Premium Whole Food Supplements and Herbal Extracts for Dogs & Cats
We believe every dog & cat deserves to thrive. That's why we provide only the highest-quality, whole food nutritional supplements and herbal extracts using USDA organic ingredients — carefully formulated to support your pet's health at every stage of life.
Filled with descriptions of our whole food supplements and herbal extracts and their uses. Plus customer favorite pet health tips and clients' photos and stories!
Philip is a Master Herbalist having graduated with honors from a leading accredited healthcare college. His specialty and passion is formulating whole food supplements and herbal extracts to nutritionally support dogs and cats. He wholeheartedly believes in a holistic approach to animal wellness, but what makes him so successful at his job is his understanding that there is also a time and place for allopathic veterinary medicine.
Maria has spent most of her life working with dogs. Starting with her work at a premier Afghan kennel as a young woman to her time spent studying canine science in college and later becoming certified in canine nutrition. Maria's knowledge and experience is well recognized having appeared on a popular morning television show and has been a sought-after guest on radio and podcasts. Her latest achievement is becoming an author with her book A Thousand Lifetimes.
Unfortunately, with a cat, we hit a bit of a wall when we deal with food or supplement refusal, and are limited in the change we can create if we cannot get our supplements into the body. It is important to understand the primary reasons for a cat's hesitance surrounding new foods or supplements so we can determine the proper approach to take.
Cats begin to learn what is safe to consume as young kittens from their Mother. After this period, a cat's fear of eating new things is called neophobia, which is a natural, survival-based instinct to avoid potentially harmful or unfamiliar substances. We feel it is important to note that a cat's refusal to try a new supplement is often a symptom of neophobia, not necessarily a dislike of the supplement itself.
Cats can also struggle with illness-induced inappetence, and this is a response by the body to prioritize an immune response to an illness over digestion (digestion is an energy-intensive process). Ultimately, all cats are detectives with a keen sense of smell, able to identify ingredient changes and bacterial differences. This is why we can't always get away with simply moving them right over to a new supplement regimen with the same speed and ease we typically see with dogs.
It takes time for a neophobic cat to accept a new item in their diet, sometimes up to three weeks. This does not at all mean it is impossible to do. It does however mean that for many feline parents, a very dedicated, patient and diligent effort may be required.
We will want to begin a new supplement with an adaptive phase, which is the introduction of something new slowly, gradually increasing at a pace that works for the individual. A cat's senses of smell and taste are closely connected in the brain, meaning scent is crucial for a cat to decide if it will eat something. This behavior may explain why a cat does not return to eat food that has been sitting out for a period as their neophobia instructs them to avoid spoiled or potentially dangerous items.
When introducing powdered supplements to a cat you should begin with the smallest pinch and mix into the meal well. Almost such a small amount it would go unnoticed because it is the scent we have to get past. If, after two days, the small pinch has been tolerated, we increase to a larger pinch for another day or two. If all is well then you would move up to 1/4 the recommended dose of the supplement in the meal for another two to three days slowly increasing the serving size up to the full suggested serving size as your cat adapts.
This same practice applies when using liquid herbal remedies. However, instead of a pinch you would use one drop in the morning meal for two days, then one drop in the morning and evening meal and so on until the proper serving is reached for your size cat.
Of course every single animal is different, and we do not want to interfere with an animal that may be ill from eating their meal all together. Due to a cat’s neophobia we may not want to interfere with their regular meals and instead place their supplement or herbal remedy in a treat food separate and prior to their main meal. This approach is also necessary if you feed your cat a dry, kibble diet (please consider feeding a wet raw or canned diet to your feline - they need the moisture in their diet). When using a treat food provide the smallest amount that works so your cat will completely ingest the food along with the supplement.
Below we offer some suggestions for treat foods into which you mix supplements and herbal remedies. Try a few different choices and find what works best for your cat.
