Spot On Canine Nutrition

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Spot On Canine Nutrition

Jody Zesko, located in Calgary, Canada, 🇨🇦 collaborates with dog owners globally 🌏 who seek impartial and expert nutrition advice.

A science-based approach to nutrition is the effective way to achieve optimal health. I formulate proactive diets (raw & cooked) for healthy dogs and have years of experience with diets for dogs who need more health support such as kidney, liver, GI, pancreatitis, cushings, urinary, food intolerances, cancer, cognition/behavioral concerns, weight loss and more. All personalized fresh food diets ar

e balanced to NRC (National Research Council) guidelines. My goal is to formulate a diet that works not only for the dog, but takes into account the owner's time, degree of experience in preparing fresh food diets, budget and overall goals. Optimal health for your dog, peace of mind for you. Please check out my website for more info. on consult descriptions, pricing, blog posts and client feedback.

21/03/2025

🐾 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘃𝘀. 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴’𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁? 🍖

The leaner the meat, the higher the 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆—but choosing the right balance depends on your dog’s needs!

🔹 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 (easy keepers): Lean meats allow for a 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 while keeping calories lower and nutrients high.

🔹 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀: Higher-fat meats (if tolerated) help pack in more calories 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲—important for dogs that struggle to eat large portions.

🔹 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱𝘀: Even if using primarily fattier meats, lean cuts may also still be needed to 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲.

📌 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Lean meats tend to be 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲, so if you’re comparing raw, unlabelled commercial foods, remember that 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿—nutrient density and meat quality matter!

🚩 𝗕𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁: Recipes that simply list “𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗳” without specifying fat percentage can lead to major imbalances over time.

🔔 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀? 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱!
A simple ❤️, 👍, or comment helps the algorithm show you more of this content. Sharing is always appreciated! 🐕💛

20/03/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲-𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀-𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱.

Every dog is unique! But there are ways to make the process easier and help prevent digestive upset.

I take a conservative approach because slow and steady reduces the risk of GI issues—keeping both dogs and their humans happy. Nothing is more discouraging than an upset stomach that makes a dog parent second-guess fresh feeding!

And if you’ve heard the myth that fresh food will make your dog start “begging”—that’s outdated thinking! You’re not feeding from the table; you’re adding nourishing foods to their bowl or using them as healthy treats. So don’t let that hold you back!

Here are my go-to tips for introducing fresh foods smoothly:

✅ 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. Dogs digest smaller pieces more easily than large chunks, especially if they’ve only ever eaten kibble.

✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀. If testing meat, use finely chopped lean cuts or ground meat. For cooked meats like chicken breast, try pulsing it in a food processor to create a “flake” texture.

✅ 𝗩𝗲𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁—𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Start with tiny amounts and prepare them for easy digestion: cooked and finely chopped or raw and pulverized. Broccoli 🥦 is a powerhouse of antioxidants (use florets). For fruit, apples 🍎 provide gut-friendly pectin. Sensitive dogs can start with peeled apples and then test with peels.

✅ 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗳𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. Stick to lean proteins like chicken breast, ground turkey, or 10% (or less) lean beef. If cooking, skip the oil—use water if needed and drain any drippings. Fat affects stools, so test tolerance gradually. Sardines, oily fish, and raw meaty bones aren’t the best starter foods.

✅ 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵.

✅ 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Just because they gobble it up doesn’t mean you should overdo it on day one.

✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹. A treat-sized portion is plenty to begin with—then build up based on your feeding goals.

✅ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸. If adding fresh food to kibble, keep it to ~10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. Check the kibble’s calories per cup to stay on track. Remember, if your dog is overweight or prone to weight gain you may need to reduce the kibble a bit.

Making the switch to fresh food should be an enjoyable, stress-free experience for both you and your dog! Take your time, observe, and adjust as needed.

19/03/2025

✨ 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁! ✨

Want to level up your dog’s kibble? This easy topper recipe is the perfect way to add a fresh food boost! 🌟

👩🏻‍🍳 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲:

At 400 calories, this topper can replace 400 calories of commercial dry food spread throughout the week for dogs consuming 4000 calories or more, weekly.

📌 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁:
Toppers should make up only about 10% of your dog’s total calories. For reference, many grain-free kibbles have around 400-450 kcal per cup. 🐟If you need to reserve cod as a novel protein, you're best using one of the other booster recipes I've shared. If your dog doesn't tolerate chicken, beef or turkey or they need a lower fat option, this may be a better fit.

