Sniff and Wag

Sniff and Wag Sniff & Wag provides consultations on nutrition, behaviour and training. Coming soon, scentwork for My name is Robyn, welcome to Sniff & Wag.
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My name is Robyn and I help people with their dog's nutrition. There are many reasons why a pet parent may decide to feed their beloved pet a commercial brand of pet food. They are convenient to purchase, available straight off the shelf from the supermarket or pet store, they come with feeding instructions and offer varieties that meet the needs of budget considerations. Each meal is manufactured

to be complete and nutritionally balanced and are available in dry, semi-moist and canned styles. When fed in the correct proportions, these commercially manufactured pet foods have been designed to provide sufficient quantities of each required nutrient. A pet food that is out of balance, with too much or too little vitamins or minerals, may cause toxicity or a deficit and in this context, nutritionally complete and balanced commercial foods have been developed to provide all the pet’s nutritional needs to survive. The convenient, easy to feed and widely available dry dog food does, however, have some disadvantages. Questionable ingredients are in the brightly designed, not always honest packaging, enticing vulnerable pet parents to buy their product. After high heat processing, commercial dry dog food is nothing more than a ‘dead’ food. Proteins have been denatured, any beneficial bacteria are dead and natural digestive enzymes inactive. Synthetic vitamins and minerals are added back into the food in an effort to replace some of the lost nutritional value and to ensure their formula complies with the “complete and balanced” AAFCO standards. The alternative to commercial foods is one of the natural feeding methods or a homemade diet for which there are many recipes (some better than others) and they will require a little research from the pet parent as to what to feed and how much. To assist the novice fresh food feeder transition away from commercial, off the shelf dry food, I am able to assist and guide you when constructing a balanced meal plan.

01/02/2024

THE BEHAVIOUR PUZZLE

Changing behaviour is like building a puzzle.

All the different pieces need to be looked at and put together for the result to be successful.

Trying to stop a behaviour with a quick fix, is unlikely to have lasting results last and often results in an unwanted behaviour surfacing in a different way.

Behaviour needs to be looked at holistically.
Understanding what the function of the behaviour is, what a dog is trying to communicate, using management to prevent the behaviour from being rehearsed or practiced, ensuring that a dog’s needs are being met and showing dogs what to do instead of what not to do are some of the important parts of solving the behaviour puzzle.

Changing behaviour takes time, it’s not a quick fix, it requires understanding, consistency, patience and commitment, but the results of solving the puzzle properly are worth it.

01/07/2023

Parking this here for referral later

22/06/2023

🧄 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗖, 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬....

⚠️ Study is 20 years old

⚠️ Study contained a mere 8 dogs

⚠️ Only 4 of those dogs were given a garlic extract

⚠️ The Garlic extract that was fed via a tube into the stomach was equiv. to 20 cloves of garlic i.e. not a normal amount a pet parent would give and was repeated for 7 days which would be equiv. to 140 cloves of garlic.

It's hard to understand the point of this study because this isn't an amount any pet parent would feed their dog or an amount you could probably get a dog to eat even if you tried!

🧐 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬, 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐢𝐝 👉𝐧𝐨𝐭👈 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐬:

"Results: Compared with initial values, erythrocyte count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration decreased to a minimum value on days 9 to 11 in dogs given garlic extract. Heinz body formation, an increase in erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentration, and eccentrocytes were also detected in these dogs 👉𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗮👈".

We also do not know what-sized dogs they used in the study. If they were small dogs vs large dogs then this is a variable that would be important to consider if there were any results that could negatively impact our dogs - A Great Dane vs Chihuahua or even a standard laboratory dog being a Beagle are likely to have different outcomes. You would think as study to learn about the safe upper limits of garlic would have been more productive.

😬 Anyways... that's the study that everyone thinks their dog is going to die or get very sick if they eat garlic....

Let us fast forward to 2018 where another garlic study was conducted, this time on aged garlic...

Again, there were 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 in the clinical signs, complete blood count, and serum biochemical parameters, Heinz bodies and eccentrocytes.

👉 The conclusion of this study was that: The long-term oral administration of AGE at a dose of 90 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 (𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲) 𝗮𝘁:
https://www.balanced-canine.com/post/garlic-the-confusion-about-safety

22/06/2023

DOES YOUR DOG JUMP UP?

