A raw or fresh food diet is a fantastic way to provide your dog with a nutrient-rich, natural diet, but it may lack certain key nutrients necessary for optimal health—especially for dogs prone to spinal conditions like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), genetically deformed spine (Hemivertebrae), arthritis in the spine (spondylosis) or athletic dogs that need protection from fast paced sports and play.
Including specific herbs and minerals in their diet can fill these gaps, supporting strong bones, healthy connective tissues, and reducing inflammation. Here’s a guide to 11 powerful natural ingredients that can take your dog’s diet to the next level.
Why Add Herbs and Minerals to a Fresh Food Diet?
While raw diets are packed with essential proteins and fats, they may miss out on certain nutrients crucial for maintaining joint, bone, and spinal health. Herbs and minerals aren’t just extras—they’re very important to help fill in the gaps that may be occurring in a fresh food based diet. Various amino acids, and bioavailable vitamins are extremely important for the production and repair of the body tissues. The aim is to use scientifically proven naturally occurring ingredients that assist with tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and even support nerve health. If your dog suffers from spinal issues or is part of a breed at higher risk for spinal or joint conditions, adding additonal supplements can help manage symptoms of pain, reduced mobility and improve their quality of life.
1. Horsetail Stem
Why It’s Important: Horsetail is a rich natural source of silica, a mineral essential for collagen production. Collagen is the key structural protein in your dog’s body, making up connective tissues like skin, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. This herb helps strengthen these tissues, improving bone density and elasticity.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Bone Health: Silica aids in maintaining strong bones, essential for active dogs or aging pets.
- Tissue Repair: Promotes healing of injuries by fortifying connective tissues.
- Bladder Control: Horsetail also has a mild diuretic effect, supporting urinary health and helping dogs with bladder control issues
2. Devil’s Claw
Why It’s Important: This herb is renowned for its powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It works by reducing inflammatory chemicals in the body, making it a natural alternative to pain relief medications.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Pain Relief: Helps manage joint and muscle pain, making it ideal for dogs with arthritis or chronic discomfort.
- Mobility: Reduces stiffness, allowing your dog to move more freely and maintain an active lifestyle.
- Anti-Aging: Keeps aging dogs more comfortable and mobile without relying solely on pharmaceuticals.
3. Gotu Kola
Why It’s Important: Gotu Kola improves circulation and supports nerve health. It also enhances the body’s ability to produce collagen, which is crucial for the strength and repair of connective tissues.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Nerve Support: Aids in maintaining healthy nerve function, critical for senior dogs or breeds prone to nerve-related issues.
- Improved Healing: Enhances blood flow to injured tissues, speeding up recovery from wounds or strain.
- Mental Clarity: This herb is also known to promote cognitive function, keeping your dog mentally sharp.
4. Glycine
Why It’s Important: Glycine is an amino acid essential for producing collagen and other proteins that support muscle, ligament, and joint health. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and plays a role in calming the nervous system.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Soft Tissue Health: Strengthens ligaments, muscles, and tendons to prevent injuries.
- Inflammation Control: Helps soothe irritated tissues, reducing pain and promoting overall comfort.
- Calming Effect: Aids in managing stress or anxiety, contributing to your dog’s emotional well-being.
5. Rosehip
Why It’s Important: Rosehip is a powerhouse of Vitamin C and antioxidants, which are crucial for collagen production and fighting oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to premature aging and tissue breakdown.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Joint Health: Boosts collagen production, ensuring strong and flexible joints.
- Immune Support: High antioxidant content helps combat free radicals, strengthening your dog’s immune system.
- Energy Levels: Promotes vitality by reducing the strain of chronic inflammation on your dog’s body.
6. Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Why It’s Important: This unique mushroom is celebrated for its ability to support brain and nerve health. It contains compounds that encourage nerve regeneration, making it ideal for dogs with neurological issues or recovering from injuries.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Cognitive Function: Promotes mental sharpness and helps prevent age-related cognitive decline.
- Nerve Health: Supports healthy communication between the brain and body, vital for mobility and reflexes.
- Recovery: Aids in nerve repair after injury or surgery, ensuring a quicker and more complete recovery.
