Frequently Asked Questions

• Are leafy greens (or any vegetables) really necessary for a dog’s healthy diet?

  Absolutely.

  We all agree that dogs enjoy eating meat.  But veterinarians, canine nutritionists, and the leading scientific literature all agree that dogs cannot survive and thrive on an all-meat diet.  Dogs need access to other types of whole foods to remain healthy and fit.  These non-meat foods are a source of carbohydrates, fiber, and micronutrients.  Micronutrients are nutrients that are needed in small amounts, such as vitamins, minerals, and other essential elements.  The micronutrients and compounds found in fresh vegetable matter are critical, not only in providing nutrition, but also in ensuring the proper functioning of your dog's digestive system.

  Fresh Greens are the Best Greens

  We all know that it is far better to obtain nutrients from minimally processed foods.  That’s why our herbs are not dried, pasteurized, dehydrated, or baked. We use only cold-pressed, natural extracts of fresh, pesticide-free, leafy greens.  Dog-Wa can provide the nutritional and digestive support your dog needs to be healthy for years to come.  Whether you feed you dog canned, dry, raw, or cooked foods, Dog-Wa is the perfect companion.

• I feed my pet high-quality dog food that says it provides complete nutrition. Why does my pet need Dog-Wa, too?

  Dog-Wa provides highly available, liquid nutrients from fresh plants that your dog needs to thrive.

  Most commercial pet food manufacturers make highly processed dog food products based on standards set by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. The holistic benefits of the ingredients are commonly diminished during processing. Nutrients not found in the components or lost in the manufacturing process may be added, replaced, or supplemented with synthetic vitamins and minerals to bring these products into compliance with FDA standards for “complete nutrition.”  So most dog food is basically meats, grains, and a vitamin pill. 

  
  Dog-Wa also supports the functioning of your dog's digestive system.

  Symptoms of dog digestive problems include gas, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, grass eating and vomiting.  Bad breath can indicate mouth problems, where the digestive process begins.  Dog-Wa provides beneficial herbs that have been used successfully for centuries to treat common symptoms of bad digestion.  

• How much Dog-Wa does my dog need?

  Nutritional needs of individual dogs vary based on factors such as size, weight, age, activity level, and the amount and type of food your dog eats. For a healthy, medium to large size, adult dog, we recommend up to 1.5 fluid ounces of Dog-Wa a day as a safe and reasonable allowance. For small dogs, we recommend up to 1 ounce (toy breeds will need even less). Giant breeds may have up to 3 fluid ounces a day. For feeding directions click here.

  
  Dog-Wa can be diluted into your pet’s water or mixed into food.

  The first time you give Dog-Wa, be sure to monitor your dog to ensure he is drinking enough water. That should be no problem, since most dogs love the herbal flavor of Dog-Wa. But dogs are also creatures of habit and some are adverse to change of any kind. If your dog is picky, you may consider further dilution with plain, fresh water or mixing into food.

• Is Dog-Wa safe for puppies? What about pregnant or lactating dogs?

  We do not recommend Dog-Wa for unweaned puppies, puppies under 3 months, or for pregnant or lactating dogs.

  These are extraordinary time periods in any dog’s life, when simplicity, caution, and close observation should be your guiding principles.

• What happens if my cat drinks my dog’s Dog-Wa?

  Well, for starters, your dog will get really miffed.

  All of Dog-Wa's ingredients are generally recognized as safe and approved for use in cat food products in regulations of the Food & Drug Administration. Many of our customers who have dogs and cats use Dog-Wa for both with great success. In fact, peppermint is in the same family as catnip, so many cats love the fresh herbal taste of Dog-Wa.

  If you decide to give Dog-Wa to your cat, make sure that you start light, with a dilution of at least 3-5 parts fresh clean water to 1 part Dog-Wa. Calculate about 1/2 ounce, or 1 tablespoon of Dog-Wa per 20 pounds of body weight. An average 12 - 14 pound cat should consume approximately 1/2 tablespoon a day.

  Observe your cat to ensure that the taste is satisfactory and make sure that she is drinking adequate amounts of water. Adjust the dilution level up or down until your cat is happily drinking every day. You may also mix Dog-Wa into your cat’s food.

