Healthy Additions: Quercetin

If your dog has allergies, you might want to get to know this powerful bioflavonoid. Quercetin (pronounced KWAIR-suh-ten) has earned the name “Nature’s Benadryl.” It can give allergic dogs a much-needed boost and relief on the path to healing.

What is Quercetin?

Found in the peels of fruits and vegetables, Quercetin has gotten much attention from researchers as one of many flavonoids.

“Flavonoids are a plant-based compound with powerful antioxidant properties.”

Flavonoids and carotenoids are the pigments of fruits and vegetables that produce vivid colors. These beneficial compounds are also known as phytonutrients. 

Many fresh foods naturally contain this flavonoid, and the pill, powder, and capsule supplements are derived from these foods. However, not all of these foods are safe for dogs, such as cocoa.

Check the supplement for your dog so that you know you are getting a safe product. Many supplements also contain bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple stems, which aids the efficacy of the supplement. 

Food sources of quercetin that may be beneficial for your canine:

Blueberries
Cranberries
Kale
Raw spinach
Ripe elderberries

“Nature’s Benadryl”

Here’s why Quercetin works for itchy dogs. 

“Canine allergies are the result of an aggressive response of the immune system’s mast cells. Mast cells are specialized immune cells in the dog’s body that react to a protein that it sees as an invader by releasing histamine when specific allergens. The itchy and inflamed skin conditions characteristic of most allergic reactions in canines are caused by histamine, which has an irritating and inflammatory effect on the tissues that it comes into contact with. If the cells in the sinuses and eyes are affected by the irritant, the symptoms of a runny nose and sneezing are activated.”

To stop that irritation and itching, something has to stop the histamine. And that’s Quercetin’s unique ability! This phytonutrient has three prominent benefits because it is anti-histamine, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. 

“Research has shown that Quercetin can “turn off” histamine production and suppress, or at least moderate, inflammation. Furthermore, Quercetin helps suppress cellular activity associated with inflammation.”

VeterinaryPlace.com says that Quercetin may also help with chronic fatigue, interstitial cystitis, and the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. It may also prevent and/or slow the growth of cancer. 

Safety of Quercetin & Bromelain for Dogs

Quercetin is considered very safe for pets.* Minor overdose may cause an upset stomach, and kidney damage may occur with major overdose or in dogs with renal problems.  However, this supplement may not be appropriate for dogs with kidney disease. 

Since many Quercetin supplements also contain Bromelain, we’ll also consider the safety of bromelain for different dogs.

“Bromelain may be unsuitable for dogs who are taking medicines with blood-thinning properties (for example aspirin), antibiotics or cancer drugs. It may also not be the best choice for those with stomach problems or peptic ulcers.”

*Consult with your veterinarian for dogs with kidney disease, stomach issues, or dogs on any kind of medication.

How to Feed Quercetin

You might wonder if you could simply feed your dog enough fruits and vegetables to give them the same benefits. However, fresh fruits and vegetables don’t contain the therapeutic doses that some dogs need to help control allergies. For dogs with serious allergies, or even to treat colds, more concentrated supplements will be very helpful.

Pet Nutrition Blogger, Rodney Habib, shares how to find the correct dose for your dog:

“To work out the proper dosage in milligrams, just multiply the weight of your pet (in pounds) by 8. So a dog weighing 50lbs should get 400mg or a 125lbs dog would get 1,000mg.”

“Remember: Whatever the amount you give your pet, always split the dosage into two separate portions throughout the day for best results.”

Splitting your dog’s daily dose into two servings will help the flavonoid circulate continuously through his body. 

Dr. Angie Krause gives a similar dosage guide.

“125 mg once daily for small dogs (0-20 lbs); 250 mg once daily for medium sized dogs (25-50 lbs); 375 mg once daily for large dogs (>50 lbs).”

It’s always safe to start with half the recommended dose and see how your pet responds. However, some dogs may need just the opposite. Holistic veterinarians say that a dog in severe condition may need more immediate help and can be started on a double dose for several days. 

Need help getting your dog to take his pill/capsule? Check out this video on DIY Pill Pockets that your dog will love! 

We hope your pal will find relief and healing through this natural anti-histamine!

For Satisfied Dogs!

– Cassy Kay

Sources:

Habib, Rodney. “Nature’s Benadryl: Quercetin” dogsnaturallymagazine.com. Web. Accessed Feb. 9, 2019. https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/natures-benadryl-quercetin/

Habib, Rodney. “Quercetin for Pet Allergies” planetpaws.ca. Web. Accessed Feb. 9, 2019. https://www.planetpaws.ca/2015/09/26/quercetin-for-pet-allergies/

Habib, Rodney. “Quercetin for Dog Allergies” planetpaws.ca. Web. Accessed Feb. 9, 2019. https://www.planetpaws.ca/2015/07/31/quercetin-for-dog-allergies/

Krause, Dr. Angie, DVM. “5 Supplements EVERY Itchy, Allergic Dog Should Be Taking” boulderholistic.vet.com. Web. Accessed Feb. 9, 2019. https://boulderholisticvet.com/5-supplements-every-itchy-allergic-dog-taking/

Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH 

Chambreau, Christina, DVM, CVH. “Can quercetin help with seasonal allergies in dogs?” animalwellnessmagazine.com. Web. May 5, 2018. Accessed Feb. 9, 2019. https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/quercetin-seasonal-allergies-dogs/

VeterinaryPlace.cmo. “Quercetin for Dogs” veterinaryplace.com. Web. Accessed Feb. 9, 2019. https://www.veterinaryplace.com/dog-medicine/quercetin-for-dogs/