WHY DO WE FIND ROSEMARY EXTRACT IN PET FOODS AND TREATS?
I certainly learned a lot about Rosemary in researching this article. I got so excited that I am purchasing a plant, and I updated my jar of Rosemary leaves which had been neglected in my spice drawer for years.
Rosemary is an aromatic Mediterranean evergreen plant, used in culinary seasoning, herbal teas, essential oils, fragrances and for health care. IT IS NOT TOXIC TO CATS OR DOGS, although it is possible for a pet to have an adverse reaction to the herb (symptoms listed later.) Rosemary has been used throughout history as a medicinal aid for brain function, joint inflammation and to relieve stress. Rosemary does have antimicrobial properties, which means that it kills microorganisms or stops their production, and it is used as a natural preservative in pet food. Rosemary also functions as an antioxidant (especially the rosmanol) helping to eliminate the free radicals in a pet’s body that can cause long-term harm as in cancer. In short, rosemary’s antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic qualities help to “combat infections, decrease inflammation and swelling, promote digestion and preserve and enhance vision.” Rosemary is high in vitamin A and C, magnesium, calcium, folate (folic acid-vitamin B9) and iron. Rosemary can act as a bug deterrent (it contains camphor) and can be diluted in oil form and used as a spray outdoors. Always be careful when using rosemary extract on a pet’s skin, a cat’s skin is particularly very thin, so it must be diluted and applied sparingly and with due diligence. You can research how to make a safe tincture.
Pets can nibble on a live plant (it is not likely that they would ingest too much) or you can sprinkle some on their food at mealtime. It is rare that a pet would be allergic but do look for the following possible signs and consult with your veterinarian.
SYMPTOMS IN DOGS SYMPTOMS IN CATS
*Itchy skin *Dry, flaky skin *Hair loss *Drooling *Trouble walking *Puking *lethargy *Hair loss *Bumps/rash *Chronic ear infections *Labored breathing *Swelling *Obsessive licking/chewing of feet *inflamed, red paw pads *Gastrointestinal upsets *Gastrointestinal upsets *Seizures
Rosemary can cause cats to seem “high” because of the nepetalactone in the rosemary’s flowers and leaves. They may appear more playful and energetic, before dozing off. But if your pet displays any of the symptoms of an allergic reaction, and the above do occur with other allergens, you can try removing the rosemary or eliminating diets that have a trace amount in them, usually the last item in the ingredient panel. As in most possible allergens, Rosemary is harmless, but the pet’s body does not recognize it as such and will set up “an unneeded immune response against the rosemary ingredient.” It could be a quick response, or it may take years to develop. Not all vets use the Bicom testing to determine allergies, but this tests your pet’s blood’s reaction to different possible allergens. If the response in positive, your pet’s blood wavelength will show stress, i.e., an incompatibility to that item. Since there are so many possible allergens, I have been getting Ebby and Zoey the once-a-month Cytopoint injection. After the initial exam and injection, you only pay for the monthly shot which can be given by a vet tech.