Great Treat Food Choices
Cooked meat rolled into a small ball
Raw meat rolled into a small ball
Bone broth
Goat's milk
Yogurt - preferably organic and sugar-free
Baby food - as natural as possible
Applaws - Consider the mousse or pate for easier mixing.
https://applaws.com/us/
Inaba Churu yogurt type treats (very popular - use in moderation)
https://inabafoods.com/cats/churu/
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, the “good” or “friendly” bacteria that populate the entire digestive tract and play an important role in digestion, nutrient assimilation and immune system function. Unfortunately, many people have been lead to believe that all bacteria are harmful, but the reality is that we live in symbiosis with beneficial bacteria throughout our environment, and arguably the most important being our friendly intestinal bacteria. The average animal, depending on size, can have up to four pounds of bacteria in his body with the majority residing in the digestive tract. Your pet would become very ill or die without the right intestinal bacteria, and unfortunately this actually happens more often than most people realize. Many holistic veterinarians believe that imbalances in intestinal bacteria are a major factor in many of the chronic disorders that we see in our animals today. Our experience with animals leads us to believe this is very true!
I. Why are probiotics referred to as “friendly” bacteria?
Probiotics are referred to as “friendly” because they are a benefit to the body in many important ways, as opposed to pathogenic or “unfriendly” bacteria that can cause illness. II. What are some of the roles probiotics play in the body?
1). Help the digestive tract function properly by producing enzymes that aid digestion and the assimilation of nutrients. 2). Manufacture B vitamins. 3). Help lower cholesterol. 4). Keep levels of pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella and Helicobacter pylori) and pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans) in check by competing for available space and nutrients. In addition, beneficial bacteria produce antibiotic like substances and acidify the intestinal tract by producing lactic acid, both of which inhibit harmful bacteria growth and the toxins they produce. 5). Protect against tooth decay and gum inflammation. 6). Help to maintain a healthy mucous lining (mucosa) in the intestinal tract. This assists in the prevention of bacteria, food particles and toxins from entering the blood stream. The results of a damaged mucosa are often referred to as ‘Leaky Gut Syndrome” which contributes to allergy like symptoms, skin conditions, systemic infections, arthritis and other disease processes. 7). Maintain or increase immune system health. Since 70% of the immune system in animals is found in the gastrointestinal tract, a healthy mucosal lining populated by beneficial bacteria is very important to preventing and fighting infection. In addition, beneficial bacteria are also found in the respiratory system where they help guard the body against invasion by harmful germs. 8). Aid in the absorption of magnesium that is used for hundreds of different functions throughout the body. A magnesium deficiency can result in asthma and migraines and have other dramatic impacts on a person's health. 9). Synthesize vitamin K that is needed to clot the blood and keep bones strong. 10). Manufacture the milk digesting enzyme lactase that is needed to digest most dairy products. III. What are some symptoms of the lack of proper amounts of probiotics?
An imbalance between friendly and unfriendly bacteria in the body plays a role in many of the chronic disorders we see today. Symptoms can include bad breath, diarrhea, constipation, excessive gas, foul smelling stool, allergies, autoimmune disease, skin conditions; poor vitamin K synthesis which can cause blood clotting problems and low bone density; magnesium deficiencies which can lead to asthma, migraines, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, urinary incontinence and other related disorders; B vitamin deficiencies which can lead to lowered blood pressure, abnormal gait, tingling of nerves, lowered uric acid levels and lowered hydrochloric acid levels which can lead to malabsorption issues; irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, dairy intolerance and the overgrowth of harmful bacteria which can lead to frequent vaginal, yeast, bladder and sinus infections. IV. What can reduce levels of probiotics in the body?
Anything that places stress on the body can reduce levels of friendly bacteria. Common causes include poor diet, antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, surgery, medications, acute and chronic diarrhea, chlorinated water, artificial ingredients and preservatives in foods, toxins in food and the environment and stress. V. Who should supplement with probiotics?
