Naturalistic Hound (2025)

26/02/2024

Pets that receive proper nutrition:
- are alert and active
- have optimal body weight
- have healthy skin and coat
- have firm, well-formed stools, medium to dark brown in colour

If any of these issues arise, the first necessary step is to re-evaluate your pet's feeding program.

Proper nutrition is the key to ensuring that pets are well-nourished and healthy.

20/11/2023

Words can't explain how much I love you, Little Man 🩵

You are the centre of my world.
Before, now and always.

📸 , just wanted to say a huge thank you for the amazing experience and the stunning shots of Pepper! You're a real talent. Thanks again!

“Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.”
– Peter Adams

08/11/2023

Whether it's simple sugars or starch, all forms of carbohydrates are converted into glucose (=sugar) upon ingestion . While a modest amount of 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑠 (and glucose) can be beneficial, high amounts of glucose in the blood are toxic. These sticky molecules are prone to bind with important structural protein molecules generating free radicals. This process leads to oxidation and inflammation, which can cause a wide range of diseases such as cancer, arthritis, brain degeneration, leaky gut syndrome etc...
It is also important to note that feeding kibble to your pet does not effectively clean their teeth, due to its high sugar content. As such, it is essential to seek alternative methods to promote proper dental hygiene in your pet.

If you think you are feeding a good quality dry food which cannot possibly contain so much carbs (=sugar), guess again. It is a fact that the creation of kibbles necessitates the use of carbohydrates, this is a fundamental aspect of their production process. The machinery that produces pet kibbles requires carbohydrates in order to create the proper consistency of dough. Especially in dry, but also in canned foods, carbs are used to hold together the different food particles thanks to their stickiness.
Regardless of the cost of the dry food you purchase, it will always contain considerable amounts of carbohydrates.

the kibbles

Calculate carbs content in your pet's dry food:
100 - Protein - Fat - Moisture - Ash = Carbohydrates.

(This method works for dry food only; to estimate canned food's content you need to calculate the dry matter values first.)

31/10/2023

Fish oil is typically fed for its high content of healthy Omega3s - polyunsaturated fatty acids.
However, something that is not commonly known is that unsaturated fats have a weaker structure compared to saturated fats, which makes them more susceptible to oxidation.
The oxidation of the double bonds in Omega3s negates the nutritional benefits and produces volatile compounds. Maintaining the high quality of these products is essential.
Whether rancid (oxidised) fish oil is harmful remains unclear. However, sporadic studies have shown that oxidised oils when tested in high doses in animals, demonstrated to have toxic effects.
Harmful or not, the oxidation process destroys the functionalities of fatty acids making them unable to provide healthy anti-inflammatory benefits.

Causes of oxidation are:
× Exposure to light
× Exposure to heat
× Exposure to air

In order to minimise and prevent oxidation in these fats:
× We must store them properly (away from light, heat and air)
× We must supply antioxidants in the pet food to shield the Omega3s and Omega6s from oxidation before the pet has the opportunity to eat it:
_ Synthetic Preservatives often added in commercial pet food: BHT, BHA etc...
_ Natural Preservatives: Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Rosemary, Sage, Curcumin etc...

19/09/2023

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐀 𝐃𝐨𝐠

`` From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”

They don’t understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its’ not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man” or “just a woman.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog,” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.” ``

- Author: 𝑅𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐴. 𝐵𝑖𝑏𝑦

And... I couldn't agree more ♡

16/08/2023

ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅᴇᴅ ꜱᴜᴘᴘʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ꜱᴇɴɪᴏʀ ᴅᴏɢꜱ

𝐂𝐁𝐃 𝐎𝐢𝐥 - Can help ease symptoms of anxiety, neurological disorders, heart issues and certain types of pain (especially joint pain), among other health conditions.

𝐂𝐨𝐐𝟏𝟎 - Can help with heart-related conditions, improving energy production in cells, preventing blood clot formation and acting as an antioxidant.

