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Hearty-Heart for Dogs

Supplement for heart conditions in dogs

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Are Hops Toxic to Dogs & Cats?

Herbs For Pets 3 min read
Ripe Hop. Are hops toxic to dogs?

“Are hops toxic to dogs and cats?”

In the right dose, hops are not toxic. That’s why it’s crucial to opt for veterinarian-formulated supplements when incorporating hops for your pets. If used correct hops can even be beneficial for your little one’s well-being.

Now, let’s understand more about this flowering plant.

What are Hops?

Hop, also known as Humulus lupulus, belongs to the Mulberry Family. It is a lovely trailing vine with leaves that have deep lobes, similar to those found on grapevines. Originally a Eurasian plant, hop can now be found worldwide. Some have grown on their own in places like waste areas and in ravines all over North America. The rise in homebrewing has led many households to have hops in their kitchens, given its importance as a key beer ingredient.

Hops & Health Benefits

Hop is a mild sedative and diuretic. When used in a safe amount, hops can act as a gentle yet reliable relaxant for your little one’s nervous system. This quality is great for calming pets with acute anxiety and mood disturbances, including restlessness, separation anxiety and hyperexcitability. For this reason, this herb is in NHV Matricalm. This formula is designed to help reduce anxiety, agitation, aggressive
behavior, and excitability in furkids.

Additionally, the soothing properties in hops help with the discomfort your pet may feel during illness.

While hop may help address discomfort, it is important to note that it cannot treat the causes of these disorders. A full body examination and treatment are needed for recovery.

Animal studies shows that humulone and lupulone, the main components in hops, could combat certain bacteria and fungi, including Candida spp.

Hops may also promote a stronger heart, help blood flow in small vessels, and support your little one’s digestion. For this reason, our vets added it to NHV Hearty-Heart.

Hearty-Heart is our primary heart support. The herbal blend helps ease heart condition symptoms, restore vitality, and serve as a natural aid for general circulation issues.

Precautions When Using Hops

Hops may also promote a stronger heart , help blood flow in small vessels, and support digestion. 

However, you need to be very careful when giving hops to your furkid. In toxicology, the severity of toxicity depends on the dose and only the right dosage of hops is safe. In NHV Hearty-Heart and Matricalm, the amount of hops used is minimal and, therefore, entirely safe for furkids.

Unsafe hops ingestion can lead to seizures or, in severe cases, even be fatal for your pup! If you suspect your pet ingested an unsafe amount of hops, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435 or reach out to your local veterinarian immediately. Your prompt action can make a significant difference in ensuring your furkid’s safety.

If you suspect your pet ingested an unsafe amount of hops, call the APCC at (888) 426-4435 or reach out to your local veterinarian immediately.
are hops toxic to dogs and cats? A dog feeling hot under the sun with his tongue out, panting.

On top of seizure, hops poisoning can cause gastrointestinal distress and malignant hyperthermia, which is a dangerous increase in body temperature. Without treatment, it could lead to death within six hours. That’s why immediate veterinary attention is crucial to address hyperthermia and prevent severe complications. The vet will monitor and safely reduce your pet’s body temperature.

Prevention & Proactive Support

Given the consequences of hops toxicity, prevention is paramount. Pawrents who brew their own beer should to ensure that hops are stored securely, out of reach of curious paws. Additionally, it’s essential to dispose of brewing materials safely to prevent accidental ingestion.

Remember, the dosage and quality of the herbal ingredient are crucial for safety and efficacy. We advise against using any herb without proper guidance and under the supervision of your pet’s veterinary team. NHV formulas are meticulously researched and made in a GMP-certified facility using only the highest quality organic or ethically harvested herbs. Each formulation was expertly developed by a holistic veterinarian and a master herbalist with a combined 50 years of experience in plant-based remedies. Through dedication and research, NHV formulations are safe and effective in extracting the medicinal properties of the herb through a patented process.

The right proactive support is also very important. Supplements like NHV Milk Thistle and NHV BK-Detox can help protect their liver and kidneys and detox their system. Studies indicate Milk Thistle can decrease or even reverse liver damage caused by toxic agents. The active compound, silymarin, prevents toxins from binding to the liver. BK-Detox supports the immune system and facilitates detoxification of vital organs and blood.


While homebrewing beers might be fun, please be mindful of your little one and prioritize their safety. If you have any questions about what’s safe and what’s not for your pet, don’t hesitate to reach out! Staying well-informed is the first step in creating a safe environment for them!

Published: February 28, 2024

2 replies

  1. Mallory says:

    Can you provide the links for studies suggesting positive outcomes with hop utilization in dogs? I am having a difficult time locating any.

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Mallory,

      Thank you for your question. NHV Matricalm, our formula with a small quantity of hops as one of the ingredients, has been used for many years by pets around the world. This formula was developed by a veterinarian and master herbalist. We believe that the doses within this formula are appropriate; however, hops should never be fed to pets directly, as too much can be toxic too them. This is especially a concern for homebrewers, who use large quantities of hops.

      Our in-house team of vets recommend hops only at the dose present in Matricalm, and strongly caution against using hops in any other format. This is based on their own experience and training as integrative pet wellness specialists. If you have any further questions, please let us know and we are happy to connect you with a Pet Expert or vet.

      NHV is committed to expanding research in holistic pet wellness, and we have conducted clinical trial of several of our formulas so far. For example, NHV Tripsy and Resp-Aid have both been found to be effective at supporting urinary crystals and asthma, respectively.

      Our research page can be found here: https://nhvpethealth.com/blog/category/clinical-studies-trials-research/

      Yours in wellness,

      Team NHV

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