Pawfect Balance

12/08/2022

Very interesting!

15/06/2022

19/05/2022

WHY THIS LONGEVITY HERB IS A MUST ADD TO YOUR DOG’S DIET! 🐶🍠

Cancer is considered the leading cause of sickness and death in dogs. In fact, when it comes to the golden retriever, one study found that 68.3% of golden retrievers were diagnosed with some form of cancer and 65.0% of golden retrievers had a death attributable to cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 6 million new cancer diagnoses are made in dogs each year. “Since not all pets receive medical care or a definitive cancer diagnosis, this number likely would rise if every pet saw a veterinarian annually.” 📈- AAHA

One of the world's most extensively researched and promising natural compounds for cancer treatment is a medicinal herb that so desperately needs to be incorporated into our pets’ lives. 🌿 That herb is turmeric root. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years not only as a spice but also as a medicinal herb, and now science is beginning to understand why. 👩🏼‍🔬 Its medicinal properties and components (primarily curcumin) have been the subject of over 5600 peer-reviewed and published biomedical studies, and has been shown to have anti-aging properties.

Over the years, curcumin has been studied as a potential tool to both reduce as well as possibly treat, different forms of cancer.🦠 Various studies have found that curcumin can help kill tumor cells, as well as inhibit tumor growth in test tube and animal studies. With the ability to selectively target cancer stem cells, curcumin plays a significant role in suppressing the metastasis of cancer cells.

In addition, curcumin has also been shown to help boost the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and improve cognition by making omega-3 DHA, more available in the brain.🧠 This means that in addition to improving memory, and maybe even delaying memory loss, curcumin-boosted BDNF could be effective in delaying or even halting age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

More recent research has discovered curcumin may also protect the body from oxidative stress and damage caused by advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Studies show that cooking some foods at high heat results in the formation of more than ten to hundred times of new AGEs in foods. Processed canned and kibble dog food may contain significantly high levels of these AGEs. Animal and human studies show dietary AGEs result in increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and potentially organ damage, with more than half of absorbed AGEs bound in the liver and kidney. Accumulation of AGEs in the body over time may be a significant contributor of aging. Curcumin has been shown to not only protect the body from AGE’s damage but may also inhibit the formation of AGEs in the body.

👉 Our suggested dose for dogs: 50 to 250 mg two times a day, this is roughly 2 mg per pound of body weight twice a day. *Based on curcumin's naturally low bioavailability, source a product that has been formulated for increased absorption.

As with people, the longest lived dogs often have healthy dietary habits in common. In the Herbs for Health section of our new book, The Forever Dog, turmeric is one of the many herbs we recommend sharing with your dog. We also explain how to incorporate herbs into your dog’s meals, along with how much to feed. 🐾 Get your copy now: foreverdogextras.com/pet-longevity

01/04/2022

Ditch the expensive supplements with PawfectBalance App!

16/02/2022

Everyone has their own journey to take and different hurdles to get through with their dogs transition to raw. We had a chat with Zowie Brown about her raw feeding journey with her dog Buster.

~When did you start raw feeding?

We started our raw feeding journey fairly recently around the start of the year. But at the time I didn’t know a great deal, but with the help of some lovely fellow raw feeders we got the hang of it. We have still got so much to learn but we are headed in the right direction.

~Why did you choose to raw feed your dog?

The main reason I started raw feeding Buster is because he has allergies and he chews his feet which causes a lot of redness, irritation and even hair loss. With the endless other options we tried with no positive outcome, raw feeding seemed like the best next step. A friend of mine feeds her bulldog raw and after hearing all the benefits it seemed like a really good move and it certainly was. I have never known Buster to be so excited and eager to eat his food! He doesn’t ever look up from his bowl! He used to just pick around his kibble and I could just see that it was boring for him.

~What has been your biggest challenge with raw feeding?

The biggest challenge by far was knowing the very basics of raw feeding and what to start with, there’s so much that goes into raw feeding but knowing the perfect balance of meat, bone, offal, fruit and veg is by far the hardest. Every dog copes differently with the balance and can have intolerances to different things. It was 10 times harder with a dog that has already existing allergies! Trying to pinpoint what to take out of his diet was a challenge. But that’s the whole reason we are on this journey to get the perfect balance for Buster and to relieve his allergies with the best possible diet for him.