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐳𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐬 - Ageing dogs will produce less digestive enzymes. Therefore they will benefit from taking digestive enzyme supplements to break down foods easier, and, in doing so, reduce digestive symptoms and increase the absorption of nutrients.

𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚-𝟑 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐬 - Have been linked to many health benefits. In particular, they help promote brain and heart health, reduce inflammation, and protect against several chronic conditions.

𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 & 𝐋𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 - Protect the retina and lens from oxidative damage, thus preventing various eye conditions that develop with age. They also filter blue light preventing light damage.

𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 - Reduce the risk of many diseases (including heart disease and certain cancers). Antioxidants provide stability to free radicals and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation.
The most familiar ones are vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, along with the minerals selenium and manganese.

16/08/2023

Why Your Kibble Fed Pet Is Always Hungry 🐕
Kibbles are highly processed feed. Processing them removes nutrients and provides very few vitamins and minerals.
Don't let the synthetic vitamins and minerals fool you.
Bodies were not designed to recognise these synthetic concoctions in the same way as their natural counterparts.
If you're constantly feeding your pet refined carbohydrates, his body will want to continue eating until it finds the nutrients it needs. That means your pet will be hungry often, even if you've just fed them a meal.

If you're not ready yet to ditch the kibbles, make them more nutritious by adding some fresh food as a topping.

Feed real food.
Feed health.

16/08/2023

As a canine nutritionist I always recommend a homemade diet first. If for whatever reason this can't be an option, I often suggest an awesome alternative: !
ROCKETO is the only commercial pet food company in Europe that slowly air-dries organic fresh raw ingredients (40ºC or below) without using artificial minerals or vitamins.
This ensures that as many of the nutrients in the foods stay intact and therefore just as bioavailable to the body as they would be in their raw state.
ROCKETO’s dehydrated-raw complete dog food can be stored in the cupboard and rehydrates to the perfect consistency in minutes.
Making it not only nutritious but also convenient.
Ditch those kibbles!

Their stock includes treats and supplements.
Pepper is here enjoying some Organic Gut Bites 😋

Ingredients:
Organic beef liver
Organic psyllium husk
Organic knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum)
Organic coconut (flakes and flour)
Organic sea buckthorn
Organic chia seeds
Mixed tocopherols (natural preservative)

Maximum bioavailability of micronutrients & gentle on the digestive system.

(This product despite containing great ingredients is a treat, therfore don’t overfeed)

20/05/2023

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁

× × ×

Check out this post and make a change for the better 🥩🥦🫐

09/12/2022

Dogs living in Ancient Greece thrived on their fresh diet of meat, plants and grains. This was documented by Aristotle (384-322 BC), who noted that a hard-working Laconian hound usually lived to be 10 or 12 years old, while other breeds even reached the age of 14 or 15.

Today, despite all the advancements in veterinary medical technology and general knowledge we gained over hundreds of years, the average lifespan for medium-sized dog breeds is still 10 to 13 years.
What does that tell you?

=> 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲.
Don't wait to make these vital changes.

09/12/2022

My beautiful boy in 4 weeks will turn 12yo! ♡
I hear so many comments on his age, but the one I get the most is: "no way, he doesn't look old at all!"

Pepper has been eating a homemade diet since the age of 4 and I think we can all agree that a 'healthy inside shows on the outside'!

Dogs that eat a nutritious diet live longer and have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Healthy eating also supports dogs with chronic diseases, manages these conditions and avoids complications.

Feeding your dog a diet with a careful balance of nutrients is also a great way to prevent behavioural problems.
The nervous system, including the brain, cannot properly function if it doesn't have the correct nourishment.
High carbohydrate diets and other unhealthy foods can cause inflammation in dogs, which may lead to mood disorders like aggression and mood swings, while chemicals and additives can induce hyperactivity and allergy reactions.

Besides promoting a better mood and positive behaviour, a fresh balanced diet provides the body with a large range of nutrients to support optimal metabolic and immune system functions.

