In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela is joined by renowned herbalist Greg Tilford, CEO and formulator of Animal Essentials. With over three decades of experience, Greg joins Angela to unpack the confusion around glycerin and alcohol in pet tinctures—explaining why glycerin is often misunderstood, how alcohol is sometimes necessary for proper extraction but is not the best option for finished pet products, and why palatability is key to effectiveness. Together, they explore the evolution of herbalism for pets, the importance of clean, simple formulations, and how truly holistic remedies support the body’s natural healing process. Learn why quality and intent matter when choosing herbal supplements for your pets.

Episode Recap:

• The confusion surrounding glycerin as a preservative in pet products (1:10)
• Clarifying glycerin grades: pharmaceutical (USP) vs. industrial (2:36)
• Benefits of glycerin-based tinctures for pets over alcohol-based tinctures (7:00)
• Understanding herbal remedies beyond chemicals: the importance of plant energetics (9:19)
• Debunking tincture myths: glycerin, alcohol, and proper extraction explained (12:32)
• Why alcohol in tinctures can be problematic for pets (16:57)
• Holistic herbalism: supporting rather than forcing the body (19:28)
• Misunderstanding the role of fevers and symptoms in natural healing (21:57)
• The rise of informed, discerning pet parents in the holistic pet care market (22:50)
• Hidden additives and inactive ingredients sabotaging pet wellness (26:56)
• Synthetic additives in supplements are often for human appeal, not pet health (29:20)
• How misleading labeling in pet products can harm pets (30:38)
• Prioritizing purity and integrity over profits leads to lasting success (31:26)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Glycerin Guide and more resources at: AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Visit Animal Essentials
• Greg Tilford’s Mentioned Book: Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet's Life
• Follow Animal Essentials on Facebook and Instagram,
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health resources & education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

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