What does colloidal silver do for dogs?

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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.
  • heals the gut.
  • eye infections by adding a few drops to the eye without the worry of burning/stinging.
  • a safer alternative to traditional antibiotics.

In addition to this, since colloidal silver is known to be an antibiotic, you can also use this for your dog to kill any disease-causing microbes. This means it is ideal for treating things such as 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 do, meaning there will never be any resistant strains against the colloidal silver.

The Risks of Colloidal Silver for Dogs

Despite the fact that 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 the time being, 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, which is when the skin turns a bluish-gray completion and it's said that this is 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 that they are safer, have fewer side effects, and are just as effective. However, colloidal silver still impacts the microbiome of the gut and if you are going to give your dog colloidal silver, you need to also 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 and 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 capfull of colloidal silver to my dogs' water dishes (this also keeps the dishes clean).

So you can see why we have several bottles of colloidal silver, however, I'm very careful about how often I give CS to my dogs or take it myself because it can build up in the body. It's something that 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 researches 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 cancer in dogs.

Colloidal Silver Dosage for Dogs

When giving my dogs colloidal silver, 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). And when treating skin cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries like hot spots, I mist the area 3 times, several times a day.

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, then this product can be an extremely beneficial path to take for your dog’s overall wellbeing, and worth a shot at cultivating ideal health for them.

I order my colloidal silver from the Long Living Pets Research Project.

Read More about Dog Health

Used for centuries as a natural option for addressing a wide variety of ailments in humans, colloidal silver is now gaining increasing popularity with dog owners looking for holistic alternatives to many modern medicines. Proponents of colloidal silver tout it as the answer to nearly any infection or irritation. 

But there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence behind the effective use of colloidal silver for dogs. Is it really the cure-all that people think it is? And is it entirely safe to give to your pup? 

What is colloidal silver? 

Colloidal silver is a liquid suspension of tiny, almost microscopic particles of silver. Typically suspended in water, the silver particles are so small that they are actually considered nanoparticles and can’t be seen with the naked eye. Referring to it as silver may be confusing, as the substance itself isn’t silver in color at all. Colloidal silver is usually yellow or a deep golden color. 

True colloidal silver is the highest quality silver and doesn’t contain any additives. Therefore, less of the substance is stored in the body when ingested than other forms of silver. For thousands of years, people have sworn by colloidal silver as a highly effective alternative antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent. 

What is colloidal silver used for? 

Silver has long been used for sterilization and its antibacterial properties. In fact, silver is still used today in products such as bandages and wound dressings, personal hygiene products, and cosmetics. Research indicates that colloidal silver may: 

  • Kill bacteria 
  • Combat some fungi and yeast infections, including ringworm 
  • Reduce skin inflammation 
  • Help heal infected wounds and burns 
  • Control sinus infections 
  • Fight other bacterial infections 

Fans of colloidal silver also use the product to help control viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C, support their immune system, and even prevent or kill certain forms of cancer. Not only is the substance reported to act as an antibacterial agent, but it may also help soothe irritated and inflamed skin. This is particularly promising for those humans and pups with skin allergies—colloidal silver may ease itching and dryness and support the regrowth of healthy skin tissue. Colloidal silver may also be used to address: 

  • Eye infections such as pink eye 
  • Respiratory issues such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma 
  • Ear infections 
  • Viral infections such as canine distemper 
  • Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections 

How does it work? 

What does colloidal silver do for dogs?

It’s not entirely clear how or why colloidal silver reportedly works so well for such a wide variety of health issues. One school of thought is that the tiny silver ions present in the colloidal silver solution are able to easily penetrate individual molecules and destroy pathogens of all kinds such as parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. However it works, it works quickly—proponents of colloidal silver report that it provides fast results. 

