Some of our blends are made more for acute situations, some for chronic and there are some that can cross over into both! In both, feeding your dog their remedies is all about consistency which is important but what consistency means for both is different. Let’s break it down..
Acute: With acute conditions we normally want to feed remedies multiple times a day to make sure there is a constant amount of herbs running through our dogs body to help halt the condition in its tracks so we can help bring our dogs balance back to normal. Feeding remedies consistently, possibly multiple times a day for a shorter duration of time.
Chronic: When our dogs have a chronic condition, it is better to feed a smaller amount everyday so the body is getting support daily, but it doesn’t often need a lot everyday. Feeding remedies consistently, 1-2x daily for an extended amount of time.
I find understanding the difference & feeling confident in how to care for your dog to be super important! The more you know 🤓
If you’re interested in learning more about any of these blends, click the name of the blend above and it will bring you to the product page with all the details you're looking for!
Find out Canine Extract of the month, Chaga extract, here.
Chaga mushroom is rich in antioxidants, which can help boost your dog's immune system. Antioxidants help fight off free radicals in the body, reducing inflammation and promoting overall health. Chaga contains beta-glucans that help to boost your dog's immune defense while also helps to regulate the production of cytokines, which are beneficial are stimulating blood cells which strengthen the immune system's communication within itself. By incorporating chaga mushroom into your dog's diet, you can help support their immune system and keep them healthy.
Chaga mushroom has been used in folk medicine for eons and has been used to treat cancer and help shrink tumors. Some studies have been conducted in mice and petri dishes that have shown to slow the growth of lung, breast and cervical cancer as well as slowing the growth of tumors. We can't wait for more scientific studies to come out about how beneficial different communities have already known chaga to be for cancer progression.
Chaga mushroom is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which are beneficial for your dog's overall health. These nutrients can help support your dog's energy levels, promote healthy skin and coat, and contribute to their overall well-being. Including chaga mushroom in your dog's diet can provide them with a nutritional boost.
Some studies suggest that chaga mushroom may have adaptogenic properties, which can help the body adapt to stress and reduce anxiety. For dogs that experience stress or anxiety, incorporating chaga mushroom into their diet may help promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Consult with your veterinarian before using chaga mushroom as a supplement for stress management in your dog.
Overall, chaga mushroom can offer a range of potential benefits for your dog, from boosting their immune system to supporting their oxidative stress. As with any supplement, it's important to consult with your veterinarian or canine herbalist before introducing chaga mushroom to your dog's diet to ensure it is safe and appropriate for their individual needs.
]]>When we feed our dogs extracts like this, the extract bypasses the digestive system completely and is absorbed straight into their blood stream. This form of feeding extracts is called "sublingual". We see it with some human supplements too, especially B-vitamins and B-12 liquids especially. When extracts are fed this way, our dogs are more likely to actually absorb more of the medicinal properties because it is being absorbed straight into the blood stream and it is not diluted with food. This is my favorite way to feed extracts but some dogs are picky and/or they won't let you get near their mouth safely, so here are some other ideas for you below!
If your dog is a picky eater or tends to be suspicious of new additions to their diet, try mixing the herbal extract with their regular food. This will help mask the taste and smell of the extract, making it more palatable for your furry friend. Just make sure to follow the recommended dosage. It's always a safe bet to start slow and increase to the desired amount over a few days.
Squirt the extract into a bowl and add just the smallest amount of a liquidy food that they like on top & mix. Some great ideas are yogurt, bone broth, applesauce and keifer. This allows the extract to still mostly be absorbed through the mucous membrane in the mouth since the mixture will be all over the inside of their mouth.
If your dog loves treats, why not incorporate the herbal extract into homemade treats? There are plenty of dog-friendly recipes available online that can help you create delicious and nutritious treats that also contain the herbal extracts your dog needs. This is a great way to make the process more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend. Here is a handful of awesome recipes for you to try out with your dog and you can easily add your desired extract to these recipes!
Mix your dog's extract into some peanut butter & add the mixture to a kong with whatever else you like and let your dog go to town on it as usual. If you have multiple Kongs, you can batch make a few and freeze them so you can just grab one every day or so and easily feed it to your dog.
If you use lick mats, squirt the extract directly on the lick mat and then add all the fixings on top of it (their food, raw meat, sardines, yogurt, etc). You can also mix the extract into some yogurt and smear the yogurt/extract blend on to the lick mat and add some other fun foods on top for your dog to lick up.
Not all herbal extracts are created equal. When choosing a product for your dog, opt for high-quality extracts that are specifically formulated for pets. Look for products that are made from organic ingredients and are made with pet safe ingredients. This will ensure that you are giving your dog the best possible supplements. Furbal Remedies extracts are created only with organic ingredients so you know your pet will never be ingesting toxic chemicals from the processing process, herbicides or pesticides from the herbs or GMO ingredients. Find our whole like of herbal extracts here.
Feeding your dog herbal extracts doesn't have to be a daunting task. By using these hacks, you can make the process easier and more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before adding any new supplements to your dog's diet, and enjoy the benefits of natural remedies for your pet's health.
]]>Reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, is often referred to as the "mushroom of immortality" due to its powerful health-promoting properties. It is rich in antioxidants, which help to boost the immune system and protect against free radicals. Reishi mushroom can also support cardiovascular health and promote a healthy liver function in dogs. Reishi Mushrooms are one of the prominent ingredients in our mushroom blend, Mushroom Immunity. Our Mushroom Immunity Extract is a great way to feed your dog a concentrated dose of Reishi Mushroom either with their food or directly in their mouth! Check it out here for more information.
Turkey Tail mushroom, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, is named for its colorful and fan-shaped appearance. This mushroom is packed with polysaccharides, which have immune-boosting properties. It can help to strengthen your dog's immune system and enhance their overall vitality. Turkey Tail mushroom is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects, making it beneficial for dogs with joint issues. Turkey Tail Mushroom is another prominent ingredient in our Mushroom Immunity blends. You can find it in our Mushroom Immunity Extract, as well as in a tasty, whole-food biscuit form, in our Mushroom Immunity Biscuits. We make our blends in different forms so you can feel comfortable and a confident feeding your dog their medicinal mushrooms in the easiest way.
