As more and more pet owners look for natural solutions to animal health issues, natural pet supplements are growing in popularity. But are they beneficial? Here’s what a small animal naturopath has to say.

Erin Follington is a small animal naturopath with nine years of experience specialising in herbal medicine and nutrition for dogs and cats. Over the past four years, she has helped more than 6000 animals to achieve better health through natural solutions (diet and herbal and nutritional medicine). Erin is also the founder of Natural Pet Supplements and formulates herbal remedies for a range of acute and chronic pet conditions.

Why natural pet products are on the rise

Just as people are becoming more conscious of their health, pet owners are paying a lot more attention to what goes into their pets’ bodies too. Growing awareness about the potential problems of pharmaceuticals and a highly processed diet is driving pet parents to seek alternatives to traditional vet advice and consider natural solutions that are more gentle on little bodies.

What are the benefits of natural pet supplements?

• Fewer side effects – Natural ingredients are often gentler on your pet’s body, reducing the risk of adverse reactions compared to pharmaceutical drugs. Most drugs suppress unwanted symptoms of a disease, whereas the philosophy of animal naturopathy is on restoring and balancing the function of the entire body.
• Enhanced effects – An animal’s body absorbs and utilises nutrients and phytochemicals (the chemicals in plants) from natural sources much more efficiently than synthetic vitamins and minerals. This is because they have shorter digestive tracts compared to humans and they are primarily meat eaters (cats are obligate carnivores and dogs are scavenging carnivores). So by supplementing with something that is recognised by the body as ‘food’ the body can quickly process, absorb and utilise the supplement.
• Preventative measures – Most dogs and cats over the age of seven years will have some degree of arthritis, which intensifies with age. If you start your pet on joint supplements before five years of age, it can delay the onset of the disease by fortifying and preserving the joint structures.

Do natural products actually work?

The answer is yes!

Natural medicine for animals dates back thousands of years to when an absence of pharmaceuticals saw farmers plant medicine into their livestock feed. These practices have provided a great deal of historical data that supports the use of plant-based medicine in animals.

Modern studies reinforce this; medicinal plants are extensively tested on animals before human use, providing important evidence of their safety and effectiveness. 

Can natural supplements be used with medicines?

Herbal supplements can be used safely alongside pharmaceutical medications, but there is always a possibility of interactions. Even though the possibility of negative interactions is low, being vigilant is important.

Herbs like St Johns Wort, Ginkgo and Turmeric have huge benefits, but can often pose problems when mixed with certain pharmaceuticals, so just be sure to read labels to make sure there are no co-prescribing issues.

What conditions do they help?

While there is no limit to the benefits of natural medicine, I have found that herbal medicine can excel with chronic conditions that vets often struggle with. Examples include skin issues, digestion issues, allergies, immune conditions, kidney and liver issues, arthritis and Cushing’s disease.

What to look for in natural pet supplements

These points will help guide you towards a quality natural supplement for your pet:

Australian-made and owned

Always opt for Australian-made and owned supplements, as they are subject to strict quality regulations. Many overseas products are inferior because their manufacturing laws are not as strict as ours. This means a higher chance of contamination and the ingredients not matching the label.

Human-grade quality

Ensure the supplement uses human-grade ingredients (especially if it contains meat!). Human-grade ingredients are premium and subject to very strict manufacturing laws. Unfortunately, animal and ‘pet grade’ meats are not subject to the same stringent laws.

Food-sourced Ingredients

Most dogs and cats in Australia are already exposed to highly processed diets, so their supplements should provide genuine natural healing. Choosing whole-food-based nutritional and herbal ingredients ensures better absorption and utilisation of the supplement.

Expert formulation

Look for supplements developed by qualified professionals, such as veterinarians with specialised training in herbal medicine (holistic vet) or a small animal naturopath (herbalist and nutritionist for dogs and cats). These experts understand the complexities of pet nutrition, different disease states, herbal formulations and the potential interactions with medications.

The Future of Pet Health: A Natural Approach

As awareness of holistic pet health continues to grow, more pet owners are recognising the benefits of natural supplements for their pets. Herbal and nutritional options are imperative to consider if you want to make sure they live their healthiest life. They provide a safe, effective, and sustainable way to enhance your dog and cat’s quality of life.

Find me on Instagram for more about the benefits of a natural path to pet health.

Have you tried natural pet supplements? Tell us about your experience below.