Preventing and Supporting Cataracts in Your Dog
Identifying Cataract Formation in Dogs
Cataracts can occur as dogs age, or from steroid use (glucocorticoid drugs), and are commonly characterized by a bluish-gray tint or cloudy appearance.
Sometimes, cloudiness resulting from physical or chemical eye injuries looks similar to cataracts but isn’t cataracts. For example, chemical dog shampoo irritation to the eye.
Nuclear sclerosis, a canine condition which looks similar to cataracts, is another consideration for cloudy eyes. In differentiating the two, in a dark room or at night and from a distance, shine a [non-blue light] flashlight into your dog's eyes, observing their retina.
Note: Blue light emitted by electronics, a smart phone flashlight, LED or energy efficient light bulbs, can damage your dog’s eyes and overall health.
A flashlight causes a retina flashback when nuclear sclerosis, and not cataracts, is present. It’s a similar effect as flashing an animal at night with car headlights. Nuclear sclerosis may cause blurry close up vision but rarely disrupts a dog's sight as severely as cataracts.
Light can’t penetrate cataract film. Cataracts cause a gradual vision loss eventually resulting in blindness when nothing is done to support eye health.
In supporting eye health with a fresh whole food diet, supplements, and some herbal allies, cataract progression can be slowed down or prevented.
Causes of Dog Cataracts
When your dog’s protein-based ocular lens gets damaged, cataracts form. Fortunately, most lens structure damage is preventable.
Internal and external toxins (oxidative stress), liver stagnancy, diabetes, steroid use, diabetes, and genetics contribute to lens degradation. Glucocorticoid drugs (steroids) put pressure on the eyes and destabilizes (damage) lens protein structures, causing cataract formation.
Other cataract contributors:
Systemic diseases
Radiation exposure
Ultraviolet light exposure
Diabetes; diabetic and galactose-induced cataracts (sugar cataracts), happen with chronic high blood sugar levels.
Aging, because of organs declining and toxin accumulation weakening body defenses, is commonly associated with cataract formation. Cataracts are an indication your dog’s protective mechanisms are slowing down.
Cataract Prevention Through Diet
Sufficient antioxidant enzymes are critical for your dog’s ocular lens health. For example, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione.
Nutrients such as lutein, selenium, vitamins E and vitamin C play a major role in helping prevent free radical induced cellular damage. A higher antioxidant intake helps lower your dog’s risk for cataracts.
Whole food sourced vitamins and minerals provide more bioavailable nutrition over synthetic, lab-created varieties. Studies comparing natural sourced nutrients versus synthetic showed significant improvement over synthetic supplementation.
For example, whole food vitamin C contains naturally occurring flavonoids and phytonutrients rather than fillers and non-beneficial inert ingredients. Naturally-sourced vitamins and minerals provide “useable” nutrition. This is why your dog’s diet is so important.
Ensure your dog gets a balanced, optimal, fresh-food diet in helping prevent disease progression and possibly reversing early onset ocular lesions.
Note: Avoid unstable (free-radical producing) oils as they contribute significantly to cataracts. Oils to avoid includes canola, flaxseed, soybean, safflower, palm and peanut.
Whole Foods for Cataracts
Please Note: The vitamins, minerals, supplements and herbs dosages below are general guidelines. Your administered dosing should be based on your individual dog. Seek an herbalist professional, canine nutritionist or holistic vet for guidance on specific dosing for your dog. Always use organic foods when possible.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is necessary for ocular health and optimal vision.
Sources:
Carrots
Chlorella
Wheat/barley grass
Spirulina
Beet greens
Turnip greens
Parsley
Kale
Sweet potato
Dunaliella
B Vitamins, Specifically B2, B12 and B9
B2 (Riboflavin)
Your dog’s ocular lens requires riboflavin. Riboflavin deficiency may enhance cataract formation. However, don't administer more than 10mg to dogs with cataracts because it reacts with light forming superoxide free radicals.
Suggested Daily Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 700-750 mcg
Small dogs: 750-800 mcg
Medium dogs: 800-850 mcg
Large dogs: 850-900 mcg
Extra-large dogs: 900-950 mcg
Sources:
Hijiki (algae)
Eggs
Beef Liver
Wild Salmon
Chicken Breast
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
Red blood cell depletion causes vision problems and vitamin B9 promotes healthy red blood cell formation.
Suggested Daily Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 700-750 mcg
Small dogs: 750-800 mcg
Medium dogs: 800-850 mcg
Large dogs: 850-900 mcg
Extra-large dogs: 900-950 mcg
Feed raw sources listed below. Folate is easily lost in cooked food.
Microgreens
Leafy greens
Chlorophyll-rich foods
B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 supports a healthy corneal nerve layer.
