Slippery Elm - Benefits
Slippery Elm (Ulmus Fulva), also known as Slippery Elm Bark (SEB) is a tree that is native to North America and has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries. Native Americans use slippery elm in healing salves for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation. It is also taken orally to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, constipation and stomach problems.
Slippery elm contains mucilage, a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water. It coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It also contains antioxidants that help relieve inflammatory bowel conditions. Slippery elm causes reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract leading to increased mucus secretion. The increased mucus production helps to protect the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity.
In cats, the kidneys are indirectly responsible for controlling levels of stomach acid. Cats with chronic kidney disease are more likely to have elevated acid levels making them more prone to nausea and inappetence. Slippery Elm helps alleviate nausea and inappetence in pets suffering from non-GI illnesses, such as kidney disease.
It is the opinion of many vets and professional pet caregivers like myself, that this natural herbal treatment does a much better job than most other anti-nausea medications and appetite stimulants, and without the potential for serious side effects.
Dosage Info
With the powdered form found in capsules, the recommended full dose is one 400mg capsule once or twice per day mixed with no more than 3ml of water and dispensed using a 10ml dosing syringe. Adding more than 3ml of water in the syringe will thin out the Slippery Elm and possibly reduce its efficacy.
If you'd prefer to give two smaller doses per day, just split the contents of the capsule in half (200mg) and give an 1/8 teaspoon of powder using a measuring spoon once every 12 hours. With this dosage, I'd only use about 1 1/2ml of water to help keep the Slippery Elm syrupy.
If you'd rather purchase the Slippery Elm in bulk powder, the recommended dose is 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of powder using a measuring spoon once or twice a day mixed with 1 1/2 - 3ml of water and dispensed using a 10ml dosing syringe.
For nausea and/or inappetence, it should be given about half an hour "before" a meal.
Slippery Elm can also be given long-term, and unlike a lot of herbal remedies, is completely safe and non-toxic to cats.