After all...
𝓦𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓮 𝓮𝓪𝓽.
𝓣𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓮 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶.

27/10/2022

Most Chronic Problems seen in elderly pets are the results of Poor or Incomplete Nutrition.
Liver problems, chronic renal failure, diabetes, arthritis and neurological problems are just a few of the conditions that a lifelong good nutrition may prevent.
Tailor a dietary program to your pet's specific needs as early as possible.
Each month of nutritional deficiency can trim healthy years from the latter end of your pet's life!

08/09/2022

There's a considerable amount of evidence demonstrating how the welfare and quality of life of many pedigree and purebred dogs are seriously compromised as a result of selective breeding practices.

Most dog breeds were originally selected for particular purposes, such as hunting or guarding. Because of that, humans bred dogs that were best suited for the various roles based on their fitness, ability and utility.

Nowadays, in order to win dog shows or to be the fashionable dog of the year, dogs have been bred to emphasise certain physical features.
As a side effect of focusing on breeding for appearance, there's a lack of genetic diversity within dog breeds. This lack of genetic diversity has increased the risk of inherited diseases.

All those who breed dogs and buy dogs (!) should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance. Only in this way, we will help protect the welfare of parents and puppies and improve the quality of life of future generations.

If you are thinking about bringing a dog into your home, look beyond looks... Rescue is the best breed ♡

08/08/2022

The diet many owners turn to today for their dogs is commercially created - produced usually with more focus on cost and profit than the dogs' health and wellbeing. Commercially manufactured pet food is often the nutritional equivalent of living on crisps and poor-quality vitamin supplements.

𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠.

Remember, 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵.

"Dogs' bodies were never programmed to recognise or digest additives, preservatives, chemicals or other concoctions. Feed real food, feed health."

08/06/2022

🏞 Dogs need exercise for their health.
Walking your dog keeps them healthy in several ways:

Physical Benefits:
Weight control.
Joint health.
Cardiovascular health.
Digestive/urinary health.

Emotional Benefits:
Walks support your dog’s mental health. Without enough exercise to stimulate their mind, some dogs become anxious or destructive.

Every dog is different, depending on their size, overall health, age, personal comfort... However, most dogs see great benefits from being active 30 mins to 2 hours per day.

13/01/2022

Prevention is Always the Best Cure!
Here some helpful tips to keep your pup happy and healthy throughout the years:

1. NUTRITION_Food is key when it comes to preventing or improving any health conditions. Always choose fresh food and avoid commercial, highly-processed foods.
2. EXERCISE_Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps maintain healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being.
3. MENTAL STIMULATION_Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise. Providing toys to play with, hiding treats or practising new tricks will keep your dog entertained, burn off excess energy and lower stress. On the other hand, understimulated dogs can show unwanted behaviours such as excessive barking, destructive behaviour and aggression.
3. REGULAR CHECKUPS_Biannual checkups and blood tests are the best way to spot warning signs and detect the early stages of diseases.
4. NATURAL REMEDIES_Wherever possible choose natural remedy options and consult a holistic vet. The use of medications for a long time is not advisable, as they can lead to serious side effects.
5. MOUTH CARE_Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth and feeding raw bones will help prevent periodontal disease, which can lead to more serious health problems.
5. GROOMING_This includes keeping your pet’s nails trimmed, eyes cleaned, brushing and giving regular baths. Grooming is a good way to check for changes in your dog’s fur or skin, like dandruff, hair loss, wounds or lumps that may be cause for concern.
6. CUDDLES_Dogs are social animals and feel the need to establish a bond with their humans. Not only does this strengthen the emotional connection with your dog, but it releases chemicals and hormones that make your dog feel good. When dogs cuddle with us, their brains release the feel-good hormone oxytocin, which lowers anxiety and improves mood.
7. SOCIALISATION_Make sure your dog gets enough people and animal socialisation throughout its life, this will decrease the chances of antisocial or aggressive behaviours as an adult.

www.naturalistichound.com

01/12/2021

Fine... I will leave you a moment to laugh at this picture of Pepper before getting on with the caption..................