Ingredients:

🔹210g cod, baked (cooked weight)
🔹2 large eggs (cooked)
🔹50g broccoli florets, steamed (pulverized or finely chopped)cooked weight
🔹50g cauliflower, steamed (pulverized or finely chopped)cooked weight
🔹20g plain canned pumpkin OR 25-30g fresh cooked pumpkin
🔹1 tsp turmeric, dried *optional
🔹1/2 tsp coconut oil *optional
🔹Calcium carbonate (900mg)

❗️Note: This is not a complete and balanced meal but a great booster! It adds 54g of protein 💪🏼 and 1867mcg of beta carotene 👀! Turmeric adds more anti inflammatory properties - only a small amount is used here to avoid GI upset.

If you enjoy topper recipes like this, tap ❤️ and share to let me know what content you love, and to see more of it in your feed!

18/03/2025

🥦 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐢 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐯𝐬. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 – 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠?

Did you know that ounce for ounce, broccoli florets and stalks have almost identical nutrients⁉️

𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 🌱 contain more 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀 and, most importantly, 𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐞—a powerful compound known for its cancer-fighting properties - (more details on that in yesterday's sprouts post). That’s why I often include them in fresh food diets!

✨ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬:
🔹 Lightly steam and chop for better digestibility - best for dogs new to fresh veg.
🔹 Some dogs tolerate them steamed whole, while others do well with raw finely chopped or pulverized florets.
🔹 Got a picky pup? Use a food processor to blend florets into ground meats—perfect for sneaky nutrition!

🚫 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬! Peeled broccoli stalks make a great 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤 and a nutritious alternative to carrot treats. You can also steam and chop or pulverize them raw for an easy, budget-friendly boost to your dog’s bowl.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐢 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠? 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬! ⬇️🐶🥦

17/03/2025

I 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 broccoli sprouts and add them to my salads, smoothies, and even on avocado and egg toast for a nutritious boost! 🥑🥚

🌱 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿 and easy to mix into meals, broccoli sprouts are an easy way to upgrade your diet—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽’𝘀! You can easily hide them in your dog’s food for a nutritional boost without them even noticing.

💪🏼 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹? Broccoli sprouts are one of the 𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗲, a potent antioxidant with 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Research shows sulforaphane supports:

✔️ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (helps the body eliminate harmful compounds)
✔️ 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵
✔️ 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻—even in small amounts, they can be as effective as much larger servings of mature cruciferous vegetables!

From the article linked in the comments:
“𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆.”

14/03/2025

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘄 = 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝗜 𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀! 🌱💩

The warmer days coming to Calgary mean melting snow, puddles, and mud—prime conditions for bacteria to thrive. If your dog suddenly has diarrhea with no changes to their diet, the culprit might be lurking in your backyard or local park!

🦠 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗳, 𝗱𝗶𝗴, 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗱 (hello, Retrievers! 👋🏼). Their paws and nails pick up bacteria, which can lead to stomach upset—especially in dogs with sensitive digestion or weakened immune systems.

💡 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴:

✔️ 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 & 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵.
✔️ 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘄𝘀, 𝗻𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀.
✔️ 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗜 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀.
✔️ 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵-𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁.

⚠️ 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗜 𝘂𝗽𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀, 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱! Healthy dogs may bounce back quickly, but sensitive dogs may need vet care. Stay proactive and keep your pup’s gut happy this spring! 🌿🐶

13/03/2025

I'm resharing this post because this food comes up a lot now with more people looking for Canadian made foods. You need to be aware that Canadian made pet foods do not need to meet AAFCO.

12/03/2025

🐟 Raw Fish & Thiamine Deficiency: What Dog Parents Need to Know! 🐶

Raw fish contains an enzyme called 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐞, which breaks down thiamine (Vitamin B1). When fed in large amounts daily, this can lead to 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, affecting a dog’s nervous system, appetite, and overall health.

With so many dogs developing food intolerances, many dog parents are turning to fish as a novel protein source. But if fish is going to be a 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 in your dog’s diet, your best bet is to 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐭, as heat destroys thiaminase.

That said, I’m not a fan of fish as a daily major protein source—whether in kibble, raw, or cooked form -farmed or wild. Here’s why:

⚠️ 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 (e.g., mercury, lead) accumulate in certain species.
⚠️ 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 are now widespread in marine life.
⚠️ 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 issues—fish spoils quickly!
⚠️ 𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚-𝟑𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐞 and oxidize easily, reducing their health benefits.
⚠️ 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 matters.

➡️Know your source, ask your supplier/food manufacturer lots of questions.

10/03/2025

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴!

If your dog has 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, now is the time to be proactive!

🌱 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻, 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.
🤧 For dogs sensitive to pollen, mold, and dust, 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 (primarily in the skin and respiratory tract) release 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲, triggering inflammation as the immune system reacts to these “intruders.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽?

