Identifying and Supporting Dogs with Anemia
Lethargic Dog
Dogs struggling with anemia don’t have enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in transporting oxygen to tissues.
Your dog can have anemia from a nutrient deficiency, or, have an underlying condition causing their anemia.
Anemia can produce unpleasant side effects in your dog. In severe cases, if left unresolved, anemia can end your dog’s life.
Symptoms of an Anemic Dog
If your dog is anemic, they can experience the following side effects:
Brittle nails
Constipation
Changes to nails (lusterless, brittle, ridges running lengthwise)
Difficulty breathing
Dizziness
Dry coat
Enlarged heart
Exercise intolerance
Inability to tolerate cold weather
Lack of appetite
Lethargy (iron is involved in energy production)
Low/impared immune function; infection prone
Pale gums
Poor growth for puppies and kittens
Pets who eat or crave dirt, soil, clay or ice excessively
Sudden mood and behavior shifts
Sleeplessness
Weakness
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron is a critical mineral for all living organisms, including bacteria, plants, animals and humans, in energy production and oxygen transportation.
Iron plays a key role in red blood cells’ hemoglobin molecule, transporting oxygen from lungs to tissues and transporting carbon dioxide from the tissues to lungs, optimizing oxygen utilization.
Iron plays a role in key enzymes in supporting energy production and metabolism for synthesizing DNA. It’s critical for growth in puppies and for resisting disease.
The most accurate iron deficiency diagnosis is measured by serum iron, not the hemoglobin.
In iron deficiency anemia, low dietary iron causes a deficient RBC count (RBC levels below the optimal range). Red blood cell production relies on iron and RBC production is necessary for life.
If your dog is receiving sufficient amounts of dietary iron (NOT synthetic or lab extracted/created iron), they can still become iron deficient from conditions decreasing the bioavailability of iron. Decreased bioavailability means the iron either isn’t being absorbed efficiently or converted effectively in being made usable by the body.
Conditions such as candida overgrowth, pharmaceutical drugs, infections and stress can deplete iron.
Factors Contributing to Anemic Dogs
Antacid Drugs lower stomach acid production, reducing iron absorption/bioavailability.
Blood Parasites (Hemobartonella). If hemobartonella takes over an already compromised immune system, it destroys red blood cells, leading to anemia. Dogs can get the hemobartonella toxin from a scratch, bite or saliva from a cat when/if their immune system is compromised or poor health causes vulnerability to the toxin. Cats have been recorded to be more prone to hemobartonella, and it’s a rare occurrence in dogs.
(Lyme co-infections, known as tick born disease, and flea infections, are considered blood parasites but not all blood parasites are from fleas and ticks.)
Important Note: Technically, parasites aren’t inherently bad, but when health is compromised and the parasites become out of balance, taking over and proliferating, they become a threat.
Cancer. Numerous cancers can cause poor iron absorption and deplete iron reserves, leading to anemia. Inflammation from cancer can decrease RBC production. Cancers involving bone marrow can cause traumatic, and sudden, anemia. In Leukemia, bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don’t function properly, and in turn, decreases RBCs.
Colitis. A chronic imbalance causing an inflamed colon lining and reduced blood supply, colitis overtime can lead to anemia.
Enlarged Spleen or Splenectomy. The spleen filters the blood and controls blood cell (red and white) and platelet levels. If the spleen isn’t working properly, or is removed (splenectomy), healthy blood cells diminish.
Excessive Red Blood Cell Destruction. The spleen removes old RBCs and abnormal RBCs from circulation. If destruction of old or abnormal RBCs exceeds the body’s rate of manufacturing new RBCs, anemia can result.
Abnormal RBC shape has been found a common cause of excessive destruction of RBCs. Numerous reasons for abnormal RBC shape includes defective hemoglobin synthesis, as seen in hereditary conditions such as sickle-cell anemia; mechanical injury due to trauma or turbulence with arteries, hereditary RBC enzyme defects; and vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Gastrointestinal or Liver Infection. GI and hepatic infections reduce absorption and utilization of minerals and vitamins in the body, leading to anemia. Dogs recovering from a serious gastrointestinal infection often become anemic.
Kidney Dysfunction. The kidneys secrete a hormonal substance called erythropoietin, stimulating red blood cell production in bone marrow. Chronic kidney disease can causes anemia from inadequate erythropoietin production. The kidneys rule the blood and mineral balance maintenance; malfunction leads to mineral and blood compromisation.
