We have had numerous discussions with clients looking for an alternative to chemical tick products for their dogs and cats. We haven’t had a great alternative until we developed this herbal formula. Our Tick Protection tincture is comprised of USDA organic herbs with a rich history of safe and effective use. This herbal tincture will help to support the body's natural protections against external parasites* while at the same time supporting the body's natural antimicrobial protections and an efficiently functioning immune system* to further protect your dog or cat.
Our Tick Protection tincture is very easy to provide to your animal. Just add to a small amount of special food or squirt directly in your pet's food dish.
Tick Protection can make a safer alternative to chemical treatments by providing your dog or cat with three levels of protection:
1). The herb neem has a long and rich history of safe usage, especially in its native country India. More and more research is being done on this extraordinary herb that has a very promising future. Studies show that ticks exposed to neem stop feeding and when combined with garlic can dramatically reduce the number of tick's that attach and feed on your dog. In addition, it has been shown that ticks exposed to neem do not reproduce. This can contribute to a reduction in the tick population on your property.
2). Some species of ticks can be more of a problem than others so we also include the powerful antimicrobial herbs thyme and oregano to provide a second line of defense to further support immune function. If microbes from a tick bite do make it into your pet's blood stream, they will have to face herbal constituents with powerful antimicrobial effects circulating in the blood and ready to support the body's natural defenses to eliminate any threats before they have a chance to become a real problem. Studies have indicated that constituents in thyme and oregano are effective against the bacteria that cause tickborne illnesses.
3). Astragalus and cat's claw are two herbs that enhance immune system function. We feel getting Lyme disease or another tick related illness is often related to a poorly functioning immune system. The immune system is your animal's primary line of defense against invading organisms, and when it is not functioning optimally your pet is more likely to become ill. The herbs in Tick Protection will support the ability of your dog or cat's immune system to function at peak efficiency* for the entire tick season in your area.
A personal story of our experience with topical pesticide treatments...
I will never forget the first, and last, time we used a topical pesticide product. It was on our first dog, Joshua, 25 years ago. As young adults in our new home we were desperate, and like way too many people, thought a topical pesticide product was our only option. We squeezed out the little tube between his shoulder blades and within seconds he began to convulse. We frantically called our veterinarian who told us to try Dawn dish washing detergent (which we fortunately had at the time) and put him in the tub to scrub off the chemicals. It worked and in a short time the seizures stopped. We were lucky enough to have a good outcome to this almost tragedy, but many pet parents are not so lucky. The chemicals in topical flea and tick products can be very dangerous, and even if you do not have an acute episode as we did, the damage can be more insidious over time by damaging your pet's liver and kidneys along with toxicity issues can that can damage the brain and the heart and lead to a greater susceptibility to illness.
The recent concerns by the FDA with grain-free diets contributing to cardiomyopathy is misguided in our opinion. However, the connection that can be drawn between the neurotoxic chemicals in flea and tick pesticides and heart failure in our pets is really something that should be looked into more thoroughly. There is one thing virtually every one of our heart failure clients has in common and that is the use of chemical flea and tick treatments or collars.
Active Ingredients per ml
A proprietary blend of USDA ORGANIC extracts (1:4)...250mg
Neem leaf (Azadiracta indica), Garlic (Allium sativum) Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus), Cat's Claw bark (Unacaria tomentosa), Thyme herb (Thymus vulgaris), Oregon Grape Root (Mahonia aquifolium) and Cayenne (Capsicum annuum).
Inactive Ingredients: Distilled water, alcohol *Please note that this is our only herbal extract that uses alcohol.
About the Organic Herbs in this Formula
Neem Leaf - Studies show that ticks stop feeding after contact with neem. The inclusion of this herb in our formula will promote plant chemicals in the skin to help prevent the time that a tick needs to transmit disease to your pet.
Garlic - Provides sulphur compounds that fleas and ticks find offensive thereby reducing your pet's attractiveness as a food source along with numerous cardiovascular and benefiicial nutritive properties.
Astragalus Root - An adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress while also strengthening immune system function and resistance to disease.
Cat's Claw Bark - An effective immune boosting herb with antimicrobial and blood cleansing attributes.
Thyme Herb - A powerful antimicrobial herb with infection fighting qualities.
Oregon Grape Root - One of the strongest antimicrobial herbs against broad spectrum microorganisms. Studies have shown that its berberine content has shown supportive action against various insect related infections.
Cayenne - Encourages healthy circulation especially to the extremities. This will help bring the beneficial properties of this formula to all areas of the body.
Provide 1 ml per 50 lbs of animal weight every morning (max 3 ml daily). Mix with special food/treat separate from meal when possible for better absorption or mix directly into food. Start giving 2 weeks before tick season begins (when possible). Give two doses, morning and evening, for the first week. Discontinue use at end of tick season in your area.
Shake well before using.
Since this is not a medication, dosages do not have to be exact. Do the best you can to get as close to the suggested dosage below as you can for your animal’s weight.
| Pet Weight | Dosage |
|---|---|
| 0 - 5 lbs | 3 - 4 drops |
| 6 - 16 lbs | 1/4 ml |
| 17 - 26 lbs | 1/2 ml |
| 27 - 36 lbs | 3/4 ml |
| 37 - 50 lbs | 1 ml |
| 51 - 75 lbs | 1 1/2 ml |
| 76 - 100 lbs | 2 ml |
| 101 - 125 lbs | 2 1/2 ml |
| 126 - 150 lbs | 3 ml |
Does this herbal formula have any contraindications?
This herbal extract does not have any contraindications for dogs and cats when used according to our serving suggestions and frequency.