~Has raw feeding benefitted your dog in any specific way?

I have seen less chewing at his feet, he still licks but not nearly as much as he used to so that’s a great start. But we are still at the start of our journey and have a long way to go before we start seeing any major changes. Most importantly though, he’s a lot happier and he has lost a bit of weight for the better. He also seems to shed less. I can’t wait to see all the other benefits that come along with raw feeding as it has been such a positive start so far.

16/02/2022

Why feed your dog kale?

Kale is a great source of two main antioxidants (Lutein and Zeaxanthin) which can protect against cancer. It's high in calcium, magnesium and potassium which support heart health, healthy nerve function and energy production, and its loaded with iron which promotes cardiovascular health and the development of hemoglobin.

15/02/2022

We love receiving pictures of our followers’ prepared meals! Kitana is an American Staffordshire Terrier that weighs 25kg. Her owner Ana Cesar says that Kitana is loving her raw diet! This is what was on the menu for today:

-170g Turkey breast
- 4 Chicken hearts
- 3 Chicken feet
- 3 Chicken necks
- 180g Beef
- 34g of Liver
- 34g Offal mix (Beef tongue, beef heart and beef lung)
- 34g Vegetables (Baby carrots and green beans)
- 3 Mussels
- 1 Raw egg
- 18 g Seed mix
- Rosemary
- Spirulina treat
- Bee pollen
Please note: Photos are posted as inspiration and as a conversation starter and not as a recipe. All dogs are unique and have different dietary requirements.

For assistance at mealtimes, download the pawfect balance app.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pawfectbalance.android.app&hl=en&gl=US

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pawfect-balance/id1542709018

World of Kitana: https://www.instagram.com/worldofkitana/

14/02/2022

11/02/2022

We spoke to Cesar () about her raw feeding journey with her dog Kitana!

~When did you start raw feeding and what helped you make your decision?

I have always been interested in new alternatives and new types of food to add to Kitanas bowl. Officially, our journey started in October 2020 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I started to see a lot of posts about raw feeding on Instagram and Facebook and I began to research more about it and learnt about the many benefits that it has to offer.

My dog, Kitana, suffered from allergies and I thought that maybe switching to a raw diet might help as I had lost count of the amount of Kibble brands I tried with little or no relief.

~What has been your biggest challenge with raw feeding?

The actual switch was overwhelming, but once I got the hang of it, it became easier. Getting meat was also a challenge!! 😅 I got some strange looks when asking for organs and I felt like I needed to explain that it was for my dog, I needed to find a butcher that could provide me with good meat instead of giving me “old” meat because I said it was for Kitana.

Besides that, I’m happy I didn’t face any real challenges. I had help from a lot of people which made the journey much easier.

~How has raw feeding benefitted your dog specifically?

Changing to a raw diet was the best decision I could have ever made for Kitana. So many things changed for the better. Kitana’s coat was shinier and she wasn’t losing fur like she had before, she also didn’t suffer from allergies like she used to and her body started looking more muscular. Her teeth were whiter and she lost her bad doggie breath too.

I also noticed that her stools were smaller and she went “potty” less frequently, I learnt that this was due to all the healthy and digestible ingredients being absorbed and utilised

https://www.instagram.com/worldofkitana/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR2lerHU1cvv4f0UA9__ngXcCJYWhTfcjwVKflRObVqeKQ40bFVNLEQVSYQ

10/02/2022

09/02/2022

6 foods that can benefit your dog's skin

Like human skin, your dog's skin is multi-functional and acts as an environmental barrier. It regulates temperature, plays a role in immune function, and provides mechanical support to the body. It also acts as a neurosensory receptor.

Diet plays a huge role in skin health, deficiencies in certain nutrients can cause dandruff, itchiness, or dull coat among other skin issues. Nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals can all impact your dog’s skin and coat health

Here are 6 foods that can benefit your dog’s skin:

~Salmon: Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties and may help keep skin moisturised. They are also a good source of high-quality protein, vitamin E and zinc.

~Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal agent, so it's great for healing wounds and scratches. It also helps to promote the growth of new skin cells.

~Liver: Liver contains high levels of Retinol (Vitamin A) which is an essential nutrient that supports skin, eye, and reproductive health as well as immune function.

~Eggs: Eggs are full of amino acids and fatty acids that are great for your dog's skin and coat. They also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Riboflavin, Folate, and Selenium, making eggs an “eggs”ceptional superfood!

~Cranberries: Cranberries are rich with antioxidants and nutrients that help support your pet’s immune system and decrease inflammation. They are also rich in vitamin C that helps boost collagen production

~Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, which promotes healthy skin, coat, eyes, nerves, and muscles in dogs. Sweet potatoes are also a rich source of vitamins A, C, B6, potassium and calcium.

08/02/2022

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6, which contributes towards a healthy brain, nervous system, and a healthy immune system. They're also a fantastic source of potassium and magnesium, which support heart health, and energy production.

Sweet potatoes are incredibly healthy for your dogs skin and coat, this is because they are rich in vitamin A, which promotes healthy skin, coat, eyes, nerves, and muscles in dogs.

07/02/2022

This month is National Pet Dental Health Month! Created by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the month of February is dedicated to highlighting the importance of oral health to the overall health, happiness and wellbeing of your pet.

In light of this, here is a quick "teefs" checklist: 😄

~Check your dogs teeth weekly: Since dogs rarely show any symptoms, it is important to check for any fractured teeth, swollen or bleeding gums and smelly breath on a weekly basis.

~ Raw meaty bones: When your dog chews on raw meaty bones it scrapes their teeth and gums much like a toothbrush and floss would do for us. This helps keep their teeth clean. It also helps prevent food build-up, gingivitis, and even periodontal disease. All in all, feeding a raw diet that includes raw meaty bones is the most effective way to ensure healthy teeth and gums!

Routine check-ups: It’s a good idea to have your vet perform routine cleanings where they scale plaque and tartar, clean the gum line, and polish the teeth. Depending on the size of your dog, you should take them in for a routine cleaning every six months to a year.

Although the lack of proper dental hygiene and old age contribute to dental disease in dogs, the major source of such is an improper diet. The best way to prevent dental disease in your dog is to provide a healthy raw diet. Raw diets are rich in minerals, calcium, phosphorus, and protein and contain natural live enzymes as well as “good” bacteria which help prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Its the best way to ensure a suitable habitat for your dog's healthy oral microbiome.

Need help balancing your dogs raw meals? We have your back! Download the Pawfect Balance App and let us help you fresh feed your dog with confidence!

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pawfect-balance/id1542709018

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pawfectbalance.android.app&hl=en&gl=US

04/02/2022

Fun Fact Friday!!

According to Daily Paws the most popular dog names for 2021 are:

Top 3 Male Dog Names 2021
1. Max
2. Charlie
3. Milo

Top 3 Female Dog Names 2021
1. Bella
2. Luna
3. Lucy

For more information visit: https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-names/most-popular-dog-names-2021

03/02/2022

02/02/2022

Welcome to this weeks feature star Bibi!

Name: Bibi
Sometimes I'm called: Cheeky chops
Age: 4 years 10 months
Breed: Parsons Jack Russel
Birthday: 1 March 2017
Fav snack: Pasta
Fav thing to do with my owner: Go to the beach and have a swim! I’m a salty sea pup 🐶
Fav toy: My blue squeaky ball
Funniest thing I've done: Everyday I do funny things but I once bit my grandpas butt when he cheered too loudly when it was the Rugby World Cup 🤣

01/02/2022

This magical natural remedy has been used for over 2000 years! Ancient Rome must have known something that we don't...until now that is!

Milk thistle (otherwise known as Silymarin) is one of the most commonly used herbal supplements in the United States for liver ailments. It's considered an antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory and is proven to be a powerful and effective health aid, which helps to regenerate cells, reduce liver damage and rid the body of toxins that would normally have to be processed by the liver. Milk thistle has been used to help dogs that are healing from drug therapy or infections and has even been useful in cancer treatment plans.

