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Herbsmith Athlete™: For The Athletic and Working Dog

$29.99

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Herbsmith Athlete: For the Athletic & Working Dog 75g Herb Package Front

Herbsmith Athlete™: For The Athletic and Working Dog

Supports high-drive and working dogs with herbs that help balance stamina, fluid regulation, circulation, and recovery - without sugar or stimulants. Athlete is a Yin tonic rooted in TCVM that addresses the fundamental imbalance of the athletic dog: excess Yang burning through Yin and Blood faster than the body can replenish them. Built for daily training and long-term performance support in dogs and cats.

Behind the Formula

By nature, the athletic dog is Yang - active, outward, high-energy, always moving. That excess Yang burns through the body's Yin (fluids) and Blood rapidly, especially during sustained training, competition, or demanding work. When Yin and Blood become depleted, the result is fatigue, inconsistent performance, poor recovery, and the classic high-drive crash: full throttle followed by a hard stop. Athlete is a Yin and Blood tonic that replenishes what intense activity depletes - nourishing Kidney and Liver Yin, tonifying Blood, supporting tendons and joints, and moving Blood to muscles and connective tissue for efficient recovery. It is not a stimulant and does not create an energy spike; it supports the systems that sustain output over time.

When to Use Athlete

  • Supporting peak performance: Supports stamina, endurance, and overall body balance so athletic dogs can perform at their best during training, sport, or work.
  • Enhancing exercise tolerance: Helps active dogs handle longer activity by supporting healthy oxygen use and normal post-exercise recovery.
  • Boosting attention and performance: Promotes steady, balanced energy so high-drive dogs can stay focused without becoming overstimulated.
  • Maintaining fluids: Supports healthy hydration and fluid balance to keep active dogs energized during heat, distance, or sustained activity.
  • Balancing high-energy dogs: High-drive dogs tend to burn hot and crash hard. Athlete helps smooth out that intense energy arc for more sustainable output throughout the day.

Athlete vs. The Rest

High-drive dogs burn through energy quickly and can crash just as fast. Athlete supports stamina, focus, hydration, and recovery - not with sugar or stimulants, but with time-tested herbs that help balance how an athletic dog works. Compared to other performance formulas, Athlete offers broader, more sustainable support for the whole dog, not just energy. For long-term performance, Athlete pairs especially well with Sound Dog Viscosity for joint support, and Comfort Aches can be added occasionally after particularly demanding sessions.

Active Ingredients and Their Actions

  • Shu Di Huang (Cooked Rehmannia Root - Rehmannia glutinosa): The chief Yin and Blood tonic in TCVM; nourishes Kidney Yin, Liver Yin, and Blood, and replenishes the Essence (Jing) depleted by intense physical output. Shu Di Huang is the primary herb addressing the root pattern of Athlete - Yin and Blood deficiency from sustained Yang activity. Iridoid glycoside constituents, including catalpol, have documented anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, and hematopoietic activity, supporting red blood cell production and oxygen-carrying capacity.
  • Dang Gui (Angelica Tang Kuei - Angelica sinensis): Tonifies and invigorates Blood, supports circulation to muscles and connective tissue, and moderates the strongly nourishing nature of Shu Di Huang with its Blood-moving action. In TCVM, Blood stasis in the muscles and tendons following exertion contributes to soreness and slow recovery; Dang Gui addresses this by moving Blood while also nourishing it. Ligustilide and phthalide constituents have documented antispasmodic and circulatory-supportive activity.
  • Shan Yao (Dioscorea - Dioscorea opposita): Tonifies the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney; supports the Spleen's ability to transform food into Qi and Blood, directly supporting the energy and fluid production needed to sustain athletic output. In TCVM, the Spleen is the source of postnatal Qi - if the Spleen is weak, energy production is impaired regardless of how much the dog eats. Diosgenin and saponin constituents have documented anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic activity.
  • Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark - Eucommia ulmoides): Tonifies Liver and Kidney Yang while nourishing Yin; strengthens tendons, ligaments, and bones, and supports the musculoskeletal integrity that working dogs depend on. In TCVM, the Liver governs the tendons and the Kidney governs the bones - Du Zhong supports both simultaneously. Chlorogenic acid and pinoresinol diglucoside constituents have documented anti-inflammatory, collagen-stabilizing, and tendon-supportive activity.
  • Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root - Achyranthes bidentata): Moves Blood, strengthens the sinews and bones, and guides the actions of other herbs downward to the lower body - the limbs, joints, and tendons most taxed by physical work. In TCVM, Niu Xi is a key herb for addressing Bi syndrome (obstruction from Blood stasis or Deficiency) in the lower extremities and supporting healthy joint and tendon function in active animals. Also has documented anti-inflammatory and diuretic activity, supporting fluid regulation.
  • Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice Root - Glycyrrhiza uralensis): Harmonizes all herbs in the formula, tonifies Spleen Qi, and moderates the richness of the Yin-nourishing herbs to prevent them from creating Dampness. The honey-frying process enhances the Qi-tonifying action relative to raw licorice. Glycyrrhizin constituents have documented anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic activity and support adrenal function during sustained physical stress.
  • Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus - Cornus officinalis): Tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin and Yang, stabilizes Kidney Essence, and astringes fluids - preventing the over-sweating and fluid loss that high-output dogs experience during intense activity. Shan Zhu Yu is a key astringent tonic for preserving the Yin and Essence that Shu Di Huang and Dang Gui build. Morroniside and loganin iridoid constituents have documented anti-fatigue and renoprotective activity.
  • Flaxseed (carrier): Serves as the powder carrier; also provides ALA omega-3s with mild anti-inflammatory activity to support muscle and joint comfort alongside the herbal actives.