Now, back to the important bits ツ

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠'𝐬 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 is a good practice which:
Keeps Eyes Clean And Reduces The Risk Of Infection - especially if your dog is often in the dirt, dust, sand or water.
Can Prevent Irritation.
Reduces Tear Stains (especially in white dogs these are very visible).

As a daily routine, I recommend using a washcloth or cotton pad moistened in a light cooled 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐚* and very gently wipe the area around your dog's eyes to loosen and remove any dirt.
Then, once a week (or when necessary, for example, if you have been to the beach or it was a very windy day - as pictured here), it's useful to flush your dog's eyes with hydrating 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬*.

*ℂ𝕙𝕖𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕚𝕡𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕒𝕝 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕡𝕖𝕤 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖!

29/11/2021

In some cases of simple infection or irritation, a herbal wash* can clear the problem immediately. In other cases, conditions such as chronic runny eyes, cataracts, glaucoma etc indicate an underlying unbalance.

Prevention is Always the Best Cure and a fresh, varied diet is the first step to promote and maintain your dog's eyes health.
Nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc and vitamin E will help keep off age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.

Aim to include in your dog's meal:
- Carotene-rich foods – orange foods like bell peppers, carrots and pumpkin.
- Antioxidants-rich foods – like berries.
- Phytonutrients and lutein-rich foods – like green leafy vegetables.
- Omega-3-rich foods – like oily fish / phytoplankton.
- Zinc-rich foods – like oysters and beef.
- Vitamin E-rich foods – like sunflower seeds, wheat germ oil.

Regularly cleaning your dog's eyes is a good practice which:
- Reduces tear stains
- Prevents irritation
- Keeps eyes clean and reduces the risk of infection

As a daily routine:
- Use a clean cotton cloth or gauze and soak it in a cooled clear light tea of calendula, chamomile, thyme, bee balm, chickweed, dandelion leaf or rose petals.
- Always start at the centre (closest to the nose) and clean out towards the cheek.
- Be very gentle.

*RECIPE FOR A SIMPLE ASTRINGENT EYEWASH IN CASE OF IRRITATION:
- ½ tsp of cooled clear raspberry leaf or nettle tea.
- ½ tsp of cooled clear Oregon grape or goldenseal tea.
- 1oz (30ml) of sterile saline (available in the eye care section of supermarkets and pharmacies) - alternatively you can also make a warm saline solution with just a tiny bit of salt: about ¼ cup (60ml) warm filtered or bottled water with just a tiny pinch of salt.

Make sure the teas and herbs are organic and free of particles, dust and toxic residues.

In case of eye irritation, hold the dog's head to one side and use a dropper pipette to rinse the eye laterally from the nose to the dog's cheek.
Repeat 2/3 times a daily until the condition improves. In case of further irritation, stop using it, your dog might be sensitive to a certain herb.

(continues below)

02/11/2021

Fish? YES Please!
Steamed, grilled, baked... Fish is a great addition to your dog's diet.

1) OILY FISH: an excellent natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for a healthy coat and healthy skin.
Omega-3 fatty acids also provide a natural anti-inflammatory component, which can be very beneficial to dogs who suffer from IBS, or joint diseases such as arthritis.
Omega-3 also help maintain a healthy brain and cardiovascular system.

- Best sources: salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, sprats, anchovies, oysters, mussels.
- Do not overfeed, as too much fat can counterbalance the benefits of feeding oily fish. Once to three times per week will be sufficient, roughly 90-100gr of oily fish for a 5kg dog.

2) WHITE FISH: contain less Omega-3 fatty acids than oily fish, but it's still a great source of proteins and nutrients.
Easier to digest than meat, perfect for those periods where lighter meals are needed.
White fish can also provide a novel protein for dogs, particularly beneficial in managing and reducing food allergies.
Moreover, whitefish is low in fat, perfect for dogs who require a diet with a moderate amount of fats.