Cordyceps mushroom, or Cordyceps sinensis, is a unique fungus that grows on the larvae of certain insects. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to enhance energy and stamina. Cordyceps mushroom can improve oxygen utilization in the body, making it a great supplement for active dogs or those recovering from illness or surgery.
Lion's Mane mushroom, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, is named for its unique appearance that resembles a lion's mane. This mushroom is rich in compounds called hericenones and erinacines, which have been shown to stimulate nerve growth and support brain health. Lion's Mane mushroom can help improve cognitive function and may be beneficial for senior dogs or those with neurological conditions.
Chaga mushroom, or Inonotus obliquus, is a fungus that grows on birch trees. It is known for its high concentration of antioxidants, which can help protect your dog's cells from damage. Chaga mushroom also has anti-inflammatory properties and can support a healthy immune system. It is often used to promote overall wellness and longevity in dogs.
When introducing medicinal mushrooms to your dog's diet, it is important to start with a small dosage and monitor their response. Consult with your veterinarian before adding any new supplements to your dog's routine, especially if they have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
In conclusion, medicinal mushrooms can be a valuable addition to your dog's wellness routine. Reishi, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Lion's Mane, and Chaga mushrooms are just a few examples of the many beneficial fungi available. By incorporating these mushrooms into your dog's diet, you can help support their immune system, promote overall health, and enhance their quality of life.
]]>First and foremost, a balanced diet is crucial for your dog's digestive health. Make sure to feed them high-quality dog food that contains all the essential nutrients they need. Look for dog food that is specifically formulated for their age, breed, and size. Avoid giving them table scraps or foods that are high in fat, as these can cause digestive upset and if fed chronically, can cause pancreatitis. Additionally, be mindful of any food allergies or sensitivities your dog may have and choose their diet accordingly. If you feel like your dog has digestive allergies, I have two suggestions for you.
Probiotics is a term for beneficial bacteria that supports your dog's digestive process. These are an array of different types of beneficial bacteria that help you dog to break down their food, absorb the nutrients from said food, crowd out "bad" bacteria & yeast while also supporting the immune system. We want to help feed our dogs a balanced amount of probiotics strains. Each strain of probiotics goes to a different area of the digestive system (small intestines, large intestines, urethra, etc.) and has a different "job" it knows it needs to do. Because of this, it is actually helpful to switch up your dogs probiotics over time so they get a more diverse selection of beneficial bacteria instead of the same strain for years! Furbal Remedies Pup Probiotic has three specific strains of probiotics that support your dog's absorption of nutrients, proper digestion, gas, diarrhea and constipation.
Prebiotics are the food for probiotics. Think about it like this.. all living creatures need food, or fuel, to simply live. Without food, the probiotics you feed your dog will eventually die-off because they don't have the food they need to live. When the probiotics have prebiotics (their food) to thrive, they can then reproduce and create even more beneficial bacteria to populate and support your dog's digestion. Look for a probiotic that already has a prebiotic in it. Often, you will see "FOS" which stands for Fructooligosaccharides, included in the ingredient list of probiotics. Prebiotics are specific forms of fiber that as you now know, are eaten by probiotics to help the prebiotics repopulate. Furbal Remedies Pup Probiotic contains the perfect mixture of pro & prebiotics for your dog. Some other forms of prebiotics that you could add to your dog's food are almonds, bananas, barley, flax and beets.
Fiber is an important part of your dogs diet. Fiber, like most vegetables, doesn't break down fully within the intestinal tract and acts as a bulking agent to your dog's stool. So many dogs deal with anal gland issues which often results from not having enough bulk within the stool to express them with each bowl movement. When dogs have a bowel movement, they should be expressing their anal glands naturally each time. This is part of how our dogs release their scent with to communicate with each other. How cool is that! When we add enough fiber to our dog's diet, it can help you not have to have your dog's anal glands manually expressed. That's a win in my book! Some ideas for fiber that you can add to your dog's meals is vegetables like broccoli, spinach and kale. You can also add psyllium husk powder, ground up chia seeds or ground up flax seeds to help bulk up your dog's stools.
Regular exercise is not only important for your dog's overall health but also for their digestion. Physical activity helps stimulate the digestive system and promotes regular bowel movements. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise every day, whether it's through walks, playtime, or other activities. Additionally, ensure that your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Proper hydration is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
By following these top five tips, you can help your dog have optimal digestion and prevent digestive issues. However, it's important to remember that every dog is unique, and if you notice any persistent digestive problems or changes in your dog's behavior, it's best to consult with your veterinarian or holistic canine specialist to get guidance and support.
]]>
First and foremost, it's important to use ingredients that are safe and healthy for your dog. Avoid using any ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Instead, opt for dog-friendly ingredients like:
Healthy frosting ideas:
Add in some nourishing herbs to color your frosting or simply add these into the meatloaf mixture for a nutrient power punch:
Some herbs to color the frosting or simply mix into the cakes:
You could also mix in any of our herbal powders into the cupcakes to simply add more nourishing or medicinal properties to the treat. Think...
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 pound of ground meat, sprinkle in your flour of choice, 1 egg, a scoop of peanut butter if desired, a handful of grated carrots, a few scoops of unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt, and a can of pumpkin puree.
3. Mix the ingredients together until well combined. There is no exact science here, just make sure the mixture isn't too runny. The mix should mostly be meat!
4. Spoon the mix into the cupcake liners.
5. Bake the cupcakes for approximately 20 minutes or until the meat is cooked.
6. Either bake your sweet potato & mash it up with a little coconut milk until smooth OR mix your herb powder of choice into the yogurt to make a fun frosting!
7. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting the cupcakes.
8. Serve them to your dog or with your dogs favorite pack of friends!
Take this template and experiment with one or more of these options.
Your dog will find each combination delicious 🤤 added bonus? They don’t care what they look like 😉
Now YOU can make healthy & nourishing birthday cupcakes that your dog will love. Not only will you be celebrating their special day, but you'll also be providing them with a nutritious and delicious treat. So, get baking and make your dog's birthday extra special!
