Switching your horse, dog, or cat to a species-appropriate diet—or introducing herbal blends into their daily regimen—can feel overwhelming at first. But with a little guidance and observation, it becomes a simple, nourishing, and intuitive process. This guide will help you understand how to feed pre-made herbal blends correctly, how to interpret dosing suggestions, and when to adjust based on your animal’s needs.

 

General Dosing Principles

Each pre-made blend is formulated based on average body weight, with horses typically dosed for 1,000 lbs and dogs for 50 lbs. That said, dosing is not one-size-fits-all. A blend may suggest 1–2 tablespoons, but what your animal actually needs may be less—or occasionally more.

​

For functional blends (like Equine IR Support or K9 Combo), it’s often helpful to:

• Start at the higher dose for the first 7–10 days

• Then taper to a lower maintenance dose

Herbs are gentle, but powerful. Healing takes time, and observation is key.

​

Feeding Herbal Blends to Horses

Some of our pre-made blends come in both powder and cut/sifted form (C/S). The form and feeding method you use should suit your horse’s preferences, sensitivity, and feed style.

General Dosing by Weight:

• Under 500 lbs

• 500–800 lbs

• 800–1,000 lbs

• Over 1,000 lbs

Always mix powdered herbs into the forage base with a splash of water to help it stick and prevent inhalation. Dry powder can easily blow out of a bucket—or worse, be accidentally snorted.

For cut & sifted herbs, there are three main ways to feed:

1. Top-dress the herbs on soaked forage

2. Mix thoroughly into the feed

3. Steep as a tea, then pour over feed

   • Steep in 8–10 oz of hot water for 15–30 minutes

   • Strain and use the liquid only, or pour in the full mixture

   • Great for picky eaters or sensitive digestion

 

Feeding Herbal Blends to Dogs

Dog blends are based on a 50-lb baseline and follow similar principles as horse dosing.

General Dosing by Weight:

• 1–10 lbs

• 10–20 lbs

• 20–50 lbs

• 50–100 lbs

• 100+ lbs

Feeding Tips:

• Always mix powdered herbs into moist food

• Cut & sifted blends work best with raw or lightly cooked meals

• You can also steep herbs as tea and pour the liquid over meals or broth

• Introduce new blends slowly to avoid digestive upset

If you’re feeding kibble, aim for:

• No soy, no corn, no synthetic fillers

• Organic and non-GMO if possible

• High-quality protein as the primary ingredient

 

While kibble is not species-appropriate, herbs can still offer support—but overall nutrition matters.

 

Giving It Time—and Rest

Herbs typically take 30 to 90 days to build therapeutic levels in the body. However, the true healing timeline often reflects the length of time the issue has existed. If a horse has had metabolic issues for three years, it's reasonable to expect the healing process to take months—or longer. Stay consistent, start slow, and let the herbs work at the body’s pace.

​

Rest Periods Matter

Every 7–9 months, pause herbal blends for 1–2 weeks. During this time:

• Offer only free-choice minerals

• Observe how the animal responds

• Let the body recalibrate

This brief break gives the system time to release what it no longer needs and often reveals just how effective the herbs have been.

​

Combining Blends: Proceed with Purpose

Each herbal blend is designed to target specific goals. Combining multiple blends without guidance can:

• Overwhelm the system

• Dilute the intended effect

• Create unnecessary herbal redundancy

If you want to use more than one blend—such as Equine Daily Essentials and Musculoskeletal Support—please leave a note at checkout. I’ll include customized instructions to help you adjust dosage safely. For complex or overlapping needs, a custom blend is almost always the best option.

​

Special Considerations

Medication Interactions

If your animal is on medication, please book a consultation before starting herbs. Some herbs can interfere with absorption, metabolism, or effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. In many cases, herbs can be used safely alongside medication—but it requires detailed knowledge of both.

​

Detox and Reactions

Herbs support natural detoxification. Mild signs like temporary loose stool, skin eruptions, or subtle fatigue may appear in the first 1–2 weeks. This is often part of the body's clearing process.

Other times, healing is quiet: clearer eyes, calmer energy, deeper breath, smoother movement. Trust what you see.

 

Feeding Herbal Blends to Cats (Brief Note)

Because cats are sensitive and highly selective, I keep feline blends simple and limited. Most are designed to be:

• Steeped as tea

• Strained

• Then added in small amounts to wet food

Blends are gentle and low-dose. If you need help feeding cats, please reach out—I’m happy to guide you.

​

Custom Herbal Blends

While pre-made blends offer broad support for common concerns, custom herbal blends are created for animals with more complex or layered needs—and they’re only made after a consultation.

Custom blends take into account:

• The animal’s weight

• Age

• Current symptoms and patterns

• History of illness, trauma, or medication

• Environmental and dietary factors

• Sensitivities and constitution

Each custom blend is a precise formulation created for a specific horse, dog, or cat. The dosage is tailored based on both the synergy of the herbs used and the horse's weight. These blends are crafted with intention—often in response to issues that go deeper than surface-level symptoms. If your animal’s needs aren’t fully addressed by a pre-made blend, booking a consultation is the best place to begin.

​​

Herbs are not a quick fix. They are tools for rebuilding, restoring, and rebalancing. This process requires time, presence, and trust. When used with intention, herbs become more than supplements—they become part of a healing partnership between you, your animal, and the plants themselves.

If you're unsure where to begin or feel like your animal's needs are layered or unique, don't hesitate to reach out.

I hope this guide helps you feel more confident using Wholehearted Harmony's Herbal Blends.
If you still have questions, I’m only a message away.