The benefits don't stop there!

~The Immune System: Milk thistle's immunostimulatory effects make it an amazing complementary treatment for cancer and infectious disease

~Promotes Skin Health: With its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxing properties it's no wonder it contributes to a healthy skin and coat

~Milk thistle and Insulin Resistance: It's been discovered that one of the compounds in Milk Thistle may work similarly to some diabetic medications by helping improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar

Supports Bone Health: Milk thistle has been shown to stimulate bone mineralization and potentially provide protection against bone loss.

31/01/2022

Balancing your dog's meals should not be a struggle!

Download the Pawfect Balance App today and get your first month on us!

Based on AAFCO guidelines, the app helps you calculate your dog's macro and micronutrient intake, gives you meal balancing suggestions and even helps you keep track of deficiencies.

The "Pawfect" meal time buddy!

28/01/2022

Did you know that the common "corn chip" smell on your dogs paws is attributed to naturally occurring bacteria (Pseudomonas and Proteus) that are associated with yeast infections.

26/01/2022

Welcome to the Pawfect Family! Meet our feature star for the week, Thor!
Bianca Candace Mudaly

Name: Thor
Sometimes I'm called: Balloo or Golden eyes
Age: 4 years & 3 months
Breed: Cross German Pointer & Australian Cattledog
Birthday: 12th November 2017
Fav snack: Blueberries, pretzels, butternut & a little popcorn
Fav thing to do with my owner: Hide & go seek and Fetch (“boomerang” version 😆)
Fav toy: Soccer ball
The funniest thing I have done is: Yoga stretches and buried mums socks

25/01/2022

These doggo treats are so quick and easy to make! Feel free to substitute and add your personal touch. Use the Pawfect Balance app to calculate nutrients based on your ingredient choices!

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pawfectbalance.android.app
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/pawfect-balance/id1542709018

Yoghurt, Banana and Chia bites

Ingredients:

~250ml Yoghurt
~50 ml Water
~½ a Banana
~¼ tsp Chia seed

Method:

Blend all ingredients and freeze into a mould or ice cube tray.

Nutritional information (batch)

Calcium 1542.8 mg
Choline 19.1 mg
Copper 0.8mg
Folate 269.9 mcg
Iodine 167.2 mcg
Iron 5.7 mcg
Magnesium 400.2 mg
Manganese 2.3 mg
Niacin (B3) 6.4 mg
Omega 3 0.0 g
Omega 6 4.4g
Pantothenic Acid (B5) 3.2 mg
Phosphorus 1.636.9 mg
Potassium 2.487 mg
Riboflavin (B2) 1.8 mcg
Selenium 54 mcg
Sodium (Na) 418.2 mg
Thiamin (B1) 0g
Vitamin A 313.5 mcg
Vitamin C 38.3 mg
Vitamin D 0.7 mcg
Vitamin E 0.5 mg
Zinc (Zn) 7.3 mg

24/01/2022

Raspberries are bursting with antioxidants, which research has linked to reducing the risks of cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. The manganese found in berries helps synthesize protein and carbohydrates to create energy in the body. Raspberries are also rich in vitamin C, vitamin B, copper, folic acid, and magnesium!

21/01/2022

Fun Fact Friday!!

Did you know that dogs have about 300 million olfactory receptors? Humans only have around 6 million. How's that for a keen sense of smell! 😜

Orlando Science Center

❤️

20/01/2022

19/01/2022

Our feature star of the week! Meet Mikixi! What a handsome fella!

Name: Mikixi
Sometimes I'm called: Mike or Kiesie
Age: 2 years old
Breed: American Pitbull Terrier
Birthday: 12 Dec 2019
Fav snack: Liver!!!
Fav thing to do with my owner: Play ball
Fav toy: Robustaball
The funniest thing I have done is: Looking at the people walking in the road from the upstairs bathroom underneath the curtains!

Marikie Smith Bekker

18/01/2022

Magical Mango!

Mangos are a great high-fiber addition to your dogs diet and an incredibly healthy snack or treat.

