Pet Supplement Ingredient Encyclopedia

Astragalus Root (Astragalus Polysaccharides)

What it is: The dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fabaceae). Listed in China’s food-and-medicine homology catalogue since 2023; its polysaccharide fraction is the main focus of research.

What it does for pets: A traditional qi-tonifying herb, commonly seen in liver/kidney and urinary-care formulas; a shared ingredient of the liver/kidney and urinary products.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether the formula lists raw astragalus powder or astragalus polysaccharides, and at what dose; Inner Mongolia and Gansu are representative producing regions; read the pairing notes with other ingredients.

Note: For a first feeding, start small and watch tolerance; consult a veterinarian before use in pregnant/lactating pets or those with chronic conditions.

Poria (Fu Ling)

What it is: The dried sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos (Polyporaceae), a member of the food-and-medicine homology catalogue, mainly produced in Yunnan and Anhui.

What it does for pets: Traditionally classed as a diuretic and dampness-draining herb; a common companion ingredient in liver/kidney care formulas.

How to read potency & quality: Choose a form with a fine white cut surface and no sulfur fumigation; read how the formula divides the work with other diuretic ingredients such as plantain herb.

Note: As a formula ingredient its concentration is limited; feeding it in large amounts on its own serves no purpose.

Chinese Yam (Dioscorea)

What it is: The dried rhizome of Dioscorea polystachya (Dioscoreaceae), a member of the food-and-medicine homology catalogue; Jiaozuo, Henan is the classic producing region.

What it does for pets: Contains mild, easily digested polysaccharides; often found in formulas for pets with sensitive digestion.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether it is raw powder or an extract; yam from the classic region has a strong reputation; in formulas it usually serves as a base companion ingredient.

Note: Its starch content is not low—just count it toward the daily total; no special restrictions.

Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong)

What it is: The dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides, a deciduous tree of the family Eucommiaceae, mainly produced in Sichuan and Guizhou; a tree species native to China.

What it does for pets: Traditionally used to tonify liver and kidney and strengthen tendons and bones; a common ingredient in liver/kidney care formulas for middle-aged and older pets.

How to read potency & quality: Check for silvery-white elastic threads at the break (eucommia rubber—a marker of the genuine article); most formulas use raw powder or an extract.

Note: A companion formula ingredient; feeding it alone serves no purpose. Pets with a yin-deficient constitution should not take it in excess.

Ligustrum Fruit (Nu Zhen Zi)

What it is: The dried ripe fruit of Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae), harvested in winter; a traditional liver/kidney-nourishing herb.

What it does for pets: Traditionally used alongside eucommia bark and astragalus for liver/kidney care; serves as a companion ingredient in formulas.

How to read potency & quality: Choose large, plump fruit with a grey-black colour; note the specific form in which it is added to the formula.

Note: Cool in nature; watch stool condition if pets with weak digestion use it in large amounts over time.

Plantain Herb (Plantain Seed)

What it is: The dried whole herb or seed of Plantago asiatica (Plantaginaceae); a representative traditional diuretic and urinary-clearing herb.

What it does for pets: A regular in urinary-care formulas; traditionally used to clear heat and promote water movement, directly relevant to urinary-tract health.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether the whole herb or the seed goes into the formula; read the pairing notes with other urinary ingredients such as cranberry and mannan.

Note: With diuretic ingredients, simply ensuring adequate drinking water is enough; no special restrictions needed.

Costus Root (Mu Xiang)

What it is: The dried root of Aucklandia lappa (Asteraceae), a traditional qi-moving, spleen-supporting herb containing volatile oils.

What it does for pets: Traditionally used to regulate qi and aid digestion; in formulas it helps ease digestive discomfort and is one of the companion ingredients of the urinary product.

How to read potency & quality: Choose roots with a strong aroma and an oily cut surface; for volatile-oil ingredients, note the extraction and storage process.

Note: It contains volatile oils, so a noticeable aroma is normal; feeding it alone in large amounts serves no purpose.

Cattail Pollen (Pu Huang)

What it is: The dried pollen of Typha angustifolia (Typhaceae), a traditional herb for resolving stasis, stopping bleeding and promoting urination.

