The Canine Nutritionist

30/09/2026

I am hoping for photos in the near future, but meanwhile my client has given me permission to share this completely unredacted.

Hi Gerald!

It’s been quite a while since we last spoke and you helped me with my golden retriever, Gus. I wanted to reach out for a couple of reasons today - first and foremost, to let you know how much you changed Gus’s life, and my family’s.

Before we came to you, Gus had constant skin allergies and ear infections his entire life. This may start to sound like an infomercial, but the amount of money we spent on vet’s bills related to issues that were likely caused by a poor diet and modern vaccine and preventative protocols really is astounding.

Once we started feeding and supplementing Gus per your protocol for him, his world - and ours - noticeably changed.

He became EXCITED to eat! For the first time ever! Jumping and whining when I started to pull his food out of the refrigerator. It was joyous to watch, and I was so happy to make that change for him.

His coat and skin improved. He had NO MORE ear infections, not one! He had no more skin breakouts, ever!

The changes were noticeable. My parents, who live halfway across the country, came to visit and noticed immediately how much healthier he looked and acted - and everybody relished in his own enjoyment at mealtime.

Gerald, I want you to know that your advice for us was life-changing. When we came to you, Gus was 11. Unfortunately, he passed away this January, two weeks after his 12th birthday, after rapidly losing his ability to walk, and we are guessing cancer was involved as well. While this loss left a huge hole in our family, I am 100% confident that he enjoyed the last year of his life so much more because of his quality of life and happiness at mealtime.

In more uplifting news, and the other reason I wanted to reach out, we will be welcoming a new puppy (another golden retriever) on the 15th of September. The breeder is currently feeding a puppy kibble, but I will want to wean him off of that as quickly as possible. I knew you would be the person to guide me from the start with regard to everything - nutrition, vaccine, and preventative recommendations.

I’d love to know what the best way to engage with you on this would be. Thank you for everything thus far, and I look forward to working with you for the health and happiness of our new puppy coming soon!

Very Kindly,
Libby Romano

Naples, Florida, USA

29/09/2026

I tried these myself and all I can say is, it's a mighty lucky dog who gets to try these unusual biscuits!

22/09/2026

Indigenous people like the Maya fed their dogs Chia Seeds for a powerful nutritional boost.

Chia seeds provide sustained energy, healthy fats and fibre that kept both the Maya and their animals strong during hard labour and long journeys.

Now you can do the same for your dog! https://www.thedogchef.co.uk/shop/wholefoods/chia-seeds-for-dogs-160g/

20/09/2026

I am frequently asked how long it takes for supplements to work in dogs. Give it time, I generally say. Supplements are not like medication. They do not achieve immediate results by switching off your dog's immune system. They work with it, and although the results are slower to achieve, they are longer lasting and less fraught with danger for the long term health of your pet!

How do you know what supplements your pet truly needs?
With over 300 hereditary conditions now DNA-testable in dogs and cats, and one large study finding 57% of dogs carry at least one disease-associated genetic variant, I understand the temptation to throw every “just in case” supplement into the bowl. But more isn’t better, and the order you introduce things matters.
Here’s the framework I use with my patients:
1️⃣ Treat what’s happening right now. Pain, itching, digestive upset, mobility or cognitive changes, anything affecting how your pet feels today always earns the top spot. Quality of life comes first.
2️⃣ Protect against what’s likely coming. Once current issues are well managed, I turn to genetic predispositions and breed-specific risks (joint support for my large-breed patients, spine support for Dachshunds and Corgis, kidney support for senior cats, heart support for dobermans and Cavaliers, etc).
3️⃣ General wellbeing support (longevity support, medicinal mushrooms, antioxidants, etc).
The goal isn’t an endless supplement stack, it’s thoughtfully chosen protocols to help your pet feel better, stay healthier longer, and enjoy more good days with you. Most importantly, supplement protocols are meant to be dynamic, and evolve throughout your pet’s life. Read my latest article on how to create customized, logical protocols that meet your animals’ needs now, link in comments ⬇️.

15/09/2026

Woke up yesterday morning to find that Ava had redecorated the hallway during the night with the most explosive diarrhoea I've ever seen. When I took her out first thing, I witnessed a repeat performance first hand.

Not the best start I've had too a day!

Fortunately, no problems last night and this morning everything is back to normal.

So, how did I achieve such a dramatic turnaround in just 24 hours?

Did I:
(a) Rush her to the vet for medication.
(b) Feed her nothing but a combination of homemade bone broth and cooked and mashed potato squash combined with sweet potato and a little psyllium husk mixed in?

What do you think?

14/09/2026

🐶 ANOTHER NEW LIBRELA PAPER PET PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT:

A scientist sent me a brand-new peer-reviewed paper this morning examining a possible biological explanation for some adverse events reported after Librela.

