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Since it is dental month, I wanted to sit down and chat about how oral health is not just about teeth or breath, it is about digestion, immunity, inflammation, lymph flow, behavior, and honestly your dog’s whole vibe. We dig into how chewing and saliva support the nervous system, why oral bacteria can impact the heart, liver, joints, and gut, and how low grade dental issues can quietly show up as skin problems, ear trouble, or mood changes. I also share some herbal perspectives, lymphatic thoughts, and the little things you can watch for at home to help your dog feel better from the inside out. → Canine Dental and Mouthcare Course | 35% off with code mouth  Sponsored By:  → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms  Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store

157: In this short, I’m talking about ozonated ear drops and why they’ve become such a helpful part of my dogs’ ear care routine. With my own bulldogs being prone to chronic ear irritation and flare ups, I’ve been looking for gentle ways to support their ears before things get out of hand, and ozonated oils have been a real game changer. I walk you through what ozone actually is, how ozonated ear drops work, and why the ears are such a delicate ecosystem. I also share how ear issues can connect back to the kidneys, liver, immune system, gut, and even emotional stress, and why prevention matters while we work on balancing the whole body. 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

156: In this episode, I talk about the difference between being holistic and being rigid, and why fear of “doing the wrong thing” can sometimes delay the help our dogs truly need. I share personal reflections from my own cancer experience and how it shaped my view of integrative care for animals. We explore why getting a diagnosis is not giving up, and how veterinary medicine can act as a bridge to deeper holistic healing. I address the mistrust many guardians feel toward conventional care, and how to advocate for your dog without abandoning your values. This episode is about flexibility, listening to the body, and responding to suffering with clarity instead of fear.   Sponsored By:  → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms    Topics Discussed:→ What is holistic dog care? → How do herbs help dogs? → When to see a vet? → What are functional mushrooms? → How to combine holistic and vet care?   Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson

155: In this episode, I’m answering a listener's question about dental health for dogs and sharing why the mouth is never just about teeth. I talk through a popular dental formula from an herbal perspective and explain how ingredients meant for oral health can also support detox, the gut, and overall balance in the body. This is a casual, solo episode with me connecting the dots between plaque, inflammation, and whole dog wellness, plus a few important cautions to keep in mind. If you like learning the why behind products and want a more holistic way to think about dental care, this one’s for you. Topics Discussed:  → Can dental plaque affect my dog’s overall health? → Are herbal dental products safe for dogs? → How does dental health connect to detox in dogs? → What should I know before using dog dental supplements? 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

154: In this short holiday episode, I’m chatting about antibiotics and my own love, frustration relationship with them. They can absolutely save lives, but when we don’t rebuild the microbiome afterward, our dogs can deal with gut issues, skin problems, anxiety, allergies, and other symptoms months or even years later. I talk about when I personally choose to use antibiotics, what I look for afterward, and why repairing the gut is such a big deal for long term health.  Sponsored By:  → Pug & Hound Apothecary Show Links: →  Meliora Laundry Detergent  Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson

153: Winter is here, and our dogs need extra care! Today I’m covering herbal infusions to support your dog’s kidneys, digestion, and overall wellness during the colder months. From parsley and goldenrod to marshmallow root, nettles, and ginger, I explain how to prepare safe and effective infusions, dose them for different sizes, and observe your dog’s responses. I also share tips on probiotics, lymphatic health, seasonal healing, and journaling to track what works best for your dog.  Topics Discussed:  → How can herbal infusions improve my dog’s winter health? → Which herbs support kidney and bladder function in dogs? → What’s the best way to dose herbal teas for dogs? → How can parsley, marshmallow root, and nettles help dogs? → Can herbal remedies reduce anxiety and stress in 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

152: In this holiday short, I’m digging into something most dog parents barely think about, all the stuff we put on our dogs and around them. Shampoos, sprays, cleaners, even the things on your floors, it all adds up, and your dog’s skin, liver, kidneys, and microbiome are doing way more work than you realize. I share a few stories, a few surprises, and why some products you think are harmless might actually be stirring up itchiness, inflammation, and behavior changes. If you’ve ever wondered whether that shampoo or household cleaner matters for your dog’s health, you’ll definitely want to listen to this one. 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