]]>Diet plays a significant role in managing chronic diarrhea in dogs. All dogs are different so it's important to find the right diet that is easy to digest and gentle on the stomach for your dog. This could include switching up your dogs kibble or starting to make your dog homemade meals prepared specifically for their with digestive issues. It is essential to look at your dog as an individual and decide the best way to continue forward by addressing their personal symptoms. It can be very helpful to consult with a holistic canine specialist that specializes in canine digestion. We recommend speaking with Furbal Remedies Digestion Support to work on your dogs specific situation.
When the stool is loose, it's important to add fiber to tighten it up again. Think about when you're making dough and there is too much water within the mixture. This is similar to when your dog has chronic diarrhea. To make the "bread mixture" more solid, you would need to add in more flour. Think about this analogy when you are working on helping to dissipate your dog's chronic diarrhea. Adding more fiber to your dog's meals will help to absorb extra liquid in your dog's digestive system and help their stools become more firm. Some great examples of fibers are pumpkin puree, psyllium husk, ground chia seeds or flax seeds, veggeis or Furbal Remedies dehydrated Veg Meadly + Plus Dog Food Topper for easy feeding.
Probiotics and digestive enzymes can be beneficial for dogs with chronic diarrhea. These supplements help restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut and aid in digestion. A holistic canine specialist and herbalist can recommend a high-quality probiotic or digestive enzyme supplement suitable for your dog's specific needs. Remember, there are different strains of probiotics that specifically help with chronic diarrhea so make sure you are asking the correct questions to your support team when finding the right probiotic for your pup. We love Furbal Remedies Pup Probiotic.
Bone Meal Powder can be a super helpful supplement if your dog has chronic diarrhea. It acts similar to the other fibers, listed above (even though it is not a fiber) but instead of absorbing the liquid, it bulks up the stool in a healthy way to help create a healthier stool.
Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so it is crucial to ensure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Encourage your dog to drink by placing multiple water bowls around the house and monitoring their water intake. If your dog is not drinking enough water, you can try adding low-sodium chicken broth to their water to make it more enticing.
Stress can worsen digestive issues in dogs, so it is essential to create a calm and stress-free environment for your furry friend. Provide a comfortable and quiet space for them to relax, away from any potential stressors. Regular exercise, mental stimulation, and positive reinforcement training can also help reduce stress levels in dogs. If your dog seems extra stressed and you want to support them in relaxation, you could feed a calming herbal supplement like Furbal Remedies Fast Relax Extract or Relax All Day Dog Biscuits.
If your dog is continuing to experience chronic diarrhea, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian so they can help identify the underlying cause of the condition by perform diagnostic tests, such as fecal examinations or blood work, to determine the cause of the diarrhea.
Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It is crucial to work closely with your veterinarian and holistic canine specialist to develop a tailored treatment plan for your dog's specific needs. With patience, proper care, and guidance from your support team, you can help your dog find relief from chronic diarrhea and improve their overall well-being.
]]>
Our dog deserves better for their birthday 🎂 buying cheap, sugary, artificial colored & dyed “cakes” for your dog’s birthday is a thing of the past..
When we know better, we do better.
Make your dog a healthy “cake” that isn’t going to mess up their digestion & pollute them with artificial ingredients ❌
This easy recipe is ultimately a fancy meatloaf with a mashed baked potato frosting. Mix in our Super Greens Powder to add a bit of green color + nourishing herbs 🌿
I’d rather take the 30 minutes out of my day to make this for any of Leroy’s celebrations over feeding him sugary & artificial ingredients every time.
This is the perfect recipe for your dogs next birthday, gotcha day or any other day you just want to celebrate your favorite creature!
Cake base
Frosting
Your dog gives you unconditional love and for their special celebrations, they're worth the littttttttle bit of extra work. It's not hard.. they LOVE it.. and you can feel at ease knowing you are feeding them the best cake, right from your kitchen!
]]>Antibiotics are a common prescription and first step that our vets will suggest our dogs take for a variety of symptoms. If your vet is prescribing antibiotics and you want to try a more gentle and holistic approach first these are my top 3 choices to look into..
Before we jump in, I want to introduce you to my "Castle" analogy of the immune system and immune supporting herbs. To read a full article on it and understand it even more in-depth, click here. In short, the "Castle" analogy.. think of the body as a castle. When invading pathogens want to invade the castle (the body) there are 3 systems in place to protect the castle.
First, there are herbs that help to build up the bodies immunity on a deep level. This happens when there is no threat around. We can use herbs like certain medicinal mushrooms and Astragalus to help build up our castle wall so when invading pathogens want to invade the castle, they simply can't because the castle wall is too tall and strong, so it's not a desirable host to invade.
Second, we have our warriors that we can send out from the castle to fight off the invading pathogens. The herbs we use in this scenaro stimulate and activate our own immune system to help fight off pathogens with our own immune response. Some examples of these herbs would be echinacea and olive leaf.
Third, we have the bombs. This is exactly how it sounds, we give specific herbs to throw from the castle out around that quite literally bomb the system to kill off the invading pathogens. The thing to be aware of is that these herbs can kill off ALL bacteria, including beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, urinary tract and vaginal tract. It is important to supplement the body back with beneficial bacteria after using a "bomb" to help build back the immune system, digestive microbiome and urinary and vaginal health so UTI's and yeast infections don't develop. Oregano oil is a prime example of a "bomb".
Now that we understand the different ways that herbs can work with our dog's immune system, let's look at alternatives for antibiotics with this theory in mind...
Some unique ways to prepare these herbs for our dogs are by infusing the herb within bone broth or making a tea for your dog that you mix in their food. This option is especially useful for goldenseal and plantain. Check out our blog post "12 Herbs To Make Herbal Bone Broth For You And Your Dog" and simply use either goldenseal or plantain leaf as the star herb in the recipe.
]]>Why is a “species appropriate diet” isn’t enough for our domesticated dogs anymore…
You’ve probably heard this term “species appropriate diet” bounce around the interwebz which to most people ultimately think it means that our dogs came from wolves, so they should eat like wolves. This means raw meat, organs & bones.
