Grow Your Own Pet-Safe Herbs That Heal

At Pawsome Naturals, we believe the best healing begins in the soil with herbs that nourish both the planet, you and your pet. This World Environment Day, why not start a little dog (or cat) garden?

Here are three easy-to-grow herbs that are safe for dogs and cats and pair beautifully with the gut-boosting benefits of SymbioPaws.

1. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

A calming classic, chamomile is known to:

Soothe digestion

Reduce mild anxiety

Calm itchy skin (when used on the skin or topically)

Safe for:

Dogs: Yes

Cats: Yes — in small, diluted amounts

How to use:

Brew a tea using one tsp of dried flowers to one cup of hot water and steep (5-10 minutes). Allow to cool completely.

Dogs: Add 1–2 tsp per 10kg body weight to food/water

Cats: ½–1 tsp a few times/week

You can also apply cooled tea to itchy skin or paws as a rinse

Avoid in pregnancy or with allergic pets. Do not use in essential oil form for cats.

Pairs beautifully with SymbioPaws to support digestive comfort and immune balance.

2. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

This lemon-scented mint relative is a gentle gut-soother that helps ease nervous tummies.

Safe for:

Dogs: Yes

Cats: Yes, but in low doses

How to use:

Chop fresh leaves into food (1 tsp/10kg dog and pinch for cats)

Or brew tea: 1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh leaves per cup of water (5-10 minutes)

Dogs: 1–2 tsp of tea per 10kg

Cats: ½ tsp tea daily max

Avoid in pets with low thyroid activity.

A great pairing with SymbioPaws for stress-sensitive pets.

3. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Rich in chlorophyll, parsley freshens breath and supports kidney health.

Safe for:

Dogs: Yes in moderation

Cats: Yes in small amounts

How to use:

Add chopped flat-leaf parsley to meals

Dogs: ¼–½ tsp per 5kg, 1–2x/week

Cats: A small pinch, 1x/week

Avoid high doses. Not for pregnant pets or those with kidney issues.

Why Pair with SymbioPaws?

Homegrown herbs offer gentle support for the gut, skin, and mind, but sometimes pets need a little extra help to truly thrive.

That’s where SymbioPaws comes in  - it's a thoughtful blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes designed to complement nature’s healing:

Prebiotics: Nourish the good bacteria already in the gut

Probiotics: Add friendly strains to support balance

Digestive enzymes: Help break down food and support nutrient absorption

Together with calming herbs such as chamomile and lemon balm, SymbioPaws helps support gut health from the garden to the bowl and beyond.

References

Wynn SG & Fougere BJ. Veterinary Herbal Medicine. 2007.

Tilford & Wulff. Herbs for Pets. 2001.

Srivastava JK et al. (2010). Chamomile and gut health. Mol Med Rep.

Kennedy DO et al. (2003). Lemon balm as a mild anxiolytic. Psychosomatic Med.

Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, 2002.