Rose Hip Vital - Experiences Please Any Animal

[Loving my Oldies]

Thanks @Sagittarian.  Both the dogs on whom I was trying it are overweight.  As I said in a previous post, the weight loss was going well until I started using RHV and had to feed them too much because they did not like the taste.  I am now trying 4cyte and that is comprised of just tiny little balls which the dogs will eat.  

 

Sadly, I saw absolutely no improvement over the nearly four months I had the dogs on the RHV.  

 

 

 

 

[Tassie]

It does seem to depend quite a bit on the individual dog.  I'm using it prophylactically primarily along with a glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM chew … have done for years .. and  (touch wood) my 10,5 year old Agility BC seems to be in good shape.  Not a fussy eater though.

 

I was talking with a friend yesterday who has been using RHCV for a year or more for her multi problem GSD who must be coming up towards 12 or maybe is 12.   She is absolutely happy with it, and how well her dog is doing on it compared with before .. his other food and meds regime is the same.   

[Bow Wow]

Best thing I have used for my Cavaliers. 

Lilly  8 yrs old had a sore back that would not go away. After a week on RHV I saw great improvement.  After two to three weeks she was back to her bouncy self. I put my other girl Georgea 10 yrs old on it as well she was running around like a puppy a week later. Have had them on it for 5 months now.

[Loving my Oldies]

@Bow Wow, do you want to buy mine?  One 500g unopened and one about 3/4 used.   

[alokin123]

i've seen it help my 13 yr old jack russell. Too much and his energy levels go through the roof

[KimberlyZ]

Our beautiful (nearly) 14yr old Stafford is very spry, however going grey and has arthritis. We have her on 4Cyte gel/liquid and the Beransa injection monthly. She had an episode a few weeks ago where she couldn't walk properly and was toppling over- almost a neurological type event. We discovered after rushing her to the vet, her monthly injection was a little overdue as we had been on holidays, but we didn't realise how effective this injection is! Along with her strict diet of sardines, single-protein chicken mince, blueberries, pumpkin mash, carrot/broccoli/zucchini, preservative free kibble and other fruits, we were looking at Rose Hip Vital to add, but I feel like it will be a gimmick- something as useless as Tryptophan (if you have a staffy, you know what I mean). She gets 6 monthly bloods and is taking Fluoxetine and Gabapentin for anxiety/discomfort and is very happy and stable. Any thoughts on RHV, especially from a vet?

[Papillon Kisses]

5 hours ago, KimberlyZ said:

Our beautiful (nearly) 14yr old Stafford is very spry, however going grey and has arthritis. We have her on 4Cyte gel/liquid and the Beransa injection monthly. She had an episode a few weeks ago where she couldn't walk properly and was toppling over- almost a neurological type event. We discovered after rushing her to the vet, her monthly injection was a little overdue as we had been on holidays, but we didn't realise how effective this injection is! Along with her strict diet of sardines, single-protein chicken mince, blueberries, pumpkin mash, carrot/broccoli/zucchini, preservative free kibble and other fruits, we were looking at Rose Hip Vital to add, but I feel like it will be a gimmick- something as useless as Tryptophan (if you have a staffy, you know what I mean). She gets 6 monthly bloods and is taking Fluoxetine and Gabapentin for anxiety/discomfort and is very happy and stable. Any thoughts on RHV, especially from a vet?

Not a vet, however I would save your money. Have you heard of Canine Arthritis Management? They’re lead by veterinarians and have a super informative website and social media presence, including private Facebook support groups you could check out. I’d see what they have to say about the evidence/risks/benefits of various supplements and other modalities.

Edited March 7 by Papillon Kisses

[AnimalsAll]

I am so glad my friend recommended Rosehip Canine Vital (RCV) to me in ~Feb 2025, after her Jack Russell showed miraculous improvement (from barely walking to running with ease). 

I began a trial with my 2 older working dog crosses (12 & 15yo). Both suffered serious malnutrition as Aboriginal camp dogs pre-rescue. The younger needed 2 consecutive knee reconstructions for her congenital luxating patellas when she was about 16-18mo, and her knees which then served her well, have since (predictably) grown arthritic, one especially bad since Feb 2025. She is also suffering kidney disease, was found to be stage 3 in Jan 2025 but reduced to stage 2 after 4wks on renal diet. My 14yo's spine is fused by arthritis; and he had very dodgy hips & weak back legs by Feb 2025 when he started RCV - he was stumbling, struggling to stand and walking very slowly. He also has liver issues. Daily 200mg SAMe with 15mg Milkthistle supplemental powders (from capsules) have kept his liver working since ~Jan 2023.

A week into the RCV loading dose - easily mixed into their tinned fish+water+dryfood breakfasts & tinned chicken+water+vegies+dryfood dinners (they also each have a free-range chicken drumstick for lunch) and both dogs began showing improved mobility and general happiness. I weighed them at start and 4wks later and my older dog - who'd started spontaneously running a lot by then - had lost 3kg. He was too skinny for the first time in 13yrs! I had to double his dry food to cover all the extra running he was doing and keep him at a stable and healthy weight. RCV has been amazing for him, with one scoop now, morning and night, on maintenance dose.

