Bark & Bowl Canine Nutrition

07/01/2025

Feeding guidelines are just that, guidelines.

It can be easy to unwittingly under or overfeed if your dog falls outside of the 'average' range. Many owners overestimate how active their dogs are, meaning their calorie intake is more than is required, which can lead to obesity. Watching intake of treats and toppers is also important - these should form no more than 10% of the daily calories, but in reality often come in much higher.

Choosing the right food for your dog's age, size and lifestyle is essential - a food designed for working dogs will be quite different to one designed for seniors, for example.

If you're not sure whether the feeding guidelines are a good match for your dog, working out their daily calorie need is a more accurate way of doing things. There are online calculators (such as the one at ukpetfood.org) that can help you with this, or if you’re unsure or your dog has specific needs get in touch and I will work it out for you!

A body condition scoring chart (such as WSAVA’s Body Condition Score) can help you determine whether your dog is an ideal weight. If they are slightly under or overweight, a change in the volume of food (including treats!) might be necessary.

If your dog is very underweight or overweight, or their weight has changed suddenly, seek veterinary guidance before doing anything with their diet. In these cases changes need to be incremental and very carefully controlled. Ongoing weight issues can be a sign of underlying illness.

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Body-Condition-Score-Dog.pdf

https://www.ukpetfood.org/spotlight-on-obesity/calculating-how-much-to-feed/calorie-calculator-for-dogs-new.html

20/12/2024

🎄 Christmas break 🎄

The last consults of the year are all done, so it's time for a short break before we look forward to bigger and better things next year!

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported Bark & Bowl this year. A special thanks goes out to all of my wonderful clients - it has truly been a pleasure working with you all!

Wishing everyone a wonderful festive season!

Rebekah & Hugo 🐾

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05/12/2024

Puppies begin to regulate their calcium absorption more effectively at around 6 months of age.

Up until this point, calcium absorption in puppies occurs passively in the intestines, meaning they absorb a large percentage of the calcium in their diet regardless of how much is present. After 6 months, their ability to regulate calcium becomes more active, similar to adult dogs, allowing them to excrete excess calcium through their stools when dietary levels are high.

This transition is why it's especially critical to ensure that puppies are fed diets with appropriate calcium levels and calcium to phosphorus ratios during their early growth stages (excess of one can interfere with the absorption and utilisation of the other).

Excess dietary calcium can cause abnormal bone growth and skeletal disorders like hip dysplasia. Calcium deficiency, seen most often in unbalanced homemade diets, can lead to bone deformities and increased risk of fractures.

Large and giant breed puppies are particularly sensitive to dietary imbalances and overfeeding due to their prolonged rate of growth. They therefore have different energy and nutrient requirements to ensure controlled, steady growth until they achieve skeletal maturity at around 18-24 months old.

Calcium levels are just one of the many reasons why it's so important to choose a complete and balanced puppy food, specifically formulated for growth to FEDIAF standards. Not all puppy foods are suitable for large and giant breeds - always look for a nutritional adequacy statement on the label that says it's formulated for growth of puppies including large dogs.

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Do you need help with your dog's diet? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com
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20/11/2024

Are allergy tests worth the money?

In short, nope!

Blood allergy tests have been shown to be unreliable for food sensitivities, and are more a reflection of past exposure to the protein rather than an allergy or sensitivity to it. If you or your vet suspect your dog has food allergies the gold standard for diagnosis is a strictly controlled food elimination diet.

If an environmental allergy is suspected, a blood allergy test can be more useful, however, these only test for a limited number of the most common allergens, which may or may not be a trigger for your dog.

The hair strand allergy tests you can buy online are notoriously unreliable. False positives and random results are very common. Save your money and avoid!

And, perhaps most importantly, what if it's not allergies at all? We tend to quickly presume itchy skin is an allergy without ruling out other things first (not to mention most 'allergies' are actually intolerances - see my previous posts on the difference between the two). Nutritional deficiencies, certain illnesses and parasites can all mimic 'allergy' symptoms, and should all be fully explored first, before going down the allergy/intolerance route.

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Do you need help with your dog's diet? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com
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06/11/2024

There are important differences between food allergies and food intolerances, despite often being referred to interchangeably.

True immune-mediated food allergies are much less common than you might think (around 1-2% of the canine population), and dog owners frequently attribute various symptoms to food allergies without a proper diagnosis. Food intolerances on the other hand are much more common, and can have multiple causes and symptoms.

23/10/2024

'Food allergy' is a term used by many to cover a wide range of food-related symptoms and causes. However, in reality, true food allergies are actually quite rare, estimated to affect only 1-2% of dogs.

On the other hand, food intolerances are much more common, and if you're dealing with an adverse food reaction it's much more likely that it's an intolerance at play, rather than an allergy.

There's an important distinction to be drawn between the two, which is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Keep an eye out for our next post which will look at the differences between allergy and intolerance!

