Is Yucca Schidigera Extract Poisonous to Dogs?

Whether you’ve seen Yucca schidigera extract(YSE) on your puppy’s pet food ingredient list or you’ve read about it somewhere, there’s no denying that it’s becoming an increasingly popular pet food ingredient, and you may be wondering what yucca extract is. Yucca schidigera is said to have been used for centuries as a native American herb to treat arthritis and other ailments. So, how did it get into pet food? And most importantly, is it poisonous to dogs? Here’s what pet parents need to know about this natural ingredient.

What is yucca schidigera extract in dog food?

Yucca schidigera, also known as the Mojave yucca or Spanish dagger, is an evergreen shrub or tree that grows in desert regions across the United States and northern Mexico.  Its leaves are oblong and spine-tipped, with flowers that vary in color from white to green. This plant is a natural anti-inflammatory that can lower cholesterol and reduce fecal odors from your pet’s stool. It can also help with arthritis and improve joint health. Yucca schidigera extract has a long history of medicinal use, it has been used for centuries as a Native American herbal medicine to treat dandruff, headaches, and joint pain. It also been found in some dog foods and supplements to treat many health conditions in animals for years. Some pet food companies add yucca extract to their recipes as a way to help reduce the odor of pet stools, which can improve the appeal of the food. It helps control the odor of urine and feces because it alters the production of hydrogen sulfide in the gut. This is because yucca helps to change the chemical breakdown of the dog’s urine and feces before they exit the body, which can make them less likely to smell.

Yucca root extract powder is an effective supplement that can help dogs with inflammation and joint pain, stiffness in joints and swelling issues. It is rich in natural steroidal saponins and polyphenols, including resveratrol. These compounds have been found to act as a natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-stress agent in the body. They can also lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the body’s ability to absorb bile acids. It is also beneficial to your pet’s digestion, which increase the absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract, such as protein, vitamins and minerals.

The yucca schidigera saponins have also been found to inhibit gram-positive bacteria, stabilizing the fermentation process in the large intestine and reducing ammonia levels in the urine, which can improve the hygiene of your pet’s litter box. This ingredient lowers ammonia production and reduces hydrogen sulfide in the gastrointestinal tract, which can contribute to smelly feces. The phytosaponin dissolves body wastes and toxins in the gut transforming them into a solution that can be easily eliminated from the system.  Some people experience discomfort when the dissolved body wastes and toxins are partially reabsorbed back into their bodies, but this generally only lasts a few days.  It also reduces the odor of urine and feces, The saponins in yucca schidigera also thicken the intestinal mucosa and inhibit viruses and harmful bacteria from absorbing digestive tract nutrients.  It can reduce blood ammonia concentration, preventing neurological disorders in dogs.

Is Yucca Schidigera Extract Poisonous?

In most cases, the whole yucca plant is considered poisonous to dogs because of the steroidal saponins it contains, which can cause intestinal irritation and central nervous system effects in large doses. These side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. What about yucca schidigera extract? You can completely dispel this concern because the dosage of yucca schidigera extract in dog food is appropriate and meets pet food standards. Adding a small amount of it to your dog’s diet is safe and benificial, but noting it should be given in small amounts and is best used as a supplement rather than a food ingredient.