Cascara Sagrada
1 food contains this ingredient
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About Cascara Sagrada
In pet food and supplements, cascara sagrada is dried bark from the buckthorn tree Rhamnus purshiana, added for its laxative action rather than nutrition.
Cascara sagrada is an herbal bark used as a stimulant laxative in some pet supplements rather than a nutrient or protein source, and it is sometimes included for short-term relief of constipation in dogs and occasionally cats. It can be effective for brief use but may cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, can interact with medications, and should not be used long-term or in pregnant, dehydrated animals or those with bowel obstruction or inflammatory bowel disease—always consult your veterinarian before use.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- dried bark of Rhamnus purshiana (buckthorn tree)
- Primary role
- stimulant laxative additive
Why it's used
The bark's active compounds, anthraquinones known as cascarosides, draw fluid into the colon and stimulate peristalsis, which is why formulators reach for it when a product targets short-term constipation relief. It contributes no protein, fat, or micronutrient value to a diet.
Common concerns
- GI and electrolyte effects Anthraquinone laxatives like cascara sagrada can cause intestinal cramping and diarrhea, and overuse is associated with fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance.
- Regulatory status in humans The FDA reclassified cascara sagrada laxative products in 2002 into a category no longer recognized as effective for over-the-counter human use, reflecting broader concerns about the ingredient's risk-benefit profile.
- Long-term or chronic use Extended use of anthraquinone laxatives has been associated with colon atony and dilatation rather than sustained laxative benefit.
- Cats Some veterinary-facing poison resources list cascara sagrada as a substance that can produce vomiting and weakness in cats if ingested outside directed use.
Also relevant
Because its effect is pharmacological rather than nutritional, cascara sagrada is typically found in supplement or remedy-style products rather than everyday complete-and-balanced pet foods.
3 sources cited
- Cascara sagrada is derived from Rhamnus purshiana bark and its active compounds are anthraquinones/cascarosides that act as a GI stimulant
- Overdose or overuse of anthraquinone laxatives causes intestinal pain, severe diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, and dehydration; long-term use linked to colon atony and dilatation
- FDA classified cascara sagrada-containing OTC laxatives as Category II, no longer recognized as effective for OTC use, in 2002
Common Questions
What category is Cascara Sagrada?
Cascara Sagrada is categorized as a herb ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Cascara Sagrada part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Cascara Sagrada in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Cascara Sagrada?
1 food in the KibbleLab database contain Cascara Sagrada, including Only Natural Pet.
Foods with Cascara Sagrada
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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