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Yucca for Dogs

Discomfort Relief, Digestive Support, and Dog Appetite Booster

USD $46.95
Yucca for Dogs USD $46.95 Add to Cart

How Yucca Root’s Natural Steroidal Benefits Can Help Your Pet

Herbs For Pets 3 min read
Yucca root sliced on a cutting board

Is yucca extract good for dogs and cats? The short answer to this question is YES! Yucca is a popular plant with medicinal properties that is used in many pet foods as it can help with the offensive odor of urine and feces. But that’s not all —this powerful plant has been demonstrated to have many different health benefits. 

Yucca And Corticosteroids

Yucca contains two active compounds: steroidal saponins and polyphenolics. 

Regularly consuming polyphenols may help with digestion and may even help protect the body against certain cancers. Steroidal saponins are an important group of glycosidic plant metabolites. These compounds have been valued by the pharmaceutical industry and used as substrates in the production of steroid hormones (corticosteroids) and drugs. 

Corticosteroids (steroid hormones) are involved in a wide range of activities in the body, including the stress response, immune system response, control of inflammation, nutrient metabolism, and maintenance of blood electrolyte levels.

The saponin present in Yucca can mimic the hormone corticosteroids and in the correct dosage is safe for long-term use.

Pet owners are likely familiar with synthetic corticosteroids since these are often prescribed for pets as anti-inflammatories, to help with discomfort and as a chemotherapeutical to help with cancer.  

Although helpful, synthetic corticosteroids used long-term can have some side effects. Some plant saponins can mimic some hormones that they resemble. For example, Yucca contains amounts of saponin that can be converted into hormones such as corticosteroids. The saponin present in Yucca can mimic the hormone corticosteroids and in the correct dosage is safe for long-term use.

Research Findings Related to Yucca

Every year, there are many studies published on the antitumor potential of steroidal saponins (one of the active compounds found in Yucca). This is really exciting since it indicates that these natural compounds are valuable research targets in the process of the development of new (novel) chemotherapeutics for pets and humans fighting cancers.

In many studies on human and animal cancer cell lines of different origin, they displayed significant in vitro and in vivo activities through different signaling pathways associated with the cell cycle. Multiple molecular targets of this sapogenin are noteworthy. For example, the cytotoxic activities of saponins extracted from Yucca may induce apoptosis (death of the cells) and inhibit cancer cell growth. It also may modulate various oncogenic processes (cancer cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis), inhibit angiogenesis, reverse multi-drug resistance in cancer cells, and sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy.

Nonetheless, they were effective not only in vitro assays, but also in animal models, and in most cases, a significant reduction in tumor size and angiogenesis was seen, especially with respect to prostate, breast, and lung cancers. What is most important, apart from direct cytotoxic effect, these compounds revealed other activities: for example anti-inflammatory properties, that may be of importance to obtain the multidirectional therapeutic effect in cancer treatment. However, more studies on steroidal saponins with respect to their anti-cancer potential are important.

Yucca & NHV 

At NHV, we are invested in more research on herbs and their natural health benefits. Read more about our clinical research here.

We have two products that contain yucca, NHV Yucca, and NHV Multi Essentials

NHV Yucca is a herbal supplement for pets that Yucca root extracted with vegetable glycerin. NHV Yucca is in liquid form to help make administering it to your pet easy. It can be added to your pet’s meals or administered directly in the mouth using a dropper or syringe. NHV Yucca can be beneficial for many conditions but is popular for pets with arthritis and joint discomfort for its anti-inflammatory and discomfort-relieving properties.

NHV Multi Essentials is like a herbal multivitamin for pets. It is a blend of eleven herbs extracted in vegetable glycerin including yucca. These herbs are naturally high in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. 

If you have any questions about how yucca can benefit your pet, please reach out. Our pet experts are here to help!

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine in 2010 and graduate studies in veterinary pathology (MVSc. 2012 and PhD 2016) at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo. She completed her post-doctoral training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Saskatchewan in 2018. Dr. Nascimento will be hosting her own blog series and sharing her knowledge with our extended NHV family.

Published: January 30, 2021

6 replies

  1. Michele says:

    I am looking for a natural way to treat a fungal infection that my cat got. At first they said it was cryptococcus and then said it was Pasteurella Multocida. He first had what they call Roman nose and put him on antifungal, and antibiotics. It has moved from his nose to the right side of his eye and cheek. With out any tests, the vet who has not treated my cat from the beginning is now telling me she thinks it’s cancer. I had them so an x-ray and a culture and it confirmed Pasteurella Multocida. My first vet was very optimistic, this new vet seems to just want to keep him comfortable until he dies. I’m not ready to go there at this point.