Everyone should supplement with probiotics on a continuous basis to ensure that a healthy, viable population of beneficial bacteria are always present in the intestinal tract. Probiotics would be specifically recommended in situations where there are symptoms of imbalance or in which healthy bacterial populations may be adversely affected making your animal susceptible to disease, such as with antibiotic or steroid use. Supplementing with probiotics is easy and safe and a great insurance policy because not only do friendly bacteria decrease naturally in the body as we age, but we and our animals come in contact with so many things in everyday life that reduce healthy intestinal flora. VI. Is it okay to supplement with one type of probiotic?
No, supplementing with one type of probiotic can lead to imbalances within the body. Since different bacteria have different actions an overbalance of one type is not desirable. It is best to take a probiotic supplement with a variety of different species of beneficial bacteria. VII. When during the day should probiotics be provided?
It is thought that certain species of beneficial bacteria flourish in the morning and some at night, so, in a perfect world, splitting daily supplementation into two equal dosages would seem to make the most sense. Also, some species of beneficial bacteria are susceptible to strong stomach acid, so supplementing away from meals, when stomach acid is weakest, may be helpful as well. Though, in recent years probiotic science has come a long way so current probiotic cultures are much more resilient to stomach acid. For this reason, and a matter of convenience, mixing probiotics in with you dog or cat's food is fine. In addition, probiotic formulas, like that found in our Digestive Enzyme and Probiotics or our Daily Multi Plus, provide additional quantities of probiotics to make up for any potential loss during that may occur during digestion. VIII. Is yogurt good enough?
Unfortunately yogurt, especially commercial supermarket brands, is not a good source of beneficial bacteria. Many yogurt products do not contain living organisms and if they do, only in small amounts and a narrow range of beneficial organisms. In addition, they acidify over time killing bacteria so there is very little healthy bacterial content when they get to you. Natural, organic yogurt can be better, but using a probiotic supplement containing billions of viable healthy bacteria is preferable. IX. What about foods or other products marketed as containing probiotics?
Unfortunately this is more marketing, maybe with good intentions, than benefit for your animal. Pasteurization is a process in which a product is heated to 145 degrees or higher (depending on the pasteurization process) to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Pet foods are heated to a much higher degree during their processing effectively killing all bacteria, good and bad. To make up for this loss of friendly bacteria manufacturers add some in after processing, but because of exposure to oxygen and room temperature or higher during storage and delivery of the foods the potency of the probiotics is basically destroyed. This is kind of similar to the addition of fish oils to processed pet foods; heat and oxygen oxidize the healthy oils but even worse, carcinogenic compounds are also formed! Just for your information – the salmonella poisoning that has occurred from processed pet food is because of recontamination after processing. Remember (see ‘roles probiotics play in the body’ above) that one of the roles of beneficial bacteria is to keep the growth of undesirable bacteria in check. So, when pet food is heated effectively killing all bacteria and is recontaminated afterward with pathogenic bacteria, these potentially harmful bacteria thrive unchecked and can reach populations that can sicken and kill an animal! So much for being concerned with raw food where thriving populations of beneficial bacteria keep pathogenic bacteria levels in check! X. What are some examples of beneficial bacteria?
Examples of beneficial bacteria include various species of Lactobacillus, Acidophilus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium and even beneficial yeast like Saccharomyces cerevisiae. XI. What is the suggested dosage of probiotics?
Because probiotics are not drugs, but living organisms, precise dosages are not so important. A typical daily dosage for a 150lb person (get the percentage of the adult dose by dividing your animal’s weight by 150) is 3-5 billion live organisms. Actual live count varies dramatically so make sure you purchase a reputable brand from a responsible retailer! XII. Should probiotics be refrigerated?
Yes, when you get the probiotic supplement home place it in the refrigerator to maintain the viability of the beneficial bacteria. Products that contain bacteria in a theoretically stabilized form and are marketed as not having to be refrigerated will have a longer viability if refrigerated when you get them home, especially after they are opened. In addition to heat, bacteria are also sensitive to oxygen and moisture so close the container quickly when you are done and make sure your hands are dry when handling. XIII. How should a probiotic supplement be provided?
