Pain Relief for dogs is an easy to use herbal remedy that is formulated to support healthy inflammation levels* with the most effective pain relieving herbs in western herbal medicine. Formulated by a certified Master Herbalist, this formula is made with USDA organic herbs and can offer a safe, natural alternative to NSAIDs and other medications. Use in conjunction with one of our Joint Support Products for Dogs in order to provide nutrients for joint cartilage repair in addition to pain relief - this is very important.
Pain Relief is a natural formula that can safely be used for the life of your dog. This differentiates it from medications because it does not have the side-effects that can lead to ulceration of the stomach or damage to the liver like NSAIDs and other drugs. Please keep in mind that unlike medications this product will take a little time for the herbal constituents to accumulate in the body to produce a more anti-inflammatory state. Medications may work more quickly, however, they also have the potential for serious side-effects.
*For dogs only please. Cats can be sensitive to the salicylates (aspirin-like compounds without the side effects) in willow and meadowsweet.
How does white willow bark differ from aspirin for dogs?
Scientists discovered that the active ingredient salicin in white willow bark could be turned into acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). The anti-inflammatory effects are similar, however the salicin in willow bark is converted into salicylic acid after it is absorbed by the stomach. This is important because at recommended dosages the use of a natural herb like white willow bark does not cause the stomach irritation and possible ulceration that can be serious side-effects of aspirin and NSAIDs.
One more thing worth mentioning is the fact that herbs like white willow and meadowsweet that contain salicin or salicylates, also contain other constituents that protect the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. This is another reason why we prefer to use the whole herb, not just isolated constituents (as is aspirin), because the whole is often better than the parts.
What to Look for in a Superior Pain Relief Formula for Dogs
✓ Organic Herbs
Our formula contains certified USDA organic herbs. Research shows organic herbs have higher amounts of important nutrients as opposed to conventionally raised plants. Organic farming methods are also better for the environment and of course do not have the levels of residual pesticides that conventionally grown herbs can have. We also do not use wild crafted herbs in our formulas as this practice can damage wild populations of herbs and you do not necessarily know where the herbs are coming from or how they've been grown. Instead, we prefer to be on the safe side and only obtain herbs from USDA certified organic farms.
✓ Natural Ingredients
Natural ingredients are going to be gentler on your animal's body when compared to synthetic chemical ingredients or medications. The proper natural constituents are able to provide the body with what it needs to heal and get better. This is in direct contrast to synthetic ingredients or medications that can be especially hard on the liver and kidneys. Medications are also designed to have a symptom suppressing action in line with the principles of allopathic medicine which is to create a diagnoses and then use drugs to suppress symptoms. Using this course of action can never result in true healing and is not really meant to.
✓ Alcohol-Free Tincture with ORGANIC Vegetable Glycerin for Animals
Our blend is formulated by a special process using low heat and organic vegetable glycerin. Tinctures are concentrated forms of a plant's constituents that are readily absorbed and utilized by your pet's body. Because your pet may not like the taste of alcohol, we use vegetable glycerin which gives our tinctures a sweet taste your animals will like. Vegetable glycerin is a carbohydrate but is metabolized differently than sugar and does not raise blood sugar levels. It is also an efficient menstruum which extracts valuable constituents from plants and makes them readily available to the body. In addition, we take the extra time and effort to use a low heat process that extracts many more constituents than just soaking in glycerin alone as is done by most other herbal companies. And, of course, the use of organic vegetable glycerin ensures your pet avoids genetically modified ingredients and herbicides in their natural medicine.
✓ Uses only Human Grade Ingredients
Our products are manufactured using human grade ingredients. In the pet industry this is far from the rule as many companies use pet quality ingredients, those considered "not fit for human consumption".
✓ Uses Fresh, High Quality Ingredients
We purchase our ingredients from some of the most highly regarded companies in their respective fields so you and your animals are ensured the finest quality supplements. In addition, we purchase in small quantities to make sure the products we provide to you are fresh and bursting with important nutrients. This is in direct contrast to many other products on the market that can spend a year or longer sitting in non-climate controlled warehouses before they even get to you.
Active Ingredients per ml
A proprietary blend of USDA ORGANIC extracts (1:5)...250mg
White Willow Bark(Salix alba), Meadowsweet Herb (Filipendula ulmaria), St. John’s Wort Herb (Hypericum perforatum), Black Cohosh Root (Cimicifuga racemosa) and Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale).
Inactive Ingredients: ORGANIC vegetable glycerin USP, distilled water. Alcohol Free!
About the Organic Herbs in this Formula
White Willow Bark - An ancient anti-inflammatory remedy used for aches and pains of all kinds. It is generally considered to be the original, natural source of modern aspirin.
Meadowsweet Herb - An anti-inflammatory herb, similar to white willow, that contains salicylates that help relieve pain in muscles and joints. This herb also has constituents that protect and soothe the lining of the digestive tract.
St. John’s Wort Herb- An herb well known for its use in anxiety and depression. However, it is equally respected in herbalist circles for its value as a healing and anti-inflammatory remedy, especially for neuralgic (nerve) pain.
Black Cohosh Root - A valuable relaxing nervine and effective anti-inflammatory for rheumatic and neurological pain as well as discomfort caused by osteoarthritis.
Ginger Root - Contains gingerols that have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Provide 1 ml per 25 lbs 2 - 3 times per day. May be squirted directly in the mouth, placed in a small amount of favorite food (goat milk yogurt works well) or added to meals. It is desirable to provide herbal remedies such as this away from meals for better absorption when possible.
Shake well before use.