To me, a "species appropriate diet" should mean a "domesticated dog appropriate diet" not that we should still be feeding our domesticated dogs like wolves, because simply put, they're not wolves.
I don’t disagree that our dogs can thrive off of this *base* but that combo in and of itself isn’t enough.
Our dogs are not wolves anymore.
Your pug is not a wolf.
Your retriever is not a wolf.
Your bulldog is not a wolf.
Our domesticated dogs…
✔️ have been eating & evolved to tolerating cooked food for quite a long time
✔️can thrive when we add more food options to their diet because they’re getting a wider variety of vitamins, minerals & antioxidants
✔️ don’t always do well on only raw meat + organs + bone because it’s too hard on their digestive system
✔️ sometimes need more fiber that this species appropriate diet because their stool is loose & strugglesome on it
The “species appropriate diet” if not done to perfection, is often lacking some vitamins & minerals including:
✨ zinc
✨ manganese
✨ iodine
✨ vitamin E
✨ vitamin D
✨ omega-3’s
✨ copper
If we pay attention to these common deficiencies, there are foods we can make sure to have in our dogs diet that will fill these gaps. We can either feed very specific organs like brains, eyeballs and pork liver or we can feed more cost effective & accessible foods that don’t necessarily fall into the “species appropriate diet”. And truly, I think that is ok.
Let’s look at some options that can be added to fill these gaps with foods you already have in your kitchen.
Zinc - oysters, pumpkin seeds, cashews
Manganese - spinach, brown rice, pineapple
Iodine - edible seaweeds, kelp, eggs
Vitamin E - sunflower seeds, almonds, avocados, spinach
Vitamin D - eggs, salmon, mushrooms
Omega-3 - walnuts, chia seeds, salmon, sardine, fish oil supplement
Copper - cashews, sunflower seeds, oysters
Then if this is even too much work for you, there is NO shame in supplementing with a quality multivitamin.
If you’re ready to learn about more foods in your kitchen that you can share with your dog so they can continue to thrive, check out our Fresh Foods class.
If you do, here’s a couple ideas for you!
1. Some folks believe that their dog eats poo because of anxiety. A lot of things that our dogs do that are "bad" are considered "anxiety based behaviors" which means they are doing said behavior, like eating poop, because they are anxious and they are trying to self soothe. If you think your dog is eating poo because of anxiety then a blend like Fast Relax could be a great place to start! This blend calms the nervous system and can help your dog feel more at ease so they don't go to their nervous behavior, poop eating! Click here if you want to learn more about Fast Relax.
2. A common reason for poop eating is that the dog has a nutritional deficiency and they are intuitively trying to balance that out. Our dogs are intuitive and often know what they need. Our Complete Canine Extract is loaded with nutritionally dense medicinal herbs, culinary herbs and seaweeds to help fill in some nutritional gaps. If you want to learn more about Complete Canine, click here to get all the deets!
3. Going off of #2, you could also take a look at your dogs diet! Are they getting enough nutrients through their meals? Are you feeding them nourishing organs whether they're already in the dogs pre-made food or a powdered blend you add after? Taking a real hard look at your dogs food is a great step to take because well, your dog eats everyday and what you are feeding them is either going to build them up or slowly create nutritional deficiencies. When our dogs nutritional needs are met, it is likely that they will stop eating poop because their body won't be screaming for nutrients it isn't receiving.
If your dog is a poop eater then take a look in the apothecary for Fast Relax & Complete Canine (also linked in this post!)
& if you’re ready to help yourself feel more confident feeding your dog fresh food, click here for our Feeding Fresh Food class ✨
Whenever you have some extra veggies or veggie butts laying around from your meal, keep them in a container in your fridge or freezer until you have enough to make these. If they're frozen before making, just let them thaw then you're on your way. OR you can purchase one bushel of dark leafy greens like kale or chard and make a full batch with that, that will last you a while.
Ok, let's dive in!
These nutrient dense veggie blocks will provide your dog with some of the important minerals that can be looked over in a lot of dogs diets. By adding dark leafy greens to your dogs diet, you are providing a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Steaming them helps all the nourishing elements of these leaves to be more bioavailable for your dog so they can absorb the nutrients easier. Fill a handful of nutrient gaps, especially for home cooked dogs, simply with these nutrient blocks!
Extra perk.. you make them one day and then you have them easily available for weeks to come! We love efficiency!
Let me know if you try this recipe and tell me any variations you may try. I love to see what other dogs love!
]]>We're going to use estimates on this recipe because our dogs might desire different textures and depending on what liquid option you choose, you could need varying amounts.
But don't worry! This is a super simple recipe that you will perfect!
Chia seeds expand about 10X their size once soaked in liquid so a few tablespoons goes a long way. The more chia seeds you use, the more liquid you'll need to use. I used roughly 1/4 cup of chia seeds to about a cup of liquid.
Try this recipe out with your pup and let me know in the comments what other variations you end up trying! The world is your oyster and you can adjust and alter this recipe as desired. The options are endless!
]]>Organ meats are known as nature's multivitamin. They are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that is easy for our dogs to absorb. When our dogs consume organs, they are also supporting their organs. Just like muscle meat helps the body build muscle, consuming organ meat helps, said organ that is being fed. Think about it this way, when your dog eats liver, you are supporting their liver. When your dog eats spleen, you are supporting their spleen. This is because each organ has all the components that your dogs same organ needs to thrive.
The type of organs that are suitable for our dogs to eat are the entrails and internal organs of farm animals.
Some options of organs are:
A good guideline to go by is 10% of your dogs meal should be organ meat. It is best to spread the 10% out throughout all their meals for the day because of the rich nature of organ meats.
Within the 10% of organ meat, about 5% of that should be liver. Liver is one of the most important organs to feed your dog. The rest of the 5% is a combination of whatever other organs you can source.
We have a variety of options on how to go about feeding our dogs organs, from convenient to economical. Let's look at some ideas:
Ideally, we want to feed our dogs grass-fed, organic organs. If you can't find purely organic, look for product that has no hormones and preservatives. Look into either your ranchers, butchers or stores practices and values to find the highest quality organ meats that you can personally afford.
