Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions here, if you still need help then please contact us at hello@dogsinthemeadow.com.au

Flower questions

Are the flowers safe for my dog?
All flowers and herbs we sell are listed as safe and non toxic for dogs, however, there is always a risk with any allergies a dog may have. We recommend introducing any new items slowly, starting with smelling and ensuring there are no reactions before offering on food.

If you have concerns about a plant we have, feel free to email us at hello@dogsinthemeadow.com.au, and we are happy to discuss it with you.

How many flowers should I give my dog?
There is no answer for this that suits every dog, which means amounts come down to individuals. Dogs are facultative carnivores, so knowing that, any large amounts of roughage (especially new) could cause upset stomachs. With that, we recommend starting small, a few petals, or 1\4 cup of tea and increase to an amount that suits your dog. 

Our flowers are designed to be a natural and fun garnish for your dogs meals, and not to replace a balanced diet. If you have concerns, we recommend you speak to your canine health professional.

Why doesn't my dog like the flowers?
De gustibus non est disputandum. (There's no accounting for taste!)

Dog's have fewer taste bubs than we humans do, but they can still identify sweet, sour, salty, savoury, and bitter tastes, and this can be seen with our flowers and herbs. While some of our products have sweet flavours — like corn silk, others are known for their bitter or spicy flavours — like calendula and nasturtium. Some dogs love the peppery taste that comes from nasturtium flowers, while others prefer the subtle sweet taste of our cornflower petals. We aim to offer a wide range of botanicals so every dog can enjoy with a taste they like.

 

Yes, and no.

There are two parts to this answer, firstly the beneficial compounds found in the flowers. I won't go through all flowers we sell, but the principal is the same. Take calendula for example. Calendula has a long history of being used for its health benefits due to the amount of flavonoids found in the plant. Flavonoids are said to have a number of medical benefits including having anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. The issue comes down to amounts. Different varities of calendula possess different quantities of flavonoids, and this again varies with where the plant is grown, the growing season, and even when the flowers are picked. It is not feasible to test every batch of flowers I sell, so I am not comfortable nor am I able to make any claims of health benefits.

The second part of this comes down to the dogs. There has not been enough research done on dogs and herbalism, and any potential benefits that these flowers may provide to dogs.

The benefits I do feel comfortable listing are that our flowers provide a unique visual and scent enrichment for dogs, while adding a touch of elegance that comes from organic flowers. 

Where and how are the flowers grown?
All our botanicals are grown on our property in the North West of Tasmania. We grow our produce organically and sustainably to ensure the best quality possible. While we are not certified organic, we follow the voluntary Australian Standard for growing.

How are the botanicals harvested, dried, and packaged?
The flowers and herbs are all carefully picked by hand before being placed into a dehydrator that is only used for drying our botanicals. They are dried over a period of 12-24 hours, at between 35-50°c depending the flowers and herbs being dried at the time. After being dried, they are conditioned for a period of time before being packaged into our glass jars, or into Eco-friendly food grade plastic bags for our cardboard tubes. During all stages, the flowers and herbs are checked to ensure the upmost quality of the product. 

How long will my flowers last?
Our flowers have a shelf life of 1-2 years, this is when they're kept in optimum conditions, such as being stored in a cool, dry, and dark place and kept completely free from moisture. Botanicals from The Meadow are preservative and chemical free, so it is natural for the colours and scents to fade slightly over time, but this process will be accelerated if they are kept in constant harsh lighting. 
Store away from light and moisture to maximise shelf life.

Ordering and delivery

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the following cards: Mastercard, and Visa, and we also accept Paypal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and AfterPay.

How much is shipping?
Shipping information can be found on our Shipping Policy page here.

Where do you ship to?
We ship to most countries. If you have any queries, please email us.

Where is my order?
Orders are shipped within 2 business days unless otherwise mentioned - once posted, you can check your tracking which is sent to the email address provided at purchase.

My order isn't what I thought. What can I do?
We are sorry to hear that, and are more than happy to help in this situation. Please take photos of the product received and send them to hello@dogsinthemeadow.com.au along with your order number and we'll look into it for you.

Other

Do you offer wholesale?
We appreciate the interest from businesses looking to support The Meadow and share our products with dog guardians worldwide. However, we do not offer wholesale options. 

The reason for this decision is the significant amount of time and effort that goes into creating each of our products. Being a small, family-run business, we are proud to grow all of our botanicals on our own property. We are hands-on in every stage of the process, from planting seeds to weeding, harvesting, and drying. 

In order to meet wholesale demands, we would need to make changes to our growing process, which would impact on the quality of our products. When you purchase from The Meadow, you are not just buying flowers for your dog, you are becoming a part of our journey. 

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions at hello@dogsinthemeadow.com.au 

Can I try the flowers or teas?
Designed with dogs in mind, all of our products are grown and chosen for them. However, should you find yourself tempted to try them, rest assured that they are also suitable for human consumption.