Every milligram has
a reason to be here.

L-Theanine

An amino acid originally isolated from green tea. In dogs and cats it has been shown to modulate alpha-wave activity in the brain — the same calm-but-alert state humans associate with meditation. It does not sedate. The published work in veterinary medicine (e.g. Suntory Wellness blinded studies on canine anxiety) uses doses around 2–5 mg/kg. At 50 mg per sachet, a 10 kg dog hits the lower bound on one sachet — the upper bound at two.

Best for: thunderstorm anxiety, vet visit nerves, separation, travel, grooming, multi-pet household tension.

Dosed at 50 mg per sachet in Comfort, our calming lickable supplement.

Taurine

For cats, taurine is essential — they cannot synthesise it in meaningful quantities and require it in the diet to prevent dilated cardiomyopathy and retinal degeneration. For dogs, recent FDA work has linked low-taurine grain-free diets to an uptick in DCM cases, particularly in certain breeds. Both species use taurine for cardiac muscle contractility, bile salt formation and antioxidant defence in the central nervous system.

Best for: heart support, especially in seniors; supplementation for cats on plant-protein-heavy diets; dogs on grain-free or boutique foods.

A key active in Comfort for cardiovascular support.

Chamomile extract

The apigenin in chamomile binds at the same benzodiazepine receptor site as conventional anxiolytics, but with vastly lower binding affinity — producing a mild calming effect without sedation. In integrative veterinary practice, chamomile is also used for mild gastrointestinal upset (think over-excited dog at a party). We use a standardised extract, not raw flower powder, to ensure the active fraction is present in meaningful quantity.

Coenzyme Q10

A mitochondrial cofactor — essential for ATP production in every cell that has mitochondria (which is most of them). Endogenous production declines with age, and the cardiac muscle is one of the most CoQ10-hungry tissues in the body. Supplemental CoQ10 has shown benefit in canine cardiomyopathy studies and is part of the standard integrative protocol for senior dogs with heart murmurs.

Astaxanthin

Possibly the most potent fat-soluble antioxidant currently characterised in the literature — roughly 500× the antioxidant capacity of vitamin E in some assays, and 6,000× vitamin C. We source ours from Haematococcus pluvialis, the same green microalga that turns flamingos pink. The 1 mg dose mirrors what is used in canine joint-and-immune studies. Unlike beta-carotene, astaxanthin spans the cell membrane bilayer, scavenging free radicals at both surfaces.

Best for: senior pets, post-exercise recovery, immune resilience, skin and coat condition.

The antioxidant cornerstone of Nurture, our daily immunity supplement.

Shiitake mushroom extract

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is the most-studied medicinal mushroom in companion animal oncology and integrative immunology. Its beta-glucan fraction — particularly lentinan — is recognised as a non-specific immune modulator: it doesn't pretend to "boost" the immune system, it helps it respond appropriately. Veterinary integrative protocols frequently include shiitake or other beta-glucan-rich mushrooms (turkey tail, reishi) for immunocompromised or recovering pets.

Beta-glucan

A soluble fibre with documented activity on innate immune cells — macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells. The Pawsitivet beta-glucan fraction sits alongside our shiitake source for a layered immune-support profile. Beta-glucan also acts as a prebiotic, fermenting in the colon to short-chain fatty acids that nourish the gut lining and the microbiome.

Inulin (prebiotic fibre)

Selectively fermented by beneficial gut flora — particularly bifidobacteria and lactobacilli — without feeding pathogenic species. The result is a healthier microbiome, better stool quality, and improved mineral absorption. Inulin is particularly useful in cats, who chronically under-consume fibre in commercial diets and frequently present with constipation or hairball issues. (Yes — inulin can help with fur balls, by improving gut motility and binding loose hair into a passable stool.)

Omega-3 (EPA + DHA from salmon oil)

The two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids most relevant to mammalian physiology. EPA is anti-inflammatory; DHA is structural — concentrated in brain, retina and cardiac tissue. We use Norwegian-sourced salmon oil, cold-pressed, with low peroxide values for freshness. Note: 5 mg is a sensible adjunctive dose alongside a normal diet — if your pet needs therapeutic omega-3 for an inflammatory condition, please discuss higher dosing with your vet.

L-Carnitine

Shuttles long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane so they can be burned for energy. In cardiac muscle — which preferentially burns fat — this is non-negotiable. L-carnitine deficiency has been documented in dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs (notably Boxers and Cockers). Supplementation pairs naturally with taurine and CoQ10 for an integrated cardiac-support stack.

Vitamins & minerals

Pawsitivet sachets include thoughtfully-dosed B vitamins (B1, B3, B5 in Comfort; B3 in Nurture), vitamin E, zinc and selenium where formulation calls for them. These aren't headline ingredients but they're cofactors that make the headline ingredients work — selenium for glutathione peroxidase, B3 for NAD synthesis, zinc for over 300 enzymatic reactions including immune function and wound healing.

Fur balls and what helps

Hairballs aren't an accident of cat anatomy — they're a sign that the gut isn't moving ingested fur through quickly enough. The classic solutions (petroleum-based gel laxatives) work, but they're not pleasant and they're not nutritional. The better long-term answer is fibre and gut motility.

Pawsitivet Nurture provides 100 mg of inulin per sachet — a soluble prebiotic fibre that ferments cleanly in the colon and improves stool quality and motility. Combined with the omega-3 fraction and a well-hydrated cat, regular use can meaningfully reduce hairball frequency. (For cats with severe or compacted hairball issues, please see your vet — supplements are an adjunct, not a treatment for an acute obstruction.)

Where it comes from

Pawsitivet is lovingly made in Thailand at a facility with full pet-food production licensing. Salmon and tuna proteins are sourced from certified Thai fisheries. Botanical extracts (chamomile, shiitake, Haematococcus) are standardised by HPLC for active content. The entire range is registered as supplemental food with the Thai authorities, which is why we can describe what each ingredient is intended to support — and why we are careful not to make medicinal claims we cannot substantiate.