The preferable way to provide a probiotic supplement is in powder form. The reason for this is that if you use a tablet or capsule you are restricting benefits to the bowels (the small and large intestines). By supplementing with a powder you will be benefiting the entire digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Capsules may of course be opened and the contents emptied onto your animal’s food or placed into a small glass of water for human consumption. XIV. Why do probiotics sometimes cause nausea or vomiting?
When the health of an animal has been compromised for some time, things can start out worse before they get better. This process is sometimes referred to as “cleansing” or a “healing crisis”. Experiencing digestive upset with probiotic use is most likely caused by the feeding of poor quality commercial pet food that is hard to break down and digest. Consequently, it moves slowly through the intestines allowing some fecal plaque to adhere to your dog’s intestinal walls. Once it gets a toehold, it thickens over time. Even fairly young animals can experience some blockage as a result of this build up. Probiotics will slowly begin to dissolve the fecal matter, and during this clearing/cleansing process, pathogens and microbes that were covered up with layers of fecal matter will be exposed and can cause episodes of diarrhea or vomiting. Depending on the buildup, it may take a few months before it is completely removed. To help restore your animal’s health and happiness we suggest a healthier, more digestible diet and reducing the dosage of probiotics to a level tolerated by your animal, building back up gradually as your animal begins to feel better. Also, a good fiber supplement with psyllium seed will help clear away the debris in your animal’s intestinal tract. XV. Should a probiotic supplement be provided when using antibiotics?
Of course! Antibiotics kill friendly bacteria along with pathogenic bacteria. The colonies of beneficial bacteria must be maintained or populations of undesirable bacteria will flourish once the antibiotics are discontinued. This can result in the epidemic symptoms we see today ranging from itchy skin conditions to frequent infections to digestive problems as well as a population explosion of normally benign candida yeast that live throughout the body. When using antibiotics, supplement with probiotics at least two hours after the treatment and when the antibiotic treatment is complete double or triple the probiotic dosage for 7-10 days.
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Animal Digest Related to meat by-products, being the dry or liquid by-product of the meat rendering process, and not fit for human consumption. The origin of the ingredients is unknown and can include zoo animals, road kill, what's often referred to as 4-D livestock (dead, diseased, disabled, dying) and even euthanized dogs and cats. This is a low-cost ingredient with little nutritional value and is not very digestible, usually being added to pet food as a palatability enhancer.
Artificial Colors Added to food to make it more attractive to consumers. Generally, carnivores do not care about the color of their food (though it does play a role in human and bird behavior) because the flavor of food is largely determined by two senses, olfactory (odor) and gustatory (taste). Can be linked with liver and kidney problems, digestive disorders, aggravating behavioral disorders as well as increasing the risks of various cancers and tumors. Ex. FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Red No. 40.
Artificial Flavors A substance developed in a laboratory by a flavor chemist that mimics a natural flavor. These substances can often be quite powerful and are often designed to encourage over-eating or the consumption of items that would not be eaten under normal circumstances. Can be linked with liver and kidney problems, digestive disorders, aggravating behavioral disorders as well as increasing the risks of various cancers and tumors. Ex. Anything that gets carnivores to eat a corn or grain-based diet with a white powder of synthetic vitamins and think they are eating food.
By-Products Consist mainly of animal parts that are the waste or by-products of the human food industry and are therefore not fit for human consumption; includes bones, organs, blood, fatty tissue and intestines. In the case of meat by-products this could include zoo animals, road kill, what's often referred to as 4-D livestock (dead, diseased, disabled, dying) and even euthanized dogs and cats. Some by-products that identify the species, such as chicken by-products, may come from adequate sources, but it's simply too hard to know what exactly is included in by-products, especially since these unwanted animal parts may contain unhealthy bacteria or even parts from cancerous animals.
Chemical Preservatives Such as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin and propylene glycol, which can be linked with liver and kidney problems, digestive disorders, aggravating behavioral disorders as well as increasing the risks of various cancers and tumors.
