You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Charcoal is an interesting substance which is capable of absorbing gases and toxins that come into contact with it, so charcoal has been used in filters for many years...but does it have any health benefits

Charcoal consist of carbon and it is produced by burning wood or other organic (carbon containing) substances in the absence of air. It has been administered to humans and animals for many years as a remedy for gastrointestinal and other disorders.  

In 1826 Edward White in "A Treatise on Veterinary Medicine" described Charcoal thus :

" A charcoal poultice has been recommended as an application to the heels when affected with grease, with a view, perhaps, to destroy the offensive smell of the matter discharged from the heels".  This was referring to the treatment of horses and farm animals.

In 1888  T.Lauder Brunton in "Disorders of Digestion - Their Consequences and Treatment" described the use of charcoal in humans with flatulance (wind) - but he cast doubt on the mechanism involved because charcoal loses it's absorptive powers when it is wet, as it would be in the stomach. 

In the Veterinary Formulary 4rd Edition 1998  (Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and British Veterinary Association) charcoal is classified as an "adsorbant" and several preparations are listed with clinical indications for the management of non-specific diarrhoea. It is also mentioned that charcoal may be able to adsorb toxins such as those produced by bacteria such as E.coli.

According to Murdoch (Canine Medicine and Therapeutics 3rd Edition 1991) there is no scientific  evidence that charcoal is beneficial in the treatment of diarrhoea. 

Confused ? So is Provet !! SO Provet is currently conducting a review of the literature to see if there is any good scientific evidence for the proposed benefits. The results will be published on this web site. 

In the meantime Provet's advice is  : Do not rely exclusively on charcoal as a treatment for gastrointestinal problems in pets. Seek the advice of your veterinarian.

If you know of any scientific references on the clinical use of charcoal please send details to feedback@provet.co.uk

Thank you.

Updated October 2013