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Michele,

      Thank you for reaching out to us on our website.

      We’re so sorry to hear that your sweetheart is dealing with all this. We can only imagine how scary and uncomfortable this must be for both of you. Please know that we’re here for you every step of the way.

      We have a few recommendations for you that we think could help your little one:

      First, we suggest our medicinal mushroom blend, Natures Immuno. This all-natural blend can help to support the immune system, contains antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and can help to support the kidneys, liver, endocrine, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.

      For more on Natures Immuno, click here: https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/natures-immuno-medicinal-mushroom-blend-cats

      Next, we suggest Turmeric. This powerful yet gentle supplement can help to reduce inflammation, contains antibacterial and anti-cancer properties, and can reduce discomfort.

      More on Turmeric here: https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/turmeric-for-cat-cancer-symptoms

      Lastly, we suggest Stimmune. This supplement can help to support the immune system, maintain liver health, and can help with inflammation.

      More on Stimmune here: https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/stimmune-for-cat-allergy-relief-feline-immune-support

      We know this is lots of information to take in so please take your time to review everything, we’re here if you have any questions at all.

      Sending all our love and positive energy to you and your little one.

      Yours in wellness,
      Team NHV

  2. Cheryl says:

    My Mom passed away and I have her 19 year old kitty MyMy. She has severe upper respiratory infection. I got your resp aid and felimm. She gets it 2 times a day. Has been on it for a while but she still has bad congestion, nose drains and I try and keep nose clean. Would yucca help? Vet was giving her steroid shots monthly and on strong antibiotics. I stopped taking her to the vet. I can’t afford a lot. I can’t loss her too!!! The stress of loosing Mom after being with her for 19 years, being moved into a different home is a lot on her.

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Cheryl,

      Thank you so much for reaching out to us.

      First, we want to extend our sympathies in the loss of your mother. We can’t imagine how stressful this time must be for you but please know that our team is always here for you any time you need us.

      We’re so sorry to hear that MyMy is dealing with a severe upper respiratory infection. That must be so uncomfortable for your sweetheart. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for going above and beyond for precious MyMy, we’re sure she loves and appreciates you so much.

      Resp-Aid is our main support for respiratory conditions as it can help to relieve nose and chest congestion, reduce shortness of breath, and can support inflammation. Felimm can also help to combat respiratory infections, strengthen a weakened immune system, and can encourage detoxification of the lymphatic system. So both of these supplements could be very helpful in supporting MyMy! It may even benefit MyMy to increase her dosage of Resp-Aid to offer her the extra support she may need.

      We think that Yucca would be a great addition to MyMy’s regimen as it contains natural corticosteroids, reduce inflammation and discomfort, and can aid in healthy digestion.

      Since it sounds like sweet MyMy may be under some stress right now so we think our Matricalm supplement may be beneficial to her as well. Matricalm can help to promote calmness and relaxation within the body while helping to reduce anxiety and stress.

      More on Matricalm here: https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/matricalm-cat-stress-relief

      We hope this information helps, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions whatsoever, we’re always here to help.

      Sending all our love and healing energy to you and sweet MyMy!

      Yours in wellness,
      Team NHV

  3. Claire Nicholl says:

    My dog has skin allergies & scratches so much, it’s since her second vaccine. We have tried so many things, including homeopathic remedies. She has [pharmaceutical name removed] last year (my mum took her to the vet without us knowing!) But she cleared up. I heard yucca is a natural [pharmaceutical name removed]. & I have just dug up some yucca but have no idea how to turn this into powder or get the extract. Can you help?! Many thanks!

    1. Team NHV says:

      Hi Claire,

      Thank you so much for reaching out to us.

      We’re so sorry to hear that your sweetheart is dealing with skin allergies. We can’t imagine how uncomfortable this must be. Please know that our team is always here for you, you can always count on us.

      While Yucca contains incredible properties that can help to reduce inflammation, support discomfort, and can aid in digestion, it’s important to note that Yucca should be given in pet-safe quantities to ensure the safety of your little one.

      Our Yucca supplement is 100% natural, and was formulated by a holistic veterinarian and master herbalist with 50 years of combined experience developing plant based botanic supplements.

      Here’s a blog with some more information about Yucca’s benefits that we think you might find helpful!

      https://nhvpethealth.com/blog/new-yucca-supplement/

      We hope this information helps! Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions whatsoever!

      Sending all our love and pawsitive energy your way.

      Yours in wellness,
      Team NHV

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