Jumping up is a natural behaviour for excited dogs, often a form of enthusiastic greeting. However, it can be dangerous, especially for young children or frailer people who can be knocked over and potentially injured. Even for adults, there's a risk of accidental scratches or falls. Despite its root in affection and excitement, jumping at people is not a good behaviour to encourage and most guardians would like to avoid their dog jumping up. Here's how we can teach that with kindness and good communication for the dog.

𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐩 & 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Differential reinforcement in dog training is basically a method of promoting one behaviour in place of one you would rather discourage. It works quickly and doesn't expose the dog to punishers or force.

1. DRO (Differential Reinforcement of Other behaviour): You reward the dog whenever he does anything other than jumping up while greeting. He might decide to wag his tail, bark excitedly, or simply sit and wait patiently. In all of these cases, he gets a treat because he's not doing the thing you don't want him to do (jumping up).

2. DRI (Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behaviour): This is when you reward behaviour that is physically incompatible with the unwanted behaviour. So, if your dog is busy sitting or lying down when he greets you, he physically can't be jumping up at the same time. So, you reward him for staying seated or lying down.

3. DRA (Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behaviour): This is where you train your dog to perform a specific alternative behaviour in response to a certain trigger. If your dog tends to jump up when he's excited to see you, you might train him to sit and give you his paw instead. Every time he does this, he gets a treat.

In all these cases, the idea is to positively reward the good behaviour, thereby increasing the likelihood that the dog will repeat this behaviour in the future. This way, you're effectively guiding your dog away from the habit of jumping up and towards the preferred habit of keeping all four feet on the ground.

Shared from Canine Principles

19/06/2023

𝐆𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Improving motility depends on what the actual goal might be. In cases of impaired motility (eg: dogs vomitting more than 5 hours after a meal), speeding up digestion would be considered an improvement wheras dogs with chronic diarrhea would probably be happier if things would slow down. That said, occassional vomiting or diarrhea is considered normal, so don't panic.

🎯Suggestions regarding what to do about both follows the description below.

▶The stomach’s first role is to accept and store food. Glands present in the lining of the stomach start to respond by producing stomach or gastric acid. The wall of the stomach contains muscle which helps to move acid and food around until they are blended. Now that they are thoroughly mixed, the acid helps to break food down even further into fragments that are more easily digested. Food leaving the stomach is a cream-like liquid called chyme. The lower part of the stomach has muscles that push this partly digested food toward the small intestine.

➡️As food passes through the small intestine, it’s mixed with chemicals produced by the liver/gallbladder and pancreas. At this point it’s small enough to be used by the body which is perhaps why I think of the small intestine as being a hero. Not only does it do what I’ve described above, but the walls of this long tube are home to tiny finger-like projections called villi. Capillaries (small blood vessels) in the villi are able to 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐛 tiny food molecules which are carried to the rest of the body through the blood. Whatever cannot be used by the body is sent to the large intestine where water is removed and waste is sent to the colon.

❗ See your vet before deciding your dog has a specific problem. Many things can look like a motility problem and many things can cause one.

💊Digestive enzymes can help some dogs. Used properly (mix them into food with a little moisture, stir well to coat every bit of food in them if possible, and wait 10 minutes before serving the meal) Most protease (the enzyme that helps break down protein) is derived from pork. If your dog is allergic to pork you could be better off using plant based enzymes even though they're not as powerful.

🦠Probiotics - they don't directly help motility, but may improve the gut microbiome. Probiotics are used indiscriminately which I'm not a fan of. That will be another post 🙂

☑️Psyllium powder: Fantastic food for the good guy bacteria in the bowel, so it's something to consider if the problem is soft stool.

⏳TIME is underrated. The body is nothing short of a miracle network and will often repair itself when not interferred with. Sometimes, adding too many things to the dog's bowl backfires. Letting the body rest and repair may be challenging for us, but can benefit the dog. This isn't to say we should ignore a problem so much as define what a problem really is. For instance, the longer you walk the dog the more often s/he will p**p. The more often s/he p**ps, the softer stool becomes. That's not a motility problem, but can exacerbate one.

25/05/2023

It is easy to judge the other dog when it was our dog that initiated the altercation by being overly friendly

23/05/2023
16/05/2023

RAISING DOG FRIENDLY CHILDREN
Teach children to be dog friendly before teaching dogs to be child friendly

I’m often asked - “How can I make my dog more child friendly?”