Further reading:
Craig, J. (2018). Food intolerance in dogs and cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 60(2), 77-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12959

Hardy, J. and Gajanayake, I. (2022). Diagnosis and management of adverse food reactions in dogs and cats. In Practice, 44(4), 196-203. https://doi.org/10.1002/inpr.197

09/10/2024

It might be an unpopular opinion, but the type of diet alone cannot speak for the quality of that particular diet.

25/09/2024

Let's talk bioavailability! Many nutrient-rich foods have factors that reduce how well the body can absorb those nutrients.

For example:
• Spinach is high in calcium and iron, but its oxalates bind to these minerals, limiting absorption. Cooking helps lower oxalate levels, making those nutrients more bioavailable.
• Raw egg whites contain avidin, which binds to biotin and prevents its absorption. Cooking the eggs neutralises avidin, allowing for better biotin availability.
• Whole grains provide zinc but are also high in phytic acid, which reduces zinc bioavailability. Cooking or soaking can decrease phytic acid and improve absorption.
• Fur is a commonly touted addition in DIY raw diets for its manganese content, but it’s tightly bound in keratin, making it difficult to absorb. Fur mostly just passes straight through!

Understanding bioavailability is key to maximising your dog's diet.

It's important to consider how well nutrients are absorbed - not just their presence on a label.

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Do you need help with your dog's diet? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com
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18/09/2024

Another very common issue with diet change is loose stool.

This is why I tend to advise a gradual switch over the course of a week to 10 days. Taking a gradual approach will reduce the risk of stomach upset and gives your dog’s digestive system time to adjust. Some dogs will of course switch over as if nothing happened, in which case the transition can be completed much faster, but others will need to take their time.

Some loose stool is to be expected, especially if the change is quite drastic (e.g. long term kibble fed to raw fed, or vice versa), but this should not be excessive, bloody, or last longer than a day or two. If your dog is struggling, reduce or stop the new food for a few days and go back to their old one until things settle, then very slowly start to add the new food back in. Ongoing diarrhoea may suggest that the protein or brand of food does not suit, or that the diet is lacking key nutrients.

If the stool is very loose it is ok to skip a meal, but don't block access to water. Puppies, very senior dogs and dogs with medical conditions should not be fasted. Then, a bland diet of white fish and sweet potato with some slippery elm or marshmallow root, or a small amount of psyllium husk, can help to bulk out stools, soothe the digestive tract and get things back to normal. A short course of probiotics might also be beneficial.

As always, a check up at the vet is advised to rule out any serious or underlying issues.

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Do you need help with your dog's diet? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com
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12/09/2024

A few insights from year one... onwards and upwards!

11/09/2024

Bark & Bowl is one today!

I can't believe it's been a whole year since we launched! Thank you to my amazing clients and everyone that has supported us along the way. Here's to bigger and better things in year two!

04/09/2024

So you've done your research and chosen a great new food. You excitedly dish it up for your dog... but they won't eat it. Now what?

There are generally three types of dog when it comes to new food - the one that eats absolutely anything, the one that's cautious but can be persuaded to try, and the one that just looks at you as if to say 'no way'.

There can be many reasons for this, it might be the taste, temperature or texture of the food, or it might simply be distraction or even stress if you're hovering over them watching and willing them to eat.

Generally speaking, the bigger the difference in food (e.g. dry to raw) and the older the dog, the longer the transition period.

It's crucial not to try too much too soon. Some dogs will easily transition over a couple of days, others will need a bit longer. You might need to try with just a spoonful at first, and build up gradually over the course of a week to 10 days. Leave your dog to eat without any fuss or distractions.

If you've switched from dry food to wet or raw, or even if you've only switched brands, the texture can make a big difference. Some dogs will prefer a pate-type texture, some will only eat the chunkier grinds, and others will be somewhere in the middle. Likewise some dogs will point blank refuse to eat certain proteins or anything containing a vegetable!

Temperature can also play a big part - many dogs will not eat cold food straight from the fridge, so it's worth letting it come up to room temperature first. You could also add a nice warm bone broth, particularly if it's cold outside, to make things even more tempting!

If you're struggling to introduce raw, you could initially flash fry it (with water, not oil) for a few seconds to release the meaty aromas. Make sure you only do this for a few seconds though - raw food containing bone should not be cooked.

Remember, what suits one dog may not suit another, so there might be a bit of trial and error before you find the right food - there is no one-size fits all diet!

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Do you need help with your dog's diet? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com

28/08/2024

Are you feeling the pressure to go above and beyond when it comes to feeding your dog? Do you feel like there are certain things you 'should' be adding to the bowl but you're not entirely sure why? While we all want to do what's best for our dogs, it's important to ask ourselves: are we doing too much?

It's crucial to understand the difference between what you think you 'should' be doing and what your dog actually needs.