They also contain:

~Vitamin A: Promotes good eyesight, a healthy skin and coat, and supports the proper functioning of the kidneys, liver, and lungs

~Vitamin B6: Supports the nervous system and immune system

~Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps protect cells against the effects of free radicals and is necessary for proper immune function

~Vitamin E: Supports the cardiovascular system, prevents inflammation, promotes eye health, and lowers the risk of cancer.

Mangos also contain phytochemicals which support the immune system, protect cells and DNA from damage that may lead to cancer and reduces inflammation.

17/01/2022

The Pawfect Balance App is the perfect raw feeding buddy, it calculates your dog’s macro and micronutrient intake and gives you meal balancing suggestions. You can track deficiencies over time and adjust your dog’s meals accordingly. Create multiple pet profiles for your doggos and let us assist you to fresh feed your dog with confidence!

Sign up today and enjoy a 1 month free trial on the premium version!

14/01/2022

Did you know that your dog has a fur cycle?

~Anagen phase: New fur grows in
~Catagen phase: Fur reaches its max length
~Telogen phase: Fur becomes dormant
~Exogen phase: Shedding begins!

13/01/2022

12/01/2022

Welcome to this fur-baby! Meet Beera! Our feature star of the week 🥰 Karunai Govender

Name: Beera
Sometimes I'm called: Binksie, mummy's baby
Age: +/- 4
Breed: A little boxer, a little pitbull and a funny bone 😁
Birthday: Around the 30 August. I was found in a bush so we guesstimate my birthday.
Fav snack: Dried liver
Fav thing to do with my owner: play fetch
Fav toy: All my Kongs
The funniest thing I have done is: I insist on sitting in the front seat of the car and stare judgmentally at other drivers. I also sneeze and fart simultaneously.

11/01/2022

Yes! To feeding your dog bananas!

Bananas are high in Potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. They are also high in fibre, which is great for your dog's digestion. Bananas also contain high amounts of magnesium which promotes bone growth and helps the body produce protein. They are also low in fat and cholesterol!

10/01/2022

Sulforaphane: What is it? And how can it benefit our four-legged friends?

Sulforaphane is a phytonutrient that acts as a powerful antioxidant. It’s also an isothiocyanate - a type of compound that’s synthesized from a precursor found in cruciferous vegetables, which are a part of the Brassica family (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, and turnips) What does this mean? Well, none of these cruciferous veggies contain sulforaphane but rather contain the precursor, an isothiocyanate that converts to sulforaphane with help from another enzyme called myrosinase. Myrosinase is released once the vegetable is chewed and digested.

3 ways that sulforaphane can benefit our dogs?

~A natural anti inflammatory:
Sulforaphane appears to inhibit inflammation in conditions like IBD, arthritis and diabetes. It may also help treat some chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

~Sulfuraphane fights cancer:
The main way that sulforaphane fights cancer is due to HDAC (histone deacetylase) and DNA methyltransferases inhibitor. By Inhibiting these groups of enzymes it helps protect your dog’s DNA by expressing special tumour suppressor genes.

Sulforaphane has also been shown to help protect cells from damage, induce cancer cell death (Apoptosis), inhibit tumour blood vessel formation, inhibit metastasis and inactivate carcinogens.

~Liver Detox:
Sulforaphane is a powerful activator of a family of enzymes known as phase II detoxification enzymes (transferases) Liver detoxification takes place in phases. Phase 1 prepares toxins to be eliminated by making them water soluble, this is achieved by various chemical reactions (such as oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis), very toxic end products (metabolites) remain, and they must quickly be shunted to the phase 2 pathway in order to make them safer for the body to use. Basically, if phase 2 does not keep up, these metabolites can damage the liver cells further, this is where sulforaphane becomes most beneficial.

phase 2: This is where new substances are added to the toxic and good metabolites produced in phase I in order to make them easier to transport, more stable and/or more functional for the body. And finally phase 3 where the chemical compounds are released and eliminated from the body.

There is plenty of research showing that sulforaphane is safe and beneficial for your dog, however, due to the fact that it can activate phase 2 liver detoxification, it might interact with some medication. Always consult your veterinarian when supplementing your dog's diet.