Librela reduces arthritis pain by blocking NGF (nerve growth factor). But NGF does more than transmit pain—it also supports sensory nerves involved in bone and joint health, nervous-system function and bladder control.

🦴 THE POSSIBLE “DUAL-HIT”

Reducing pain may increase weight bearing on an already damaged joint, while blocking NGF may alter sensory pathways involved in how bone responds to stress. The authors propose this as one possible explanation for reports of rapid joint deterioration, fractures and ligament ruptures.

Research also suggests sensory nerves participate in bone repair and regeneration. Loss of sensory innervation or disruption of TrkA signaling has impaired aspects of fracture healing in experimental studies.

🧠🚽 Post-marketing reports have also included ataxia, weakness/paresis, lethargy, behavioral changes/disorientation, impaired consciousness, seizures and urinary problems. Because NGF has roles in neurological and bladder pathways, the authors suggest these effects warrant further investigation. Although this paper does not prove Librela causes these problems, it proposes biologically plausible mechanisms and emphasizes that direct evidence in Librela-treated dogs is still lacking.

Blocking NGF may affect more than pain. We need long-term research to understand those effects—and, in the meantime, informed consent matters when veterinarians prescribe this drug. Proactive pet parents avoid using it; find a qualified veterinary rehabilitation specialist with many other tools in their toolbox at American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (www.vsmr.org), American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (www.rehabvets.org), or Canine Rehabilitation Institute (www.caninerehabinstitute.com).

06/09/2026

According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) 2024 Guidelines, dogs do not need core vaccines every year.

Once a puppy has had its full course and the 12-month booster, revaccination is recommended no more often than every 3 years, and often even less, depending on antibody (titer) results.

✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐬. 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬
Core Vaccines (essential for all dogs worldwide):
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
Canine Adenovirus (CAV-1/2)
Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2 variants)
Rabies (where legally required)

➡️ These protect against life-threatening diseases and provide long duration of immunity (DOI), often 7+ years, and in many cases, lifelong.

⭐ 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝):
Leptospirosis
Bordetella (kennel cough)
Canine Influenza
Lyme disease
Others, depending on geography, travel, or lifestyle

➡️ These are given only if your dog’s environment, lifestyle, or local disease prevalence puts them at risk.

🔬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬

⭐ Use titer testing to check if your dog is still immune before giving a booster.

⭐ Avoid automatic annual revaccination for core vaccines.

⭐ Tailor non-core vaccines to your dog’s individual risk factors.

⚖️ The bottom line: If your vet still insists on yearly core shots without considering guidelines or titers, it’s worth asking questions. Modern veterinary science supports longer intervals and individualised care.

SYDNEY DOG OWNERS: Sires On Ice Richmond Vet charges $110 for a title test with a general health check.

05/09/2026

It's a great time of year green beans. Few things are better for feeling a hungry tummy without racking up the calories. Link in comments.

🫛 Green Beans: A Surprisingly Powerful Snack for Dogs 🐶 (and cats, if they’ll eat ‘em).

Looking for a simple, crunchy, low-calorie treat for your dog? Open the refrigerator. Green beans are one of my favorite whole-food snacks—and there’s a lot more packed into these little green pods than most people realize.

🫛 Low in calories, big on nutrition:
Green beans provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and an impressive collection of naturally occurring plant compounds, making them a great alternative to many highly processed treats.

🌿 Packed with protective polyphenols:
Green beans contain rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, catechins, and phenolic acids such as chlorogenic, caffeic, and ferulic acid. These compounds help combat oxidative stress and have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

👀 Naturally rich in carotenoids:
Lutein, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin add another layer of antioxidant protection and help support cellular and eye health.

🦠 Fiber + plant compounds = gut support:
Green beans provide dietary fiber that can help support healthy digestion and the gut microbiome. They also contain saponins, phytosterols, chlorophyll, polyamines, plant peptides, and other bioactive compounds researchers continue to investigate for their metabolic and cellular benefits.

🩸 Interesting metabolic research:
Compounds in green beans have demonstrated alpha-glucosidase-inhibiting activity in laboratory research—a mechanism that can slow carbohydrate digestion and moderate post-meal glucose responses. There are no published studies that beans are harmful

🐾 How I serve them:
Plain! Raw or lightly steamed, depending on your dog’s chewing ability and preference. Skip the butter, salt, sauces, and seasonings.

Green beans shouldn’t replace a nutritionally complete diet, but as a treat or topper, they’re a wonderful example of why I love using real food whenever possible. There are no published studies showing beans are in any way harmful for dogs or cats 🥳.

Sometimes one of the healthiest treats you can give your dog is already sitting in your refrigerator. 💚🫛