In most cases, if your dog's food is already complete and balanced, and you are feeding the best quality food you can comfortably afford, you do not need to add anything to the bowl. In fact, these extras could do more harm than good by unbalancing the diet. For this reason, any meal toppers you do decide to add should make up no more than 10% of the overall diet.

Of course sometimes supplements and/or extra ingredients can be beneficial. But their inclusion should be well thought out, and intended to fill a certain nutritional gap or health need without unbalancing the rest of the diet.

In the end, simplicity and balance are key. Focus on providing a diet that meets all of your dog's requirements without overcomplicating it. Your dog will thank you for it!

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Do you need help with your dog's diet? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com
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15/08/2024

How often should you feed your dog each day?

This is another one of those questions where the answer is 'it depends'. Unfortunately, there is no one feeding schedule that can guarantee health and longevity. Several factors can influence the best feeding schedule for you and your dog, including the dog's age, breed, activity level, health conditions, appetite, and your own household needs and daily schedule.

I'm not a fan of free-feeding (where food is left out all day), as dogs given continuous access to food tend to consume too much of it, leading to obesity and related health conditions. It can be difficult to track daily consumption of free-fed dogs, especially in multi-pet households, and problems with over- or under-consumption may not become apparent until the dog's body condition has noticeably changed. Free-feeding is particularly problematic for puppies, whose growth rate needs to be carefully controlled to avoid problems in later life.

Most people feed their dog a set amount of food once or twice a day. This is the preferred feeding method for portion control, giving you the flexibility to reduce or increase food intake as required. My own personal preference is to feed adult dogs twice a day. This helps to maintain stable energy levels, consistent digestion and reduces the risk of overeating and bloat (particularly in at-risk groups such as large, deep-chested breeds). It's also much easier to manage weight and monitor any changes in appetite or behaviour.

However, feeding twice a day will not suit everyone. Some dogs have their own personal preferences and will only eat at certain times of day. Other dogs would eat all day if you let them! Sick and recovering dogs, as well as during pregnancy and puppyhood, have different feeding requirements. Seniors and dogs with certain health conditions or medications can benefit from eating multiple smaller, more frequent meals spread across the day.

As a general guideline for healthy dogs:
Puppies under 6 months: 3-4 times a day
Puppies 6 months to adulthood: 2 times a day
Adults: 1-2 times a day, approx 8-12 hours apart
Seniors: 1-3 times a day, depending on their health needs

07/08/2024

I will be at Flexibull Fashion and Feeds on Saturday 17th August - if you're local and have an itchy dog or one with digestive issues, or even if you're just interested in switching to raw, hop over to their page to book! See you there!

🐾 PLEASE READ 🐾
Hello everyone! We’ve just had a visit from the lovely Rebekah and Hugo at and we were talking about a potential collaboration.
Rebekah is a pet nutritionist who is full of knowledge about how to get your fur babies on a diet that’s perfect for them. Before we get anything booked I just wanted to see what interest we had. The slots would be 30 minutes each and prebooked. A £20 deposit will be required when booking slots but would be returned when you arrive at your appointment. These appointments are for dogs who easily get upset tummy’s, who have allergies, bad itching or balding spots. These appointments will be paid for by us so you don’t have to worry about the payment. If you’re interested please let us know so we can figure out a date that works for the shop and for Rebekah 🫶🏻🥰

06/08/2024

Now I don't advise you feed your dog spaghetti like in this image, but do carbohydrates in general deserve such a bad rap in the fresh feeding world?

It's true that dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbs, but this doesn't mean that they can't be beneficial in small amounts.

Not only do carbohydrates provide dietary fibre essential for digestive health, they also supply additional vitamins and minerals that meat alone cannot provide.

In addition, including carbohydrates in the diet helps meet the body's energy demands for glucose without depleting its protein resources. This allows proteins to be used more effectively for essential functions like tissue repair, growth, and maintaining muscle mass.

And contrary to popular belief, carbs can actually help with weight loss and maintenance. Where there is no underlying medical cause, weight gain occurs when dogs consume more calories than they need, regardless of the source. Carbs are lower in calories compared to fats, so, by replacing some dietary fat with complex carbs, we can reduce the overall calorie intake whilst keeping the dog feeling fuller for longer.

Every dog is unique, and their tolerance for carbohydrates can vary. High quality carbs, such as those found in fruits, vegetables and some whole grains can potentially be beneficial additions to the bowl. However, as with any addition or change to the diet, it's important to consider the dog's individual dietary needs when determining the appropriate carbohydrate source and the amount to feed.

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Do you need help with your dog's diet? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com
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29/07/2024

Messy Monday Medley 🐾

What's on the menu for Hugo tonight?

Quail chunks
Pork mince
Salmon
Beef liver
Lamb spleen
Chicken hearts
Veggie mix bone
Hemp hearts
Wheatgrass
Kelp
Zinc
+ supps

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Interested in feeding raw but not sure where to start? Get in touch!
barkandbowlnutrition.com
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