Fillers Fillers are ingredients that have little to no nutritional benefit. These ingredients are added to provide bulk to the kibble, replace meat as a low-cost protein source or for other reasons such as adding bulk to form a firm stool. Fillers include ingredients such as peanut and soy hulls, brewers rice, cellulose, wheat or soy gluten, dried beet pulp, grains and glutens.
Grain Fractions These are parts of the grain, usually after the healthy or useful stuff has been taken out for use in the human food chain. May include floor sweepings and other byproducts of the human food industry and are considered nutritionally inferior to whole grains because parts such as the germ, that is rich in fatty acids and essential nutrients that can go rancid quickly, has been removed. Ex. Wheat flour, wheat bran and brewers rice.
Grain Splitting Listing two or more grain ingredients from the same source separately. Primarily done to allow meat ingredients to be placed higher on the ingredient panel leading consumers to believe there are more meat ingredients than grain. Ex. ground yellow corn and corn gluten meal instead of just corn.
Low or Poor Quality Protein Carnivores require their protein to come from high-quality meat sources. This includes species specified sources such as chicken or high protein species specified sources such as chicken meal (although the quality of meal sources is very important; less expensive foods will generally have poorer sources). If the first ingredient is listed as a meat source (manufacturers are learning to do this to influence consumers) followed by several grains, this generally means that the bulk of the protein is being derived from grains and is not optimal for the health of your dog, cat or ferret. For healthy lean muscle development and maintenance as well as recovery from injury and proper immune system function, we like to see protein, from primarily or entirely meat sources, of 30% in kibble foods and 8% in canned foods (because of canned foods higher moisture content this would work out to a 36% dry matter protein level in the average canned food).
Not Human-Grade If it isn’t specifically listed anywhere you can rest assured the ingredients in the bag are not fit for human consumption and that means they can be almost anything! This can include rendered meats from road kill, dead zoo animals, euthanized pets (yes, the drug sodium pentobarbital has been found in pet foods), spoiled meat from the supermarket (styrofoam wrap and all), the “4-D’s” of cattle (dead, dying, diseased and disabled), rancid restaurant grease (yes, those drums you see sitting outside restaurants) and byproducts of the human food industry such as chicken heads, feet, feathers and intestines, cow brains, tongues, esophagi, fetal tissue dangerously high in hormones, diseased and cancerous meat and even feces. Grains that are used have usually been deemed unfit for human consumption because of mold, contaminants, poor quality or poor handling practices and this can be made more obvious by the fact that many pet food recalls are the result of toxic grain products such as wheat or corn. In addition, many of these foods can include undesirable chemical preservatives used to preserve fats and rendering products and are not required to be listed on the label because the manufacturer themselves have not added them.
Non-Species Specified Fats Usually comes from rancid restaurant grease. This grease sits in the back of restaurants sometimes for weeks and is then stabilized with powerful chemical antioxidants to prevent further spoilage. These fats are then often sprayed directly onto kibble to make an otherwise distasteful product more palatable to your carnivore. Concerns include the belief that these rancid fats become extremely carcinogenic and are extremely difficult for animals to digest, which can lead to a host of health problems for your companion such as diarrhea, gas, bad breath and other digestive problems. Ex. animal fat.
Non-Species Specified Ingredients When the species of an ingredient is not specified you can be pretty sure that it is not fit for human consumption and you can never really be sure of the source. May include the rendered remains of zoo animals, road kill, what's often referred to as 4-D livestock (dead, diseased, disabled, dying) and even euthanized dogs and cats. Ingredients in which the sources are named, such as chicken meal, chicken fat or salmon oil, are generally going to be of a higher quality although sources vary, as do manufactures and copackers! Ex. meat meal, bone meal, fish oil and animal fat.
Too Many Grains Grains are typically used as low cost fillers, low cost, inferior protein sources, fiber sources, sweeteners and binders. Carnivores such as canines, felines and ferrets need very little to no grains in their diet. Think of their evolutionary and natural eating patterns. They may get some grain, predigested, from the stomach of their prey. That’s it! Not only do grains very often cause digestive and food sensitivity problems, in addition, carnivores cannot derive adequate protein from plant sources such as grains.
