Bark & Bowl Canine Nutrition

  • Home
  • Bark & Bowl Canine Nutrition

Bark & Bowl Canine Nutrition Canine nutritionist dedicated to improving your dog's gut health and alleviating their itchy skin.

As a very private person I've been in two minds about whether to share this post, but here goes...Over the past few year...
02/07/2025

As a very private person I've been in two minds about whether to share this post, but here goes...

Over the past few years, I’ve worked so hard and given so much to this business, but recently with challenging industry demands, some personal health issues and supporting Hugo through IVDD i’ve realised I need to take a step back to rest, reflect, and figure out what's next for Bark & Bowl.

So, for the next few months, i'll be stepping away from all consultations and client work. I will still pop in here from time to time to share a cute Hugo pic or maybe even a post or two if i'm feeling inspired.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s trusted me and supported me on this journey so far. I’m hopeful this break will help me come back stronger and with a clearer vision for how I can best support this wonderful community.

Rebekah ❤️

'Diet drift' is one of the most common issues with homemade diets. Here we explore what diet drift is, and why consisten...
05/06/2025

'Diet drift' is one of the most common issues with homemade diets.

Here we explore what diet drift is, and why consistency matters in ensuring your dog gets everything they need from their diet.

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

Ever seen 'ash' on a dog food label and wondered what it is, and why it's there?
21/05/2025

Ever seen 'ash' on a dog food label and wondered what it is, and why it's there?

Slow feeders can be a useful tool but they're not right for every dog! Swipe through to see the pros and cons, and how t...
07/05/2025

Slow feeders can be a useful tool but they're not right for every dog!

Swipe through to see the pros and cons, and how to choose a suitable slow feeder for your dog 🐾

--

With Easter just around the corner, here’s a quick look at the foods to keep well away from your dog.From chocolate eggs...
17/04/2025

With Easter just around the corner, here’s a quick look at the foods to keep well away from your dog.

From chocolate eggs to roast trimmings, some seasonal favourites can be harmful, or even toxic.

Keep your dog safe this Easter - swipe through for the foods to avoid and why it matters.

Welcome to another Fuel Focus Flow Friday!This week we're answering your questions. Drop a comment below if there's anyt...
11/04/2025

Welcome to another Fuel Focus Flow Friday!

This week we're answering your questions.

Drop a comment below if there's anything else you'd like to know about nutrition with , behaviour and training with or structured walking with 🐶

Occupational hazards 🤣What's your confession?
27/03/2025

Occupational hazards 🤣

What's your confession?

It's too often assumed that skin issues are caused by food allergies or intolerances. But before blaming a food reaction...
19/03/2025

It's too often assumed that skin issues are caused by food allergies or intolerances.

But before blaming a food reaction, one of the most important things we should consider is whether the current diet is deficient. Several key nutrients are essential for maintaining skin barrier function and overall skin health. A diet lacking in nutrients such as zinc, essential fatty acids, and vitamins A, E and B complex can trigger similar symptoms.

So rather than immediately attributing skin issues to allergies, evaluating a dog's diet for these essential nutrients and addressing underlying imbalances can make all the difference.

➡️ There are many reasons why a dog may be experiencing skin issues, which first and foremost should be discussed with your vet.

Did you know that nutrition and behaviour are actually closely linked? Let's take a look at why nutrition is so importan...
17/03/2025

Did you know that nutrition and behaviour are actually closely linked?

Let's take a look at why nutrition is so important in canine behaviour.

Part of Fuel Focus Flow - a collaboration with North Canine Training and Hazel & Hound. Details on the last slide!

A dog may appear to be healthy for some time on a deficient diet, but that doesn't mean that we should continue to feed ...
19/02/2025

A dog may appear to be healthy for some time on a deficient diet, but that doesn't mean that we should continue to feed it!

I have used a raw 80.10.10 diet here as an example, as it's by far the most common one I see, but any diet has the potential for nutrient imbalances.

And for the avoidance of doubt, ANY 80.10.10, no matter its overall quality (perceived or actual), is deficient in multiple nutrients. The budget white label ones just tend to be more severely unbalanced (aka they are super cheap for a reason).

❗Any changes to skin health should be explored with a vet first and foremost. This can be a sign of underlying health issues, which may need medication and necessitate a different approach to the diet.

Did you know that over 80% of dogs over the age of three have some form of dental disease? With February being Pet Denta...
05/02/2025

Did you know that over 80% of dogs over the age of three have some form of dental disease? With February being Pet Dental Health Month, let's take a look at the role nutrition plays in dental health.

Why is Dental Health So Important?
Dental health is not just about keeping your dog's teeth and gums in top condition. Poor dental health can also increase the risk of heart, liver and kidney disease too.

Does Kibble Clean Teeth?
A common misconception is that kibble cleans teeth. However, dogs don't spend much time chewing their food. Most of it is swallowed quickly, and what is chewed tends to break up on impact. This means that kibble offers little abrasive action, and not enough to effectively clean the teeth.

There are some dental diets and treats that have a texture that maximises contact with the teeth and are formulated with specific types of fibre, enzymes and additives which can help to control plaque and tartar. However, while these may help, they can't replace a solid dental care routine.

What about Raw Meaty Bones?
Feeding raw meaty bones is a controversial topic. They can help to support dental health by providing more abrasive action on the teeth than kibble, particularly along the gumline where plaque and tartar accumulate.

However, I’ve seen multiple cases of tooth fractures and excessive wear caused by recreational bones, which is why I personally no longer recommend them. If you do feed bones, choose them carefully and always supervise your dog.

Other Options for Dental Health
Several alternative products may help maintain good dental hygiene, including seaweed-based supplements, probiotic dental sprays, and homeopathic fragaria. While these options may support oral health, they will not suit every dog, and are not a replacement for proper cleaning.

The Bottom Line
Nutrition alone can't provide a magic solution - nothing replaces regular dental cleaning! Even with the best diet and teeth cleaning regime, some dogs are genetically prone to dental disease and will need extra care.

Checking and cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly is the best way to prevent problems before they start!

Limited ingredient diets (LIDs) are formulated to reduce the number of ingredients your dog is exposed to in their diet....
22/01/2025

Limited ingredient diets (LIDs) are formulated to reduce the number of ingredients your dog is exposed to in their diet. They are often used where food reactions are suspected, but are they really as 'limited' as it seems?

Due to the manufacturing process, and a lack of regulation on their composition, LIDs are at high risk of cross-contamination. Studies have shown that between 33% and 83% of LIDs tested contained ingredients which were not reported on the label.

This can be a major problem for dogs with food allergies. True food allergies are rare, but for those that do suffer, an allergic reaction can be triggered by just a trace amount of the allergen. Dogs with food intolerances or sensitivities may do better, as small amounts of the ingredient may be tolerable.

Tips for pet parents:
✔️ Contact the manufacturer: Ask about their allergen control protocols, including cleaning practices and testing for cross-contamination.
✔️ Consider a prescription food. These foods are not completely immune to cross-contamination, but are manufactured under strict guidelines to avoid it.
✔️ Alternatively a properly formulated homemade diet, under the guidance of a veterinary professional or canine nutritionist, can reduce exposure to unintended allergens.

Further reading:
Olivry T, Mueller RS. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (5): discrepancies between ingredients and labeling in commercial pet foods. BMC Vet Res. 2018 Jan 22;14(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1346-y. PMID: 29357847; PMCID: PMC5778722.

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bark & Bowl Canine Nutrition posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Bark & Bowl Canine Nutrition:

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Share