The Glossary
A growing collection of meaningful terms used throughout our site, blog, and guides. This is your go-to space for understanding the concepts behind holistic dog wellness, nutrition, and herbal energetics — defined in plain language, with purpose.
A
Adaptogen
A class of herbs that help the body adapt to physical, emotional, or environmental stress. They support balance over time rather than forcing a specific response.
Amino Acid
The building blocks of protein. Dogs require 22 amino acids (10 of them essential) to maintain muscle, skin, organ, immune, and neurological health.
Every protein offers a different amino acid profile, which is why rotation is critical.
Antioxidant
Nutrients or compounds that help neutralize free radicals in the body—reducing oxidative stress, cellular damage, and chronic inflammation over time.
Astringent
An herb or action that tightens and tones tissues. Often used for leaky gut, diarrhea, or weepy skin conditions by reducing excess fluid and inflammation.
B
Bioavailable
Refers to how easily a nutrient or compound can be absorbed and used by the body.
D
Detoxification
The natural process by which the body eliminates waste and toxins. Can be supported with herbs, hydration, clean nutrition, and lymphatic movement.
E
Energetics
The way herbs or foods affect the body’s internal state: warming, cooling, drying, moistening, stimulating, or relaxing.
Extrusion
A high-heat, high-pressure process that destroys many of the natural nutrients in ingredients (in reference to food, particularly kibble).
F
Facultative Carnivore
A species that primarily thrives on animal-based protein and fat, but can digest some plant matter. Dogs are facultative carnivores — meaning they can eat carbs and plants, but don’t need them to survive or thrive.
G
Gut Dysbiosis
An imbalance in the gut microbiome that disrupts digestion, immune health, and skin function. Often driven by poor diet, stress, antibiotics, or toxic load.
H
Heartworm
A parasitic roundworm transmitted by mosquitoes. It settles in the heart and lungs, where it can cause serious damage if left untreated. Prevention is key, but education around lifecycle, regional risk, and natural support is just as important as avoiding overmedication.
Herbal Infusion
A method of preparing herbs by steeping them in hot water for an extended time to extract vitamins, minerals, and plant constituents.
K
Kibble
A type of dry, extruded pet food made from a mixture of starches, rendered meats, synthetic vitamins, and preservatives. Kibble is processed at high heat and pressure, which destroys natural nutrients and requires synthetic additives for balance. It is shelf-stable and designed for convenience and long-term storage — not species-appropriate nourishment.
L
Leaky Gut
A condition where the intestinal lining becomes overly permeable, allowing toxins or food particles into the bloodstream. Often linked to chronic inflammation and allergies.
Lymphatic System
A vital detox and immune-support system that helps circulate fluids, filter waste, and manage inflammation. Supports skin, gut, and systemic health.
N
Nutrigenomics
The study of how food and nutrients influence gene expression, and how diet interacts with an individual’s biology.
Neurotoxin
A substance that disrupts or damages the nervous system—impacting the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. Common examples in pet products: pesticides (flea/tick meds), artificial fragrances, heavy metals, and some preservatives.
Even low-level exposure over time can contribute to anxiety, reactivity, seizures, or cognitive decline.
O
Oxidative Stress
A form of cellular stress caused by free radicals. Over time, it contributes to aging, inflammation, and chronic illness.
P
Parasite Load
The presence or burden of parasites in the body, including intestinal worms, heartworm, fleas, or ticks.
Pesticide
A chemical used to kill insects, weeds, fungi, or rodents. Many are neurotoxic, hormone-disrupting, or carcinogenic.
Flea/tick meds, lawn sprays, and even food residue are common sources for pets.
Pesticides don’t just kill bugs — they damage the entire body system.
Prebiotics
Non-digestible fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria. Found in foods like dandelion greens, chicory root, and mushrooms. Prebiotics help improve microbiome diversity and support digestion.
Probiotic
Live, beneficial bacteria that support gut health, immune function, and overall wellness. Often used to restore balance after antibiotics or illness.
Postbiotics
The byproducts of probiotic fermentation (like short-chain fatty acids). These compounds can reduce inflammation and support immune health. Found naturally in fermented foods or provided as supplements.
R
Raw Feeding
A species-appropriate feeding approach that emphasizes uncooked, whole-animal ingredients: muscle meat, organ meat, bone, and connective tissue. Aims to support gut health, dental hygiene, and immune function without synthetic additives.
Rendered Meats
Low-quality animal tissue that’s been cooked at extreme temperatures to separate fat from protein. Often includes:
Diseased or euthanized animals
Spoiled grocery store meat
Bones, feathers, hooves
**Frequently labeled as “meat meal,” “animal by-product,” or “meat and bone meal.” These are not food. They’re waste.
Root Cause
The underlying imbalance driving surface-level symptoms. Addressing root cause allows for long-term healing, rather than short-term suppression.
S
Synthetic Additives
Artificially produced vitamins, minerals, preservatives, and flavorings added to processed foods (like kibble) to meet minimum nutritional requirements after high-heat processing has destroyed natural nutrients.
T
Toxic Load
The cumulative burden of environmental, chemical, dietary, and pharmaceutical toxins your dog’s body has to filter and manage daily.