Different places you could look for organs are:
Some options I've found online that everyone could look into are:
I hope this post helps you feel a bit more confident in your ability to find the right option for you and your pack. Whether you choose a more convenient or economical route, the important part is that either way, you are feeding some organs to your four legged friend. You got this!
]]>And you're done! Place the cupcake on a plate and sing happy birthday to your favorite four legged friend!
The one this to be cautious about with this recipe is that the spirulina frosting could stain white or light carpets or other fabrics. Have your dog eat this in a place that can be cleaned easily.
These cupcakes can be made for birthdays, gotcha-days or any fun day that you want to spice up life! Our pups deserve some fun, just like we do. Enjoy!
]]>Whining
Excessive barking
Shaking
Reactivity
Pacing in the car
Not enjoying people or dogs company
Chewing up their crate
If your dog is exhibiting these behaviors, then it's fair to assume that they are feeling anxious in certain situations. All dogs are different, just like humans and can feel anxiety for different reasons and express them in different ways.
I like to use an herb called Oatstraw. Oatstraw feeds and soothes the nervous system through its calming properties as well as its mineral content. It is considered a nervine, which is a classification of herbs that nourish and support the central nervous system. Since Oatstaw also contains a wide variety of beneficial minerals, it calms AND nourishes the central nervous system. Over time, feeding Oatstraw can strengthen and stabilize your dogs nervous system.
There are a variety of ways you can feed this herb to your dog. Some are as a tea, in a capsule, powdered over their food or my favorites, as an extract and infused into bone broth. I want to go over how to make it as a bone broth since it is usually the easiest way to feed any herb. The flavor of bone broth is overwhelming to dogs (in a good way!) and even the pickiest of dogs tend to eat almost any herbs when their infused into bone broth! Let's get into it..
Some other times in a dogs life that this recipe could be of great benefit would be upon adoption, if they are in a car accident or get attacked by another dog. All of these situations rattle the nervous system and create a sense of insecurity and fear within the dog. Just like it would you or I. Dogs want to feel safe, just like we do. Supporting their nervous system by feeding medicinal, calming herbs is a great place to start showing them they are safe.
]]>We're going to dive into what herbs and different foods we can feed to our dogs to help them combat oxidative stress and reduces inflammation and damage of the lungs from chronic smoke exposure.
If you live in an area where wildfires are prominent at some point throughout the year, it is important to support not only yours, but your dogs body. Smoke inhalation can cause serious or chronic lung problems, especially over time or if you end up around a fire that produces a lot of smoke. Incorporate these foods and herbs into your dogs diet in whatever way is easiest for you and your pup.
There is no right or best way. The best way is any way that works!
Yeast overgrowth can develop in a few different ways within your dog. Some dogs experience only one or two of these symptoms while others develop more over time. Have you heard of the term "candida"? It's becoming more of a common issue in the human health world and is ultimately very similar to your dog's yeast overgrowth. Candida is a yeast, but not all yeast is Candida. It's like the old saying, a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not a square. Candida is a type of yeast overgrowth that can happen to people and dogs alike. The solutions can be very similar as well!
Some symptoms are:
Although a lot of the symptoms of yeast overgrowth we tend to see on our dogs are external, meaning on the skin, it doesn't mean that only using external applications is needed. To fully help our dogs (and ourselves!) heal from a chronic illness, we need to address the whole body systemically.
Chronically = an illness or issue that has developed over a long period of time
Systemically = addressing the body and a whole, internally and externally
It's important to know that what may look like allergies could very well have turned into a yeast infection. Remember, it's important to address these situations by killing off the yeast that is present, helping the body release the yeast, populate the body with beneficial bacteria to create a healthier environment that yeast doesn't want to live in and finally, remove the foods that are causing your dog's body to create this reaction. Yeast is a chronic situation that happens over time. There are quick fixes out there but in reality, they are just a bandage to the problem. By getting to the root cause of these issues, you will be saving your dog a lot of uncomfortable situations and supporting them to get back to optimal health.
I know these situations can feel daunting but take it step by step. You got this!
]]>I love working with and chatting with all of you because you're open to the notion that our dogs are also living creatures who deserve and THRIVE off of the same ways of eating as we do. Yes, their dietary needs are different than ours but they NEED real food and medicine, just like us.
This is why I'm excited to offer my new, first come first serve, limited time Seasonal Biscuits that will change with the seasons! It's a fun way to help your pup eat with the seasons and give you more ideas on how to incorporate these foods into your dogs diet. I will be selling a limited number of bags per drop but I will also be sharing the recipes here so you can make them for your pup if you'd like. I'm here to share the love with you and your pup, so let's get started!
Take a look at our Instagram page for a reel on how I made these biscuits to get a great visual!
Happy baking!
]]>
A handful of symptoms of any joint issues will be similar. It is important to go to your vet to get a diagnosis if you see any of these symptoms start to arise with your dog. These tend to appear gradually over time or if it's from an injury, can appear quickly.
This blog post is intended to give you facts about antibiotics and how to support your dog afterwards. I am not telling you not to give your dog antibiotics, if necessary. There are herbal remedies that can work really well as an antibacterial for more non-serious situations that we can talk about in a later blog post, if desired.
I believe it's important to know the facts about the medications you choose to give your dog. Western medicine is amazing for life saving and very serious conditions. When your dog needs to take these medications, don't stress too much about it. Just make sure that you have some ideas on how to support them afterwards so they can continue to thrive and live a happy, healthy life.
If you have any other questions about how to support your dog after they take antibiotics, please write them in the comments below. I'd love to chat!
]]>Short and narrow, the more toxins that accumulate in your dogs body ( that are in all pharmaceuticals ) the more harmful it is to your dogs health. The liver is the filter to the body. Now, imagine a fish tanks filter or your cars oil filter. These get nasty! Without the help of changing the filter, the tank or car would have issues arise. This is the same for the human and your dogs body. If you don't support their liver aka detoxification system, the buildup will become too difficult for them to process on their own and health complications will arise.
It's not fun to think about but it's also not too hard to support your dogs detoxification system. It just takes some time to learn.
That's why I'm here.