• What are the ingredients in Dog-Wa?
  

  All ingredients are Human-Food-Grade.  These ingredients are grown and made exclusively in the USA.  Every ingredient is FDA-approved and "GRAS" ("Generally Recognized as Safe") for use in both human and animal products. Each item has a long history of safe use in human, dog, and cat food products.

  Active Ingredients

  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita) leaf fluid extract
  • Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) leaf fluid extract

  Our herbal extracts are made with a pioneering patented cold extraction process. Cold pressing ensures that our herbs maintain the same synergistic ratios as are found in the actual fresh plants. Alcohol and pesticide free.

  

  Other Ingredients

  • USP Purified Water
  • Sodium Benzoate (preserves freshness and safety)
  • Phosphoric Acid (an acidulant to maintain proper pH balance)
  • Potassium Sorbate (preserves freshness and safety)
  • Glycerin (an emulsifier and stabilizer)
• Why does Dog-Wa contain preservatives? Are they safe?

  Here are the basic points to help you to understand why we include a preservative system in Dog-Wa, and why you might be glad we did.  You may also want to read this article on preservatives by Dr. Leon.

  Making Dog-Wa as a liquid supplement allows us to deliver the benefits of cold-pressed, fresh herbs – not dried, dehydrated, heat-processed, or pasteurized versions of fresh herbs. Liquids and fresh foods are prone to microbial growth and contamination by substances such as E. coli and Salmonella. In order to retain freshness and maintain safety, we must protect them from such contaminants.

  Therefore, Dog-Wa has a preservative system based on sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate.  Sodium benzoate, naturally present in cranberries, prunes, and apples, is used to preserve salad dressing, beverages, jams, and cough syrups.  Potassium sorbate is used to preserve salad dressings, dried foods, herbal supplements, and personal care products.  We use the two in small amounts.  By using both in combination, we can use less of either than we would if we used only one.  In combination, the two agents prevent contamination and spoilage caused by bacteria and fungi, stop decay caused by oxidation, and prevent the breakdown of the fresh nutrients in Dog-Wa.  Their use not only prevents spoilage, but also maintains levels of nutrients like amino acids and vitamins.  Both are FDA approved for human and animal consumption and are "GRAS" ("Generally Recognized as Safe") for people, dogs, and cats.

  Our preservative system allows Dog-Wa to deliver the holistically balanced extracts of fresh, pesticide-free herbs that make Dog-Wa so effective in maintaining your pet's health. These preservatives are metabolized and passed through the digestive system within hours of ingestion.  Once Dog-Wa is diluted out, per the instructions, the preservatives are actually present at levels much below the maximum levels recommended by the federal government.

  Our number one concern is your pet's health and safety. Making a product that is 100% safe will always be our commitment to you and your pet. We do not use ingredients like ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA.  We never use ingredients that are approved for animal use but are not approved for human use. We believe that any ingredients that are acceptable for pets must be acceptable for people too. For the same reason, all our ingredients are grown and made exclusively in the USA.

  
  Why not Pasteurization?

  We carefully researched the option of pasteurizing Dog-Wa, and there are two main reasons why we chose the current preservative system over pasteurization.

  First, the heating required for pasteurization dramatically diminishes the vitamins and micronutrients found in fresh herbs. Pasteurization, dehydration, or heat processing would result in an unacceptable level of nutrient loss. We were not satisfied that any of these options would result in a product that would deliver the benefits of fresh herbs.

  Secondly, pasteurization only maintains product safety while the bottle is unopened. Once you open the bottle, the product is subject to environmental contamination and spoilage just like any other foodstuff. Any food or drink you serve your animals may sit for some time at room temperature before they are fully consumed. Our preservative system protects Dog-Wa for up to 3 months in your refrigerator after the bottle is opened, and also in your pet's bowl at room temperature.

  For more information about the function and safety of the preservatives in Dog-Wa see Dr. Leon's column or contact us.

• Why is using Dog-Wa better than sprinkling dried herbs on my dog's food?

  Our customers sometimes ask if they could obtain the same great results they get with Dog-Wa by simply mixing dried herbs together and sprinkling on their dog’s food.

  In a nutshell, the answer is no.