The question really should be - “How can I make my child more dog friendly?”

Children don’t come with an inborn ability to know how to treat dogs. It’s up to us to teach them.

I’m amazed that there aren’t more dog bites considering how often I see children treating dogs like stuffed toys.

If you think about it, dogs are actually amazingly tolerant and patient with people even when their attempts to communicate through their body language, that they’re really uncomfortable, are completely ignored or not understood.

As parents, it’s an important responsibility to teach our children about how to respect and behave around dogs.

Always supervise children and dogs, even if a dog seems relaxed and friendly.

Here are some links to free, on-line resources if you’re looking for more information on how to keep children and dogs safe together -

https://kidsarounddogs.co.uk/pages/free-resources
https://www.familypaws.com/resources/
https://www.cooperandkids.com
https://www.gooddoginabox.com/top-20-ways-keep-kids-and-dogs-safe/
https://poochparenting.net/blog/

01/05/2023
Love this explanation.
23/04/2023

Love this explanation.

I have to admit I have some strong opinions. And I know some of my opinions are completely contrary to “everything you read on the Internet“. But there’s always a reason I disagree.

So what am I talking about today? Rice.

It’s everywhere. Even conventional veterinarians who are adamantly opposed to people food, they’ll tell you “feed chicken and rice“ if your dog has a sensitive stomach or diarrhea or some thing like that.

What’s my problem? There are three aspects that I feel should also be covered:

First, rice is definitely bland for us humans. That BRAT diet thing. Banana, rice, applesauce, toast. So if we have the flu, we’re supposed to eat these bland foods. That’s for humans! There are times what works for humans works for dogs and cats. In the case of a sensitive stomach, it’s absolutely not the case!

Why is that? You might ask

Humans produce lots of amylase. Amylase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates. Specifically rice. Dogs and cats have very little amylase by comparison. And if their intestines are messed up, dogs and cats have even less amylase. So if you feed them rice and their guts are screwed up, you’re likely to make things even worse!

Some people think rice is a good binder. Plug the dog up. I would argue with you that cheese is more likely to plug up the system.
But if you wanted some thing that’s socially acceptable and a little bit easier to digest and known to help with diarrhea: how about canned pumpkin?

So when we’re talking general dietary distress and look at the chicken and rice concept, I would argue that it’s more appropriate to feed chicken. Only. Unless of course the dog or cat is sensitive to chicken.

What do we use rice for? Me personally I think it makes my sushi rolls taste absolutely fabulous! But if I eat 75% carbohydrates at every meal, like many common dog food diets, I won’t fit through my front door. Because most dogs and cats are neutered, they no longer have the hormonal driven ability to maintain lean, muscular body weight. They are like post menopausal women. Say the word carbohydrate and we all get fat.

We can try to argue that there is nutritional value in rice. Let’s be real. It’s primarily a very cheap filler, AKA a source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates turn into sugar. Excess sugar is stored as fat. Rice makes us fat.

Now here’s my pet peeve. To explain this, I’m going to give a short science lesson. (by the way, every veterinarian, physician, nurse, chiropractor, healthcare, professional, learns this information the very first year of medical training. Maybe they forget?)

Food is primarily made up of protein, fat and carbohydrate. Sure, there’s a little bit of vitamins and minerals but it’s mostly protein, fat and carbohydrate. So we eat our food. It goes into the stomach. A well functioning stomach has high levels of acid. The acid breaks proteins down into tiny little pieces called amino acids. The amino acids are absorbed by the body and turned back into muscle. Like, you know, muscle. Or the heart. Because the heart is a muscle. Next the food goes into the small intestines. The duct from the gallbladder is right across the intestinal street from the duct from the pancreas. The gallbladder contains bile. Bile breaks down fat.

So what’s left? That’s right. Carbohydrates. The primary job of the pancreas is to digest carbohydrates! Not fat. Not proteins. Sure, the pancreas has a small function of digesting fat and protein; the primary job of the pancreas is to digest carbohydrates!

So if a dog has an upset stomach, it’s always possible that it has a pi**ed off pancreas. If there’s any possibility at all that the dog has a pi**ed off pancreas, why in the world would we feed rice which makes the pancreas even more pi**ed off?

