Colloidal silver is not a proven treatment for dogs. Silver does have real antibacterial properties, and veterinarians use silver-containing wound dressings, but there is little good evidence that colloidal silver sprays or drops cure infections, and giving it by mouth over time can cause side effects such as argyria (a permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin and gums). If you use it at all, keep it to minor surface scrapes and let your vet treat anything more serious.
Many dog owners swear by colloidal silver for all kinds of ailments, while others are skeptical. Below, we look at what it is, what the science actually says, how to use it more safely, and five popular products.
What Is Colloidal Silver and how does it help your dog?
Owing to its antibacterial properties, silver has been used to treat various ailments for centuries. Silver utensils and goblets were used in the middle ages for their germicidal properties. Even today, silver is used in medical wound dressings, cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and many industrial products.
Colloidal silver is simply tiny particles of silver suspended in water. Before modern antibiotics arrived, it was used in medicine to fight infection. Today, some dog owners use it for anything from diarrhea or goopy eyes to cut paws and ear infections.
Even though some owners treat it as a cure-all, it is better to be cautious and informed about the safety and effectiveness of colloidal silver before introducing it to your dog. Eye problems, ear infections and diarrhea all have causes that need a proper diagnosis.
Better safe than sorry, right?
Does Colloidal Silver Work For Dogs?
The honest answer is that it’s unproven. Popularity and sales figures aren’t evidence, and there are no good-quality clinical trials showing that colloidal silver treats infections or illness in dogs.
What laboratory research does show is how silver acts on bacteria:
- Silver ions enter bacterial cells and disrupt their respiration and metabolic pathways
- Once the silver is inside the cell, it can damage DNA and stop the cell from replicating
In the lab, silver can also help break down the protective biofilms that bacteria form on surfaces. That’s why silver is used in some professional wound dressings. But killing bacteria in a dish is not the same as curing an infection in a living dog, and the amount of silver in an over-the-counter spray is very different from a medical dressing.
Here are the uses colloidal silver is commonly promoted for, and what you should know about each:
- Minor wounds, scrapes and burns: the most reasonable use, applied to the skin, but deep or infected wounds need a vet
- Bacterial infections such as E. coli: no proof it works inside the body; real infections need proper diagnosis and treatment
- Conjunctivitis and eye discharge: don’t put anything in your dog’s eyes that your vet hasn’t approved
- Yeast and fungal skin problems such as ringworm: ringworm is contagious to people and needs proven antifungal treatment
- Rashes and skin inflammation: these often have an underlying cause, such as allergies or parasites, that silver won’t fix
- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: silver kills some resistant bacteria in lab tests, but that doesn’t make it a substitute for treatment
You should not trust colloidal silver for everything. Every dog is different, and so is every ailment. Always consult a trusted vet before you decide to go this way, and never use it in place of treatment your vet has prescribed.
So, Is Colloidal Silver Safe For dogs?
Used briefly on the skin, colloidal silver is unlikely to harm most dogs. Swallowed regularly, it’s a different story, and most vets advise against oral use.
Silver is a “transition metal” on the periodic table, like iron, zinc and copper. But unlike those, silver is not a nutrient: the body has no use for it, and it can build up in tissues over time. In people, the U.S. FDA has stated that colloidal silver products are not recognized as safe and effective for treating any disease.
Taken by mouth, silver can also kill helpful gut bacteria along with harmful ones, which may upset your dog’s digestion.
Prolonged or high-dose oral use has been linked to the following problems:
- Argyria: permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin, gums and eyes
- Alteration of liver enzymes and other liver issues
- General sluggishness, lethargy, and malaise
- Kidney problems
- Interference with how some medications, such as certain antibiotics and thyroid drugs, are absorbed
- Neurological problems such as tremors and seizures in severe cases
These problems are linked to prolonged, unnecessary use. To keep risk low, use it only on the skin, for a few days at a time, and stop if irritation appears. Call your vet if a wound is deep, swollen, hot, smelly or oozing, if your dog is lethargic or off their food, or if a problem hasn’t improved within a couple of days, as these signs point to an infection that needs proper treatment.
5 safe and effective colloidal silver products for dogs
If you do decide to try colloidal silver for minor skin issues, here is our list of the best colloidal silver for dogs. Note that the health claims below are the manufacturers’ own and haven’t been confirmed by clinical studies in dogs:
At a glance
5 picks, each best at something different
Check priceBest Overall
Vet Recommended Colloidal Silver
4.9
Check priceBest Hypoallergenic
Sovereign Silver Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol
4.8
Check priceeasy absorption
Institut Katharos Colloidal Silver Spray
4.3
Check priceBest Effectiveness
Silver Guard Enhanced Colloidal Silver
4.8
Check priceBest Value
Silver Holistics Colloidal Silver
4.7
1Vet Recommended Colloidal Silver
This Colloidal silver spray by the brand Vet Recommended consists of 98% positively charged silver compared to 10% positively charged silver by other brands. According to the brand, this is why their 10 ppm solution can match sprays with a higher ppm but less charged silver. This spray is made from 0.8 nm particles of 99.999% pure silver suspended in pharmaceutical-grade purified water.