Suggested Daily Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 700-750 mcg
Small dogs: 750-800 mcg
Medium dogs: 800-850 mcg
Large dogs: 850-900 mcg
Extra-large dogs: 900-950 mcg
Sources:
Mushrooms
Turnip greens
Parsley
Fermented foods
Microalgae (Wild blue-green, kelp, dulse, nori, chlorella, spirulina)
Nutritional Yeast
Sardines
Herring
Mackerel
Eggs
Beef liver, kidney and heart
Chicken liver
Vitamin C
Studies show vitamin C can decrease cataract progression and, in some cases, improve vision. Whole food vitamin C (not vitamin C powder or a lab produced chemical compound of vitamin C like ascorbic acid) includes flavonoids and polyphenols, preserving ocular lens integrity while decreasing toxins (oxidative stress).
Your dog’s ocular lens requires 20 times more vitamin C than their blood. Maintaining proper vitamin C levels helps systemic levels rise improving ocular lens integrity. You may have read dogs generate their own vitamin C, but they need optimal liver function in order to do so. With a liver compromised or stagnant in any way (common in dogs with cataracts), whole food vitamin C should be fed in as high amounts as possible.
Suggested Daily Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 200-400mg
Small dogs: 400-600mg
Medium dogs: 500-800mg
Large dogs: 800-1,000mg
Extra-large dogs: 1,000-1,200mg
Sources:
Alma fruit
Black Currant
Broccoli
Cabbage
Citrus
Rosehips (Rosa canina L.)
Sprouts
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, required for proper vitamin A synthesis and functioning, is high in antioxidants, helping destroy free radicals.
Nuts and seeds contain vitamin E. Avoid nuts stored in plastic and hot environments. Heat causes oxidation and decreases A, E and F in foods and bodily tissues.
Soaked and sprouted seeds and nuts have bioavailable nutrients making fats and proteins more digestible.
Suggested Daily Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 25-50 IU
Small dogs: 50-75 IU
Medium dogs: 100-125 IU
Large dogs: 125-150 IU
Extra-large dogs: 175-200 IU
Other Sources Include:
Organic Wheatgerm Oil
Organic Soybeans
Bean sprouts
Asparagus
Organic Cucumbers
Selenium
Selenium, a trace mineral, decreases cataract formation. Selenium and vitamin E, antioxidants, work synergistically (meaning they compliment each others function in your dogs body).
Vitamin E can’t do its job without selenium. Selenium supports healthy methylation, heavy metal detoxification and optimal liver function. Brazil nuts contain adequate selenium but don’t overfeed them.
Brazil Nut Suggested Dosages:
Extra-small dogs: 1/16th nut
Small dogs: 1/8 nut
Medium dogs: 1/4 nut
Large dogs: 1/2 nut
Extra-large dogs: 1 nut
Other Selenium Sources Include:
Eggs
Red Meat
Poultry
Organ Meat
Zinc
Zinc is necessary for proper vitamin A function, making it a critical mineral for eye health.
Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 5-10mg
Small dogs: 10-15mg
Medium dogs: 15-20mg
Large dogs: 20-25mg
Extra-large dogs: 25-30mg
Sources:
Sprouted pumpkin seeds
Phytoplankton
Red Meat
Poultry
Mushrooms
Nettles
Dark Purple or Blue Colored Foods/Berries
Purple and blue colored fruits, high in antioxidants and flavonoids, can be fed raw (1 tsp to 1 tablespoon) as a snack. Flavonoids help prevent oxidation and promote organ and cellular health.
In one study, cataract occurrence declined when researchers changed rat’s diets from processed foods to fresh flavonoid rich meals (Hess, 1985, as cited in Murray and Pizzorno, 2012).
Sources:
Bilberries
Blackberries
Black Currants
Blueberries
Huckleberries
Organic Purple Sweet Potato
Organic Purple Kale
Orange Vegetables
Orange vegetables are carotenoid rich. Carrots are packed with beta-carotene, a popular carotenoid synergistic with Vitamin A and Zinc.
Lutein is a yellow-orange carotenoid. Other carotenoids include: lycopene, a-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Lutein decreases cataract proliferation. Whole-food supplementation (organic freeze-dried powders included) are the most effective sources of carotenoids and beta-carotene. In fact, in long-term studies, lab created beta-carotene supplements had no impact on cataract prevention.
Sources:
Broccoli
Dark, leafy greens
Organic Kale
Organic Spinach
Carrots
Watermelon
Yams
Amino Acids
NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
Amino acids coined “essential amino acids” must be obtained through diet and are necessary for proper functioning. They’re catalysts for producing other amino acids.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) comes from the amino acid L-cysteine and provides strength to protein-based structures (ocular lens). NAC provides antioxidant support, a key factor in cataract prevention. Glutathione is a master antioxidant and without NAC, it can’t exist. Healthy glutathione levels in dogs are critical for numerous health issues and especially when dealing with cataracts or in preventing cataracts.