Now you’re probably asking yourself why in the world your veterinarian told you that pancreatitis was a fat problem? That is a beautiful question! There is a blood test to evaluate the function of the pancreas. It measures pancreatic lipase. (Lipase is an enzyme that digests fat – AKA lipid.) So if the pancreatic lipase is high, the dog has pancreatitis. But it doesn’t mean the illness is a lipid or fat issue, it just means the lipase is high, but we absolutely need to stop feeding freaking carbohydrates because the primary enzyme made in the pancreas is amylase.

Why are 99.7% of veterinarians continuing to tell people that their dog has pancreatitis and absolutely must avoid fat? Marketing. Pure and simple.

It’s the pet food companies teaching the veterinarians that it’s a fat problem. And it’s a matter of forgetting the first year of veterinary school. I kid you not. Every single veterinary student learns in physiology class first year of vet school the primary function of the pancreas is carbohydrates metabolism.

So please. Skip the rice. It’s a cheap filler, has very little nutritional benefit and could be making things worse especially in dogs with pancreatitis.

18/04/2023

TELL ME WHEN I GET IT RIGHT!

Imagine this – You work for someone who continually reprimands you. You never know from one day to the next if there is anything this person is happy with, because the only feedback you receive from them is what you are doing wrong – it’s all just so negative!

You are never thanked for a job well done, never given any positive feedback, recognition or encouragement.

This leaves you feeling demotivated, confused, insecure and unhappy. You have no idea what this person really expects of you or wants from you.

Surely you must be doing something right, some of the time? If only you had more feedback about what that was – you could do more of that and you would both be in a happier place.

We often treat our dogs this way, only focusing or providing feedback on the “wrong” behaviour and neglecting to provide feedback and encouragement for the “right” behaviour.

Rewarding, reinforcing and encouraging a dog for whatever they are doing right is an effective, scientifically proven way to communicate, teach, create trust, build confidence, security and build a strong bond in a positive, force-free way.

Just like us, when a dog does something that results in something good happening, they’re far more likely to keep repeating that behaviour.

Reinforcement or rewards don’t always have to be food or treats – it all depends on what that particular dog finds more rewarding – lots of praise, a favourite toy, playing a game or anything else a dog really enjoys can be rewarding.

Keep telling your dog when they get it right and very soon, they will be doing less of the wrong thing and more of the right thing.

Stop focusing on the unwanted behaviour and communicate to your dog that they are getting it right by rewarding the behaviour you are looking for.

07/04/2023

WHAT DOGS WOULD WANT US TO KNOW

Dogs are held captive in our human world but and are not born to understand our human ways. We expect so much of them.

We expect them to conform and behave in ways that are “acceptable” to us.

So many dogs are subjected to force, punishment, intimidation, aversive tools or outdated training methods as humans attempt to change and control them.

“Humans are afraid of aliens because we think they will treat us the same way we treat other animals on earth” – I don’t know where this quote originates from, but it makes sense.

Dogs have feelings, emotions and are sentient beings. They need our understanding, patience and kindness.

They long for us to understand them and although they do not speak our language, their body language speaks for them, if we would just take the time to notice and learn to interpret it.

We have a responsibility to learn about how they learn, to help them feel safe and secure and provide for not just their basic needs.

These are some of the things I believe dogs would want us to know.

29/03/2023

Noice.

What a superb looking doggo, I definitely have a soft spot for bull breeds.  Sharing here because I'm gunna want to watc...
15/03/2023

What a superb looking doggo, I definitely have a soft spot for bull breeds. Sharing here because I'm gunna want to watch this a few more times.

our agility run on the famous green carpet. I just can't believe we did this and smashed it 🥰🥰

Some fabulous suggestions below, let's add blueberries into the rotation too, smooshed into Greek Yoghurt - yummo
05/03/2023

Some fabulous suggestions below, let's add blueberries into the rotation too, smooshed into Greek Yoghurt - yummo

🍠 𝗗𝗜𝗣 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 🐠

Starting fresh food feeding can be scary right? Next week, we challenge you to add something new to your dog's dry food.

There are no rules as to how much, but just start off with a little as dogs who have lived on dry food diets can be a bit weird about real food. Whatever you add, mix into the dry food really well.

