--- title: "Milk Thistle for Dogs and Cats | Petz Park" description: "Milk Thistle (Silymarin) — active ingredient in Petz Park supplements. Milk Thistle (Silymarin) in Petz Park supplements. 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[Home](/) 3. [Ingredients](/ingredients) 5. Milk Thistle (Silymarin) # Milk Thistle (Silymarin) Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region. Its seeds contain a group of active compounds collectively known as silymarin, with silybin being the most potent. Milk Thistle is the most widely studied natural ingredient for liver support in both human and veterinary medicine. ## Mechanism of Action Silymarin has several documented mechanisms of hepatoprotective action. It acts as a free radical scavenger, reducing oxidative damage to liver cells. It inhibits inflammatory signalling pathways, reducing hepatic inflammation. It has antifibrotic properties, reducing the production of collagen that leads to liver fibrosis (scarring). It promotes hepatocyte regeneration by stimulating ribosomal RNA synthesis in liver cells, supporting the liver's ability to repair damaged tissue. It also modifies bile composition in a way that reduces hepatotoxicity. ## Evidence Summary Silymarin has been studied in dogs and cats in both experimental and clinical settings. A 2013 review in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine concluded that silymarin has hepatoprotective properties that are well established in animal models and has been used successfully in canine hepatopathies. It is one of the few natural supplements that veterinary hepatologists actively recommend. The evidence in cats is less extensive but the same mechanisms apply and veterinary use is common. Petz Park Liver Support for Dogs provides 190mg of Milk Thistle per scoop, equating to approximately 57mg silybin. Petz Park Liver Support for Cats provides 40mg per scoop, equating to approximately 12mg silybin. ## In Petz Park Products Liver Support for Dogs: Milk Thistle 190mg per scoop. Liver Support for Cats: Milk Thistle Extract 40mg per scoop. ## Safety and Considerations Milk Thistle is considered safe for dogs and cats at recommended doses. It has a well-established safety record in veterinary medicine. It may have mild laxative effects at high doses. Animals on immunosuppressive medications or anticoagulants should be monitored, as silymarin has theoretical interactions with these drug classes at pharmacological doses. At supplemental doses the risk is low but veterinary oversight is recommended in animals with diagnosed liver disease. ## Used in These Products Dog Products - [Liver Support for Dogs](/dogs/products/liver-support-for-dogs) Cat Products - [Liver Support for Cats](/cats/products/liver-support-for-cats) ## Helps With These Concerns Dog Health - [Liver Health for Dogs](/dogs/liver-health) Cat Health - [Liver Health for Cats](/cats/liver-health) [Back to Ingredients](/ingredients) Explore the Knowledge Centre - [All Ingredients](/ingredients) - [Dog Supplements](/dogs) - [Cat Supplements](/cats) - [Knowledge Centre Home](/) ![Petz Park](/images/petz-park-logo.png) Australian-made pet supplements for dogs and cats. ### Explore - [Home](/) - [Dogs](/dogs) - [Cats](/cats) - [Products](/products) - [Ingredients](/ingredients) - [Comparisons](/comparisons) - [FAQs](/faqs) - [About](/about) - [Trust & Proof](/trust) ### Dog Health - [Joint Health for Dogs](/dogs/joint-health) - [General Health and Vitality for Dogs](/dogs/general-health-vitality) - [Urinary and Kidney Health in Dogs](/dogs/urinary-kidney-health) - [Probiotics for Dogs](/dogs/probiotics) - [Liver Health for Dogs](/dogs/liver-health) - [Skin, Coat and Allergies in Dogs](/dogs/skin-coat-allergies) - [Brain and Cognitive Health in Dogs](/dogs/brain-cognitive-health) - [Anxiety and Stress in Dogs](/dogs/anxiety) - [Eye Health for Dogs](/dogs/eye-health) - [Dental Health for Dogs](/dogs/dental-health) - [Senior Dog Health](/dogs/senior-dog-health) - [Immune and Seasonal Health for Dogs](/dogs/immune-seasonal-health) ### Cat Health - [Joint Health for Cats](/cats/joint-health) - [Anxiety and Stress in Cats](/cats/anxiety) - [Dental Health for Cats](/cats/dental-health) - [Liver Health for Cats](/cats/liver-health) - [Skin, Coat and Allergies in Cats](/cats/skin-coat-allergies) - [General Health and Vitality for Cats](/cats/general-health-vitality) - [Urinary and Kidney Health in Cats](/cats/urinary-kidney-health) - [Eye Health for Cats](/cats/eye-health) - [Probiotics for Cats](/cats/probiotics) ### Contact - [petzpark.com.au](https://petzpark.com.au/?utm_source=knowledgecentre&utm_medium=ingredient_article&utm_campaign=milk_thistle&utm_content=navigation) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/petzpark "Instagram")[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/petzpark "Facebook")[TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@petzpark "TikTok") © 2026 Petz Park. 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