Directions for Use

Sprinkle the recommended amount over every meal. Can also be mixed into a small meatball, blended with cottage cheese, or frozen with broth into cubes and given twice daily. For best results, give consistently every day - the benefits of Yin and Blood tonics build with sustained use.

Why give it every day? High-drive dogs burn through energy and fluids quickly, especially during training or sport. Athlete supports the systems that get depleted fastest - stamina, circulation, and fluid balance - and those benefits build with consistency. Daily use helps smooth out the intense full-throttle-then-crash pattern many athletic dogs experience, promoting steadier output and healthier recovery over time.

Dogs:

  • Under 3.75 lbs: 1/16 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 4-7.5 lbs: 1/8 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 8-14 lbs: 1/4 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 15-30 lbs: 1/2 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 31-80 lbs: 1 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 81-120 lbs: 1-1/2 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • Over 120 lbs: 2 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian

Cats:

  • Under 3.75 lbs: 1/16 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 4-7.5 lbs: 1/8 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 8-14 lbs: 1/4 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • Over 15 lbs: 1/2 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian

Cautions

Not for use in pregnant animals. Not for use during diarrhea. If the animal's condition worsens or does not improve, stop product administration and consult your veterinarian. Not for use within 48 hours of surgery or anesthesia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I give Athlete?

Sprinkle the recommended amount over meals, mix it into a small meatball, blend it with cottage cheese, or freeze it with broth into cubes. Whatever method you choose, give it twice daily and store the jar tightly sealed in a cool, dry place. Consistency matters - the Yin and Blood tonifying herbs in Athlete build their effect over time, or as directed by your veterinarian.

Will Athlete make my dog more hyper or amped up?

No. Athlete is not a stimulant and does not create an energy spike. Instead, it supports balanced stamina and fluid regulation, helping high-drive dogs avoid the classic burst-and-crash pattern. The effect is steadier, more sustainable output (not more intensity), or use as directed by your veterinarian.

Can I use Athlete with a glucosamine or joint supplement?

Absolutely. Athlete supports stamina, fluid balance, and circulation, while glucosamine supports the structural integrity of joints. Many active dogs benefit from using both together, especially if they are training or competing regularly. Sound Dog Viscosity pairs especially well with Athlete for comprehensive athletic support, or as directed by your veterinarian.

Is Athlete safe for daily use?

Yes. Athlete's herbs are gentle enough for everyday support and effective enough for working dogs. Daily use helps smooth energy output and promote steady recovery over time, or as directed by your veterinarian.

Can I use Athlete on competition days?

Most sport and competition organizations allow herbal supplements, but rules vary by organization and discipline. Please check with your specific sport or competition body to ensure compliance before use on competition days, or as directed by your veterinarian.

Can cats use Athlete?

Yes. Athletic or high-energy cats - especially acrobatic breeds - can benefit from the same support for stamina, circulation, and recovery. Use the feline dosage chart above for accurate feeding amounts, or as directed by your veterinarian.

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