7. Dipsaci Root
Why It’s Important: Dipsaci Root has long been used in traditional medicine to strengthen bones and connective tissues. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that make it effective for managing chronic pain.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Bone Strength: Enhances bone density, reducing the risk of fractures or weakness.
- Ligament Health: Improves the attachment of ligaments to bones, ensuring a stable and resilient musculoskeletal system.
- Longevity: By supporting the structural integrity of your dog’s body, it helps maintain an active lifestyle well into old age.
8. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Why It’s Important: MSM is an organic sulfur compound essential for reducing inflammation, supporting joint health, and promoting collagen production.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces swelling and pain in joints and muscles, keeping your dog comfortable and active.
- Joint Lubrication: Helps maintain the fluid in your dog’s joints, ensuring smooth and pain-free movement.
- Skin and Coat Health: The sulfur in MSM supports healthy skin and a shiny, resilient coat.
9. Turmeric
Why It’s Important: Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It is often used to manage chronic pain and inflammation.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Pain Management: Helps ease discomfort from arthritis or injuries.
- Detoxification: Its antioxidant properties help remove toxins from the body, promoting overall health.
- Joint Health: Reduces stiffness and supports mobility.
Note: While beneficial, turmeric should be used cautiously, especially for dogs prone to overheating or skin sensitivities.
10. Boswellia Serrata
Why It’s Important: Boswellia is a powerful anti-inflammatory taken from the resin of a particular tree, especially effective for joint health. Has been used for thousands of years for various issues relating to inflammation and joint pain.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Joint Care: Reduces pain and stiffness in arthritic joints.
- Cartilage Protection: Helps preserve joint cartilage, delaying the onset of age-related issues.
- Mobility: Improves flexibility, especially in older or less active dogs.
11. Zinc
Why It’s Important: Zinc is a trace mineral essential for immune function, collagen synthesis, and cellular repair.
For General Health and Vitality:
- Immune Health: Strengthens the immune system, helping your dog fight off infections.
- Wound Healing: Promotes faster recovery from cuts or injuries.
- Skin and Coat: Supports healthy skin and reduces the risk of dryness or irritation.
How to Include These Ingredients in Your Dog’s Diet
Adding these herbs and minerals doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your dog’s entire feeding routine. Many high-quality supplements are formulated to provide these nutrients in precise, dog-safe amounts, ensuring your pup gets all the benefits without risk. Look for a comprehensive spinal health supplement designed to complement a fresh food diet for maximum impact. Consider "spinal Health" as an option:
Spinal Health: A Complete Herbal and Mineral Superfood
Spinal Health is a carefully crafted superfood supplement that combines all the essential herbs and minerals discussed above. Designed to complement a fresh food-based diet, it bridges any nutritional gaps to ensure your dog's body—and especially their spine—is as strong, resilient, and pain-free as possible.
This blend of natural ingredients works synergistically to support spinal health, enhance joint and connective tissue strength, and promote overall vitality. By incorporating Spinal Health into your dog's diet, you're providing them with the foundational nutrients they need to thrive—without relying on pharmaceutical medications to manage pain or discomfort.
This is more than just a supplement; it’s a way to ensure your dog stays active, comfortable, and happy, no matter their age or activity level.
Supporting Your Dog’s Spinal Health Naturally
By incorporating these scientifically proven herbs and minerals into your dog’s fresh food diet, you’re not just filling potential nutritional gaps—you’re proactively supporting their spinal health, reducing inflammation, and giving them the tools to heal and thrive.
As a veterinary Chinese medicine practitioner and chiropractor, over the past 20 years of clinical practice i have found these minerals and herbs to be exceptionally good for treating and managing all types of spinal conditions and joint injuries.
If your dog is showing signs of discomfort or you want to give them the best chance at staying active and happy for longer, these natural additions to their diet could make all the difference. Whether you’re managing a current spinal condition or looking to prevent future issues, these nutrients are your secret weapon for a healthier, happier pup.
Check it out at www.caninevital.com.au
Neil Barnsley
Canine Vital - www.caninevital.com.au
Animal Holistic Therapies - www.animaholistictherapies.com.au
