Yucca Schidigera: Pet Food Ingredients A to Z

We continue our Dog Food Ingredients A to Z series with the letter ‘Y’. Today's ingredient is Yucca Schidigera.

What is Yucca Schidigera?

Yucca Schidigera is a flowering plant that is native to the Mojave Desert, Chihuahuan Desert and Sonoran Desert of southeastern California, Baja California, New Mexico, southern Nevada and Arizona.

Common names for Yucca Schidigera

The most commonly used names include Yucca, Mojave yucca or Spanish Dagger.

Why is Yucca Schidigera included in pet food?

Yucca Schidigera is primarily used to help minimize stool odor. Yucca Schidigera contains vitamins and minerals including vitamin c and iron.

Common benefits of Yucca Schidigera

Yucca Schidigera is purported to have medicinal benefits. Several studies indicate that Yucca Schidigera can reduce inflammation and help with the treatment of arthritis symptoms.

Yucca Schidigera might also ease the symptoms of diabetes due to its ability to ‘regulate’ glucose levels in the blood.

Miscellaneous facts about Yucca Schidigera

Yucca Schidigera leaves were used by Native Americans to make rope, sandals, and cloth - the roots were used to make soap.
Yucca has been used to treat dandruff, hair loss, and assorted ailments including headaches, bleeding, gonorrhea, arthritis and rheumatism. We cannot say whether or not the treatments were effective.