Northern Hound Holistic

06/20/2025

Oh Royal Canin... now you’re into gently cooked “fresh” food? Really?

After years of mocking fresh food and demonizing those of us who feed it, now it's suddenly okay because they’ve slapped their logo on it?

I can’t lie, it makes me angry. The brainwashing in the pet food industry runs so deep. We’ve been told for so long that fresh food is dangerous, unbalanced, risky, and now the same companies who pushed that narrative are trying to cash in on the trend.

Please don’t get caught up in the hype. Just because it’s labeled “fresh” doesn’t make it species appropriate. The first ingredient is brown rice, a starchy filler your dog has zero dietary need for, plus seed oils and synthetic vitamins. Better than kibble? Sure. But real food? Not even close.

I’ll never understand why we’re so afraid to feed our dogs actual food. We've had the fear drilled into us by the very companies now trying to sell it back to us.

You don’t need a bag of marketing to feed your dog well. You just need real food.

06/16/2025

I'm excited to be teaching another probiotic yogurt class — this time as part of the Natural Pet Show hosted by KnoWEwell and Dr. Ruth Roberts!

I’ll be walking people through how to make their own super-charged probiotic yogurt at home, using carefully selected strains that benefit both humans and dogs.

If you’re interested in gut health, natural wellness, or supporting your dog’s digestion, skin, or immune system, this free event is a great place to start.

Join us on June 25th — registration is open now!

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

06/13/2025

👇This.
Two of the sickest species on earth today.
Kibble is the Western diet for dogs. And it's failing them, just like it’s failed us.

05/27/2025

Marley has officially been adopted!

This sweet girl has found her forever family, and I couldn’t be happier for her. She’s heading into a home that’s fully committed to continuing the care plan we’ve worked so hard to build, from her diet and supplements to the little details that help her thrive.

Marley deserves all the love (and food, let’s be honest) after everything she’s been through. She’s strong, resilient, and full of life, and now she gets to live it with people who truly understand her.

It’s been an honour being part of her story.
Wishing you the happiest life, Marley. Your fresh start begins now.

Love always,
Nicole

05/13/2025

Okay, this is a little embarrassing to admit… but here it is — I used to feed OLE ROY
Yep 🫣 The cheapest, bottom of the barrel, mystery meat in a bag kind of dog food 🐾 The stuff nightmares are made of.

Why am I admitting this? Because we all start somewhere ❤️
Almost 10 years ago, I didn’t know any better. I didn’t know that dog food labels were designed to confuse us 😣
I didn’t know what “by-products” really meant 🧪
I didn’t know that what I was feeding could be the reason my Shih Tzu wouldn’t eat 🍽️
And my other dog had constant diarrhea 💩

I just… didn’t know
But I knew something had to change 💡

That moment started my journey into fresh, whole food 🥩🥦
Real meat, real nutrition, real results ✨

And now?
I’ve turned that journey into a passion, a career, and a mission to help other dog owners who feel just as lost as I once did 💬🐶

Change is hard 🛑
Confusion is normal 🤯
But you're not alone 🤝

There are no stupid questions ❓
There’s no such thing as "too late" ⏳
Whether you're still feeding kibble 🥣 or just curious about what "balanced" even means, I’m here for it, and I’m here for you

If we’ve ever chatted, you know I could talk dog nutrition all day long because I live for helping people figure it out, one step at a time 🐕‍🦺💬

So if you ever feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to go next, reach out 📩
Your dog’s health starts in the bowl, and I’m here to help you fill it with something better 🥰

Let’s do this together
One bowl at a time 🥣
One change at a time 🔄
And a whole lotta love in between ❤️🐾

Nicole | Northern Hound Holistic
🐶 🌿 ✨ ❤️ 🥣

05/09/2025

You guys, I got to witness something really amazing today. Did you know that, when given the chance, dogs will instinctively wildcraft herbs and plants? They can actually seek out and consume specific plants their bodies need. Wild animals have done this forever, finding medicine hidden in the landscape. But our domesticated dogs often lose this connection if we don’t encourage or support it. In fact, many of us stop it completely, thinking that dogs only eat grass or dig in the garden when they’re sick.

And while it’s true that some dogs do reach for plants when they’re nauseous or uncomfortable, that’s not the full picture. Today, I watched Marley dig up and eat dandelion root straight from the ground. She sniffed around, carefully pawed at the soil, and chewed it up like she knew exactly what she was looking for. No one taught her that. That instinct is just there.

For dogs like mine who live on a chemical-free lawn, this behavior can be incredibly healing. Dandelion root is rich in inulin (a prebiotic fiber), supports the liver and kidneys, and helps stimulate bile production — which is key for digestion and detox. It’s also packed with minerals like potassium, iron, and calcium. Plus, it has a mildly sweet taste that many dogs actually enjoy.

Even grass isn’t just “grass.” It contains chlorophyll, digestive enzymes, and trace minerals. Some dogs are picky, carefully selecting specific blades — and this can be a sign of instinctive self-regulation, not just a random habit.

Our job isn’t always to stop these behaviors. Sometimes, it’s to step back and ask, "What are they trying to tell us?" If we give them access to a safe, toxin-free environment and trust their instincts a little more, they just might show us something remarkable.

Have you ever seen your dog do something like this?

05/03/2025

The most amazing thing is finally happening! After one full month of trying to rid Marley's poor body of yeast, we are FINALLY winning!!

I can't even explain how horrid and pungent the smell has been coming off of her body. So bad it nearly ruined nachos for me for life. And no matter how many baths we gave her, that awful smell just kept hanging on. Then all of a sudden a few days ago, I noticed a weird sour smell coming off of her. One might think, gross, but I was EXCITED! I knew EXACTLY what this meant. The yeast is dying!!

