Alcohol Tinctures for Dogs: Are They Safe? When & How to Use Them Effectively
Pictured Above: Dog Opening Mouth for Tincture Administration
One of the most common questions I get is:
“Are alcohol-based tinctures safe for dogs?”
The answer isn’t black and white—it depends on the herb, the dog's condition, the dosage, and the method of preparation. Let’s unpack when alcohol tinctures are safe, when they aren’t, and how to use them in a way that supports your dog’s health, not compromises it.
First, let’s clear up some confusion around a common question: do dogs have the enzymes needed to break down alcohol?
Do Dogs Have Alcohol Dehydrogenase?
Yes, dogs do have alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the primary enzyme responsible for metabolizing ethanol (alcohol), just like humans. However, there are some key differences explained below.
What’s True:
Dogs do possess alcohol dehydrogenase and are capable of metabolizing alcohol.
They can process very small amounts of alcohol (like those found in tincture dosages) safely in most healthy individuals.
The liver is still the main organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol in dogs.
What’s Misleading or Misunderstood:
The claim that “dogs lack the enzyme to metabolize alcohol” is an oversimplification or myth. It likely stems from the fact that:
Dogs may have lower levels or different isoforms of alcohol-processing enzymes compared to humans.
They are more sensitive to alcohol toxicity than humans at higher doses.
This doesn’t mean they lack the enzymes entirely—just that their tolerance is lower, so care must be taken with dosage and context.
Pictured Above: Herbal Medicine Making
Why Use Alcohol in Herbal Tinctures for Dogs?
Alcohol is a powerful solvent that extracts a broad spectrum of plant compounds, including:
Water-soluble compounds (like flavonoids and glycosides)
Alcohol-soluble compounds (like alkaloids, resins, and volatile oils)
This means alcohol tinctures are often more potent and fast-acting, which can be beneficial in both acute and chronic situations.
I have used alcohol tinctures successfully in dogs in dire conditions who were given very little time to live by their vet, a month or less. In these situations (as long as it’s not a condition contraindicated with alcohol as listed under the “When Alcohol Tinctures May Be Contraindicated” section below), I’ve recommended substantially larger dosages compared to the amounts I usually recommend, as well as more frequent administrations, and have had seen significant turn arounds and positive outcomes in dogs from doing so.
From over seven years of clinical experience, I’m not opposed to using alcohol tinctures for dogs—provided they’re appropriate for the case and used correctly.
Pictured Above: Fresh Red Clover Macerated in Alcohol Using Traditional Tincture Methods
Key Considerations When Using Alcohol Tinctures for Dogs
The following are seven key considerations for making, sourcing, safely using, and optimizing alcohol tinctures or other herbal extracts for your dog.
A Well-Made Tincture Makes All the Difference
When tinctures are made properly using traditional methods, they typically start with fresh plant material that is macerated immediately (or as soon as possible) after harvest, contributing to a lower alcohol content in the final remedy (after maceration).
If you’re buying herbal remedies rather than making them, check whether the herbalist or manufacturer uses fresh plant material.
Aerial parts (like leaves, stems, and flowers) and roots typically contain 70–90% water. When these are macerated in alcohol, that water gets drawn into the tincture—naturally reducing the final alcohol content.
For example, Chickweed aerial parts contain about 90% water, Dandelion Roots contain approximately 65-75% water.
When making a fresh herb tincture, say 100 proof vodka was be used for extraction, after sitting the maceration for 4-8 weeks, as the water gets drawn out from the plant into the alcohol, only small amounts of alcohol remains.
You may ask why not use a low percentage alcohol, say Brandy, for extraction? Brandy can be used in combination with a higher proof alcohol but it can be risky, as the remaining percentage would be barely above the preservation threshold (about 25% minimum in the final product). This means, any slight error-extra juicy plants- could drop the percentage below safe levels risking mold. And I think we could all agree, mold, in any amount, is something you definitely do not want your dog consuming.
If you go to buy a Chickweed or Cleavers tincture and the maker used dried herb (with the water already removed) instead of fresh herb, the tincture will be significantly higher in alcohol, and contain A LOT less beneficial constituents that you’re wanting when buying a tincture for your dog. For these reasons, a lot of dried herb tinctures can be counterproductive to your pets health.
Side Note: There are some exceptions to assuming fresh herb tinctures are “better”. For example, high resinous herbs like Calendula that are alcohol extracted can have more potent constituents when dried and then extracted, as Resin are hydrophobic, meaning they don’t dissolve well in water. In this case more water and less alcohol can be counterproductive IF you’re looking for a broader range, and more potency, of beneficial constituents. Drying Calendula before macerating removes water, allowing the alcohol to more efficiently pull and preserve those sticky, resinous compounds. Some root and seed tinctures, like Burdock Root and Seed, can also be an exception to using fresh. However, while they contain a broader range of beneficial constituents, the remaining alcohol remains higher than using fresh herbs. See section #4 below for a breakdown of key plant constituents and the best extraction methods for each.
