I have two dogs:
Cali - 6 year old Collie x Whippet, healthy, active
Logan - 4-6 year old Patterdale Terrier, has Dry Eye and can suffer bouts of colitis, active

I have been told about supplements and herbal remedies being good for dogs, and know of a dog who comes in to work who has cod liver oil added to his meals. I have also been told about the possibility of supplements benefiting Logan for both his issues. I am in the process of changing them both onto a raw diet and this is going well. They still get shop bought treats, something I am not planning on stopping.

Anyone have any advice/tips on herbal remedies or supplements that would benefit my two, or any experience of using herbal remedies or supplements on their dogs?

Many Thanks

I use Dorwest Herbs keepers mix with my lot - it's completely natural, all herbal, no additives etc - benefits the dogs in loads of different ways. It's a vile smelling green powder, but mixes well into food and my lot (even the fussy greyhounds) don't mind taking it Been using it years, really recommend the stuff.

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''Dogs are like chocolates, you can never have just one!''

For the tum issues I;d highly recommend Protexin bio (I get it from vetuk), Novak has shocking tummy trouble sometimes and this has helped so much.

I know mum2heide swears by Bionic Biotics. Helped her girl in the same way.

So I;d absolutely say give one of those a go to give his tum a boost.

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Yes, Bionic Biotics gets my vote but I've not tried protexin or the keepers mix.

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"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”

Have you tried probiotic natural yoghurt for tummy issues?

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Transplanted Geordie
RIP Jake, my best dog. 10.8.10
RIP Boomerang, beautiful horse. 27.5.08

Thanks guys.

Not tried any of that so will look into all your suggestions. Had thought about Pro-biotic yoghurt, but wasn't sure how it would fit into the raw diet - do you just feed it with the usual meal or feed it as a separate?

I use Keepers Mix as well - but - if you are thinking of trying it - go for the smallest pot to start with - 250g - because some dogs do turn their nose up at it - including some of my Labs

For Colitis - definitely consider the pro and pre-biotics route - I've been quite ill for some time now with various health problems, one of which is colitis - I am taking enough medication to knock out a horse - but I've definitely noticed an improvemtn (not cure - but easier to live with) in the colitis since I started using them - I was cynical - but the facts speak for themselves.

The best way to add it if you can is natural yogurt - but the specific type of yogurt which contains the lactobacillus and other pro and pre-biotics - I couldn't tolerate yogurt like that - but the dogs go NUTS for it.

For managing the runs - try Merc Viv tissue salts from Dorwest

Merc Viv 15C - Dorwest

Although I've not tried it with any of mine, the Dorwest Tree-bark comes highly recommended

Tree Barks powder - Dorwest

As you've probably gathered - I am rather a big fan of Dorwest products

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

Thanks all. Looks like I have some research to do on supplements. Definitely going to try the probiotic yoghurt - how often would you suggest this is fed, and I assume it won't do Cali any harm to give her some too?

my samoyed had dry eye and he used to have viscotears, it was actually prescribed by a canine eye specialist at first along with Optimunne, the viscotears are a gel type of artificial tears and you can get them in any human chemist think they are about £5.00 - £5.50. The optimunne actually makes the eye produce tears and that it prescription only and expensive, but once that started working I didnt have to use the viscotears. Depending on how bad your dogs eyes are, the viscotears put in 2 or 3 times a day should certainly keep them moist and lubricated.

For stomach upsets including bouts of colitis, I use Protexin Pro Kolin, All natural, contains Kolin to soothe the gut, pectin to solidify the poos and a pro biotic to put back the got gut bacteria I get mine from Vet-Medic - the same medicines as your vet at consistently low prices..

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Thanks, yeah I use viscotears 4 x per day with Logan. I have an appointment with the vet to see if an operation would help him. I had heard that some remedies were good for dry eye as an extra, but wasn't sure.

Thanks for the link for Protexin, I'll have a look at that. Do you use it regularly or only when a stomach upset occurs?