✅ 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀
Chia seeds are tiny, oval-shaped seeds that come from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is native to Mexico and Guatemala. These seeds are rich in nutrients and have been touted for their various health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of chia seeds. You can find these in the health food aisle of your local supermarket or health food store. If adding more than a sprinkle, soak them in something wet for at least 20 minutes such as water, goat's milk, kefir, meat blood, etc.

▪️ Rich in nutrients: Chia seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, healthy fats, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese.

▪️ May aid in weight loss: Chia seeds are high in fiber and can help you feel fuller for longer, which can lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.

▪️ May improve digestion: The high fiber content in chia seeds can help promote regularity and healthy digestion.

▪️ May help lower blood sugar levels: Chia seeds are low in carbs but high in fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels.

▪️ May improve heart health: The omega-3 fatty acids in chia seeds may help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and decrease the risk of heart disease.

▪️ May boost energy: Chia seeds are a good source of protein and healthy fats, which can help provide sustained energy throughout the day.

▪️ May improve bone health: Chia seeds are high in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are all important for maintaining strong bones.

✅ 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵
Good source of protein: Canned fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and tuna, are a convenient and affordable source of high-quality protein.

▪️ Rich in omega-3 fatty acids: Canned fish are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain health, heart health, and reducing inflammation.

▪️ Long shelf life: Canned fish can last for a long time on the shelf, making them a convenient option for meals when fresh fish is not available.

▪️ Affordable: Canned fish is generally less expensive than fresh fish, making it a cost-effective option for those on a budget.

▪️ May reduce the risk of certain diseases: The omega-3 fatty acids found in canned fish may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

Overall, canned fish can be a healthy and convenient addition to a balanced diet. However, it is important to choose fish that are low in mercury and other contaminants, and to watch for added salt and other ingredients that may not be as healthy such as tuna. We recommend that you only choose ones that are canned in springwater or olive oil.

✅ 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼
Cooked sweet potatoes are a nutritious and delicious food that offer several potential health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of cooked sweet potatoes:

▪️ Rich in nutrients: Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and manganese.

▪️ May help regulate blood sugar: Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than other types of potatoes, which means they can help regulate blood sugar levels and may be a good choice for people with diabetes.

▪️ May improve digestion: The high fiber content in sweet potatoes can help promote regularity and healthy digestion.

▪️ May boost immune system: Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin A is important for maintaining a healthy immune system.

▪️ May have anti-inflammatory properties: Sweet potatoes contain several antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the body.

▪️ May promote healthy vision: The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes may also help protect the eyes and promote healthy vision.

▪️ Versatile and delicious: Sweet potatoes can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as roasting, boiling, or mashing, and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Dry food is already high in carbs and so is sweet potato so don't go overboard here 🙂

✅ 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗿𝘁
▪️ High in protein: Greek yogurt is a good source of protein, which is important for building and repairing tissues, maintaining muscle mass, and regulating blood sugar levels.

▪️ Lower in sugar: Greek yogurt is lower in sugar than other types of yogurt.

▪️ May aid in weight loss: The high protein content in Greek yogurt can help you feel fuller for longer, which can lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.

▪️ May improve gut health: Greek yogurt contains probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that can help improve gut health and digestion.

▪️ May help lower blood pressure: Some studies have suggested that the probiotics in Greek yogurt may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

▪️ Good source of calcium: Greek yogurt is a good source of calcium, which is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Look for Greek Yogurt plain full-fat varieties, you don't want added sugars or flavours.

✅ 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is sold in the form of flakes or powder. It has a cheesy, nutty flavor and is a popular ingredient in vegan and vegetarian cooking. Here are some potential benefits of nutritional yeast:

▪️ Good source of nutrients: Nutritional yeast is a good source of vitamins, especially B vitamins, and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and selenium.

▪️ May boost immune system: Nutritional yeast is high in beta-glucans, which are a type of fiber that may help boost the immune system.

▪️ May support healthy digestion: Nutritional yeast is rich in fiber and may help promote healthy digestion and regularity.

▪️ May help regulate blood sugar levels: The high fiber content in nutritional yeast can help regulate blood sugar levels.

▪️ May have anti-inflammatory properties: Nutritional yeast contains several antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the body.

