What Are the Subtle Signs of Illness in Dogs and Cats — and Why Does a Canine Herbalist Keep Milk Thistle on Hand?

Some of the most important signals our pets give us aren't dramatic. They're quiet — a little more tired than usual, a slightly duller coat, a subtle shift in appetite. This week, we tuned into a webinar called Subtle Signs of Illness, featuring clinical canine herbalist Rita Hogan, and walked away with a few takeaways worth sharing (with full credit back to her).

Meet the Expert

As Rita introduces herself: "I am a clinical canine herbalist. I am a member of the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association. I am the founder of the Ethos School of Canine Herbalism, and you can reach out to me on Instagram and Facebook at Canine Herbalist. I also have a private coaching and live meeting every month through the Canine Herbalist Advisory."

If you want more from her directly, she's active and teaching at @CanineHerbalist on Instagram and Facebook.

Takeaway 1: Everyday Exposures Can Leave a Trace

One theme Rita returned to throughout the webinar is that a lot of what our pets encounter day to day — routine vaccines, courses of antibiotics, chemical preventatives — doesn't just disappear once it's done its job. In her words: "Every vaccine, every course of antibiotics, all the chemical preventatives, they leave a trace in the system, and if we don't work to kind of scrub that trace out, get rid of those things that are left behind, there can be problems."

This is her clinical perspective as a canine herbalist, not a claim about any specific product or outcome — but it's a helpful reminder that supporting the body's own, normal housekeeping processes proactively (rather than only reacting once symptoms show up) is a cornerstone of the holistic approach.

Takeaway 2: The Gut Is the Immune System's Conductor

Rita spent real time on the gut-immune connection, and the numbers she cited are striking: "70 to 80% of your dog's immune system — and your immune system — lives inside the gut, in the large intestine, and it interacts with everything: the brain, the lymphatic system, the liver, the kidneys, the bladder, all over. It's like a conductor of the immune system."

She went on to describe, from her clinical vantage point, how disruptions to that gut environment can have ripple effects throughout the body. We're sharing her perspective here because it underscores something we believe deeply: everyday, proactive wellness support for the gut and liver isn't an afterthought — it's foundational. (As always, if you have specific concerns about your pet's immune or digestive health, your veterinarian is the right partner to loop in.)

Takeaway 3: Her Top 5 Holistic Staples? Milk Thistle Made the List

Near the end of the session, Rita was asked a simple question — if she could only stock five key products for her clients, what would they be? Her answer: "That is individual. But I would stock milk thistle seed, for sure."

That lines up with why milk thistle has been a staple in holistic herbalism for so long. Its active compound, silymarin, is well known for supporting normal liver cell function and helping the liver carry out its everyday detoxification work — which, per Takeaway 2, has ripple effects well beyond the liver itself. At Pet Wellbeing, our Milk Thistle is a full-spectrum, whole-seed liquid extract, formulated to support healthy liver function and your pet's everyday vitality.

Why We're Sharing This

Our Friday "Expert Intel" posts exist to spotlight the vets, herbalists, and educators doing great work in this space — and to send credit (and traffic) back to them. If Rita's approach resonates with you, we'd encourage you to follow @CanineHerbalist on Instagram and Facebook, or look into the Ethos School of Canine Herbalism and the VBMA for more on the clinical herbalism world.

Disclaimer: Milk Thistle is a holistic health supplement formulated to support and maintain normal liver health and detoxification in pets. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The views and clinical opinions shared by guest experts are their own and do not represent medical claims made by Pet Wellbeing.