Using Colloidal Silver for Dogs

Colloidal Silver For Dogs

Unless you are tapped into the holistic health realm, you may not have heard much about colloidal silver. Or, you may know about the uses of colloidal silver for people, but haven’t considered it as a treatment for your pet. Either way, this miracle treatment may seem shrouded in mystery, but it doesn’t have to be. Colloidal silver can help with a range of ailments and is a holistic alternative to some medications.

Remember, the FDA doesn’t allow us to make definitive claims about the effects of any supplements, including colloidal silver. The FDA would also like me to remind you that I am not a licensed veterinarian, and you should consult your veterinarian before starting any treatment.

What is Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver has been used for hundreds of years as a medical treatment. It is made by submerging tiny particles of silver into a solution. The microscopic particles are able to penetrate cells and thwart pathogens.

The size of silver particles in colloidal silver can be so small they can be referred to as nanoparticles. This means they are so small some particles are not even visible to the naked eye. Before our modern antibiotics were developed, colloidal silver was utilized as an all-purpose remedy for ailments whether bacterial, viral, or fungal. 

Ionic Silver

It’s important not to confuse ionic silver with colloidal silver. Although they may sound similar, the effects are much different. Ionic silver has not been found to have any ability to kill pathogens in the body. Ionic silver solutions also raise concern because silver ions are extremely unstable. Silver ions are missing an electron and they will do what they can to find one. What this means is that if you drink them, the ionic silver can be absorbed by the fat or protein in the body and left there rather than excreted. This could lead to a condition known as argyria; an irreversible skin condition where the skin turns blue-grey in color. 

Uses of Colloidal Silver

There are many uses for colloidal silver. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, and can be used for a variety of ailments. I use colloidal silver to alleviate a range of issues in my pets. From ear infections to boosting their immune systems, colloidal silver is one of my go-to treatments.

Colloidal silver can be used to aid in healing from the following ailments:

  • Ear infections
  • Fungal skin infections
  • Bacterial infections
  • Yeast infections
  • Eye infections
  • Respiratory infections
  • Burns
  • Skin allergies

Administration

Colloidal silver is fairly versatile in the ways that it can be administered. You can safely administer it by putting it in your pets water or wet food, directly into their mouth, through a nebulizer, and even directly into their ears and eyes. Depending on the severity of the ear or eye infection, you may find it beneficial to apply it to the ears or eyes and have the pet ingest orally.

Small dogs can safely ingest around 5 mL two to three times per day. Large dogs can ingest up to 10 mL two to three times per day.

You can use colloidal silver to cleanse wounds by applying it directly to the wound using a cotton swab or rag. Some brands even come in a spray bottle so you can spray directly onto the skin.

Remember, if you are applying colloidal silver, or any other treatment (like CBD salves) you should try to get down to the underlying cause of the issue, which could be environmental or an allergy to their food.

Sovereign Silver 

Sovereign Silver has only two ingredients: 99.999% pure silver and pharmaceutical-grade purified water. It does not contain added salts or proteins that render other silver products less effective. Plus, it is packaged in non-leaching glass bottles, never plastic.

Some colloidal silver products of higher concentration (ppm) claim that one teaspoon equals multiple teaspoons of our 10 ppm product. On the contrary, scientific peer-reviewed literature has shown that silver is only useful when it is positively charged (bio-active). Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol, with greater than 98% bio-activity, is 8x more potent than a 250 ppm colloidal silver. Higher ppm also= risk of toxicity. There is simply no reason to use a higher ppm product. Their products can also be used for external and internal use.

Safety 

Colloidal silver has several potential benefits, but just like when you or your pet takes an antibiotic, there is a risk that the good bacteria in the gut will be eliminated, which can cause diarrhea and other problems. Make sure to give your pet a prebiotic and probiotic to keep their gut health in check, and talk to your vet about how to keep their digestive system healthy while using colloidal silver.

You should also monitor how often and how much you are administering colloidal silver to wounds because too much could cause delays in healing. However, as long as you are following the recommended serving/dosing size, your pet should be okay. Review the label or ask the company what their recommended dosage is for their specific product. The amount you provide will vary depending on your individual pet.

Final Thoughts

Take precautions and do your research when choosing the brand of colloidal silver you will use. it is important that you trust the ingredients and know exactly what you are getting. Don’t forget to ask for some type of verification, like a Certificate of Analysis, so you’re able to see exactly what’s in the product (and what isn’t). You should also discuss administration with your veterinarian, or a holistic veterinarian, prior to adding colloidal silver to your pet’s regimen.