Spray this colloidal silver externally on minor scrapes and cuts or on a hot spot. The label also mentions oral use, but we’d stick to topical use unless your vet advises otherwise.
What we like: The fine spray makes it easy to apply to small areas of skin.
Pros
- 98% positively charged silver
- Ideal for dogs with dry skin
- More practical than a colloidal silver cream
Cons
- Comes in PET bottles, whereas non-leaching glass bottles are better
2Sovereign Silver Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol
This silver hydrosol by Sovereign Silver is made by suspending 0.8 nm of 99.999% pure silver ions in pharmaceutical-grade purified water. The silver particles are 98% positively charged, and the consistency of the solution is 10 ppm.
The greatest benefit of the product is that it’s vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and allergen-free. The brand markets it for daily immune support, although there’s no solid evidence that colloidal silver boosts immunity or relieves allergies in dogs.
The quality and safety of the product are NASC compliant. The amber-colored glass bottle ensures maximum quality and stability of the product so that your dog is always treated with the best.
What we like: This silver hydrosol is the only product that is vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Pros
- 0.8 nm particles for easy absorption
- NASC-certified quality and safety
- Amber-colored glass bottles maintain the quality of the solution
Cons
- Does not offer hot spot treatment for skin infections and other ailments of the eyes and ears
3Institut Katharos Colloidal Silver Spray
According to the listing, the Institut Katharos Colloidal Silver Spray contains just two ingredients: ultrapure water and silver at a 40 ppm concentration. It comes in a 1 fl oz amber glass spray bottle, so you can mist a small amount onto a minor scrape without touching it.
The brand says its concentration and water purity are checked by three independent laboratories, with the lab certificates published on its website, and that the product is prepared and packed in France. A free e-book about colloidal silver is included. Note that this spray is sold for people rather than pets, so check with your vet before using it on your dog, and keep it away from the eyes and ears unless your vet says otherwise.
What we like: The spray bottle makes it easy to apply a thin layer to a small area.
Pros
- 40 ppm concentration
- Only water and silver, no fillers
- Amber glass spray bottle
- Lab certification available on the brand’s website
Cons
- Small 1 fl oz bottle
- Not made specifically for pets
4Silver Guard Enhanced Colloidal Silver
The Silver Guard Enhanced Colloidal Silver is the only product with a 30 ppm concentration. It consists of 99.99% pure silver and is free from any kind of fillers, chemicals, proteins, and binding agents. Since the particles are 0.5 to 2 nanometres in size, this spray achieves maximum effect with a lower dosage and is economical in the long run.
The brand markets it for the whole family, including kids and pets. It can be sprayed on cuts, minor burns, and other skin problems. The manufacturer also says it can be used in misters, nebulizers and diffusers, but we don’t recommend having your dog breathe in silver particles unless your vet specifically advises it.
What we like: The higher concentration means a little goes a long way on minor skin issues.
Pros
- 30 ppm concentration
- 0.5-2 nm particles make low dosage possible
- Suitable for pets as well as children
Cons
- Doesn't spread as well as spray bottles
5Silver Holistics Colloidal Silver
The Silver Holistics Colloidal Silver is a 10 ppm concentration solution made from 99.999 % pure silver. It is marketed for immune support and reducing inflammation, though, as with all colloidal silver, those claims aren’t backed by clinical studies in dogs. It is free from stabilizers, preservatives, and added salts.
It’s the complete package with a 4 oz blue-tinted glass spray bottle and a 16 oz large glass bottle with a free dropper, making for an excellent refilling option.
What we like: Great value for money as it offers a free dropper and a 16 oz blue-tinted glass bottle for refilling purposes.
Pros
- Comes with a spray bottle and a refill bottle
- Blue-tinted glass bottles
- Suitable for adults, pets, and children
Cons
- Solution concentration is just 10 ppm
Conclusion – use colloidal silver with caution
Our dogs deserve the best in every aspect of their lives, and it’s tempting to reach for a cheap, natural-sounding fix. Colloidal silver may have a small place for minor skin scrapes, but it is not a substitute for veterinary care.
Keep it on the outside of your dog, use it for short periods only, and avoid giving it by mouth or putting it in the eyes without your vet’s approval. If an ailment refuses to go away, that’s a sign your dog needs a proper diagnosis, not more silver.