▪️ Low in calories: Nutritional yeast is low in calories but high in flavor, making it a great way to add flavor to meals without adding extra calories.

✅ 𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀
Almonds are a popular tree nut that are packed with nutrients and potential health benefits. You'll want to overnight soak them in water and then smoosh them to make them bioavailable.

▪️ Rich in nutrients: Almonds are a good source of fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, and other important nutrients.

▪️ May lower cholesterol: Almonds are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

▪️ May help regulate blood sugar: The high fiber and healthy fat content in almonds can help regulate blood sugar levels.

▪️ May promote healthy digestion: Almonds are high in fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and regularity.

▪️ May aid in weight loss: The high fiber and protein content in almonds can help you feel fuller for longer and may lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.

▪️ May have anti-inflammatory properties: Almonds contain several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the body.

✅ 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀
▪️ High in protein: Chicken hearts are a good source of high-quality protein, which is important for building and repairing tissues, maintaining muscle mass, and regulating blood sugar levels.

▪️ Rich in iron: Chicken hearts are a good source of iron, which is important for healthy red blood cells and oxygen transport in the body.

▪️ May improve heart health: Chicken hearts are a good source of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is a compound that may help improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

▪️ May support brain health: Chicken hearts are high in choline, a nutrient that is important for brain health and may help improve cognitive function.

▪️ May boost immune system: Chicken hearts contain several vitamins and minerals that are important for immune function, including vitamin A, vitamin B12, and zinc.

▪️ Brilliant for hiding pills in!

🫶 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚
Check out our group resources at: https://www.freshfoodtribe.com/how-to-start

03/03/2023

🥵

15/01/2023

Reading Time: < 1 minutes Share onIn this video, you’ll learn about everything from the benefits of crate-training a dog to selecting a crate to making sure your dog loves his crate instead of fears it. It’s a Fear Free approach to creating a safe and secure spot for your pup!

Thinking about getting a puppy?  There's some really good advice in this list of tips from a breeder.
08/01/2023

Thinking about getting a puppy?
There's some really good advice in this list of tips from a breeder.

Well, it has officially begun…

Yesterday we rescued our first puppy of the year… only 7 days in and already a 4 month old baby found herself needing a forever home because the people who purchased her didn’t do their research, didn’t put in the work and expected her to be a perfect, well-behaved pup at just 4 months old!!!

A reputable, registered breeder recently shared this list of tips for everyone who is currently raising or who is about to raise a puppy. Please, ensure you are ready if bringing a pup into your home, they are lots of work and not all fun and games!

❌ Stop expecting 3, 4, 5mo puppies to do extended ‘stays’;

✅ Consider that learning specific skills is far, far less important than developing a strong desire in your pup to work with you - it’s all about desire, motivation, and engagement;

❌ Avoid teaching your pup that any and all dogs it encounters are an opportunity for play;

✅ Understand that pups are just like toddlers - they have short attention spans and are all about ‘what’s in it for them’;

❌ Know that just because your last dog did or didn’t do something, it has ZERO bearing on how your new pup should behave;

✅ Remember that it’s completely typical for pups to bite, chew, bark, growl and jump on you;

❌ Keep it clear in your mind that your old dog may help your pup learn some new routines (for better or worse) but they won’t teach that pup how to ‘behave’;

✅ Invest significant effort in making sure your pup spends plenty of time completely alone;

❌ Change your vet if they tell you to keep your dog inside until it’s had all it’s shots, and avoid purchasing from a breeder that suggests the same;

✅ Get your puppy out of the house to experience the wider world without your older dog to develop it’s self reliance and independence;

❌ Don’t give your pup all it’s food from a bowl - give it about 1/3 of its food in a bowl for free, and feed the remaining 2/3 as part of your training and development work;

✅ First assume that if your pup isn’t paying attention to you in the way you wish, then he considers you boring and/or your expectations are unrealistic.

If you can remember this stuff you’ll be much less likely to need our help later in life, and your dog has the best chance of developing to it’s full potential.

- Canine Services International

Simba is now on trial with a new forever family and not available for adoption.

I mistakenly thought tripe to be a source of probiotics, perhaps it was enzymes I was confusing it with?  I now know bet...
20/11/2022

I mistakenly thought tripe to be a source of probiotics, perhaps it was enzymes I was confusing it with? I now know better

🐄 Green tripe is the stomach lining of ruminant animals such as cattle, lamb, & goats. It is considered muscle meat & is most notable for its manganese content, & 1:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio.