Lyme, Tick-Born Diseases and Fleas (especially anaplasmosis) Using your dog for survival, severe or prolonged flea and tick infestations, can deplete the body’s iron reserves, leading to anemia.
Intestinal Parasites (Worms). Whipworms and hookworms feed on your dog’s blood, can cause bloody diarrhea and in severe infestations, can lead to anemia.
Menstruation and Pregnancy. Intact female dogs menstruating, pregnant, or who recently had a litter need extra iron through whole foods. Blood lost through menstruation or in supplying life to their puppies can cause anemia.
Pancreatic Insufficiency or Chronic Pancreatitis. Dogs with pancreatitis issues lack in intrinsic factor, leading to anemia. Supplementing with intrinsic factor if your dog has pancreatitis or pancreatic conditions, can be helpful in anemia prevention or worsening.
Pernicious Anemia. Also known as Addison’s anemia, in pernicious anemia your dog can’t absorb enough B12 and in turn, their red blood cell count decreases.
Either a lack of Cobalt (B-12) in the diet, or a lack of intrinsic factor (resulting from health imbalances or an unhealthy diet and lifestyle) can cause insufficient amounts of B12 absorbed, resulting in low red blood cells.
Intrinsic factor is a protein based "glycoprotein" made by the parietal cells in your pet's stomach mucosa. Intrinsic factor is needed for B-12 absorption. When there isn't enough intrinsic factor anemia, neurological conditions or B12 deficiency can occur. As the stomach breaks down food via pepsin and acids, B-12 binds to gastric proteins while traveling to the small intestine where it binds to intrinsic factor. Mucosa receptors bind the intrinsic factor, allowing B-12 absorption by the portal blood.
Poor Quality Diet. Dogs fed kibble or unbalanced diet, are vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia from a poor quality diet.
Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can diminish iron absorption. Studies show arthritic patients insufficiently metabolizing iron, possibly resulting in deposition of iron into the joints.
Severe Open Wounds. If an open wound caused significant blood loss not halted in a timely manner, anemia can result.
Trace Mineral Conditions. Aside from a direct lack of dietary iron, excess or deficiency of other minerals can contribute to lowered iron levels causing anemia.
The body requires precise amounts of each mineral, so avoiding excess or deficiency of any mineral, is critical. Feeding whole food mineral sources (not synthetic or lab-created minerals) ensures proper mineral balance and provides maximum bioavailability.
The following are examples of the intricate balance existing with mineral consumption:
A diet with excess phosphorus can deplete iron levels, while if calcium is present in sufficient amounts, it combines with phosphorous and frees iron for use.
Optimal iron absorption depends on the mineral Molybdenum but too much molybdenum can cause iron deficiency.
Copper assists in iron absorption, aiding anemia prevention, while excessive copper causes anemia.
Ulcers or Tumors can cause internal bleeding, leading to anemia, and may become life threatening.
Vaccines and Pharmaceutical Drugs can trigger an autoimmune response called Hemolytic Anemia, where the body destroys its own red blood cells. Vaccines can elicit extreme forms leading to death.
In 2009, drugs recorded with the most frequent cases of drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) were cefotetan, ceftriaxone, and piperacillin.
Additionally, pharmaceutical drugs can cause intestinal bleeding leading to anemia.
Yeast (Candida) Overgrowth. Candida albicans depletes the body of vitamin C and iron necessary for red blood cell generation, and if candida overgrowth goes unaddressed overtime, deficiencies lead to anemia.
Creating a Supportive Diet for Anemic Dogs
Iron from food comes in two forms; heme, found in animal flesh and non-heme, found in plant foods. Non-heme iron sources aren’t as bioavailable as heme iron and requires an acidic pH.
In over-processed meats (if it even still counts as meat) as found in kibble food, heme iron is converted to non-heme iron. Heme iron can convert to non-heme iron when it’s cooked at an extremely high temperature or for too long, decreasing the food’s usable (bioavailable) iron.
High quality meat, when not over-processed or overcooked, stimulates the stomach’s hydrochloric acid (HCl) production enhancing non-heme iron absorption from herbs and vegetables.
Gastric HCl aids in releasing iron from food and facilitates ferric form to ferrous form conversion, a process necessary in making the iron absorbable by the body.
