Keep the Tail Wagging is supported by pet parents. I occasionally earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you click through an affiliate link to one of my favorite products. Thank you for your support. Read More
Do you have colloidal silver in the house? Have you heard of colloidal silver? Let me tell you about this cool “supplement” that every one pet parent needs in their dog raising kit. A friend of mine told me about colloidal silver (yeah, calling you out again, Tina) years ago. She used it for many things. I never gave it much thought until this past year when I ordered two bottles from Long Living Pets Research Project.
What Is Colloidal Silver for Dogs?
Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic that has been circulating in societies for centuries. It was initially used by both the Romans and the Greeks as a way to keep themselves healthy. It comes in a liquid form, and though it was first used amongst humans, it is evident that dogs can benefit from this “supplement” as well.
In general, colloidal silver is a powerful solution that can kill a vast range of bacteria, fungi, viruses, skin irritations, and infections. The submicroscopic elements within the colloidal silver are so small, that it is able to penetrate through cells in the body, and eliminate the unwanted pathogens (damaging their ability to metabolize oxygen) to improve the health of your pup.
The Benefits of Colloidal Silver for Dogs
The benefits of colloidal silver for dogs is an extensive list. The reason is that this wonderful natural remedy is diverse to help manage, prevent, and even cure tons of conditions your dog may have. Some of those include:
- fungal, bacterial, and viral infections – colloidal silver can be used to treat or prevent infections.
- treat skin infections and help injuries/cuts heal faster.
- treat ear infections by adding a few drops to the problematic ear.
- boosts the immune system.
- eye infections by adding a few drops to the eye without worrying about burning/stinging.
- a safer alternative to traditional antibiotics.
In addition, since colloidal silver is known to be an antibiotic, you can also use this to kill any disease-causing microbes in your dog. This means it is ideal for treating wounds, rashes, allergies, burns, and infections regarding the eyes, ears, and skin. The best part? This “antibiotic” does not cause bacteria to mutate like man-made ones, meaning there will never be any resistant strains against the colloidal silver.
The Risks of Colloidal Silver for Dogs
Even though this is a well-known and accepted remedy in the holistic community, the FDA has come out against the use of colloidal silver, going after companies for making claims about the health benefits of this natural product. Studies are ongoing; however, for now, we're working with anecdotal evidence. According to the FDA…
- the use of colloidal silver can lead to serious side effects. You may have seen the image of the blue man when the topic of colloidal silver comes up. The man suffers from argyria, when the skin turns a bluish-gray completion and is said to be permanent.
- colloidal silver may lead to poor absorption of some drugs, specifically antibiotics and thyroid medication.
Colloidal silver is often used instead of antibiotics because some feel safer, have fewer side effects, and are just as effective. However, colloidal silver still impacts the microbiome of the gut. If you give your dog colloidal silver, you may also need to support their gut by adding a quality digestive supplement to the diet.
And, finally, it's important to buy a quality product. Sadly, whenever something becomes popular, we see the market flooded with inferior products; some don't do anything, and others may cause problems. I use colloidal silver on my dogs and myself, and I only buy it from one source.
How I Use Colloidal Silver
I use colloidal silver regularly in our home to treat cuts, scrapes, and ear issues. But those are the only challenges my dogs have brought to me, and I saw the benefits immediately, so I began using them on myself.
- 2-3 spritzes of colloidal silver up the nose and alleviate symptoms of hayfever
- 2-3 spritzes of colloidal silver to the back of the throat can calm a sore throat.
- consuming 1-2 teaspoons of colloidal silver when I feel the onset of a cold helps to curb the symptoms.
- I add a capful of colloidal silver to my dogs' water dishes (this also keeps the dishes clean) a couple days weekly.
So you can see why we have several bottles of colloidal silver; however, I'm cautious about how often I give CS to my dogs or take it myself because it can build up in the body. It has been beneficial in raising my dogs and staying healthy.
Can Colloidal Silver Kill Cancer Cells?
We've had two cancer diagnoses in our family. First, Sydney was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in 2020, and Scout was diagnosed with canine lymphoma in 2021. Both dogs drank water that contained colloidal silver, but I can't tell you if it helped. But I don't think it hurt them either. Because most of the evidence revolving around the benefits of colloidal silver is anecdotal, people are hesitant to claim that it can cure cancer, and anyone who does make these claims risks a visit from the FDA.
Thus far, scientists have found that colloidal silver cannot kill cancer cells, according to WebMD. However, in 2012, a study found that colloidal silver may be as effective as chemotherapy, and further tests were planned to learn why this was the case. In 2010, a study was conducted to test the effectiveness of colloidal silver against breast cancer tissue, and researchers found that CS did lead to apoptosis (death) of cancer cells. While this news sounds promising, more information is needed before we definitively state that colloidal silver should be used to treat dog cancer.
Colloidal Silver Dosage for Dogs
When giving my dogs colloidal silver to treat illness, I prefer to use an oral syringe, and I give our dogs 10 ml (or up to 10 drops) two to three times a day. For smaller dogs, the recommended dosage is 5 ml (or up to 5 drops) two to three times a day.
To treat ear issues (infections, yeast, mites), I add a few drops (3-5) to my dogs' ear(s). When treating skin cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries like hot spots, I mist the area several times daily.
Before Buying Colloidal Silver
Before you run out and order colloidal silver, please keep in mind that colloidal silver is not FDA-approved and is a holistic approach to remediating health issues. There are limited tests on this solution, and because there are many variables and potential side effects, I think it's a good idea to consult your veterinarian before using colloidal silver for your dog. They will be able to give you more information than what can be found in a Google search, including how colloidal silver might interact with any current medication or supplements your dog is taking.
In the end, if your dog’s vet is on board with this treatment, this product can be highly beneficial to your dog’s overall well-being and worth a shot at cultivating ideal health.
I order my colloidal silver from the Long Living Pets Research Project.