But for now, let's look at my Herbal Detox Gummy Recipe that you can make for your dog whenever you feel he needs a little reset.
Tips if your dog doesn't love the texture of the gummy:
Milk Thistle Seed supports the liver in multiple ways. It's been shown to reduce inflammation in the liver, help repair damaged liver cells as well as support the processing of harmful toxins. Some other benefits of Milk Thistle Seeds are supporting the skin, reduce age related cognitive decline, help the bones and may improve cancer treatment.
Dandelion Root supports the liver by supporting healthy liver tissue against toxic substances, can help reduce stored fat in the liver and reduces oxidative stress within the liver. Some other benefits of Dandelion Root are improved digestion, reduced constipation, may fight cancer, may lower blood pressure and cholesterol while also being extremely nutritious, high in vitamins and minerals.
Check out our full video on our YouTube channel - Furbal Remedies - Click HERE to watch!
Try these to and let me know how your dog likes them in the comments below!
]]>If this is your dog, you'll look in her ear and see a brown, red "goo" between the crevasse of her ear. These ear infections are usually bacterial but can also be fungal. You can wipe our the sticky "goo" all you want but until you kill the bacteria or yeast, the symptoms will continue. This colloidal silver ear wash is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and even anti-viral. So no matter if there is a bacterial or fungal infection, this ear wash will help kill the infection.
Colloidal Silver is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. In my "castle immunity" analogy, colloidal silver would be a bomb. It will kill foreign pathogens but not specifically raise immunity. Colloidal silver is also wound healing. If your dog has scratched his ears raw, the silver will help heal the scratch wounds faster.
Chamomile Flower is soothing to the skin. It is beneficial for red, angry, injured tissue. This can be helpful for when your dog has been scratching their ears and may have caused them to become more inflamed, red and cut. Adding chamomile flower will bring a soothing component to this blend.
If your dog is getting chronic ear infections, there is most likely something within its diet that it is intolerant to. Dog's don't normally just develop an infection out of nowhere, just like we don't. Usually something is off balance and needs to be addressed within the diet. Excess carbohydrates is a common culprit.
If you're a more visual learner and want to see a video on how this was made head on over to our Youtube Channel - Furbal Remedies - for the step by step visual process. Let me know what other conditions you'd love to see more DIY home recipes for in the comments!
]]>Licking them often?
Experiencing visible swelling and inflammation of their toes?
These are some of the signs of interdigital furunculosis. There are two main ways dogs can develop this uncomfortable condition.
1) Short haired dogs, like the bully breeds, have short hair between their toes that punctures the skin and finds its way into the toe. Once the hair is imbedded into the toe an infection can develop. This infection is what the red, hot boil like bumps on their toes manifest as.
2) Food allergies that manifest as an infection between the webs of the dogs toes. These boils are itchy, uncomfortable, red, can sometimes lightly leak.
I'm going to go over what I did for my pup, Leroy, who was suffering with interdigital furunculosis due to the later cause, food allergies. This is only our experience and is not necessarily a recommended treatment for all or any cases. I'm only retelling our story and explaining what worked for Leroy based on his condition, constitution and personality. I'm an herbalist, not a vet.
If you want support helping your dog heal from interdigital cysts while getting to the root issue, digestive intolerances, check out our 1:1 support space where we dive into healing the acute issue, the cysts and tackle the real issue, digestive intolerances together.
I started seeing swelling on one foot and specifically one toe. We have foxtails where we live so that was my first concern. He had also jumped on a porcupine a few months back so there was a concern that maybe there was still a spine stuck in his foot that was causing an infection. I took him to the vet to get a diagnosis. The vet confirmed that it was neither of the two above and that there was nothing actually "stuck" in his toe. The one toe was also not the only toe affected. There were other little "boils" between some of his back toes and some on his other front paw. The one toe that was very inflamed was just the most affected and inflamed. The vet explained that this was interdigital furunculosis and that it was most likely caused by a food allergy that has manifested as an infection in his paws.
He was prescribed antibiotics for 8 weeks, a steroid to be taken for 3 weeks and medicated wipes.
This is when I told her I did not want to go that route, asked for all the details she could give me about his specific situation and thanked her greatly for her understanding and helping to identifying Leroys condition. I was very grateful for our vet. Even though she is a conventional vet and knows that antibiotics will help the situation, she respected my decision, acknowledged that antibiotics are over prescribed and encouraged me to try a more "natural" way and contact her to let her know how I helped Leroy, if I was to find a solution on my own.
When we got home, this is when we hit the ground running.
The infection was pretty intense on one toe so I knew I wanted to use a strong internal antibacterial in the beginning. Since the vet has said clinically, using pharmaceutical antibiotics would help this situation, I knew we were going to start using oil of oregano. Oregano oil is an extremely powerful remedy that I don't use lightly. It can be compared to using pharmaceutical antibiotics because it kills all bacteria, good and bad. In my analogy of the castle wall (see previous blogs about this, here) oregano oil is one of the most powerful "bombs". Whenever oregano oil is used it is important to take probiotics as well, at opposite times of the day and when the oregano oil's course is complete to replenish the beneficial bacteria that it has killed off. When oregano oil is used to kill off bacteria, the body doesn't become resistant to this remedy, like it can with pharmacutical antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance can be a big problem. When pharmaceutical antibiotics are taken too frequently, bacteria and viruses often become resistant to them. When this happens, the next time your dog has a bacterial or viral condition, the pharmacutical antibiotics could not work. Not a great situation to be in. This is why utilizing herbs can be a great alternative. No two plants are exactly alike. Their compounds are always slightly changing from batch to batch depending on where the herb is grown, what time of season it is, how it was harvested, etc. This helps bacteria and viruses to not be able to become resistant to herbal remedies, since it's not always exactly the same. Cool, right?
So back to oregano oil. I used 1 drop 3x daily. I took a small spoonful of raw lamb and placed one drop on the lamb and fed it to Leroy. I chose lamb because it's a cooling meat and it is what we decided on for his protein while we figured out his allergies. More on that to come later. He also gobbles it down without having to chew, so it seemed to be the easiest route to go. Oregano oil has a very strong taste and smell. Covering it up with the taste of something wonderful really helped. He still knew it was on there and gave me a weird look every time I fed it to him but he still ate it no problem. He now knows that when I ask if he wants his "remedies" he gets excited and know's he's going to get a spoonful of funny tasting lamb!