Since this is not a medication, dosages do not have to be exact. Do the best you can to get as close to the suggested dosage below as you can for your animal’s weight.
| Pet Weight | Dosage |
|---|---|
| 0 - 5 lbs | 2 - 3 drops |
| 6 - 10 lbs | 1/4 ml |
| 11 - 15 lbs | 1/2 ml |
| 16 - 20 lbs | 3/4 ml |
| 21 - 25 lbs | 1 ml |
| 26 - 31 lbs | 1 1/4 ml (1/4 tsp) |
| 32 - 37 lbs | 1 1/2 ml |
| 38 - 43 lbs | 1 3/4 ml |
| 44 - 50 lbs | 2 ml |
| 51 - 56 lbs | 2 1/4 ml |
| 57 - 62 lbs | 2 1/2 ml (1/2 tsp) |
| 63 - 68 lbs | 2 3/4 ml |
| 69 - 75 lbs | 3 ml |
| 76 - 87 lbs | 3 1/2 ml |
| 88 - 100 lbs | 4 ml |
| 101 - 112 lbs | 4 1/2 ml |
| >112 lbs | 5 ml (1 tsp) |
For serious acute conditions - It is recommended to provide three dosages per day. When your animal is doing better you may try reducing dosages to twice daily and see how they do with that schedule.
For chronic conditions - You may provide two to three times daily. If your animal does not respond to two dosages they will need three until they show improvement and then you may reduce to two dosages daily and see how they do.
Long-term use: After the first two - four weeks when your animal's condition stabilizes or improves begin to use on a schedule of 5 days on and 2 days off as long as your animal's condition allows this schedule without deterioration.
To apply directly in mouth just pull out lower lip at back of mouth and squirt in desired amount. Don't tilt head back and squirt down throat or your pet may breathe some in. Wipe off dropper before placing back in container. If your animal coughs afterwards it is a sign they are breathing some in and it may be best to place in food in the future.
How long does it usually take for this herbal remedy to work?
Well, that is a difficult question to answer because each animal and his/her situation is unique. Sometimes benefits are seen immediately within a day or two and other times it may be a couple of weeks. We would say that you should see some sort of improvement within three to four weeks. If you don’t see improvement please contact us in case we can make other suggestions - perhaps there is a more appropriate remedy etc. Remember, these are not pharmaceutical drugs that have a dramatic affect on the body. What we are trying to accomplish with our herbal remedies and other supplements is to increase the health of weak organs/systems and this can take a little time to accomplish in some cases. Also, please keep in mind that diet and lifestyle play a huge role in the health of your animal(s). If you continue to feed a poor-quality kibble diet or provide repetitive booster vaccinations or use flea/tick chemical products, these will work against what we are trying to accomplish and make it more difficult to improve the health of your dog or cat.
What if my animal is not responding as hoped?
Then you may increase the dosage by 50% and see how that works. Dosage can then be reduced at a later date. If they still do not respond as hoped then please do not just give up, instead contact us by email so we can consider your animal's condition and make further suggestions. Our goal is to succeed and we will help you to the best of our abilities.
What if I have a large dog or I am on a budget?
We understand that providing a large animal with herbal remedies and natural supplements can be a financial burden to some. We would suggest to provide what is within your budget and see how that works. For example, if you have a 100 lb dog that would require 5 mls two to three times daily, figure what is within your budget and try that. It may only be 1 ml or 2 mls two times per day. However, in our experience this is preferable to avoiding the remedy entirely.
Do these herbal remedies have any contraindications?
A contraindication suggests that a particular remedy should not be used in certain health conditions or along with certain medications. If any are present they will be indicated at the bottom of this page under Contraindications.
Can I use this herbal remedy along with my pet’s medication(s)?
Generally, the answer to this question is “yes” with some caveats. As mentioned previously, if any contraindications are present they will be indicated at the bottom of this page. In addition, keep in mind that our herbal remedies often duplicate the actions of medications. For example, our heart tonic will help to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure mimicking the action of certain drugs used for heart failure or high blood pressure. If this is the case, then this should be discussed with your veterinarian as the dosage of the medication may need to be lowered or may even be eliminated entirely. This must be done working in coordination with your veterinarian - please do not take it upon yourself to remove your pet’s medications. If using chemotherapy drugs please discuss this with your vet as well.
What if my vet is not receptive to using natural supplements or herbal remedies?
Well, this is a fairly common occurrence unfortunately. The decision will have to be yours on how to handle this. Try discussing with your vet how important it is to you to try a more natural approach. If this doesn’t work and they are unreceptive then you have only two choices: do it their way or find a veterinarian that you can work with to better the health of your dog or cat. We know what we’d do!
We recommend you purchase enough for at least 2 - 4 weeks to get an idea if this remedy will work for your animal. Use the chart below as a guide.
Approximate Daily Servings per Container
| Container Size | 10 lbs | 25 lbs | 35 lbs | 50 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 oz (2 or 3 servings per day) |
60 or 40 | 30 or 20 | 22 or 15 | 15 or 10 |
| 4 oz (2 or 3 servings per day) |
120 or 80 | 60 or 40 | 45 or 30 | 30 or 20 |
Storage: If to be used over a period of a few weeks store at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Refrigerate for longer term storage.
Important: If animal's condition worsens or does not improve or any unusual symptoms occur discontinue use and consult your veterinarian. Safe use in pregnant animals or animals intended for breeding has not been proven.
Contraindications: Because St. John's Wort affects the detoxifying enzyme system in the liver it could speed the removal of certain drugs. Because of this, medications your dog is on may have to have their dosages adjusted accordingly. It is also contraindicated with certain antidepressant drugs like SSRI's or supplements that increase serotonin like SAM-e. Not to be used with medications that can thin the blood like Metacam and other NSAID's.