151: Ever wonder why your dog has those stubborn brown tear stains? Today I’m looking into what’s really going on behind the eyes. It’s not just cosmetic…tear stains can signal congestion in the liver, gut, and lymphatic system. I break down how the microbiome, liver, and lymph all play a role, and share what you can do to help restore natural detox pathways and calm inflammation. 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

150: Today we’re talking about all things gallbladder: what it is, why it shows up, and the simple things that can influence healthy bile flow in dogs. I also answer a listener's question about supportive options and walk through the everyday factors that can play a role like diet, stress, thyroid function, gut balance, and hydration.  Topics Discussed:  → What causes gallbladder sludge in dogs? → How can I support healthy bile flow naturally? → Can diet changes help my dog’s gallbladder? → What signs of bile stagnation should dog parents watch for? → How do stress and hormones affect a dog’s digestion? Sponsored By:  → Pug & Hound Apothecary Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog  → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson

149: Today I’m covering all things reproductive health for dogs. I’m not getting too heavy on the science, promise, just some insights and little clarifications from my recent spay/neuter clinic, plus some behind-the-scenes stuff you might not have considered. We also get to talk about the body as a whole system: how everything from the brain to the liver and even the adrenals are connected, whether we realize it or not.  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

148: If your pup pants easily, prefers cool spots, or deals with dry, irritated coughing, this episode’s for you. Today I’m talking all about Lung Harmony for Warm Dogs, one of my favorite formulas for supporting serious lung conditions in dogs who tend to run hot.  I’ll walk you through the ingredients one by one and explain how they work together to calm heat, restore moisture, and support strong, resilient lungs.  → Lung Tonic - Warm Dog 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

147: I just got back from Europe and I’m so excited to cover today’s topic: Lung Harmony. We’re in lung season right now, so it’s the perfect time to talk about keeping your dog’s respiratory system balanced and strong. In this episode, I walk you through my Lung Harmony formula ingredient by ingredient, and explain how herbs like echinacea, elecampane, maize buds, calendula, and gray alder buds work together to support your pup’s lungs. 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

146: I’m coming to you from England & we’re covering lung tonics for warm dogs. If your dog loves cool floors, overheats easily, or struggles with respiratory irritation, this one’s for you. I’ll walk you through a powerful herbal blend that helps soothe inflammation, improve oxygen flow, and restore balance to tired lungs and why it’s so essential for supporting warm dogs through fall and winter. Sponsored By:  → Pug & Hound Apothecary → Earth Buddy  Check Out Rita: → The Herbal Dog (Book) → Rita’s Instagram → Facebook Group → My Courses → My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson

145: In this episode of Dogs Are Individuals, I cover the effects of spay and neuter on your dog’s hormones, nervous system, and overall health. I explain why removing reproductive organs isn’t just about preventing puppies, it can disrupt critical hormone loops, stress the adrenals, affect bones, joints, behavior, and even increase risk for certain cancers. I share practical strategies for supporting your dog’s health, from delaying spay/neuter when possible, ovary-sparing and vasectomy options, to hormone replacement, glandulars, and herbal therapies that help restore balance.  Sponsored By: → Green Juju → Real Mushrooms  → Pawdega  → Earth Buddy  → Dr Ruth Roberts  → Coco Therapy → Innovative Pet Lab → Goodness Gracious  → Feed Real → Fido’s Bone Broth → Coco Therapy → Innovative Pet Lab → 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

144: I’m coming to you from Ireland with a quick episode all about supporting your dog’s lungs during seasonal changes. As we head into cooler weather, our pups are more prone to respiratory stress, coughing, and slower recovery from inflammation. I break down my Lung Tonic formula with reishi, black currant buds, calendula, and ginger, plus share why these herbs are so powerful for boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and helping dogs breathe easier.  Topics Discussed:  → How can I support my dog’s lungs naturally? → What herbs are best for canine respiratory health? → When should I worry about my dog’s breathing rate? → Can dogs benefit from reishi and calendula? → What is the best lung tonic for dogs in fall and winter? 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