The Use of Medicinal Plants in Nutraceutical Foods for Dogs and Cats
- #gianandreaguidetti
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Over the last thirty years, we have witnessed significant changes in the dietary habits of dogs and cats. Consequently, there has been a real increase in various inflammatory disorders.
Anthropomorphization, increased longevity, and a lifestyle increasingly intertwined with humans have caused dogs and cats to lose their natural instincts and characteristics as beings "more akin to nature" than humans themselves, despite their greater adaptability.
Environmental pollution and the consumption of more highly processed industrial food have led to varying degrees of intoxication in such a complex organism. This means that both environment and diet have altered homeostasis, which is the ability to maintain physical and mental well-being and a healthy balance. For these reasons, animals that are still in close symbiosis with nature, more so than humans, are particularly well-suited to receive medicinal plants as a remedy for a wide range of ailments through proper administration.
The Instinctual Wisdom of Nature
Observing what happens in nature, we notice that dogs instinctively eat grass when they need to heal, satisfying at least three needs:
Rebalancing the omega-3/6 ratio, which is compromised by the consumption of industrial food.
Detoxifying from poisoning through vomiting induced by this consumption.
Obtaining valuable fiber, often inadequately present in commercial pet foods.
The task of an attentive owner, veterinarian, and nutritionist is to restore this "lost health" through proper nutrition. These animals will inevitably show an incredible response to what nature can offer us. This explains how plants or parts of them show undeniable efficacy in managing common ailments and provide valuable support for more complex ones.
The Importance of Proper Plant Preparation
It is essential that these plants also possess adequate technological measures for the correct stabilization of natural active ingredients, as they tend to degrade significantly with heat, over time, or upon contact with oxidizing foods. To this end, it is advisable to use protection systems to properly preserve all added plants.
Green tea is an example; Camellia sinensis is a very valuable plant that, in addition to showing benefits on a dog's metabolism, making it more efficient, can contribute to maintaining an excellent state of health due to its significant content of antioxidants. These antioxidants can exert a powerful anti-aging action on the tissues and organs of the body. However, it is crucial that the tea is decaffeinated, as theine (caffeine) in certain dosages can be toxic to dogs.
The Anti-Inflammatory and Detoxifying Power of Plants.
Plants help control all inflammatory processes by modulating inflammation. The activity of the natural active ingredients of medicinal plants gently helps overcome many critical situations that dogs and cats may encounter.
The detoxifying and purifying aspects of certain vegetables like dandelion, mallow, and burdock, each with its specific action (on the urinary system, or on the dermis and skin, respectively), are even more potent if administered in conjunction with essential polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. This is because omega-3s can enhance their antioxidant and inflammation-modulating roles. In this regard, some studies show how flavonoids, powerful antioxidants found in plants, make omega-3s more bioavailable within cells. Other studies conducted by the University of Pisa with the CNR, on organic tomatoes, confirm their absolute nutritional superiority compared to those from intensive farming. This provides an additional reason to use fish-based foods, organic certified products, or those made with meat from pasture-raised animals, always supplemented with medicinal plants.
The Role of Omega-3s in Metabolism
The intake of omega-3 rich foods is fundamental for restoring the correct metabolic rhythm, as they can reduce the production of a hormone called Leptin, which in turn can contribute to slowing down the metabolism. Raw materials to be used in nutraceutical foods to increase omega-3 intake in the diet of dogs and cats include fish oil (the best), canola or rapeseed oil, and flaxseed oil. For the attentive consumer, it is important that dog and cat foods have recognized certifications, such as organic certification.
Understanding Marketing Terms
Finally, the very trendy terms "natural," "natural," or "holistic" have particular and often profound meanings but are unfortunately very vague. The term "holistic" or "human grade," in particular, would imply the use of raw materials intended for human consumption, but in the absence of specific certification, their utility in dog/cat food is solely for marketing purposes.
*Article Published on the Italian version of the blog on June 23, 2020
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