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193: In this episode, I talk about why we can get so caught up in trying to make our dogs live longer that we forget about what they need to be healthy in the first place. I discuss the importance of good nutrition, movement, fresh air, sunlight, rest, and social connection, and why these basics matter more than constantly looking for ways to extend their lifespan. I also talk about letting dogs sniff, explore, make choices, and enjoy the natural behaviors that make them dogs. Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

192: Today I’m sharing my thoughts on why holistic dog care can still fall into the trap of treating symptoms instead of looking at the bigger picture. I talk about choosing herbs based on each dog’s individual needs, understanding organ health, and why the nervous system, lymphatics, and liver may need attention before focusing on the gut. I also discuss questioning common practices, looking deeper into health information, and being more intentional in how we support our dogs. Sponsored By: → Pug & Hound Apothecary Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

191: In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on how veterinarians and other professionals can work together to support dogs. I talk about knowing your limits, getting hands-on experience, and recognizing when a dog needs veterinary care. I also discuss the problems with AI-generated herbal information, why mentorship matters, and how we can learn from each other to provide better care for dogs. Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

190: In this episode, I’m sharing some common mistakes herbalists can make when working with herbs for dogs. We’ll talk about why natural doesn’t always mean gentle, the importance of understanding individual plants, and why the right herb for one dog may not work for another. I’ll also discuss the risks of using too many herbs at once and why sometimes the best approach is to keep things simple. Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

189: I’m coming to you live from the AHVMA conference in San Diego with my herbal understudy and friend, Krista Fox of Pug and Hound. We’re talking about holistic veterinary medicine, what makes it different from conventional veterinary care, and why looking at the whole animal matters so much.   Topics Discussed: → What is holistic veterinary care? → What are whole food vitamins for dogs? → Is folic acid bad for dogs? → What are the best omega-3s for dogs? → How does red light therapy help dogs?   Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms → Pug & Hound Apothecary   Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

188: Gallbladder sludge can be a frustrating issue for dogs, so in this episode, I’m sharing some of the herbal remedies I like to use to support the gallbladder and liver. We’ll talk about artichoke, linden, and hedge maple, along with some of the other symptoms that can show up alongside gallbladder issues. I’ll also share a quick update on my Tavari journey. Sponsored By: → Pug & Hound Apothecary Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

187: This week, I’m breaking down my five-step framework for supporting your dog’s organ health with herbs. We’re talking about the nervous system, lymphatic system, liver, digestion, and creating a protocol based on your individual dog. I’m also sharing why herbal protocols should change with the seasons and why you shouldn’t give your dog the same supplements forever. Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

186: As we transition from summer into fall, our dogs can experience subtle changes in their bodies and overall health. In this episode, I talk about the connection between the lungs and colon, how seasonal changes can affect breathing, digestion, skin, and hydration, and what signs to watch for in your dog. I also discuss supporting dogs through the transition with moisture, diet, and herbs based on their individual needs and energetics. Sponsored By: → Animal Essentials → Pug & Hound Apothecary Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

185: Is all milk thistle really the same? In this episode, I talk about the difference between whole milk thistle seed and standardized milk thistle extracts, how they differ, and when you might use one over the other. I also discuss what to look for on labels, the role of milk thistle in liver support, and why it’s important to know exactly what you’re giving your dog. Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

184: In this short episode, I’m coming to you from SuperZoo in Las Vegas to share one of her biggest takeaways from the event. After dealing with significant back pain throughout the week, I was introduced to Tvati, a topical oil traditionally made from the inner bark of Hibiscus tiliaceus, and was surprised by my experience using it.   Sponsored By:  → Animal Essentials is offering 40% off site-wide, 50% off when you spend $200, and free shipping on orders of $50 for a limited time. → Pug & Hound Apothecary   Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

183: Does your dog struggle with itchy skin, ear issues, or constantly chewing their paws? In this episode, I talk all about candida and yeast overgrowth in dogs, what can cause it to get out of balance, and some of the signs you may notice in your dog. I also discuss the role of diet, antibiotics, stress, and gut health, along with some of my favorite herbs, supplements, and ways to support your dog while bringing yeast back into balance. Topics Discussed: → Candida and Yeast Overgrowth → Signs of Yeast Overgrowth → Gut Health and the Microbiome → Diet, Herbs and Supplements   Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms → Pug & Hound Apothecary   Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

182: Should you deworm your dog regularly, or only when it's actually necessary? In this episode, I break down why routine deworming without testing may not always be the best approach and explain the importance of fecal testing before treatment. I also discuss how parasites affect your dog's health, the role they play in the immune system, why heavy parasite burdens should always be addressed, and how to take a more informed, balanced approach to deworming. Topics discussed: → Fecal Testing Before Deworming → Parasites & Your Dog's Immune System → Common Intestinal Worms in Dogs → Risks of Routine Deworming → Natural Support for Parasite Management   Sponsored By: → Animal Essentials → Pug & Hound Apothecary   Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

181: Wildfire smoke can be hard on both you and your dog. In this episode, I share simple ways to reduce smoke exposure, how to recognize when your dog may need extra support, and the herbs I reach for most during wildfire season, including mullein, plantain, marshmallow root, licorice, and New England aster. As always, it's about supporting the individual in front of you with herbs that soothe, nourish, and work with the body.   Topics Discussed: → Wildfire Smoke & Dogs → Smoke Inhalation Remedies → Herbs for Lung Support → Mullein & Plantain Benefits → Air Quality & Smoke Safety   Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Animal Essentials → Real Mushrooms   Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

180: Comfrey is one of herbalism's most beloved plants but it's also one of the most misunderstood. While it's known for supporting the healing of bones, ligaments, tendons, and skin, it deserves a healthy dose of respect. In this episode, I share how I use comfrey in my practice, why it's one of my favorite herbs for external healing, and why I'm much more cautious when it comes to internal use. We'll talk about the compounds that make comfrey controversial, when it may be appropriate to use, and the safer alternatives I often reach for instead. As always, it's about understanding the whole plant, honoring its strengths, and using it thoughtfully for the dogs we love. Topics Discussed: → Is comfrey safe for dogs?→ What does comfrey help heal in dogs?→ Can dogs take comfrey internally?→ When should you avoid using comfrey?→ What herbs are safer than comfrey?   Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Animal Essentials → Pug & Hound Apothecary Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

179: Many dog owners worry about whether their dog's body is too acidic or too alkaline…but is that actually the right question? In this episode, I explain how pH works throughout your dog's body, why healthy dogs naturally have different pH levels in different organs, and why trying to "alkalize" your dog may do more harm than good. You'll learn how blood pH differs from urine pH, what urine testing can actually reveal, and why looking at the whole dog is more important than focusing on a single number. Topics Discussed:→ What does pH actually mean in dogs? → Should you try to make your dog more alkaline? → What is a healthy urine pH for dogs? → How do you test your dog's urine pH at home? → Which herbs support your dog's bladder and kidneys naturally? Sponsored By:  → Green Juju → Animal Essentials  → Pug & Hound Apothecary Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson