I grew up in a household who swear by multivitamins, ginger and turmeric shots and cod liver oil to help stay in tip-top condition – so why not look at herbal care for you pooch too?
Dorwest have been in the pet industry for as long as the NHS. That’s right – 70 years of breeding, working and showing dogs, applying their knowledge of herbal medicine to dogs’ health and nutritional needs. The Scamps are big fans of their Roast Dinner Toothpaste (not so much the actual brushing part, mind you), and we are always recommending the brand to fur-iends who raise particular concerns for their dog. In fact, one dog walker my dad speaks to whilst out with The Scamps now raves about Keeper’s Mix after it gave his elderly dogs a new lease of life.
About Dorwest Herbs
Dorwest are now in their third generation, and the only manufacturer of herbal medicines authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. They’re available in over 20 countries all over the world, and stand by the manta: ‘No gimmicky advertising or jumping on bandwagons – just quality herbs and a business built on friendly foundations’.
Regulars at Crufts, the brand loves meeting their customers and their dogs. They said: “Away from the lab and the white coats, we’re typical dog lovers – keen to chat with fellow dog owners and delighted to offer advice on anything from supplements for an active lifestyle to treatments for travel sickness, phobias or ageing joints. We love being part of that great dog-owning community, and feel privileged to be able to share our expertise with fellow dog enthusiasts.”
Many people will use a range of ‘general health’ herbal products to promote their dog’s wellbeing, and we’ve been adding three fab Dorwest supplements to Phoebe and Frank’s diet, including Keeper’s Mix Sensitive, Tree Barks Powder and Easy Green. The powders are really easy to use and the amounts to use are readily available on the website, too!
Dorwest Keeper’s Mix Sensitive
Keeper’s Mix is Dorwest’s best selling dietary supplement for dogs, giving their diet a ‘super-boost’ and providing whole-body benefits. The sensitive blend of the powder is gentler and milder for dogs with sensitivities, like our Phoebe who can have a sensitive tummy. The blend of seven herbs are perfectly balanced to provide natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, fibres and complex bioactive compounds, whilst being especially gentle on the gut and other organs.
Keepers Mix is made with a blend of 100% herbal, natural ingredients, which all offer specific benefits to your dog’s health. They are:
- Kelp Seaweed
- Marshmallow Root
- Lucerne (alfalfa
- Nettle
- Psyllium
- Clivers
- German Chamomile
The kelp is brilliant for skin and coat health, whilst marshmallow root is usually used to help with digestive issues – as does psyllium. Lucerne is a source of vitamins A, C & K, with nettle being rich in chlorophyll, iron and vitamin C. Clivers help to maintain good kidney and bladder function, and help maintain clear skin, and the German chamomile is well known as a calming herb.
Phoebe and Frank can have two measures daily, and it’s great because you just sprinkle it onto their breakfast like seasoning! They seem more intrigued by their meals when it has something added into it, so adding the supplements means they’re also less likely to refuse food when they’re being fussy.
You can buy Keeper’s Mix Sensitive for £13.99 for a 250g tub from Hounds – and get 10% off using my code SCAMPS!
Dorwest Tree Barks Powder
For dogs suffering with digestive health issues, the Dorwest Tree Barks Powder is the perfect addition to their daily diet. It’s made with just two ingredients aimed at tackling upset tummies: 90% finely powdered slippery elm bark and 10% white poplar bark.
Both these tree barks have a soothing effect on the digestive tract, which Dorwest said ‘slow the passage of food, increase absorption of nutrients, firm stools and ease discomfort.’
Intestinal disorders and digestive problems are quite common in pets, and Phoebe previously suffered with three rounds of campylobacter in her gut. The Dorwest Tree Barks Powder is a great short term choice for dogs suffering with an upset tummy, or during a recovery period following an intestinal issie, as well as for longer term problems in the gut.
Dorwest added: “Due to the wide range of intestinal disorders, some of which may be serious, it is recommended that veterinary advice be sought before using this product or if the condition fails to improve.”
One great thing about the Tree Barks Powder is that it can be used alongside other medications, meaning we could use it for Phoebe whilst on a course of anti-biotics for her infection. We always think it’s worth keeping a tub in the house to have ready to use when it’s needed!
The Dorwest Tree Barks Powder is just £12.50 at Hounds, or £11.25 with the code SCAMPS at checkout.
Dorwest Easy Green
The Dorwest Easy Green is essentially one of those super-boost green smoothies we force ourselves to drink, only, our dogs actually enjoy them more than eating veggies themselves! Dogs find it difficult to digest vegetables, so Dorwest formulated Easy Green to maximise absorption of all the goodness in their greens.
Dorwest explains: “Dogs find it hard to break down the cellulose in vegetables, so these nutritious plants need to be given pulsed, or more easily, in an appropriate supplement for better absorption. Dogs also have a much shorter digestive tract than humans, so have a smaller time period in which to absorb the nutrients from food. Our Easy Green Powder is especially made for dogs to maximise absorption, providing a diet super-boost.”
Easy Green is made with finely powdered spinach, parsley and watercress, and Phoebe and Frank only need a teaspoon per day without even having to look at anything that resembles a leaf! Easy Green boosts the levels of iron, vitamin C, chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium and antioxidants, and it also has cooling properties for dogs who suffer with itchy skin.
Buy Easy Green for £12.50 or get 10% off with the code SCAMPS at Hounds.