If you cook your pet’s food, cooking in cast-iron cookware, at a low temperature, can increase available iron thirtyfold and acidic foods enhance the effect.
A diet high in iron-rich whole foods alongside whole food vitamin C intake, speeds up hemoglobin restoration. Vitamin C foods creates a more acidic stomach environment and prevents oxidation of ferrous iron.
Feeding foods rich in vitamin C along with iron-rich foods increases available iron in food by 30%. Vitamin C sources include red, orange and yellow bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, microgreens, amla and acerola fruits.
Please note: I don’t recommend citrus fruits for dogs, and onions and grapes are highly toxic to dogs.
If your dog is anemic is due to iron deficiency or acute blood loss, incorporating the following foods (see list below) can complement anemia therapy.
Remember, if your dog has a condition such as hemolytic anemia, an ulcer, an enlarged spleen or pernicious anemia, iron rich foods won’t help the root cause, as dietary iron deficiency isn’t the issue in all anemia cases.
If iron deficiency isn’t the root problem, adding the foods below into your dogs diet can still support overall health and wellbeing, and may prevent worsening side effects.
Note: Consider your dog as an individual and their energetics when introducing any of the foods below into their diet. If you need help doing so, book a consultation with me here.
Foods for Iron-Deficiency Anemia:
Almonds (sprouted for maximum nutrient abs absorption)
Beans, lentils (sprouted)
Clams
Dandelion greens
Eggs
Kelp
Liver
Mulberry
Oysters
Organ meats (Beef liver)
Sesame Seeds
Squash
Parsley (infusion or juiced for optimal results)
Pumpkin Seeds
Pine nuts
Poultry (turkey, chicken)
Red meats (beef, lamb)
Phytoplankton
Unsulphured Molasses (tiny amount only if pet is suffering from severe malnutrition and wasting associated with iron deficiency anemia)
Microgreens
Wheat Grass
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Foods for B12 Deficiency Anemia (Pernicious Anemia)
If the B12 deficiency causing anemia is from inadequate or imbalanced diet or malnutrition, the following foods can be helpful in increasing B12 levels.
Note: If adequate B12 amounts are being fed and the issue is B12 absorption, resulting from digestion issues, antibiotics, stress or chronic illness, the following foods won’t address the root cause.
Comfrey Root (Symphytum officinale)
Dang gui (Angelica sinensis)
Parsley Greens
Sautéed or Decocted Mushrooms
Turnip Greens
Traditionally fermented products
Herbal Support for Dogs with Anemia
Chickweed (Stellaria media) in Bloom
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
High in B-complex vitamins and iron, Chickweed can help with iron deficiency or B12 deficiency causing anemia. Chickweed builds the blood and restores nutritional balance.
If the problem isn’t your pet’s intake of iron and B12 and is their absorption of vitamins and minerals, Chickweed helps increases cell membrane permeability, increasing nutrient absorption, enhancing the B12 and iron bioavailability.
Chickweed strengthens the kidneys when kidney weakness is causing anemia.
You can add chopped fresh Chickweed or a Chickweed infusion into your dog’s meals twice daily, mixing in 1 teaspoon per 15 pounds body weight.
Cold Water Infusion Instructions: Put 2 tablespoons of chopped Chickweed into a jar with eight ounces of filtered water and let sit overnight.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion, a “blood purifier”, supports the kidneys, liver and helps move the lymphatic system, assisting in toxin excretion.
Dandelion root helps detoxify over-vaccinated dogs with anemia, or dogs who’ve suffered infections causing diarrhea or vomiting.
The leaf and root are rich in iron and can be made as an infusion and decoction, respectively, and prepared and dosed the same way as Parsley (see Parsley section above).
Note: Avoid using Dandelion root in dogs with a history of gallbladder sludge, weakness or stones, or who have pancreatitis. I also recommend avoiding Dandelion Root in dogs with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) as it can aggravate their digestive system.
Parsley (Petroselinum sativum)
Parsley contains trace minerals including iron. It helps cleanse the kidneys and remove obstructions to blood movement.
Parsley is well indicated for anemia from kidney disorders, menstruation, dogs recovering from parasites or experiencing weakness or dizziness from anemia,
The root and leaf are beneficial and can be made into a decoction and infusion, respectively.
Decoction Instructions: Simmer three tablespoons per eight ounces filtered water in a pan (covered) on the lowest heat possible, for 30 minutes.