Is this herbal extract safe for my dog or cat?
All of our herbal formulas have been developed by a certified Master Herbalist with years of educational training and over 20 years of experience creating herbal extracts for dogs and cats. The safe use of herbs and plant extracts has a long history dating back thousands of years, while modern pharmaceutical drugs - mass-produced, chemically synthesized medications - have only experienced widespread acceptance since the mid 1900’s.
Does this herbal formula actually work?
We wouldn’t be in business for the last two decades with thousands of positive reviews if our herbal formulas didn’t work for dogs and cats. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that results can vary as all animals are individuals with different diets, lifestyles and nutritional needs. If your pet is fed a processed kibble pet food, receives excessive booster vaccines every year, flea and tick pesticide treatments every month, is currently using, or has used, a variety of prescription medications, experiencing the benefits of an herbal remedy may require a little more effort.
What is the correct dosage?
The general serving size of our herbal extracts for dogs and cats is one ml (using the provided graduated dropper) per 25 lbs of animal weight at a frequency of 2-3 times daily. Detailed information with a servings chart can be found under the Instructions tab on this product page.
Can this herbal extract be used alongside prescription medications?
Generally, the answer to this question is “yes” with some caveats. First, see if there are any contraindications listed in the FAQs question above. Next, we suggest that herbal formulas are given at least two hours away from medications to avoid the potential for interactions. Lastly, since herbs can have a similar effect on the body as a medication prescribed by your veterinarian, your vet should monitor your dog or cat to see if the dosage of any medication needs to be adjusted lower. Don’t adjust the dosages of a medication your pet is using without your vet’s supervision.
Are their potential side effects?
While this herbal extract is very well tolerated by the majority of dogs and cats, a very small percentage of users may experience mild stomach upset or nausea if they are sensitive to an ingredient in the formula just like they may with any new food. These effects are rare and typically stop shortly after you discontinue use. If your pet has a history of being more sensitive, we recommend starting with 1/4 of the suggested serving size to see how your pet reacts before using the full suggested serving. If your dog or cat does display symptoms of nausea, don’t panic, just discontinue the herbal extract and allow time for your pet’s stomach to settle.
Are the herbs used in your herbal formulas organic?
Yes, all of the herbs used in our formulas are certified USDA organic. There is a significant additional expense in using USDA organic herbs compared with conventional herbs. However, we feel this is important to get the highest quality herbs from organic farms and suppliers we trust without the potential for contamination with pesticides and herbicides. As far as I am aware, we are the only pet supplement company that uses 100% USP organic glycerin and USDA organic herbs in their herbal formulas for dogs and cats.
How do I store this herbal formula?
Our herbal extracts can be stored out of direct sunlight and away from heat on the kitchen countertop or in a cabinet. Refrigeration can be used if the extract is going to be stored for a longer period of time because it can extend the shelf life, but it is not necessary.
Does the herbal extract have an expiration date?
The "Best by" date can be found on the bottom of the bottle using a label. If the label falls off feel free to contact us and we will know from your order date what the “Best by” date is.
How long does it usually take to see results?
Generally, you should start noticing some sort of results within a few days. Continue providing the herbal extract to your dog or cat for at least one month to get a good idea as to whether this particular herbal formula is working for your pet. The answer to this question will be influenced by two considerations. The first is the vitality and lifestyle of the dog or cat. Some animals have a stronger vitality and therefor a better response to herbal extracts. Some dogs and cats also have better diets and less exposure to toxins and chemicals from over-vaccination or medications.
Another consideration is whether you have selected the correct herbal formula for your dog or cat. If you don’t see improvement in a month’s time please contact us at support@thephnc.com so we can discuss what you are trying to accomplish and make sure you have the correct herbal extract or other supplement.
Lastly, let me mention that herbal extracts are not pharmaceutical drugs that have a dramatic affect on the body. What we are trying to accomplish with our herbal formulas and other supplements is to provide nutritional support for weak organs/systems and this can take a little time to accomplish in some cases. Also, as I alluded to earlier, diet and lifestyle play a huge role in the health of your dog or cat. If you continue to feed a poor-quality, processed diet, provide repetitive booster vaccinations or use chemical flea/tick products, these will work against what we are trying to accomplish and make it more difficult to improve the health of your companion. This is because all of the aforementioned place additional stress on the liver, kidneys and immune system instead of allowing the body to focus its energy on restoring balance.
What if my pet is not responding as hoped?
If your dog or cat is not responding to the herbal formula as hoped, then you may increase the herbal extract serving size by 50% and monitor the results. You can also increase the frequency up to three times daily. Reduce back to the lowest effective serving size and frequency as your pet’s condition improves. Feel free to contact us at support@thephnc.com so we can offer you more advice. Our goal is for you to succeed and we will help you to the best of our abilities.
What if I have a large dog and/or on a budget?
We understand that providing a large animal with herbal remedies and natural supplements can be a financial burden. We would suggest to provide what is within your budget and see how that works. For example, if you have a 100 lb dog that would require 5 mls of an herbal extract two to three times daily, figure what is within your budget and try that. It may only be 1 ml or 2 mls two times per day. However, in our experience this is preferable to avoiding the herbal formula entirely.
What if my vet is not receptive to a more holistic approach using herbal extracts or natural supplements?
Unfortunately, this is a fairly common occurrence. Try telling your vet that you respect their knowledge and experience but would like to incorporate a more natural approach into your pet's care. If this doesn’t work, and your vet is still unreceptive, then finding a veterinarian that shares your holistic philosophy may be appropriate. Some resources that may help in your search include: American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) or the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).