The body generates NAC from consuming real foods (not kibble, packaged wet food, etc.) rich in L-cysteine.
Sources:
Chicken
Turkey
Eggs
Broccoli Sprouts
Sprouted Sunflower Seeds
Liver Health
Your dog's liver health directly effects their eyes. The liver acupuncture meridian passes through tissues surrounding their eyes. Sufficient amounts of B6 B12, NAC and Zinc help overcome liver stagnancy.
Raw food stimulates a stagnant liver’s energy flow. Looking at your dog’s food, grooming products and environment can help decrease your dog’s liver load. Your dog ingests 60% of what is put on their body so topicals are a critical consideration.
Feed raw vegetables, broccoli sprouts or other sprouted greens from suggestions listed above.
Don’t overfeed your dog in one meal nor constantly feed them throughout the day. Too much food slows liver function. Avoid feeding late at night. Feed your dog before 6pm, allowing the liver and gallbladder time for regeneration. Liver regeneration time is 11pm to 3am. If your dog is itchy or unsettled within these hours, this signals waning liver function.
Heavy Metals and Radiation
Heavy metals contribute to cataract formation. You can test your dog for heavy metals through hair analysis.
Cadmium is two to three times higher in dogs with cataracts. It displaces zinc, increases oxidation, and cellular repair. Avoid heavy metal sources including tuna, mollusks, non-organic bone broth, and non-organic CBD, kale and spinach.
Radiation exposure through electromagnetic frequencies can also contribute to cataract formation. Turn your Wifi off when you’re sleeping or leave the house. You dog doesn’t need Wifi. Schedule your dog for x-rays and CT scans only when absolutely necessary and avoid excessive x-rays as they can progress, or promote, cataracts.
and the moment I’ve been waiting for…
Herbal Allies in Preventing or Supporting Cataracts
Note: Administer suggested dosages below twice daily away from food unless otherwise noted
Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) Phytoembryonic Therapy
Black currant, high in vitamin C, helps detox heavy metals and radiation from the body.
Note: Black Currant is not recommended for dogs with a history of seizures.
Suggested Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 1 diluted drop
Small dogs: 1 drop
Medium dogs: 2 drops
Large dogs: 3 drops
Extra-large dogs: 4 drops
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Bilberry supports eye health with high levels of flavonoids and anthocyanosides. Look for at least 25% vaccinium or bilberry extract if you use Bilberry powder.
Bilberry Phytoembryonic Therapy Suggested Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 2 drops
Small dogs: 4 drops
Medium dogs: 6 drops
Large dogs: 8 drops
Extra-large dogs: 10 drops
Bilberry Extract Powder Suggested Dosing (mix into meals/with food):
Extra-small dogs: 20-40 mg
Small dogs: 40-60 mg
Medium dogs: 60-80 mg
Large dogs: 80-100 mg
Extra-large dogs: 100-120 mg
Elecampane (Inula helenium) Tincture
Elecampane contains anthocyanadins, strengthening the eyes’ blood vessels.
Dosing:
Extra-small dogs: 2 drops
Small dogs: 3 drops
Medium dogs: 4 drops
Large dogs: 5 drops
Extra-large dogs: 6 drops
Hazel (Corylus avellana) Phytoembryonic Therapy
Hazel, high in vitamin C, supports healthy ocular blood flow.
Extra-small dogs: 2 drops
Small dogs: 4 drops
Medium dogs: 6 drops
Large dogs: 8 drops
Extra-large dogs: 10 drops
Pine Bark (Pinus maritima) Powdered Extract
Pine bark contains one of the highest antioxidants contents of anything found on this planet so far. Make sure the pine bark powder is at least 95% standardized procyanidolic oligomers (OPCs).
Extra-small dogs: 20 mg
Small dogs: 40 mg
Medium dogs: 50 mg
Large dogs: 100 mg
Extra-large dogs: 150 mg
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton contains a powerful antioxidant enzyme called Superoxide Dismutase SOD. When SOD levels decline, cataracts progress. Phytoplankton provides naturally occurring minerals, especially zinc, helping prevent cataracts. Feed 1/8 tsp per 20 lbs in food.
Resources
Allegretti, Jan and Sommers, Katy D.V.M. The Complete Holistic Dog Book. Celestial Arts, 2003.
Murray, Michael T. N.D., and Pizzorno, Joseph N.D. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Atria Paperback, 2012.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. North Atlantic Books, 1993.