Infusion Instructions: Pour eight ounces of almost boiling water over two tablespoons of fresh (or one tablespoon dried) parsley. Steep for 30 minutes to an hour.
For infusions and decoctions, let cool down to room temperature and serve one teaspoon per 15 pounds body weight, with food twice daily. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 24 hours.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) in Bloom - Vermont State Flower
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red Clover can be helpful in dogs battling cancer who’re anemic, as long as the cancer isn’t estrogen based or estrogen sensitive.
Red Clover contains iron and moves the lymphatic system, helping clean the blood of toxins.
Infusion Instructions: Make an infusion with the dried flowers, either making it the same as the Parsley infusion instructions below, or, do a cold water overnight infusion putting one tablespoon dried herb in a jar with eight ounces filtered water and sit in the fridge overnight. You can strain the infused water or serve with the flowers. Serve one teaspoon per 30 pounds body weight, into each meal, twice daily.
Note: Red Clover thins the blood and shouldn’t be used alongside blood thinning pharmaceuticals.
Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica)
High in trace minerals, freeze-dried Nettle leaf or a Nettles infusion helps deliver nutrients to your dog when they’re deficient or malnourished.
Nettles helps with skin problems and exhaustion or anemia-related stress. When kidney weakness causes anemia, it helps restore kidneys in addressing the root cause of the anemia.
Infusion Instructions: Pour eight ounces of almost boiling filtered water into a jar with one tablespoon dried Stinging Nettles and let sit, covered, refrigerated overnight. No need to strain but you can. Serve 1 teaspoon per 15 pounds body weight into meals twice daily.
Mountain Elm (Ulmus glabra) Mature Leaves (top) and Blossoming Leaf (bottom)
Mountain Elm (Ulmus glabra) Phytoembryonic Therapy Mother Extract
Mountain Elm plant stem cell therapy, high in iron, helps with ulcerative colitis, stomach, peptic or gastric ulcers, bloody diarrhea or candida overgrowth causing anemia.
Elm helps with wasting and severe weight loss from anemia. It’s re-mineralizing for dogs struggling with rheumatoid arthritis, helping prevent iron deficiency from rheumatism.
Suggested Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 2 drops
Small Dogs: 5 drops
Medium Dogs: 8 drops
Large Dogs: 10 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 12 drops
Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica)
Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica) Phytoembryonic Therapy Mother Extract
Made from young shoots, Tamarisk plant stem cell therapy contains iron and helps increase platelet counts.
Platelets help blood clot in response to a cut or a wound, helping reduce anemia risk.
Platelet counts diminish following splenectomy, blood loss due to injury, chronic gastritis or ulcers. Tamarisk phytoembryonic therapy can help in maintaining, and increasing, healthy platelet levels following blood loss or compromisation.
Tamarisk helps stimulate a low appetite from anemia or cancers associated with anemia.
Tamarisk phytoembryonic therapy is well indicated when anemia presents following impaired liver function, liver tumors, esophageal cancers, splenectomy, enlarged spleen, ulcerative colitis and bleeding disorders (inability to form clots).
Note: Tamarisk phytoembryonic therapy should be avoided in dogs at risk for, or who currently have, blood clots or blood clotting disorders.
Suggested Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 2 drops
Small Dogs: 5 drops
Medium Dogs: 8 drops
Large Dogs: 10 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 12 drops
Microalgae for Anemia
Exceptional blood tonics, phytoplankton, spirulina and chlorella are high in iron and help build blood deficiency caused by weak digestive absorption and poor spleen-pancreas function. They have long records of use for emaciation, malnutrition and malabsorption associated with iron deficiency anemia.
Ensuring a quality source is essential with microalgae and poor quality sources can be heavy metal ridden and counterproductive to your dog’s health. When sourcing micro algae, look for third party testing for heavy metals.
Feed 1/8 teaspoon of powder per 20 pounds body weight in your dog’s food twice daily.
References
Garratty, George. “Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia”. ASH Publications. American Society of Hematology. Jan 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20008184/
Kirschmann, John D. and Nutrition Search, Inc. Nutrition Almanac: Sixth Edition.
Murray, N.D., Michael T. And Pizzorno, N.D., Joseph. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Third Edition. Atria, 2012.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2002.
Richard, Dominique. Medicinal Embryonic Phytotherapy (MEPTM)
& Clinical Pharmacological Indications. EPSCE, 2017.
Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2008.