Ultimately, it’s good to know the plant, it’s constituents, and what you’re doing when making a tincture for your dog. Or in the case of buying tinctures for your dog, reading the label, the maker’s website, or asking the maker about their tincture making process.
On top of the fact the alcohol content gets reduced when using fresh herb, you’re not going to give your dog the entire jar of what was made, they’re getting drops containing tiny traces of alcohol in the final remedy when made properly. Which brings us to #2…
2. Tiny Doses = Tiny Alcohol
Tinctures are typically used in very small amounts—usually just 5 to 10 drops per dose for dogs. When diluted in food or water, the alcohol content is negligible—often less than what’s naturally present in ripe fruit or fermented foods, which many dogs consume regularly.
As Paracelsus said,
“The dose makes the poison.”
In the tiny doses used for herbal tinctures, alcohol is not toxic for most dogs. It’s important to keep this in context.
3. Glycerites vs. Alcohol Extracts: Choosing the Right Method
Some claim dogs can’t process alcohol because they lack specific enzymes. While it’s true that some dogs may be sensitive, many do just fine with small, appropriate doses of alcohol tinctures. That said, glycerites can be a better choice in some cases—particularly for puppies, dogs with liver or kidney disease, or those with GI sensitivities.
However, glycerin comes with its own potential issues:
Some dogs experience nausea, diarrhea, or dizziness with glycerites.
Not all constituents extract well in glycerine, meaning the remedy might be less effective depending on the herb.
Pictured Above: Freshly Harvested Herbs
4. Herb Constituents Determine the Best Extraction Method
Understanding why you’re choosing a specific herb matters. Here's a breakdown of which constituents are best extracted with each method:
Best Extracted with Alcohol:
Berberine and other desirable/beneficial Alkaloids (e.g., in Oregon Grape or Burdock Root)
Example: If you’re using Oregon Grape for a dog with yeast overgrowth, Berberine is one of the main beneficial constituents in the herb as far as helping to break down Candida biofilm.
Resins and volatile oils
Example: Resinous plants like Calendula need high alcohol to extract many of its beneficial constituents. Rosemary is high in volatile oils, extremely potent antimicrobials, especially for biofilm-forming bacteria or drug-resistant strains.
Flavonoids
Example: Quercetin, a flavonoid commonly used for environmental allergies and itchy dogs, is far more bioavailable in alcohol tinctures than in glycerites. So with quercetin-containing herbs like Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), to name a few, alcohol tinctures are more effective for dogs in cases like itchiness during peak allergy seasons.
Coumarins (for pain and inflammation)
Example: Red Clover contains coumarins so when used for swollen lymph nodes, chronic and painful skin inflammation, the alcohol tincture shines above other extracts.
Best Extracted with Glycerine or Water:
Mucilage (e.g., marshmallow root, slippery elm, plantain)
Polysaccharides (e.g., from reishi, astragalus, shiitake)
Prebiotic compounds (e.g., in burdock root, chicory)
These compounds are water-soluble and not well extracted in alcohol. If your goal is to soothe mucous membranes—like in respiratory issues, gut lining protection, or urinary tract support—glycerites or teas can be a preferred choice depending on the dog’s individual situation.
5. Absorption and Bioavailability
Alcohol can enhance the absorption of herbal constituents by helping them cross mucous membranes quickly and efficiently. This can make the tincture more effective and faster-acting, especially in acute conditions.
Pictured Above: Herbal Remedies on Shelf
6. Shelf Life and Preservation
Alcohol-based tinctures have a shelf life of 5+ years when made and stored properly.
Glycerites generally last around 1 year before their potency declines.
Apple cider vinegar extracts are another option, but they typically last only 6 months and may not be suitable for dogs with histamine issues or mast cell tumors.
7. Administration Away From Food
When giving your dog an alcohol-based tincture, how you administer it can be just as important as what you’re giving.
Giving tinctures away from food—ideally at least 20–30 minutes before a meal, or at least two hours after a meal—allows the alcohol-soluble constituents to be more efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream rather than being slowed down or degraded in the digestive tract.
According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, when given away from food, alcohol increases bioavailability of flavonoids like quercetin (a popular constituent for itchy dogs) when consumed away from food.
