Dear Humans

17/11/2025

Tomorrow is the final episode of the Hormone Health for Dogs video series. It’s been incredible to hear how many of you have had lightbulb moments, made connections, and finally found answers you’ve been searching for. Thank you for watching, sharing, and being part of this important conversation.

If you haven’t started yet, you’re still welcome to jump in, all episodes are available, and the link is in the comments.

Remember, hormones influence far more than most dog lovers realize. They shape energy, behavior, appetite, joint comfort, and overall resilience. When those signals change, especially in spayed and neutered dogs, their wellbeing can shift in quiet, subtle ways.

If your dog has seemed tired, moody, or “different” lately, this series may help you understand what’s happening behind the scenes.

You can still watch for free, link in the comments.

17/11/2025

How to muzzle train

Muzzle training your dog is such a valuable skill! Lottie is muzzle trained so she can participate in jack russell terrier races and in case of emergencies.

17/11/2025

Found a Lump on Your Dog?

Chaga🍄‍🟫 is a powerful mushroom known for its immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory properties — and it’s a favorite natural tool for supporting dogs with lumps. You’ll find the full topical chaga paste recipe below.

Finding a lump can be scary for any pet parent, especially mast cell tumors, one of the most common skin cancers in dogs. But the truth is, many lumps are benign… like lipomas, cysts, or warts, and can often be supported naturally.

The key is knowing which lumps need veterinary care and which can benefit from immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory support.

Today on the Inside Scoop at 12PM EST Dr. Andrew Jones - Veterinary Secrets joins us to discuss:
- How to tell the difference between a harmless fatty lump and something more serious
- His favorite natural treatments for lipomas, cysts,warts, and more
- Safe home remedies including chaga, castor oil, and apple cider vinegar

💡 Bonus: Inside our community, you’ll get a free downloadable PDF with detailed remedies, dosages, and recipes for different types of lumps — including lipomas, sebaceous cysts, abscesses, and more!

🐶 🐾 Comment SCOOPERS and we’ll message you a link to join the Inside Scoop, a Planet Paws community where you can watch the full replay, submit your questions, and get access to ebooks, guides, and more!

12/11/2025

Tomorrow’s the day! 🐾

For years, I believed, like most veterinarians and devoted dog lovers, that early spay/neuter was the most responsible and healthiest choice for every dog. I came from the shelter world, so it felt like the only ethical option. But over time, I started to see something I couldn’t unsee: far too many dogs developing preventable hormone-related issues that didn’t make sense.

That’s what led Dr. Peter Dobias and me to create Hormone Health for Dogs,
a free 5-part video series exploring hormone-sparing sterilization alternatives, what happens to the body’s endocrine system after spay/neuter, what hormones do throughout a dog’s life, and how we can better protect long-term health.

Episode 1 launches tomorrow, Wednesday, November 12th; rooted in science, and designed to spark an open, informed conversation about the future of canine health and wellbeing.

Sign up for free—link’s in the comments ⬇️

12/11/2025

A new study has found that dogs often develop personality traits that mirror their owners, including behaviors linked to stress, happiness, and confidence. The research, conducted by Michigan State University, analyzed over 1,600 dog-owner pairs across multiple breeds.

Dogs living with calm and positive owners were found to be more relaxed and social, while pets of anxious or aggressive owners showed higher levels of tension and fear-based behavior. The study suggests that emotional synchronization between humans and pets runs deeper than previously thought.

Researchers believe this connection stems from a shared environment and mutual emotional feedback, showing just how closely dogs adapt to the personalities of those they love most.

Source: Michigan State University, Science Daily

05/11/2025

Study on raw food

Get • It’s just one stat, we think it’s always best to try it out with your pup and see the results for yourself!

This study of 55 adult dogs found that raw-fed pups had:

Higher IgA & IgG antibodies (stronger gut immunity)

More intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), which protects the gut lining

Overall better mucosal immune health

In other words, raw-fed dogs showed measurable signs of a healthier, more resilient gut.

Why does this happen? Kibble is ultra-processed and heated at extreme temperatures, destroying natural enzymes and nutrients. Raw diets provide fresh, species-appropriate proteins, natural enzymes for digestion, hydrating whole foods, and bioavailable nutrients the body recognizes.

A healthy gut means stronger immunity, better skin + coat, improved digestion, calmer behavior, and long-term vitality.

Ready to support your dog naturally?

Whether you’re new to raw or refining your dog’s diet, we’re here to guide you.

Your dog’s health starts in the bowl.

🐾

03/11/2025

Brilliant dogs

Did you know that the Whippet’s roots trace back to 19th-century England? 🐾🇬🇧
Born in the industrial towns of Northern England, the Whippet was the trusted companion of coal miners and workers—swift, graceful, and deeply devoted. Bred from small Greyhounds, these sleek hounds were made for speed—racing down fields and lanes in friendly competitions known as “snap dog” races.

Despite its athletic build, the Whippet’s heart is pure gentleness. When not sprinting at lightning speed, it’s content to curl up quietly at home, embodying both power and peace in a single, elegant frame.

Today, the Whippet is celebrated for its beauty, loyalty, and calm temperament—whether dashing across open ground, lounging in a sunbeam, or resting with the people it loves most.

Swift. Gentle. Grace in motion.
The Whippet isn’t just a breed—it’s the poetry of speed and soul. ❤️🐾

31/10/2025

No Halloween chocolates for dogs please

Halloween Safety Reminder 🎃🐾
Chocolate might be sweet for us - but it’s dangerous for pets!

Chocolate in all forms, especially dark and baking chocolate, and sugar-free candies containing xylitol (an artificial sweetener) are toxic for our pets and can be fatal, especially for dogs.

Keep all Halloween treats out of reach and call your vet if your furry friend sneaks a bite.
Contact us: https://animatesvetcare.co.nz/vet-clinics

28/10/2025

New Satelitte clinic in Whangarei!

28/10/2025

When is it ok to desex?

*Preventing unwanted litters is a goal we all share—but it's time to rethink the surgical approach. Hysterectomies and vasectomies, which preserve hormonal balance, can safely be performed as early as 8 weeks of age, making dogs sterile without disrupting their natural hormones.

New peer-reviewed study published in Nature:

How a dog’s lifetime exposure to his own hormones (before being neutered) affects how well he handles aging and frailty later in life.

Study Background

• Frailty = when older dogs (and people) become weaker, less resilient, and more prone to illness and death.
• Most research looks at how to prevent frailty — this study looked at what makes some dogs bounce back better after frailty sets in.
• The focus was on the HPG axis — the hormonal system that produces testosterone and controls reproduction.

Key Findings

• Dogs neutered very young (before 2 years old) had:

o A much higher risk of death once they became frail.
o About 16% higher mortality for every small increase in frailty.

• Dogs kept intact longer (more than ~10 years) showed:
o No increase in mortality linked to frailty.
o Their hormones seemed to “buffer” the negative effects of aging.

• Each extra year of natural hormone exposure reduced frailty-related death risk by ~1%.

What It Means

• Hormones from the te**es may protect against the worst effects of aging later in life.
• Removing them too early could make dogs less resilient to age-related decline.
• Frailty isn’t just about getting old — it’s also shaped by early-life events like the timing of neutering.
• This supports a “life course” view: what happens early in life affects health decades later.

Why It Matters

• The study suggests timing of neutering might influence how well dogs age.