- Best sources: cod, haddock.
- If your dog's require an hypoallergenic diet, white fish can be a daily ingredient of his meals.

RECOMMENDATIONS

- Do not substitute fish with fish oil.
- Fish can be steamed, grilled or baked; do not feed fried fish or cooked with added fats.
- Preferably avoid feeding fish hard bones especially to smaller dogs.
- Choose responsibly sourced fish from less polluted locations.
- Avoid those types of fish that may also be high in mercury or other contaminants. King mackerel, tilefish, swordfish, shark and bigeye tuna are all very high in mercury and are unsafe to feed.
- Opt for wild-caught fish, as farmed fish tends to be lower in important nutrients, like Omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies have also found that farmed fish contains higher levels of toxins and contaminants.

27/10/2021

Little man had an upset tummy for a couple of days... Hence the previous post: "Calm Your Dog's Upset Stomach Naturally" 🙃

➡️ Make sure you read the post and stock up on those helpful herbs that will help your pup get over the unpleasant symptoms quicker 🌿

(Fear not! Pepper has fully recovered and he's happy and bouncy as usual ♥️)

21/10/2021

Some symptoms your dog may experience when suffering from tummy issues are just the same as with us humans: vomiting and/or diarrhoea, flatulence, stomach noises, appetite loss, and changes in behaviour such as salivation, licking, eating grass...

Often you can treat your dog at home for an occasional sick stomach.
However, if symptoms persist more than 24h - symptoms become more serious - your dog's temperature is below 37 C or above 39 C - or he has difficulties holding water in, it's recommended to consult a vet.

If you think the problem is minor, there are simple remedies to help your dog get over the unpleasant symptoms.

1) Adult dogs only - withhold food for some time, 12 to 24 hours.
Water should always be available.

2) Start introducing light food slowly:

probiotics= help maintain healthy levels of good bacteria, prevent and soothe gastrointestinal problems and boost the immune system.

light protein source such as white fish, turkey, rabbit.

pumpkin, butternut squash= contain essential micronutrients and fibre. A natural stomach soother, pumpkin also helps remove excess water in the digestive tract, reducing occurrences of diarrhoea.

bone broth= helps reduce inflammation, heals the gut and it's highly nutritious. Great for picky dogs.

herbs=

> Slippery Helm: soothing, anti-inflammatory, protective and astringent.
> Ginger: helps combat nausea and sickness. An incredible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
> Calendula: antiseptic and antifungal properties. Recommended to soothe stomach pain caused by food poisoning or bacterial infections.
> Chamomile: anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Also used for relaxation and improving sleep. Especially recommended if your dog’s stomach issues are stress-related.
> Dill: relieves nausea and flatulence, especially helpful in case your dog has eaten something he shouldn't have.
> Fennel Seeds: great in case of colic and flatulence. Antigas and anti spasmodic.
> Peppermint: antiseptic, analgesic, astringent. Alleviates vomit, nausea IBS, colics, motion sickness, expels intestinal gas.

3) Continue feeding small amounts of this bland diet 3 times a day for the next 5 days.

04/10/2021

Adding 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 to your dog’s diet can have a huge impact on his health and wellbeing. But... Yes, there is a BUT...

To use herbs at their best potential you must first take on an overall natural approach that cares for your dog's general wellbeing, including body, mind and spirit.
The essence of complete wellness is... A Good Diet. Without a healthy and balanced nutrition, the use of herbs for medicinal purposes will end up being a waste of money and time.

That said if you are providing your dog with a fresh and healthy diet, a safe environment, mental stimulation and physical excise, the 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐨 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐲!