Here’s why tinctures away from food matters:
Maximized Bioavailability (Reduced Interference from Macronutrients): Alcohol carries many of the most potent herbal constituents—like alkaloids, volatile oils, and flavonoids—directly across mucous membranes (in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach lining) into the bloodstream. If given with food, the tincture may get mixed with fats and fibers, delaying, reducing or impeding absorption.
More Precise and Faster Effects: When taken on an empty stomach, the therapeutic compounds reach systemic circulation more directly, which is especially helpful for acute concerns like infections, inflammation, pain, or anxiety. If you’re using herbs for these kinds of fast-acting effects, delivering them away from food ensures better results.
Pictured Above: Dog Getting Tincture Administration Away From Food (on an empty stomach)
Studies in both human and veterinary pharmacology suggest that administering ethanol (alcohol) containing medications on an empty stomach can increase the rate of absorption and peak plasma concentration of active compounds, especially those that are alcohol soluble and poorly water soluble.
Less Gut Competition Especially in Dogs with GI Imbalances: The presence of food means the gut is busy digesting proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. In dogs with GI concerns,—such as dysbiosis, gut inflammation, or IBD—delivering alcohol-extracted constituents away from food can minimize the likelihood of those compounds being metabolized or altered by gut microbes before reaching systemic circulation. When given with food, dogs with GI issues may not be able to assimilate any benefits.
If your dog refuses tinctures on an empty stomach, you can:
Mix the tincture with a small amount of bone broth or water, just enough to entice them without triggering full digestion.
Administer the tincture directly into the mouth via dropper and follow with a treat after a few minutes.
Think of it this way: alcohol-based tinctures are meant to be fast-acting and highly absorbable. To get the full benefit of the herb’s active compounds, give them space to do their job—away from the distractions of a full belly.
When Alcohol Tinctures May Be Contraindicated
While alcohol tinctures are safe for most healthy dogs in proper doses, they should be avoided or used cautiously in the following situations:
Puppies
Liver or kidney failure
Pancreatitis
IBS or gastrointestinal ulcers
Blood in the stool
Histamine intolerance
When alkaloid-rich herbs are used beyond 6–8 weeks
IMPORTANT NOTE: Alkaloid-containing herbs like Oregon grape, burdock root, or self-heal can overstimulate the kidneys if used too long. For dogs I recommend no more than two 8-week rounds per year—typically in Spring and Fall—with at least 8 weeks off in between.
Pictured Above: Preparing Steaming Water
Reducing Alcohol in Tinctures
If you're still concerned about alcohol content, you can:
Add tincture to hot water and let it sit for a few minutes. This helps evaporate much of the alcohol while retaining most active compounds like alkaloids (which are heat-stable).
Note: Volatile oils may dissipate with heat, so this method isn’t ideal for every herb.
Constitutional Considerations: Damp vs. Dry Dogs
Dry dogs (thin coat, dry skin, hard stools) sometimes do better with glycerites.
Damp dogs (yeasty, sluggish, thick saliva, soft stools) often respond better to alcohol extracts.
These are general guidelines from my own clinical observations—always consider the individual dog, their constitution, and current health picture.
Pictured Above: Happy, Healthy Herbal Dog Friends
Final Thoughts: Safe & Thoughtful Use is Key
Alcohol tinctures can be a safe, potent, and extremely effective way to support your dog’s health—when used wisely. The key is not just whether a tincture contains alcohol, but how it’s made, the dose, the dog’s condition, and the specific herb being used.
In my experience, the wide range and potency of beneficial compounds in properly prepared alcohol tinctures, when they’re well-indicated for the individual dog, often outweigh the minimal risks associated with trace alcohol—especially when used thoughtfully and appropriately.
Understanding the chemistry of the plant and the individual dog helps decide the most effective—and safest—remedy.
Consulting with a canine herbalist or holistic veterinarian who can understand your dog as an individual is essential. They can offer herbal recommendations and dosing tailored to your dog’s unique constitution, health status, and specific needs. An experienced practitioner will also be aware of potential contraindications—especially when using alcohol-based tinctures—and can ensure the herbal regimen is both safe and effective by selecting the most appropriate extraction methods.
References
Cowan, D. T., et al. (2005). “Bioavailability of herbal medicinal products.”
Phytotherapy Research, 19(7), 519–525.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1700
Bree, F., & Monteiro-Riviere, N. A. (2004). Permeation enhancers in transdermal drug delivery. In: Guy, R. H., & Hadgraft, J. (Eds.), Transdermal Drug Delivery: Second Edition.
Nielsen, I. L. F., et al. (2006).
Absorption and excretion of flavonoids in humans after consumption of red wine, black tea, or onions.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83(1), 180–185.