The Impressive Power of Boswellia for Dogs [It Might Help Your Dog]

Have you heard the joke about the dog that limped into the veterinarian's office? The vet asks, “why are you limping?” The dog replies, “I’ve had a 'ruff' life.” Ok, now we all know dogs can't talk like us, but they can develop discomfort like us. As a loving owner, you want to do everything you can to relieve your dog of any pain. One popular alternative is natural Boswellia for dogs.

 

Prescription pain medications may work well, but many have adverse side effects. Opting for natural medicines can sometimes prove to be an excellent choice because they typically do not have major side effects. Keep reading to find out how Boswellia can ease your dog's discomfort and why you should give your dog this natural remedy.

 

 

What Is Boswellia?

Boswellia is also known as "Indian frankincense." It has been a prized possession since ancient days. In fact, it's been said that the biblical frankincense came from the resin of the Boswellia sacra tree. Egyptians also made use of it by incorporating it into their embalming techniques.

 

Modern Boswellia is an herbal extract that comes from the Boswellia serrata tree. Boswellia is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. It's no wonder this natural phenomenon is a common herbal medicine. 

 

Boswellia can be found in the Red Sea region, northeastern Africa, and India. Historically, Boswellia was used for treating several ailments, including joint issues, nervous diseases, urinary disorders, diarrhea, and dysmenorrhea. Today, we continue to take advantage of Boswellia as a natural medicine. The benefits of this holistic remedy extend to our faithful furry friends.

 

 

 

 

What are the Benefits of Boswellia for Dogs?

Boswellia & Joint Health

Dogs are very prone to developing joint problems as they age. Unfortunately, this can often result in joint issues. This condition is also known as degenerative joint disease. It's a condition of chronic inflammation in the joints that ultimately results in the loss of cartilage.

 

Since dogs are always on their four legs, they constantly put tremendous amounts of force on their joints. Four on the floor, over time, leads to the development of joint damage as they age. Typically, issues involving your dog's joint health are accompanied by discomfort and tenderness in the joints. This ends up making it nearly impossible for dogs to run around and play.

 

Obesity may also add to the development of joint issues and speed up cartilage degeneration. A heavy dog will add extra force to its joints. Keeping the pounds off your dog might be as important as keeping your dog out of the pound.

 

Fortunately, Boswellia or Boswellic acids have high potency for treating inflammation. Many use it for slowing the progression of joint troubles and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Research from a Swiss study shows that just two weeks of Boswellia treatment in dogs with severe joint issues resulted in a 71% improvement in symptoms. 

 

Boswellia & Inflammatory Diseases

The mechanism by which Boswellia works is not entirely clear. However, we know that Boswellia contains certain phytochemicals, called terpenes, which possess highly anti-inflammatory properties. This explains the traditional and contemporary uses of Boswellia for treating inflammatory diseases like arthritis and asthma.

 

Boswellia & Digestive Disorders

Boswellia helps reduce the formation of leukotrienes in your dog. These molecules trigger soreness, swelling, and tenderness throughout their body. Limiting leukotrienes will improve your dog's joint health and help soothe several digestive disorders.

 

Also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), these gastrointestinal (GI) issues can affect dogs in several ways:

 

• Abdominal discomfort
• Reduced absorption of nutrients
• Susceptibility to other digestive disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Chron's Disease.
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stools
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

 

A recent study showed that Boswellia serrata extract could help preserve a person's intestinal lining and ease digestive tract irritation. This same benefit may also extend to man's best friend since Boswellia acts similarly to rejuvenate other parts of a dog's body. As a result, many common digestive disorders in dogs, such as Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS), may have reduced symptoms.

 

However, dog owners need to remember that Boswellia is not meant to cure any GI disorder your dog may have. Always consult a veterinarian before giving your dog Boswellia for any digestive issues.

 

 

 

 

Is It Safe For Dogs?

Boswellia is natural and very safe for your dog. Although a few minor side effects are possible, including diarrhea and nausea, your dog will most likely not have any issues with appropriate dosing. 

 

The important thing to note about Boswellia is that it is natural, and therefore it does not come with a lot of the risks that prescription medications come with. Choosing a natural alternative like Boswellia can be great for long-term use because of the lack of major side effects. 

 

Contrastingly, conventional medications usually cause serious problems when treating chronic illnesses. For that reason, you might want to steer clear of those and instead opt for a natural treatment for your dog.

 

Can A Canine Be Allergic to Boswellia?

Boswellia allergy is not common in dogs and is quite rare. However, just like humans, dogs can develop allergies to natural substances such as pollen, mold, dust, and even Boswellia. If your dog is new to Boswellia and they start to showcase symptoms of an allergic reaction, discontinue use, and contact your veterinarian immediately.

 

Symptoms indicating your dog is allergic to Boswellia may include:

 

• Excessive licking
• Eye discharge
• Rubbing the face
• Hair Loss
• Hives
• Shaking
• Hot Spots
• Puffy Eyes
• Red, irritated Skin
• Scratching
• Sneezing

 

Boswellia is very safe for dogs and very well tolerated when dosed accordingly. If, however, you were to accidentally exceed your dog's daily dose, they may suffer from a few minor side effects. These temporary effects may include:

 

• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea

 

Although Boswellia is beneficial for your dog, like all things, too much of it can be a bad thing. Always keep track of your dog's dosing schedule to limit allergic reactions and avoid overdosing.

 

 

 

 

Can Boswellia Interact With Medication?