In my head I was honestly singing the witch song from the Wizard of Oz, but replacing "ding d**g the witch is dead" with "ding d**g the yeast is dead" and I’m not even a little bit sorry about it.

Over the last few days, that smell has been fading more and more and more. Which means hopefully soon, her body can finally focus on repair and regrowth. She almost looks like a normal dog at this point and she is SO full of life. She’s playful, energetic, and truly turning into an incredible dog.

After a whole month of intense natural support, we are finally winning this war. I totally understand how people can feel lost and overwhelmed, and how easy it is to want to give up. But when you push through and stay the course, the results are beyond worth it. And the best part is, this isn’t a quick fix. This isn’t a bandaid. This is real, lasting healing.

I truly hope her perfect forever family finds her soon. She’s ready.

05/01/2025

Let’s talk about elimination diets and why they’re one of my favorite tools when it comes to allergies and sensitivities.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is hit the reset button. Strip it all down, remove everything, and find just a few truly “safe” foods to work with. From there, we can begin to rebuild, focusing on gut health, reducing inflammation, and giving the body time to rest and recover.

Here’s the thing, many dogs diagnosed with allergies don’t actually have true allergies. They have sensitivities, and those are very different. True allergies usually show up immediately, often with itching, swelling, or digestive upset after exposure. But sensitivities are created over time, often by a leaky gut. When the tight junctions in the gut lining start to weaken, undigested food particles can enter the bloodstream. The body sees them as invaders and reacts.

That’s why I start with a basic, slow-cooked diet after pulling apart every single ingredient your dog is eating. Sometimes, it takes a bit of trial and error. Other times, just removing kibble and switching to real food starts to repair the gut almost immediately.

And the best part? Once the inflammation has gone down and the body starts to heal, we can reintroduce foods one by one. You’ll have complete control over what goes in, and you’ll know what your dog reacts to and what they thrive on. Tracking everything during this time is a game-changer.

Do you have a dog with allergies and want to make a real, lasting change? Reach out, I’d love to help guide you through it.

Is it a quick fix? Nope. Is it easy? Not always. But is it worth it? Absolutely.

You just have to be willing to do the work, and your dog is worth every bit of it.

04/30/2025

Some days, this work gets heavy.

Comments like, “Why not just feed hydrolyzed kibble? It’s balanced.” This is what I hear almost every single day. I feel like I spend most of my time trying to convince people that there is another way. That their dog doesn’t have to be an “allergy dog” for life. That we can get to the root instead of just masking symptoms. But this idea of long-term kibble prescriptions and lifelong meds has become the norm, and it’s heartbreaking.

Before Marley, I couldn’t confidently say if my methods would truly work in extreme cases. But now I can say with certainty, it is working. Marley is living proof. Her progress has been incredible, and it hasn’t come from a magic pill or miracle food. It’s come from real food, targeted support, consistency, and time. We’re still in the fight, but she’s finally healing, and this time, it’s real.

And yet, I still get looked at like I have two heads for suggesting fresh food. “It’s table scraps.” “It’s not meant for them.” But processed, rendered, starchy kibble somehow is?

I won’t stop teaching, but this week I’m just feeling it. Tired, frustrated, and disheartened. Not because I don’t believe in what I do, but because it’s hard watching so many people choose convenience over real change.

If you’ve done the work, if you’ve seen the change, I see you. And if you’re just starting, keep going. There is another way, and it’s worth every step.

You are not crazy for feeding real food. You are not alone in this journey. And you’re absolutely making a difference.

Keep going, fresh feeders. You’re doing something amazing for your dog.

Feeling the weight this week, but also the fire.

Marley, this one’s for you
❤️‍🩹🐾🥦🐶

04/26/2025

Planning Your Garden? Let’s Talk Dog-Safe Flowers

Flower season is almost here, and I know I’m excited to add some colour to my otherwise bland-looking yard. But when planting flowers, it’s always worth thinking about what’s safe for your dog — especially if they like to dig, nibble, or explore with their mouth.

Many common flowers are surprisingly toxic to dogs, while others are completely safe to have in your yard or garden space. Even if your dog doesn’t usually chew on plants, it only takes one curious bite, and it’s always better to plant with peace of mind.

Some beautiful, dog-safe flowers include sunflowers, snapdragons, roses (as long as they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides), calendula, asters, pansies, zinnias, marigolds, and petunias. All of these add vibrant colour without the worry, and many also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

On the other hand, some flowers are best avoided. Lilies, foxglove, tulips, daffodils, delphinium, peonies, sweet peas, and bleeding heart are all toxic to dogs if ingested — and some can even cause issues just through skin contact or digging around the roots.

If you’re planning your flower beds this year, try to choose blooms that are safe for both your dog and the local wildlife. A little planning now means fewer worries later — and your yard can be both beautiful and dog-friendly.

04/25/2025

Planting a Garden for Your Dog

As planting season rolls in, a lot of us are thinking about seeds, soil, and what we want to grow. But have you ever thought about planting something for your dog?

Dogs love to graze. When they’re given access to safe, fresh herbs and greens, they’ll often choose exactly what their body needs. Whether it’s a little digestive support, a calming herb, or just a burst of flavor, they’re surprisingly intuitive.

This year, I’m planting a small dog-friendly garden space with:

Sweet grass

Lemon balm

Calendula

Parsley

Chamomile

Dandelion

You could also add catnip, basil, thyme, snap peas, or edible flowers like nasturtiums.

Even a small patch in a raised bed or a few pots on your deck is enough to start.
It’s a simple way to bring fresh food into their life and let their instincts lead the way.