Ashwagandha
43 foods contain this ingredient
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About Ashwagandha
In pet supplements, ashwagandha is a root extract from an Ayurvedic herb used mainly for its calming, stress-modulating effects.
Ashwagandha is an herbal adaptogen sometimes added to pet foods and supplements to support stress resilience, calming, and general wellness via bioactive withanolides rather than as a macronutrient. Some studies and anecdotal reports suggest potential calming and anti-inflammatory benefits for dogs and cats, but evidence is limited, dosing is not well standardized, and owners should consult their veterinarian because it can cause gastrointestinal upset, interact with sedatives, thyroid or immune-modulating drugs, and is generally avoided in pregnant animals.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- root extract of Withania somnifera
- Primary role
- adaptogen for stress and calming support
Why it's used
Ashwagandha's withanolide compounds are studied for their influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is why formulators include it for calming and stress-related support. A 2024 randomized, placebo-controlled study in geriatric Labradors also linked daily root extract to lower serum cortisol and reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation over 60 days.
Common concerns
- Thyroid medication interaction Ashwagandha is documented to interact with thyroid hormone medications, so veterinary guidance recommends caution in pets with thyroid conditions or on thyroid drugs.
- Sedative and immunosuppressant interaction Human clinical references list documented interactions between ashwagandha and sedative or immunosuppressant medications, an important consideration for pets on those drug classes.
- Gastrointestinal effects Diarrhea, nausea, and other GI upset are documented side effects of ashwagandha in the human clinical literature and are commonly cited as a concern in pets as well.
- Pregnancy Ashwagandha is contraindicated in human pregnancy due to possible abortifacient effects, and this caution is generally extended to pregnant animals.
Also relevant
Dosing for ashwagandha in dogs and cats is not standardized across products, so amounts vary by formulation and body weight.
Common Questions
What category is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is categorized as a supplement ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Ashwagandha part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Ashwagandha in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Ashwagandha?
43 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Ashwagandha, including Little Bites, NaturVet, Nulo.
Foods with Ashwagandha
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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