I went with the oil of oregano drops over capsules because most capsules are intended for a 150 lb human. He's a big dog but he still only weighs 70 lbs. This way I could give him less at once and be able to regulate it better.
One thing that is very important to know! Oil of oregano and oregano essential oil are NOT the same thing! DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG STRAIGHT OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL. Oil of oregano does use oreganos essential oil but it is diluted with correct amounts of olive oil. Essential oils can be very harmful if taken internally and not formulated correctly. Essential oils are extremely concentrated and can severely damage the mucus membranes from top to bottom of the digestive tract if not taken correctly. This is why I don't use oil of oregano lightly, like stated above. Only purchase an oil of oregano that has been formulated by a qualified herbalist.
Along with oil of oregano, I also utilized colloidal silver. Colloidal silver is a great pathogen fighter that helps kill bacteria and viruses. It can be used for a handful of other conditions including but not limited to, ear infections, yeast infection, rashes, wounds and bacterial eye infections. I split two doses of a 10 ppm (part per million) solution between three meals a day. I added this solution directly to Leroy meals. It's tasteless and odorless so it is very easy to consume. There's a lot of controversy on the difference between 10/100/500/1000 PPM solutions. That conversation is for another day and there's a lot of (differing) research out there that you can look into if you find different dilutions and are curious of the benefits of each. We used 10 ppm because it's what I believe to work best for us from our experiences.
Last but not least, I changed his diet up to a very simple diet to remove any potential allergens. This part is crucial to this two part process. First part, kill the bacterial infection. Second part, remove the allergen that caused the bacterial infection in the first place. I chose to feed Leroy only raw lamb until we received our allergy test results that we sent in. I chose lamb because it is a cooling meat. When an infection is present, you do not want to be adding more "heat" provoking foods. Lamb is also a less common allergen for dogs. I stopped giving him all supplements, treats, fruits and vegetables to let his body just digest one protein while focusing on fighting off the infection and healing.
Pictured here is his paw when we took Leroy to the vet for a diagnosis:
After only one week, there was a dramatic improvement in his paw. Pictured below.
I was very happy with the results so far, even though you can still see some redness and inflammation.
At this point I reduced the amount of oil of oregano I was giving him to 1-2 x daily since it is so strong and the majority of the infection as been killed off. I started using a colloidal silver that also has olive leaf extract and echinacea in it. Olive leaf is another great antibacterial but is not as harsh as oil of oregano. Since the infection is more under control I wanted to bring in a effective but more gentle herb that will continue the healing process but spare his digestive flora.
Echinacea is an immune stimulant (immune activator / soldier in the castle analogy) and will help stimulate his own immune system to help fight off the bacterial infection. Echinacea also helps drain the lymphatic system which is the cellular waste system of the body. When the lymphatic system is backed up and not draining properly, the cells cannot remove cellular waste efficiently. Since there was a decent infection in his body, it is beneficial to help support his cellular waste system release any toxic overload.
Along with these antibacterials, immune system activators and lymphatic system drainage herbs, I started to give him small amounts of liver tonics and medicinal mushrooms. I simmered milk thistle seeds, burdock root, turkey tail mushrooms and Reishi mushroom powder in water and poured over some of his meals. Milk thistle and burdock tea will help his liver process and soften the burden of any toxic material that needs to be released from his body. Turkey Tail and Reishi mushrooms help build his immune system back up strong again so it's not a susceptible host for bacteria and viruses. If you look at my castle analogy, Turkey tail and Reishi are the castle walls.
After receiving his allergy test results, we now know which foods to keep out of his diet for at least eight weeks. This gives the body time to "fast" in a way from foods it has intolerances to. After that we can reintroduce certain foods to see if there is any reaction. There are some foods that he is just simply intolerant to and there's probably not much we can do about it. Knowing which foods to keep out of his diet while he's healing is key.
Here is his paw today, if you look in-between certain toes you can see where the main infection sites were but they are looking 95% better :
I know there are a lot of dogs out there suffering from allergy causing interdigital furunculosis and I hope this story can help some folks think about other ways that they can help their dogs. Western medicine is a powerful tool, especially for acute situations and saves a lot of lives. Yet, there are other ways to handle chronic situations like interdigital furunculosis, yeast infections, ear infections, digestive disturbances, systemic yeast, allergies and more.
Did this help you? Let me know in the comments!
If you want to check out two other great blog posts that explain how your dogs (and your own) immune system works and how different herbs work with it, click and "here" for "10 Ways To Keep Your Dogs Immunity Strong" and "here" for "How To Support Your 3 Stages Of Immunity" for more information.
]]>These fires and the massive amounts of smoke created spread from northern to southern California and affect humans as well as all animals, wild and domesticated. Just like we should be taking care of our lungs and supporting the oxygenation of our blood during these times, we should also be supporting our pets bodies too.
Let's get into which herbs will benefit our pups and why. Then we'll go over some ways to utilize these herbs to make it easy to feed to your pets.
Lung supporting herbs:
Chlorophyll is the photosynthetic compound found in green plants and algae. This compound helps the body in a variety of ways including:
Let's focus on oxygenating the blood during fire season. When the air is full of smoke, the body is clearly not receiving as much oxygen. When we can support our circulatory system and help the body receive more oxygen on a cellular level, the body is able to utilize more oxygen for normal bodily functions.
Herbs and food high in chlorophyll:
Ways to utilize these herbs for your favorite pups:
By utilizing any of these ideas you will be helping your dog feel more comfortable and breathe more freely in these smokey times.
]]>You're going to use ginger tea in this recipe but you don't want to make this too strong. Dog's aren't used to this flavor. A weaker tea will still help their bellies. If this recipe seems too spicy for your dog and they don't eat it you can always remelt your bites and add more yogurt to them. Another option is to add some bone broth to it. Bone broth has a strong flavor that will help hide some of the spiciness of the ginger.
