When my 8-year-old Cocker Spaniel visited the veterinarian for a routine checkup, I wasn’t expecting any problems. However, Dexter’s blood panel showed he had elevated liver enzymes. His veterinarian sat me down for an honest conversation about what to do next. That plan included a liver supplement called Denamarin for dogs with liver issues. 

Our veterinarian explained that the liver is the largest internal organ in a dog’s body. It filters waste products and toxins from the bloodstream so they cannot harm other organs. Amazingly, the liver can regenerate and repair itself after injury or partial surgical removal.

Unfortunately, a variety of factors can lead to elevated liver enzymes and liver disease in dogs. These include exposure to toxins, an infection, genetics, and some medications. Our veterinarian recommended starting Dexter on Denamarin for dogs right away. Here’s our honest review and experience with Denamarin’s liver health supplement for dogs.

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What is Denamarin for Dogs?

Denamarin is a liver health supplement in tablet form given to dogs and cats. It is safe for long-term usage and contains S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) and silybin.

When your dog’s liver is not functioning normally, the level of SAM-e decreases. By providing SAM-e to a dog with elevated liver levels, the goal is antioxidant support and cell regeneration.

Silybin comes from milk thistle and promotes detoxification and liver protection. It also helps support bile flow through the liver to support proper digestion.

Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, an American company founded in 1992, manufactures Denamarin (2). Nutramax bases its product formulations on extensive research and often partners with veterinarians and scientists to ensure high quality, efficacy, and safety.

Veterinarians widely recommend Nutramax products like Denamarin, which is how I first discovered the brand.

How Does Denamarin Work?

I like to understand any supplement I give my dogs, so my veterinarian explained what Denamarin does.

The SAM-e in Denamarin helps protect liver cells from dying while also helping promote cell repair and regeneration. Fortunately, it has been shown to increase the amount of glutathione in your dog’s liver. Glutathione is an important compound for liver health. (3)

Silybin is a milk thistle extract that helps support liver function by maintaining a healthy oxidative balance. As a final touch, the enteric-coated tablets are tasty and chewable, which makes administering the product a cinch.

Putting Denamarin to the Test

I first encountered Denamarin after Dexter’s veterinarian recommended it to help address his elevated liver values.

There are several tests that can help evaluate your dog’s liver health. Initial tests included a complete blood count (CBC), a biochemistry profile, and a urinalysis. Dexter had no symptoms to indicate a change in his liver values, which is why blood work is essential as your dog ages.

Our veterinarian explained that Dexter’s blood showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an enzyme found mostly in liver cells (1). This indicated possible liver damage, which would explain Dexter’s higher-than-normal bilirubin results, too.

Our veterinarian recommended Denarmarin to help normalize Dexter’s ALT and bilirubin levels. She told us to give him one tablet daily, preferably on an empty stomach, so that his body could absorb it properly.

For the next nearly six years, Dexter received one tablet a day about two hours after his breakfast. He had no issues or side effects, and his liver levels normalized within a few months. We ran bloodwork every three months for a year and had an abdominal ultrasound performed to ensure nothing bigger (stones, cancer, etc.) was going on.

Denamarin for Dogs: Our Verdict

Denamarin became a valuable asset in our product toolkit to assist our Cocker Spaniel as he aged. Blood work proved a direct correlation between the time he began Denamarin and the improvement in his liver levels.

Dexter lived a happy, mostly healthy 13 years and 2 months before succumbing to hemangiosarcoma. I recommend Denamarin for dogs and advise you to have an honest conversation with your veterinarian before starting this helpful liver supplement.

denamarin liver health supplement for dogs
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Things We Like

  • No Side Effects: There are no known major side effects, and Dexter stayed on Denamarin for the rest of his life.
  • No Prescription Required: Denamarin is a nutritional supplement that does not require a prescription and is readily available at PetSmart.
  • Easy-to-Administer Chewable Tablet: Each tablet can be given as-is, which means no hiding pills in meals or pill pockets.
  • Trusted Name: Nutramax is a well-known American brand that manufactures high-quality animal and human health products.
  • Affordably Priced: I didn’t have to spend an exorbitant amount to see results in my dog’s liver values.
  • Dosage Availability: Denamarin is offered in different sizes to support all dogs and cats.

Things to Consider

  • Length of Time: Not all dogs must stay on Denamarin for life. Some dogs take the supplement for a few weeks, while others take it long-term. Your veterinarian can best advise you on this.
  • Empty Stomach: Denamarin is most effective when taken on an empty stomach. This can be challenging if your dog refuses medication without food.
  • Not a 100% Cure: Like all supplements, Denamarin is not a cure for liver disease, but it may improve liver enzymes to a desired level.

Denamarin is a trusted and effective supplement for your dog’s liver health. Your dog receives various benefits thanks to the combination of SAM-e and silybin. These include liver cell repair, antioxidant protection, and liver function improvement.

Should his liver values warrant it, I would not hesitate to administer Denamarin to Alvin, my current Cocker Spaniel. Like all good things, Denamarin takes time to work, but our experience was well worth it. I am grateful that PetSmart is making Denamarin available to pet parents so they can access it for their dog’s liver needs.