  There are several reasons why Dog-Wa provides superior nutritional benefits in a form that is more bioavailable to your dog than eating dried herbs.

  No matter what you eat, you do not get 100% of the nutrients, due to the digestive process.  When a substance, like a food or drink, is consumed, the nutrients decrease due to incomplete absorption.  We ensure an adequate amount of nutrients by consuming the correct amount of foods to compensate for these lost nutrients.  One way we do this is by consuming whole and minimally processed foods that are high in the nutritious elements we need for optimal health.  Another help is to eat foods that enhance the body’s digestive functioning, or at least do not add challenges to proper digestion.

  Fresh herbs are the best herbs

  One of the best ways to ensure that we maximize the nutrients from our food sources is to consume fresh foods.  Herbs and vegetables that are dried, baked, dehydrated, or pasteurized experience significant nutrient loss.  Delicate phytonutrients, acids, and other supernutrients may be diminished or eliminated by drying, baking, dehydration, or pasteurization.  That’s why the herbs in Dog-Wa are fresh.  We cold press with a patented technology to maintain the nutrient value of fresh herbs in the same ratios as are found in the actual, whole plants.  So Dog-Wa contains more of the goodness of fresh, whole leafy greens.

  Concentration is the key to success

  If you’ve ever made fresh-squeezed orange juice or lemonade, you know how many fresh oranges or lemons it takes.  You can go through a dozen of them before you know it.  Now imagine trying to “squeeze” parsley and peppermint.  A little peppermint goes a long way for flavor, but imagine trying to squeeze a cup full of mint juice.   Obviously, it would take bushels and bushels of these herbs to do it.  When we make a batch of Dog-Wa, it’s more like rooms full of herbs.  That’s what it takes to obtain the concentration of our herbal blend.  So with Dog-Wa, you can provide your dog a superabundance of leafy green nutrients in just a few tablespoons.  In order to match the nutritional benefits of Dog-Wa with dried herbs, you would have to provide more dried herbs than your dog could ever ingest.  And those dried herbs would not contain all the nutritional benefits of fresh herbs.

  It’s not just the nutrients you consume, it’s the nutrients you absorb

  Generally speaking, the goal of providing nutrients is to ensure absorption across the lining of the digestive tract and into the body.  A dog’s digestive system, while similar to yours and mine, is different in many ways.  One way in which a dog’s digestive system differs is a reduced ability to digest fiber and vegetable matter.  So the question is, how do we provide the necessary nutrients found in beneficial herbs without contributing to problems in digestion.  One way is through the use of liquids.  The superior absorption of many nutrients in a liquid form is well documented, both in humans and dogs.  Because Dog-Wa is a highly palatable, liquid concentrate, the beneficial components of these herbs are readily available for digestion and absorption.  So your dog gets more benefit from Dog-Wa than he would from dried herbs.

  The joy in life depends on good digestion

  Because digestion is critical for absorbing nutrients, problems with digestion result in obvious symptoms of distress, including diarrhea, bloating, excess gas, and failure to thrive.  These problems occur so frequently in our pets that they cause many, many visits to veterinarians.  Typically, gastrointestinal problems rank among the top five reasons that dogs are brought in to see their doctors.

  The herbs in Dog-Wa have a long history of success in addressing common digestive problems.  These benefits result from the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and compounds found in our perfect blend of parsley and peppermint.

  But here’s the thing:  dogs that suffer from common digestive problems such as gas, diarrhea, bloating, and grass eating and vomiting tend to have problems digesting their food as well.  Poorly digested foods then contribute to the problem further, and your dog is caught in a vicious circle.

  Giving your dog beneficial herbs to improve his digestion can help a lot.  But you don’t want to supply them in a form that will also challenge their digestive tract by being difficult for your dog to digest.  Due to the way a dog’s digestive system functions, the foods most likely to be poorly digested are usually carbohydrates and fiber.

  And this, of course, brings us back to the difference between giving your dog dried herbs or opting for Dog-Wa.  Dried herbs are basically stems and leaves.  Or, carbohydrates and fiber, depending on how you look at it.  With Dog-Wa, your dog gets the benefits of fresh herbs without consuming the indigestible parts of the green plants that can contribute to digestive distress.

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