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Should I use natural remedies to treat my dog's hypothyroidism?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 11 years and 8 months old | 6 lbs

I have a 6 lb 12 yr old Chihuahua newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I would like to take the natural route. Any suggestions on treatment?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 22nd, 2017

A dog with hypothyroidism cannot produce enough thyroid hormone. In order to correct this your dog needs a very exact amount of thyroid hormone, as underdosing will not correct it and overdosing will cause hyperactivity, heart problems, and other physical damage. So the only way to ensure a proper dosage is to give medication (Levothyroxine) that comes in exact concentrations. This is not possible with natural remedies, or feeding necks with intact thyroid glands. So, in the interest of your dog, I suggest you trust your veterinarian to prescribe the proper dosage of levothyroxine, which actually is a synthetic thyroxine Though this is man-made, synthetic thyroxine is exactly the same as the thyroxine that is produced and released by the thyroid gland.

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