Can Dogs Have Rosemary Extract?

Rosemary extract contains a variety of Ursolic acid and flavonoids, among which carnosol, carnosic acid, and rosmarinic acid are the main antioxidant components. Rosemary extract meets market and consumer demand for a "clean label" product and is a beneficial functional ingredient due to its inherent antioxidant activity, offering potential benefits for the long-term health of pets. However, it also carries some potential risks.​​​​​​​

Before giving human food or medication to dogs, it's essential to confirm its safety. Many foods or medications that are safe for humans can be toxic to pets, so it's dangerous to prescribe them to dogs without first confirming their safety. The effects of rosemary extract on dogs are a concern for pet lovers. While rosemary itself is non-toxic to dogs, there are some precautions. 

Dogs with seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, should completely avoid rosemary. Human medical evidence suggests that rosemary essential oil may trigger seizures in dogs with pre-existing conditions. While no direct studies have confirmed this, it's safer for dogs with epilepsy to avoid rosemary. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new products to your pet. 

1. Highly effective natural antioxidant, delays aging and supports cognitive function

Rosemary extract is a powerful natural antioxidant. Its rich content of carnosic and rosmarinic acids effectively neutralizes free radicals in the body and slows oxidative damage to cells. This is crucial for slowing the aging process and maintaining organ health in pets, especially senior dogs and cats. Studies have shown that its antioxidant properties also help support brain health and may have a positive impact on improving cognitive impairment (such as disorientation and behavioral changes) in senior pets, helping them maintain mental clarity.

2. Promotes healthy skin and coat, relieves itching, and improves skin texture

Rosemary extract has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Adding it to pet care products or diets can effectively relieve itching and inflammation caused by allergies, eczema, or parasites. It helps maintain a healthy skin barrier, reduces dandruff, and makes the coat stronger and more lustrous. It is also a natural insect repellent, and its unique scent can help repel fleas and lice.

3. Natural Preservation and Freshness, Improves Digestive and Immune Health

In pet foods and treats, rosemary extract is widely used as a safe and effective natural preservative, replacing synthetic preservatives such as BHA and BHT. Its antioxidant properties prevent fat from spoiling and extend shelf life. When consumed by pets, its anti-inflammatory properties also help maintain gut health and support the digestive system. Furthermore, by enhancing the body's overall antioxidant defenses, it indirectly supports the immune system, helping pets better fight disease.

1. As a safe and effective natural preservative

This is the core and most common application of rosemary extract in pet food.

Replacing synthetic preservatives: Conventional pet foods often use synthetic preservatives such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) to prevent fats and oils from oxidizing and becoming rancid. While these synthetic ingredients are permitted within regulatory limits, some pet owners have concerns about their long-term safety. Rosemary extract offers a popular natural alternative.

2. As a functional health additive

Besides its preservative properties, rosemary extract is also believed to have positive benefits for pet health.

• Antioxidant support: Ingested antioxidants continue to work within your pet's body, helping to combat oxidative stress and support overall health. They are particularly helpful in slowing the aging process and maintaining cellular health in older pets.
• Promoting digestive health: Its anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe the intestines and support digestive health.
• Improving coat condition: Through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, it indirectly promotes skin health and promotes a more lustrous coat.

3. Application Forms and Precautions

• Application Forms: During pet food processing, rosemary extract is typically added directly to fat or meat slurry, or sprayed onto pellets in an oily form after pelleting to maximize its antioxidant effect.
• Safety: Rosemary extract is generally recognized as very safe at typical dosages in pet food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies have also designated it as a substance generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
• Difference from Direct Use of Plants: It is important to emphasize that pet food uses "extracts" that have undergone standardized extraction and strict control, ensuring their concentration and safety. This is fundamentally different from directly feeding pets large amounts of rosemary plants or using high concentrations of rosemary essential oil, which can pose risks (especially for cats).

Rosemary extract has the ability to enhance animal immune function. Rosemary extract has anti-inflammatory effects. This study found that rosemary extract has a certain improvement effect on the liver function indicators of caged dogs. Long-term cage keeping can cause oxidative stress in pet dogs. Supplementing rosemary extract in the feed can improve the antioxidant capacity of caged pet dogs, prolong sleep time and significantly shorten anxiety time, improve fecal quality, and have a liver protective effect.

（Reference：Effect of rosemary extract on stress-related indexes of caged pet dog，YUAN Yi-lin ZHAN Yao BAO Yu-jia）​​​​​​​

Superior quality: Kintai's rosemary extract is refined using advanced technology, resulting in a high content of active ingredients and stable purity, ensuring superior antioxidant efficacy and safety.

International certifications available: Kintai's rosemary extract is certified to GMP, ISO9001:2015, ISO22000:2018, HACCP, KOSHER, and HALAL, providing you with high-quality rosemary extract.

OEM&ODM Service:With its natural antioxidant, antiseptic, and health-promoting properties, Rosemary Extract is widely used in functional foods, high-end skincare products, dietary supplements, and animal health. We can customize products to meet your specific needs.​​​​​​​