122: In today’s episode, we are going to talk about preparing the gut for probiotics. A lot of people don’t realize that we have to prepare and strengthen the gut before it’s ready for probiotics, which I talk about a lot in my new book The Herbal Dog.    Strengthening the glycocalyx and IGA builds a resistant gut barrier before introducing probiotics. This is especially true in sensitive or immune compromised individuals. Strengthening these allows for commensal bacteria, which is good bacteria, can actually stick to the gut wall.    Tune in to learn how natural remedies can help strengthen your dog's gut, making it the perfect environment for probiotics to thrive and support their overall health.   Sponsored by: Goodness Gracious  Green Juju Fido’s Bone Broth   Check Out Rita: BUY THE HERBAL DOG Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

121: In this episode, I explore natural ways to support your dog’s health after spay or neuter surgery. We’ll discuss how herbs like ashwagandha and rhodiola can help balance hormones and keep your pup healthy and happy. I’ll also highlight how herbs can complement veterinary care, not replace it. Whether your dog’s surgery was recent or some time ago, I’ll share practical tips for aiding their recovery and promoting long-term well-being. Tune in to learn how natural remedies can support your dog’s health and keep them feeling great.   Sponsored By:   Goodness Gracious    Check Out Rita:   BUY THE HERBAL DOG Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

120: In this episode, we're diving into often-overlooked aspects of canine care that can significantly impact your dog's health and well-being. We'll discuss why it's worth rethinking conventional practices like spaying and neutering, along with natural approaches to heartworm prevention, antibiotic recovery, and building a healthy microbiome. I'll also share effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional flea and tick medications — plus insights on reducing pharmaceutical reliance for long-term health. Topics Discussed: Rethinking spaying and neutering Natural heartworm prevention and antibiotic recovery Supporting your dog's microbiome with diverse probiotics Alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments and conventional flea/tick meds Sponsored By: Goodness Gracious Green Juju Real Mushrooms  Fidos Bone Broth Coco Therapy Rawsome Nutritional Excellence  Raw Pets Dr Ruth Roberts  Earth Buddy  Innovative Pet Lab Feline Essentials | Two Crazy Cat Ladies AniCell Biotech  Check Out Rita:  BUY THE HERBAL DOG  Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

119: Today’s episode explores how plant medicine and raw food nutrition can boost your pet's health. We’ll break down High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP), what it means for your dog’s diet, and how it keeps food safe while maintaining key nutrients.   Throughout this episode, I’ll share my own experiences with HPP-treated and traditional raw food diets, along with insights from my book tour. Tune in to learn how HPP works, what nutrients it affects, and why variety is so important in your pet’s meals.   Topics Discussed: High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) and its benefits How HPP preserves nutrients while improving food safety Book tour updates! The role of HPP in the all-natural pet food industry Why vitamin B12 and other nutrients are impacted by HPP Tips for a balanced, personalized raw food diet for pets   Sponsored By:   Green Juju Goodness Gracious Real Mushrooms Innovative Pet Lab Dr. Ruth (the original crockpot vet)  Cocoa Therapy Paudega Anacel Biotech Feline Essentials (The Two Crazy Cat Ladies)  Rawsome Pets   Check Out:  EarthBuddy Pet Raw Pets in Tampa   Check Out Rita:    Get The Book Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

118: In this episode, I’m answering a listener question from Caroline about moringa. This trendy herb is often called a superfood, but is it the right fit for your dog? As a canine herbalist, I’m breaking down what you need to know before adding moringa to your dog’s routine. Tune in for the full scoop!   Topics discussed: Moringa’s natural habitat Superfood category  Health benefits of moringa Recommended dosage When moringa is a bad idea   Sponsored By Green Juju    Check Out Rita:  BUY MY BOOK  Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

117: In this episode, I’m diving into the importance of filtered water for both pets and humans. Whether you're at home or traveling, contaminants like chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals can have a major impact on our health. Filtering your water helps reduce exposure to toxins, supporting a stronger immune system and overall well-being. It’s especially important for pets, as they can be more sensitive to the chemicals in unfiltered water. I’ll also share some practical tips for keeping your water clean on the road, so you and your pets can stay hydrated and healthy wherever you go.   Topics discussed: The importance of filtered water for pets and humans   How contaminants like chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals impact health   The dangers of plastic water bottles and microplastics   The role of water in supporting immune health   Practical tips for filtering water while traveling   Sponsored By:   Real Mushrooms   Check Out Rita:  BUY MY BOOK  Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson

116: In this episode, I dive into the Kibble Hierarchy—what separates a quality kibble from the bottom-of-the-barrel options. I break down ingredient labels, key red flags to watch for (like rendered meals and non-descript meats), and how to make better choices for your dog’s health. This episode is especially for those who can’t feed raw or home-cooked meals exclusively. I also share some of my top kibble recommendations and tips for evaluating dog food brands. Topics Discussed: Understanding the Kibble Hierarchy—what makes a kibble good or bad Ingredients to avoid, including rendered meals and vague meat sources How to read and analyze dog food labels The importance of sourcing and ethical considerations in pet food My top kibble recommendations for those who can’t feed raw or home-cooked meals The role of carbohydrates in kibble and what to look for Questions to ask pet food companies about their ingredients and sourcing Why less is more when it comes to kibble ingredients Show Links:   Kibble   Sponsored By   Green Juju   Check Out Rita:  BUY THE HERBAL DOG Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

In this episode of Dogs Are Individuals, I’m sharing how to boost your dog’s immune system with natural remedies—no need to panic about things like bird flu! I talk about the power of mushrooms, why they’re safe for dogs of all ages, and how to protect your pets with herbs like Agarikon, Andrographis, and elderberry.  I’ll also give you an update on my book tour (so excited!) and remind you to focus on self-care and staying calm, especially when stress is high.   Show Links  Book Tour Agarikon Mushroom   Andrographis  Elderberry Phytoembryonic Therapy    Sponsored By:  Real Mushrooms  Goodness Gracious Green Juju Check Out Rita: BUY MY NEW BOOK Come To The Book Tour Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store   Produced By: Drake Peterson

In this episode, I’m talking about a topic that’s really important but often overlooked—sugar and its negative effects on dogs. I explain why sugar weakens the immune system, causes inflammation, and contributes to chronic diseases like cancer. I also share my own experiences with sugar and how I’ve learned to manage it, both for myself and for my dogs. If you’re feeding your dog anything with added sugars, you might want to rethink it. Key points in this episode: Sugar weakens the immune system and promotes inflammation in both dogs and humans. Processed sugars like glucose, sucrose, and honey-coated treats are particularly harmful. Sugar contributes to chronic diseases such as cancer and can lead to high blood sugar in dogs. Always check labels—sugar is sneaky and often hides in dog food and treats. Sponsored By: Green Juju Check Out Rita:  PRE ORDER MY NEW BOOK  Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson

In this episode, I’m sharing something that’s near and dear to my heart: how to find reliable herbal information for your dogs. We’ve all been there—googling herbs for pets and getting overwhelmed by conflicting advice. I’ll explain why you should be cautious about the info you find online, especially when it comes to herbs like chamomile, peppermint, and garlic. I’ll walk you through the importance of knowing which herbs are safe, how to find trustworthy sources (hint: herbalists!), and why it’s so crucial to pay attention to things like dosage and extraction methods. I’m also giving you a sneak peek into my new book, which is coming out soon, and sharing some fun updates about my growing flock of chickens! If you’re curious about the benefits and safety of herbs for dogs, want to avoid misinformation, and are looking for practical tips on how to use herbs in your pet’s health routine, this episode is for you. Let’s make sure we’re getting the best info out there to keep our pups happy and healthy! Key Takeaways: Why Google can be a dangerous place for herbal info and where to turn instead The truth behind common herbs like chamomile, peppermint, and garlic for dogs How to safely introduce herbs to your dog’s routine Sponsored By:    Goodness Gracious  Real Mushrooms   Show Links:  Herb Pharm Mountain Rose Herbs Garlic Article Check Out Rita:  PRE ORDER THE HERBAL DOG Rita’s Instagram Facebook Group My Courses My Website and Store Produced By: Drake Peterson