I've since heard of one case where guardian doesn't think RCV worked in his dog refusing to walk up stairs.

A vet told me it helps with kidney disease, too. My younger dog's bad knee is still poor, but she's gained general mobility & muscle on RCV, and both dogs seem happier.

I've even taken some myself for my own joint and muscular pain (after sports injuries/falls), and find it's got an amazing anti-inflammatory effect, fast-acting. When I pause it, the aches & pains return.

So... I definitely recommend a 2mth trial, and note it's cheaper to buy online direct , with free & fast postage, too.

I'm not suggesting RCV healed my dogs' arthritis, only reduced their pain to allow more mobility and that may then help their joints.

I was sceptical at first but am a definite convert, now, 7mths after starting RCV.

[AnimalsAll]

On 07/03/2025 at 8:30 AM, KimberlyZ said:

Our beautiful (nearly) 14yr old Stafford is very spry, however going grey and has arthritis. We have her on 4Cyte gel/liquid and the Beransa injection monthly. She had an episode a few weeks ago where she couldn't walk properly and was toppling over- almost a neurological type event. We discovered after rushing her to the vet, her monthly injection was a little overdue as we had been on holidays, but we didn't realise how effective this injection is! Along with her strict diet of sardines, single-protein chicken mince, blueberries, pumpkin mash, carrot/broccoli/zucchini, preservative free kibble and other fruits, we were looking at Rose Hip Vital to add, but I feel like it will be a gimmick- something as useless as Tryptophan (if you have a staffy, you know what I mean). She gets 6 monthly bloods and is taking Fluoxetine and Gabapentin for anxiety/discomfort and is very happy and stable. Any thoughts on RHV, especially from a vet?

Hi KimberleyZ,

I'm not a vet but the diet your Staffy is being fed sounds very good to me - a sign of real care. Which is why I feel compelled to ask: for how long has she been on Fluoxetine & Gabapentin for anxiety/discomfort; and if more than a couple of months, have you begun treating the cause of that anxiety/discomfort, so that she can be weaned off the meds, in time? My personal experience as a dog rescuer since ~1996, & guardian since ~1980; is that once a dog's natural needs are routinely met for a few months, they will no longer suffer the degree of anxiety that requires medication, at least not sedation with Fluoxetine. In short, I think every mammal has dual psychological needs for:

(1) daily safe exposure to nature, ideally with some autonomy (for dogs: off-leash, generally under voice command) with space to run & expend energy and ample things to explore/sniff; and

(2) positive companonship: feeling valued & purposeful within a pack/tribe, including regular socialisation with at least one other member of their own species. 

 

I've had some experience of Fluoxetine's effects with a couple of Bull Arab-type dogs (one likely a cross-Amstaff) I've helped rescue. Each had traumatic histories thanks to narcissistic & violent humans. The first dog initially needed high doses of Fluoxetine thrice daily to remain sufficiently calm - not get overstimulated - when he was (finally) exposed to nature and exercise, including seeing others of his species, initially at a distance while his self-confidence and trust was rebuilt. He suffered profound separation anxiety for several weeks before a suitable fostercarer allowed him the affection, time and freedom he required (on a rural property) to reduce his med dosage and significantly lower his baseline anxiety. Soon after that period (~6wks) a permanent home was found and his meds ended about 3mths later.

The second dog was put on anti-anxiety meds by his interim owner/fostercarer (who factually misled her vet about his and her behaviour); when I didn't believe he needed them. While he does suffer some anxiety, it takes the form of PTSD-like symptoms - reacting to particular fears  when triggered; but this is of a transitory nature and he calms himself quickly. He has always been relaxed on walks - is calmer during and after than before them - and enjoys positive interactions with most other dogs, as well as most people, provided he doesn't feel confined/crowded.

He's being weaned off his Fluoxetine at present, and has become noticeably less tired, grumpy and fearful after each lowering of his dose; more responsive to instruction and more self-confident, overall. I feel his meds were probably only of limited use (more disadvantage) by reducing his suffering whilst in neglectful care, as he slept through more through it. The next step will be to very gradually wean him off the SSRI anti-depressant he was also prescribed - in error, I suspect (but we will see). Hyperbolic tapering seems the safest way to do this, which should take about 3-4mths. Weaning off Catapres/Fluoxetine is easier/faster), and all reductions are under a new vet's advice.

 

Just in case have been told by some vet/behaviourist/trainer that your dog is too anxious to have the above needs met and come off medication, can I suggest you find a new, science-based vet/behaviourist/trainer. While certain human mental illnesses certainly require life-long drug therapy that can be extremely beneficial, I'm unaware of any dog illnesses of this nature. They seem far more flexible and positive of mind and, therefore, resilient, in my experience, than humans. Good luck, and if you're already working on this, please ignore my concern.