group International believe that a dog's immune system can be boosted by orally taking aloe vera capsules, gel or juice. Due to the immune-enhancing properties of aloe vera, dog owners may be able to prevent the onset of illnesses by fortifying their dogs' immune system, keeping their joints strong and healthy and helping dogs recover faster when they get sick. According to the Aloe Medical Group International, the daily minimum dosage of aloe vera gels for a dog should be 1 ml per kilogram body weight. After converting kilograms to pounds, a dog that weighs 20-lbs. should be administered between 9 and 10 mls of aloe vera juice in gel form.

Aloe vera juice or gel that is fed to dogs may act as a detoxifier to help purify the dog's internal system. If a dog gets a bacterial infection in the stomach or is suffering from food-related allergies, the Aloe Medical Group International believes that taking aloe vera might be able to help cleanse the dog's body and rid it of built-up toxins by forcing elimination of the bowels and providing nutrients that help fight off infections. However, in the case of bacterial infections, do not use aloe vera as a substitute for an antibiotic, which your vet might prescribe to your dog.