When coupled with medications, Boswellia is generally well tolerated by dogs and does not produce severe complications. However, several human pharmaceuticals that interact with Boswellia are also available in a canine form and may pose a slight risk to your dog. One of these is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

 

Some commonly prescribed NSAIDs for dogs that may interact with Boswellia include:

 

• Rimadyl (Generic: Carprofen)
• Deramaxx (Generic: Deracoxib)
• Previcox (Generic: Firocoxib)
• Metacam (Generic: Meloxicam)
• Ultram (Generic: Tramadol)

 

Several other types of medications that Boswellia may interact with include:

 

• Antibiotics (i.e., cyclosporine, erythromycin)
• Blood pressure medication (i.e., calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine and diltiazem)

 

If your dog is currently taking these or other medications, consult your veterinarian before dosing Boswellia. By itself, Boswellia for dogs is fine and produces next to no side effects. But when coupled with certain medications, Boswellia may produce a slight issue for your dog.

 

Can I Give My Pet Boswellia Products for Humans?

It is not advised that you give your dog Boswellia products made for humans. Although Boswellia is a natural herbal extract, many human Boswellia products may contain several additives and active ingredients that might harm your dog. Always check with your veterinarian before you give your dog Boswellia. Be sure to only use formulations made specifically for dogs.

 

 

Boswellia Dosage for Dogs

As you might have guessed, the amount of Boswellia recommended for dogs depends mostly on size and age. Dogs can have very different metabolisms, so each dog will process Boswellia a little bit differently.

 

Additionally, Boswellia products can vary. Always follow the instructions from the manufacturer, and remember it's best to speak to a veterinarian before using any herbal treatments with your dog.

 

Generally, the recommended starting dose for a 50-pound dog should be around 300 mg of Boswellia given twice a day. Continue this initial dose for about two weeks. After that, you can cut it in half and give it as a maintenance dose for as long as your dog needs it.

 

Calculating Your Dog's Boswellia Dosage

Dogs can safely ingest 6 mg of Boswellia per pound. To calculate your dog's optimal dose of Boswellia, use the following formula:

 

• Your dog's optimal dose of Boswellia = ( Your dog's body weight in pounds ) x ( 6 mg of Boswellia)

 

Example: If your dog weighs 20 pounds, multiply 20 by 6 mg of Boswellia to get 120 mg of Boswellia ( 20 pounds x 6 mg of Boswellia = 120 mg of Boswellia for your dog)

 

You can give your dog this amount twice within a 24-hour period. So from our example above, your dog can take 120 mg of Boswellia two times a day or 240 mg every 24 hours. As we mentioned before, you should consult your vet before giving your dog this herbal medicine. Also, keep in mind that this calculation is not absolute. It's merely an estimate of the optimal amount of Boswellia you can safely give your dog.

 

 

How to Use Boswellia for Dogs?

Boswellia is available as a resin, pill, or cream. You can use each of these forms for specific purposes. For example, if you want to relieve joint pain in a localized area, you can use Boswellia cream on that area. On the other hand, it might be more convenient to take Boswellia pills or mix in Boswellia resin with a smoothie as a daily supplement.

 

Give Boswellia Directly

Boswellia for dogs is generally available in capsule form. These capsules are small enough to give to your dog directly. Simply take your dog's recommended dose of Boswellia and feed it to them.

 

Hide Boswellia Capsules in Your Dog's Favorite Treat

If your dog gets finicky when taking Boswellia, you can hide it in their favorite treat. This is a common method many dog owners use to get their dogs to take other supplements or medication. All you have to do is hide a Boswellia capsule in a soft treat and feed it to your dog.

 

Combine Boswellia Resin With Dry Dog Food

Boswellia comes in resin form as well. These dry little amber pebbles can be combined with dry dog food for easy dosing. Just mix some Boswellia serrata resin with Kibble, and your dog won't know the difference.

 

 

 

 

Combining Boswellia With Fatty Foods

It is important to note that Boswellia is fat-soluble, so it absorbs into the body much better if you consume it with fatty foods. Examples of healthy fatty foods include coconuts, avocados, and hemp seeds, to name a few. Taking Boswellia by itself can still have benefits, but nowhere near as significant as when you combine it with a portion of fatty food.

 

Boswellia + CBD

While many forms of Boswellia are available in stores, many more convenient options are available, such as our Joint + Mobility CBD Dog Treats. This unique blend of turmeric root and Boswellia is essential for increasing joint strength and reducing swelling and discomfort. Additional ingredients include hemp seed powder, which is full of omega fatty acids and protein, and CBD oil. 

 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural extract from hemp plants and may have incredible effects on overall wellness. Its powerful properties can work together with Boswellia and may help reduce discomfort and help enhance function and mobility. As a result, CBD working together with Boswellia may be much more effective than Boswellia alone. 

 

Worried about your dog getting high? Not to worry. CBD is 100% non-intoxicating and is completely safe for your dog. In fact, CBD comes with very few side effects that only present themselves when excess CBD is consumed. That being said, it is very difficult to overdose on CBD. And since recommended serving sizes are provided, you should never have to worry about such a problem.

 

 

Conclusion

Boswellia can have many uses, but most people use it for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can be an excellent treatment for joint disorders in dogs because Boswellia contains powerful terpenes that specifically fight inflammation. The use of Boswellia dates back to millennia ago, so its use today tells us that it is quite an invaluable substance. 

 

Being a natural extract, Boswellia is incredibly safe for dogs and comes with very few side effects, if any at all. The next time you are looking for natural discomfort relief for your pet, look to Boswellia and give it a try. You might end up taking some yourself!

 

Boost your dog's joint health by giving them some of our CBD Joint and Mobility Dog Treats containing Boswellia! Head over to our shop and have these delicious treats delivered right to your door today.