A properly functioning and healthy body will be able to prevent diseases and heal itself. However, sometimes it will need an extra boost... That's when herbs can become really effective, serving as a supplement to good nutrition and helping the body to use its natural resources more efficiently.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠:
(dried herb formula, combine equals parts of the following)

• spirulina
• nettle
• dandelion leaf
• alfalfa
• flaxseed (powdered)

Feed 1 teaspoon per half a kilo (pound) of food fed daily.
This supplement will complement your dog's diet with a concentration of easily absorbable protein, vitamin C, B complex (including B12), vitamin A (beta-carotene form), vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Choose natural supplements over synthetic ones.
Your dog's body will not absorb the synthetic version of a nutrient as well as the natural counterpart, putting great stress on the liver, kidneys and digestive tract.

Note: take your time to find the right supplier for your herbs.
Herbs should be grown organically and preferably locally.

www.naturalistichound.com

21/09/2021

Foods high in additives, synthetic nutrients and poor quality ingredients undermine your dog's health.

Research shows that processed foods lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, IBS, depression, and increased mortality rates. Commercial processed pet food is the equivalent of human McDonalds, ready meals and fried food. Can this be good for your dog?

The pet food industry is not as regulated as the human food industry, that's why they are allowed to use poor quality ingredients. Animal parts or grains deemed unfit for human consumption end up in dog food.

To make kibbles the ingredients are forced through an extruder at high pressure and high temperatures. At the end of the process, fats and flavourings are sprayed on to make kibbles more appealing to dogs. The high temperatures and pressure used, not only damage the taste, but the nutrients too. In order to comply with AAFCO/FEDIAF standards and be able to define the food as “complete and balanced” on the packaging, they need to add back the lost nutritional value with synthetic vitamins and minerals. However, studies show that these synthetic vitamins can actually cause more harm than good to your pet, because their body cannot completely utilise them and instead it will process them as an unknown substance, causing stress to the liver and kidneys.

If fresh food is not an option at all, instead of kibbles opt for wet food, which is preserved by the process of canning rather than kibbles, which are preserved artificially. Think how many preservatives are needed to stop the deterioration of food left out for days.
Kibble are a dry meal that dehydrates, have you ever notice how much your dog drinks on a kibble diet? He drinks because his food is dehydrating him, rather than nourish him.
Kibbles are also linked to GDV, a deadly problem that occurs when a dog's stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and subsequently twists.

Canned isn’t perfect either but it's an improvement.
Fresh is the best diet you could give to your dog, raw or cooked.
But if that's not a possible option, you can choose frozen pre-made raw food, gently cooked food delivered to you frozen, freeze-dried raw, dehydrated foods.

16/09/2021

My ray of sunshine...
Just looking into his eyes brightens my darkest days ♡

Money can buy you a fine dog... But the deep bond you can create with your dog... That is the best part!

I have never experienced, with any human being, the same level of emphaty and complicity I share with this boy...
And I can only wish for everyone who decides to get a dog, to have the same. It takes time and effort... But it's absolutely a worthy investment.
I promise!

I love you to the moon and back always my little monster ♡

01/09/2021

𝐄𝐠𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬, 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧, 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.

There are some differences between one kind and another, but overall all eggs are an exceptional superfood!

* Eggs contain powerful 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 that many dogs are deficient in. Choline is an essential nutrient for a dog's health and is needed for various processes in the body. A low choline intake has been associated with liver and heart diseases and neurological disorders.
Egg yolks are an excellent source of choline.

* Eggs are an exceptional source of 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧, with all the essential amino acids in the right ratios.

* Eggs also contain unique 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬.

Although, it’s important to keep in mind that not all eggs are created equal.
Especially chickens, but also ducks and quails, are often raised in factories, caged and fed grain-based feed that alters negatively the nutrient content of their eggs. It is highly recommended to buy pastured eggs, which are more nutritious and healthier.
However, conventional eggs are still a good choice if you can’t access the others.

When it comes to which eggs to choose... As usual, I suggest variety!
A variety of foods is always the key to health. 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧, 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐬, this way you will ensure your dog's body is getting all the best nutrients from every kind of egg.

Notes:
- As for any ingredient and food, make sure you don't overfeed.
- Eggs are indeed a superfood, but for certain health conditions they are not recommended, before introducing new foods to your dog consult a vet.

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