✳️ Ruminant animals have four chambered stomachs. Each one of these chambers has a different “texture” to the stomach lining. It is not uncommon to receive a variety of tripe textures. Additionally, the color of tripe is related to the diet the animal consumed. Dark green tripe is from a diet high in grass while lighter colored, yellow tinted tripe is from the inclusion of corn in the animal’s diet.

⚪️ White tripe is often sold in markets for human consumption. This tripe has gone through a cleaning process & should not be used. Due to green tripe’s raw unprocessed state, there are laws in the USA which prohibit slaughterhouses & butchers from selling green tripe to the public. Similarly, many other countries have limitations on the sale of green tripe. Typically, green tripe can be sourced through pet food suppliers.

⚖️ In order to meet nutritional requirements for manganese using green tripe, it must make up roughly 15-20% of the diet. Since this is a significant portion, the fat content must also be considered. Tripe is somewhat high in fat, therefore it should be paired with leaner ingredients when fed in sufficient amounts to meet manganese requirements.

📊 Feeding Guideline per 1000kcal of food:
Adult Dogs, Puppies, Adult Cats, Kittens: 3-4oz (85-113g)

📊 Feeding Guideline per 1 pound (453 grams) of food:
Adult Dogs, Puppies, Adult Cats, Kittens: 2.5-3.2oz (68-90g)

⚠️ Raw green tripe is known for its very strong smell. While some people do not mind the smell of tripe, most consider it to be foul. Additionally, lamb tripe has been known to smell much worse than beef tripe. Due to this, cats who were not raised on raw food may refuse to eat tripe, however, dogs generally love the smell.

🌟 There are also several myths about Green Tripe which are commonly perpetuated:

1️⃣ PROBIOTICS
Many believe green tripe is a natural source of probiotics, however, the bacteria within an animal’s digestive tract is mostly anaerobic. Anaerobes are designed to live in an environment devoid of oxygen. When an animal is butchered & the tripe is extracted, most anaerobic bacteria present will die as soon as they come into contact with air.

2️⃣ BALANCE
The balanced 1:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio of tripe has led many to mistakenly believe that tripe is a balanced diet. Just because the amount of calcium in relation to phosphorus is balanced, does not mean tripe provides all essential nutrients. Additionally, tripe is NOT a sufficient source of calcium & phosphorus for puppies, it merely has a balanced ratio. The actual amount of calcium & phosphorus in tripe is relatively low.

3️⃣ TRANSITIONING
Tripe is often recommended to use when transitioning a pet to a raw diet. This is not an ideal choice due to the fat content & lack of calcium. Both of these factors can lead to loose stools. Tripe is an especially poor choice for transitioning puppies & kittens since it is nowhere near a balanced diet.

4️⃣ OTHER ANIMALS
Green tripe only comes from ruminant animals. The stomach of other animals such as rabbits, poultry or pigs is not green tripe & is not considered a source of manganese.

🌍 PerfectlyRawsome.com (link in bio):
🥩 Custom Meal Plans
☎️ Phone Consultations
⚖️ Recipe Analysis & Adjustments
📊 Diet Spreadsheets
🛒 Perfectly Rawsome Merch
🐾 Free Raw Feeding Guides

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Gut Health for dogs

I love dogs. Big dogs, small dogs, fluffy dogs, slow dogs, fast dogs. Give me a four (or three) legged bundle of fur with a cold wet nose and I am in my happy place.

Over many years I’ve done lots of things, worked at some amazing businesses and met people I’m proud to call my friends, but the one career direction that has given me the most joy and sense of purpose is Sniff & Wag.

Sniff & Wag may well have started from the very moment I bought Harley home in 2006, that tiny doggo that looked to me for food, security, sensory enrichment and leisurely strolls for a sniffari around the neighbourhood. Then we welcomed Tia, a brindle rescue dog from Gympie, she was 3 years old when she joined us in 2012, she is now 11.

These last few years as they have gotten older, I began to question how I was meeting their nutritional needs, how I could do better, what does ‘balanced and complete’ mean, what more did I need to know? I so desperately want to make sure that these last few years for my puppers are good ones.