What it does for pets: Traditionally used alongside plantain herb for urinary care; serves as a companion ingredient in formulas.

How to read potency & quality: Choose pollen that is yellow, light in weight and clean; note the form stated on the formula label.

Note: A class of herb to use with caution in pregnant animals; consult a veterinarian before giving it to pregnant or lactating pets.

Lycopus (Ze Lan)

What it is: The dried aerial parts of Lycopus lucidus (Lamiaceae), a traditional herb for invigorating blood and promoting water movement.

What it does for pets: Traditionally used to promote urination and reduce swelling; together with plantain herb and cattail pollen it forms the herbal pairing of the urinary product.

How to read potency & quality: Choose tender material with plenty of leaf and a green colour; note the form and concentration in the formula.

Note: A companion ingredient; feeding it alone serves no purpose. Normal observation during use is sufficient.

Fish Oil / Omega-3 (EPA, DHA)

What it is: Unsaturated fatty acids extracted from deep-sea fish, among the most cited ingredients for pet skin/coat and inflammation management.

What it does for pets: Participates in skin-barrier and hair-growth metabolism, supports heart/brain and visual development, and aids the body's anti-inflammatory response.

How to read potency & quality: Check the specific EPA+DHA content and unit (e.g., mg per capsule), source of origin (prefer Peruvian deep-sea small fish), whether vegetable oil is added as filler, and oxidative stability.

Note: Oxidizes easily after opening—seal, avoid light, watch shelf life; discard if it develops a rancid smell.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Deep-Sea Fish Oil for Pets

Probiotics (Live / CFU)

What it is: Beneficial live microorganisms that can colonize the gut.

What it does for pets: Stabilize gut flora, aid digestion and soft stools, support local gut immunity.

How to read potency & quality: Check the live count (CFU), whether specific strains are listed, whether coating technology is used (e.g., microencapsulation improves stomach-acid survival), and whether prebiotic FOS is included.

Note: Higher CFU is not automatically better; survival rate and colonization ability matter more than sheer volume.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Saccharomyces boulardii Probiotic · PACKAR Herbal & Probiotic Rabbit Hairball Paste

Lactoferrin

What it is: A multifunctional protein naturally present in mammalian milk.

What it does for pets: Participates in iron transport and immune regulation; commonly used for immunity focus during weaning, seasonal change, and post-surgery recovery.

How to read potency & quality: Check the source (e.g., imported from New Zealand) and content, and whether combined with IgG immunoglobulin, B-complex vitamins, and prebiotics.

Note: A nutritional supplement, not a substitute for therapeutic drugs.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Pet Lactoferrin

Glucosamine + Chondroitin

What it is: Nutrients related to joint-cartilage health, often paired with MSM.

What it does for pets: Support joint flexibility and cartilage health; mostly for daily care of middle-aged and senior pets.

How to read potency & quality: Check the active content and whether synergistic ingredients like MSM are included.

Note: Daily care, not a substitute for joint-disease treatment; lameness or reluctance to move calls for a vet.

Taurine

What it is: An essential amino acid that cats synthesize insufficiently; dogs can synthesize part of it.

What it does for pets: Supports heart, vision, and reproductive health; a key fortification in cat food and cat treats.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether the product states content; cat staple, wet food, and treats are usually fortified.

Note: Long-term deficiency causes serious health problems; choose cat products that fortify taurine.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Low-Temp Baked Nutrition Grass Cake (Small Pet)

Cranberry (North American Cranberry)

What it is: A fruit extract rich in proanthocyanidins.

What it does for pets: Traditionally used for urinary-tract environment maintenance, common in dog/cat urinary formulas.

How to read potency & quality: Check the extract content and overall formula palatability.

Note: Dogs and cats can have moderate amounts; watch formula sugar and palatability; not a substitute for emergency care.

Yucca Extract

What it is: A natural ingredient extracted from the yucca plant.

What it does for pets: Helps reduce fecal odor and supports gut comfort.

How to read potency & quality: Check content and form.

Note: An auxiliary ingredient, not for treatment.

B-Complex Vitamins (B1/B2/B6, etc.)

What it is: A group of water-soluble vitamins with little storage in the body.

