Herbal Supplements For Optimum Dog Health

For centuries, humans have turned to the natural world for healing and wellness, and our canine companions can also benefit from the power of herbs. In this blog, we'll explore the fascinating world of herbal remedies for dogs, delving into the best natural herbs to support their health and well-being.

The use of herbs for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years, with evidence of their use found in ancient civilizations worldwide.  So here are 5 completely natural herbs you can use to address different areas of your dog's health. It's important to consult your veterinarian for specific dosages for your dog based on weight and current condition but we will provide general guidance on how you can get started with each herb. Too much of a good thing can also be a bad thing so for each herb we'll also tell you the risk of administering too much of the herb. 

Healthy Coat

Our top pick for this is Oat straw. It’s a great option safe for long term use. Not only does it provide essential nutrients that nourish the skin and promote coat softness, it also supports energy and protects against heart disease.

To use oat straw, add a pinch or a few strands raw to their dog food or you can brew or 2-4 ounces of dried oat straw into a tea. It's a high fibre food so eating too much of it can lead to diarrhoea, so it is best to start with a small dose. 

Bad Breath

Curly parsley is our best herb for smelly breath, it acts as a natural deodoriser and has antibacterial properties to reduce the risk of gum disease. You can garnish their food with up to ½ teaspoon of parsley for every 10 pounds of body weight a few times a week. Be aware too much parsley can cause gastrointestinal issues and some varieties of parsley can be toxic such as spring parsley, flat leaf parsley and Italian parsley so make sure you are using the correct variety. 

Digestive health

Black seed oil is our no.1 pick for digestive health. It can be used to treat diarrhoea, constipation, and generally boost their immune system. We recommend using 1ml per kg of dog weight and you can give it to your pup by mixing the drops into their food.

You can purchase black seed oil here

It is safe to use daily but do be aware too much black seed oil can be hard on your dogs liver so it is important to use in moderation. 

Cognitive Health

As it is for humans, Lions mane is our herb of choice for dogs with behavioural issues or cognitive decline. It supports your dogs cognitive health and has neuroprotective properties to protect and nourish the brain. You can add the extract powder to your dogs food as the taste is mild. We would recommend consulting your supplement provider on a recommended dose as every lions mane supplement is different. For our lions mane we recommend 300mg for every 30pounds of body weight, however do consult your veterinarian

You can purchase lions' mane here

Anxiety

Our best herb to help an anxious pup is Ashwagandha. It’s a natural adaptogen that helps to calm and lower anxiety levels by specifically working on the cortisol levels. Its long been used on dogs and tastes quite bitter so best to mix it with their favourite food.  We suggest using an eighth of a teaspoon per 10kg of your pet’s weight. That’s roughly 250-500mg a day. Start conservatively as too much can cause nausea or stomach discomfort.

You can purchase Ashwagandha Powder here

 

With this guide you can now start to address your pup's health concerns the natural way. There are many other herbs that can safely be used to support other issues so if you have other questions or queries, feel free to comment below or reach out to use to ask us any questions directly.