Ginger is an herb that is well known for its ability to calm an upset stomach. It's such a gentle herb that is even safe during pregnancy. It can have a pungent flavor and if it is made too strong, your dog might find it unattractive. If that's the case you can either, let the bites melt and mix in more yogurt so the mixture is diluted or you can add bone broth to the mix. This will give an added boost of nutrients, savory flavor and glutamine!
Glutamine is an amino acid that is very beneficial to the intestines. It helps heal leaky gut, which can be a reason for some food allergies. Glutamine is naturally found in bone broth and yogurt.
Yogurt is the base of this recipe for a reason! Yogurt is another common, traditional fermented food. The fermentation process naturally creates beneficial bacteria that dogs (and ourselves!) need to inhibit our digestive tracts, from top to bottom. This bacteria works as a sort of defense to the outside world. In this sense it helps with immunity as well as digesting food properly, assimilating nutrients and releasing waste appropriately.
The combination of yogurt and ginger can soothe and upset stomach while providing beneficial bacteria to your dogs digestive system.
If your dog has a dairy allergy or sensitivity, you could try this recipe with goats milk or yogurt instead. Goats milk doesn't have the same proteins as cow dairy and can usually be digested easier if a sensitivity is present.
It feels good to be prepared. Your dog will thank you!
]]>
Let's take a look..
Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that promotes healthy function of the digestive tract. Having proper digestive bacteria improves digestion, assimilation of nutrients, keeps the urinary tract healthy and strengthens the immune system.
Fruit contains vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. We all know why vitamins and minerals are important, they are needed for a wide range of functions. Fiber supports healthy elimination. Antioxidants have the ability to scavenge free radicals that are known to accelerate aging and eventually promote cancer and other diseases.
Herbal teas can give your dogs body many different benefits depending on the type of herbs you use.
Chaga is known to help replicate DNA and repair damage done on a cellular level. This mushroom helps prevent cancer and has even been used to treat or slow down the progression of cancer.
Reishi and Turkey Tail mushroom are both immune balancers and can build your dogs immunity on a deep level. When your dogs immune system is strong they are able to more easily deal with bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergies and any other invading substances.
Nettle leaf is packed with vitamins and minerals and is like an herbal multi vitamin. It also is an antihistamine and can help reduce the symptoms and reaction from environmental allergens.
Oatstraw is a nervine that helps relax and works on your dogs nervous system. Something special about oatstraw is that it actually rebuilds and balances the nervous system over time. This could help balance an overly anxious, reactive dog's nervous system when taken daily for extended.
Lemon Balm is another nervine that your dog will be able to feel more immediately in the moment. Nervines reduce the electrical pulses within the nervous system which can be great helping anxiety induced behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, whining, etc.
There's a lot of variations of this recipe that will benefit your dogs health and provide them with a wide variety of nutrients. I love this recipe because you can add in ingredients that you have laying around the house, extra scraps and foods that might go bad soon. Once the food is frozen it will be good for along time!
Have fun with these, get creative and explore different options. You're dog will thank you because dogs eat real food too!
]]>Depending on the size of your dog and the size of the allergy relief coconut snacks, feed 1-2 bites daily. These can be placed directly on their food and eaten with a meal or they can be given as a treat. If given as a treat, I'd recommend feeding them outside as the heat of their mouth will make the coconut oil melt and it could easily get on the floor, couch, etc.
Enjoy!
]]>To start off, let's think about when you are having anxiety, a panic attack or are in a scary situation. Your body goes into fight or flight. It's a natural response to help keep up safe.
When fireworks are going off, your dog believes it is in danger and doesn't understand that they are indeed, safe.
One of my favorite categories of herbs, NERVINES!
Nervines are a group of herbs that work on the nervous system. They help the nervous system calm down, relax and regulate. Think about if you're already on edge and someone slams a door behind you, you'll have a greater chance to "jump" at the noise. If your nervous system wasn't already on edge, then you might not even notice the unexpected noise. Nervines work in a way where it helps your dog not be on edge, so the unexpected, scary noises don't cause such a big reaction.
Buy or make your own extracts - An extract is a concentrated form of a plant. The medicinal properties of a plant can be extracted into a different medium like glycerin or alcohol. This liquid is then used instead of the actual plant material. Alcohol and glycerin can be used for dogs, especially when drop dosing but when using a larger amount for acute situations, like fireworks, glycerin is recommended. When an extract is placed directly in your dogs mouth, they will feel the effects faster because its absorbed directly into their blood stream as compared to having to digest the medicine.
Make a frozen tea bite - Make tea out of the desired herbs and freeze in ice cube trays. To make these more desirable, especially if your dog is picky, add some bone broth to the tea and freeze. This is a simple way for your dog to get the medicine in tea form but without having to make your dog "drink" tea. This will also be a quicker way for your dog to feel the effects since the ice will melt and the tea can be quickly absorbed into the body. Check out this blog post HERE to see a similar recipe. This one uses different herbs for allergies but you can switch out the nettle leaf for any herbal nervines.
Calming biscuits - Dog biscuits are easy and effective ways to help your dogs anxiety and fear. Biscuits are simple to feed but can take up for 40 minutes for your dog to feel the effects. When herbs are given this way, their digestive systems have to digest and process the plant material like any other food. Giving these treats an hour or so prior to fireworks will give you best results.
Along with herbal nervines to help your dogs nervous system, also place your dog in its safe space. This can be it's crate, its bed, your bed, your lap, their stuffed animal or whatever unique comforts your dog loves. By making them feel safe, loved, like you have their back while simultaneously calming their nervous system with herbal nervines, your dog should have an easier time handling the loud noises all around.
These herbal preparations are great to keep in your first aid kit. They can also be used for other situations like thunder and lightening and other stressful social situations. First aid doesn't just mean cuts and wounds, it also means being prepared to take care of your dogs mental health.
]]>Now lets get into a simple, at home refreshing, frozen treat recipe that you can make for your pups all summer long!
This is such a simple way to add antihistamines to your dogs diet. Reduce their itchiness, runny nose or goopy eyes while also cooling down your four legged babies during the hot summer months!
]]>