For dogs, colloidal silver can be administered orally, topically, or misted with a nebulizer for inhalation. The great news is that it’s nearly tasteless, odorless, and doesn’t sting when applied directly to eyes, ears, or skin. This means colloidal silver is relatively easy to put in your pup’s water or food, or even directly in their mouth. The application method depends on the nature of the issue you are aiming to address—inhaled mists and sprays are most appropriate for respiratory issues, while topical ointments may be best for skin issues. 

Is colloidal silver safe for dogs? 

Silver has been used as an antibacterial agent for centuries. But just because colloidal silver has been used by humans in the past does not necessarily mean that it is safe by modern standards, especially for our furry friends. Pet parents should always consult their veterinarian before giving their dog or cat new products, particularly those with potential health risks. With colloidal silver, medical experts often point to a lack of credible scientific studies surrounding its safe use. Moreover, FDA does not approve of the use of colloidal silver in pets. 

Silver is considered a “transition metal,” meaning that it is somewhere between toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury, and essential nutritional minerals like iron and zinc. This doesn’t necessarily mean that colloidal silver isn’t toxic—potential risks of overexposure to silver, which we will cover in greater detail below, include damage to major organs and nervous system, eye and skin irritation, and even cancer. 

With colloidal silver, there is a risk that the good bacteria in your dog’s gut will be eliminated in addition to the bad bacteria. This can cause diarrhea and other problems. Given these potential safety concerns, it’s important to highlight that topical use of colloidal silver is notably safer for your pup than oral use. If you do decide to orally administer colloidal silver to your dog, make sure to give your pet a prebiotic and probiotic to keep their gut health in check. 

Potential risks 

Colloidal silver is widely thought of as a possible natural alternative to antibiotic medication for fighting all kinds of infections. As you may know, antibiotics don’t just kill bad bacteria. They also kill good bacteria, which both humans and pets need to keep their microbiome in healthy working order. Destroying good bacteria harms more than just your pup’s digestive health, however—it also harms their immune system, hindering their ability to resist diseases of all kinds. This negative implication of colloidal silver is most common in long-term oral use, which can impact the overall homeostasis of the intestinal tract. 

Another significant concern with the use of colloidal silver for your dog is the potential for organ damage. As a transition metal, silver will eventually accumulate in the liver, kidneys, brain, and other major organs and tissues. Other side effects include: 

  • Muscle weakness 
  • General malaise, lethargy, and sluggishness 
  • Weight loss 
  • Kidney issues 
  • Altered liver enzymes and other liver issues 
  • Neurological damage, exhibited in tremors and or seizures 

It’s important to keep your pup hydrated while administering colloidal silver, as your canine companion’s eliminatory organs will become overloaded, attempting to flush out silver toxins. There is also a chance that colloidal silver may interact with certain prescriptions, leading to poor absorption of some antibiotics and thyroid medications. 

Although rare, prolonged or excessive exposure to colloidal silver can result in a permanent skin condition called argyria. When silver builds up in your dog’s body, their skin can turn a blue-grey color. The risk of developing argyria is relatively low as long as pet owners use high-quality, true colloidal silver. If you choose to give your pup colloidal silver either topically or orally, be sure to never use it for more than two weeks. Additionally, colloidal silver should not be given to puppies.  

CBD: Overall health support without the risks 

Not all-natural pet products and supplements are harmless. As you can see, giving your dog colloidal silver, while full of promise to address a wide range of health concerns, has some serious risks that can significantly impact the long-term health of your pup. 

ElleVet’s CBD + CBDA is proven safe in a long-term safety and pharmacokinetics study. We also have the only CBD + CBDA product proven to work in a clinical trial. Our chews, soft gels, and oils can help your furry friend with a range of concerns, including joint discomfort, itching, and both stress and neuro support. At ElleVet, we put safety, quality, and science first so pet parents and veterinarians can be confident in our product. 

For any questions about ElleVet’s CBD + CBDA products or how CBD can help your canine friend live their best life, give us a call (844-673-7287) or send us an email ([email protected]). We are here to help.