What it does for pets: Participate in skin/coat metabolism and energy conversion; deficiency causes coarse coat and reduced appetite.

How to read potency & quality: Check specific types (e.g., B1, B2, B6) and form; small-molecule liquid structure absorbs faster.

Note: Water-soluble with little storage; a monotonous diet or stress period can easily lead to insufficiency—daily supplementation is fine.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR B-Complex Vitamin Solution · PACKAR Pet Lactoferrin

Keratinase (Keratinase, from Bacillus licheniformis)

What it is: A class of proteases that degrade keratin. Most of a pet's fur is keratin—a very stable structure that ordinary proteases struggle to break down.

What it does for pets: Keratinase breaks down keratin, often paired with plant fiber and probiotics. Results vary by species, individual, and hairball severity.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether the activity unit (U/kg) and source strain (e.g., Bacillus licheniformis fermentation product) are clearly stated; "added" without a unit is hard to judge.

Note: For daily care. Bloating, stopped defecation, or refusal to eat are emergency signals—seek veterinary care immediately.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Herbal & Probiotic Rabbit Hairball Paste

Yeast Cell Wall (β-glucan / Mannan-oligosaccharide)

What it is: Cell-wall components obtained after breaking Saccharomyces cerevisiae, containing prebiotic polysaccharides like β-glucan and MOS.

What it does for pets: As a prebiotic nutrient, supports gut-flora stability and daily gut comfort; common in hay snacks and rabbit formulas.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether the source (Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall) is stated and whether combined with other prebiotics (e.g., FOS).

Note: Nutritional supplement, not a substitute for treatment.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Low-Temp Baked Nutrition Grass Cake (Small Pet)

Natural Vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol)

What it is: A fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin, commonly the natural-source d-α-tocopherol or its acetate form.

What it does for pets: Participates in the body's antioxidant processes; used in formulas with oils needing activity protection, and for daily skin/coat care.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether natural or synthetic source is stated, and the specific mg per kg.

Note: Use at recommended amounts; excess brings no extra benefit.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Low-Temp Baked Nutrition Grass Cake (Small Pet)

Mixed Hay Base (Timothy / Oat / Alfalfa)

What it is: The staple coarse-fiber source for herbivorous small pets. Timothy is high-fiber and good for daily use and teeth; oat grass has good crude fiber and relatively low calcium; alfalfa is higher in protein and calcium.

What it does for pets: Provides crude fiber to maintain gut motility and teeth-wear needs; the foundation of a rabbit, chinchilla, or guinea pig daily diet.

How to read potency & quality: Check the hay ratio, grass-species composition, and whether origin is stated (e.g., Timothy percentage, import country); for cakes also check the forming process.

Note: Alfalfa is higher in calcium; adult small pets should not be fed it heavily/alone long-term; staple remains unlimited dried hay.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Low-Temp Baked Nutrition Grass Cake (Small Pet)

L-Lysine & Taurine (combined amino acids)

What it is: Two common nutritional amino acids. Lysine is an essential amino acid for most pets; taurine is especially critical for cats.

What it does for pets: Participate in growth, immunity, and metabolism; common in growth-support, skin/coat, and daily-nutrition blends.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether specific amino-acid names are stated in the "additive composition" rather than vaguely written as "amino acids."

Note: Nutritional supplement; pets with impaired kidney function or illness should follow a vet's advice.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Low-Temp Baked Nutrition Grass Cake (Small Pet)

Flaxseed Oil + Seaweed Powder (plant / marine Omega)

What it is: Flaxseed oil provides plant-source Omega like alpha-linolenic acid; seaweed powder provides trace marine-source nutrition.

What it does for pets: Used for daily nutritional supplementation in skin/coat care, often blended with vitamins and trace elements.

How to read potency & quality: Check whether the oil source is stated and whether antioxidant protection (e.g., Vitamin E) is paired; plant-source Omega is not the same as the EPA/DHA of deep-sea fish oil.

Note: Oils oxidize easily—watch packaging seal and shelf life; discard if off-smelling.

Products using this ingredient: PACKAR Low-Temp Baked Nutrition Grass Cake (Small Pet)