💊 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻 is a natural antihistamine and powerful antioxidant that helps block histamine release, reducing allergy symptoms.
🍍 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 enhances quercetin absorption, so I recommend products that include both. DM me if you’d like a link!

🥦🍎🫐 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 like blueberries, apples, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, but for dogs with 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, dietary sources alone may not be enough.

𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀

✔️ Start 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 at 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟱𝗺𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, (up to 40mg per kg) divided between two meals. Build up slowly to check for tolerance. Check with your vet before starting a new supplement.
✔️ 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘂𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 to reduce indoor allergens.
✔️ 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀—as tempting as fresh air is, it brings pollen and dust inside.
✔️ Invest in a 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗿 (I use 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗿, but 𝗗𝘆𝘀𝗼𝗻 is great too 💸).
✔️ 𝗪𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴’𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁 with a damp towel after walks to remove pollen, sap, and fertilizers.
✔️ 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗹, 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 can help wash away allergens from their skin and fur.

📌 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄? Mast cells also line the digestive tract, which is why many dogs with environmental allergies also have 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀.

If your dog thrives on a diet with 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 during winter but struggles with allergies in spring/fall, consider 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱-𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁 during peak allergy seasons to help lower their overall histamine load.

🐶 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲! If you found this helpful, please 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲—it might help another pet parent this season. 💛

07/03/2025

🚨 Excess weight isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it’s a serious health risk for dogs.

🐶 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄? Dogs who maintain a 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 live an average of nearly two years longer than dogs who are even slightly overweight.

📉 Weight loss of just 6.1% in obese, osteoarthritic dogs has been shown to reduce lameness!

🔥 In obesity, excess fat releases pro-inflammatory substances, keeping the body in a state of chronic inflammation. Losing fat helps reduce inflammation—leading to less pain and better mobility.

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗼𝗼.

🐾 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
✔️ Pancreatitis
✔️ Cancer
✔️ Diabetes
✔️ Heart disease
✔️ Osteoarthritis & joint issues
✔️ CCL rupture
✔️ Orthopedic disorders
✔️ Exercise & heat intolerance
✔️ Weakened immune function
✔️ Increased anesthetic risk

⚠️ 𝗢𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲, such as hypothyroidism. Full lab work is essential to rule this out.

If you’ve ruled out medical conditions, switched to lower-calorie food, and cut back on high-calorie treats, but your dog still isn’t losing weight, it’s time to reassess.

🚨 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: Simply reducing commercial food can lead to nutrient deficiencies—because the less food you feed, the fewer essential nutrients your dog receives. Adding green beans or pumpkin to replace the dry food is not providing the same vitamins and minerals.

🥩🥦 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? A balanced approach that includes fresh foods to promote healthy, sustainable weight loss—without leaving your dog feeling hungry.

📩 Need help? Let’s build a plan that works.

06/03/2025

Easy Additions for Gut Health! 🐶🥣

Looking for simple ways to support your dog’s digestion and overall well-being? Try adding these to their raw, cooked, or kibble diet:

✅ Veggies – Fiber-rich greens like broccoli, zucchini, and leafy greens help feed good gut bacteria.
✅ Berries & Fruits – Blueberries, apples, and (slightly green) bananas offer antioxidants and prebiotic fiber.
✅ Bone Broth – Supports gut lining, joint health, and hydration.
✅ Yogurt/Kefir – Natural probiotics for gut support.
✅ Unpasteurized Sauerkraut – A powerhouse of probiotics for a balanced gut.

✨ Small additions can make a big impact! Do you add any of these to your dog’s bowl? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️

05/03/2025

𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆'𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀!

Love this email update from Poppy's mom.

Pic 1 - Before fresh diet
Pic 2- After

𝘏𝘦𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘥𝘺, 𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩! 𝘚𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 17𝘬𝘨 (16.8) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 (𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦!) 𝘸𝘢𝘴 18.8𝘬𝘨 😳😩 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦.

𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘵!!

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘷𝘦𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢!"

I replied that I thought she looked younger now with weight loss. The response below about longer legs made me LOL.

𝘖𝘩 𝘐 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 - 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴! 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘨𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳’𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺, “𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳??” 😂😂😂. 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢!"

🥩🥚🥦Helping your pup lose weight doesn’t have to be a struggle! A balanced fresh food diet makes it so much easier—not just for weight loss, but for keeping your dog happy, satisfied, and thriving along the way.

Thanks Lynda for letting me share your sweet Poppydog. ❤️

04/03/2025

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐬 🐾💙

One of the most common diets I formulate is for 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞. Unfortunately, by the time many dog parents reach out, they’ve already been trying to adjust their dog’s diet on their own—often in ways that might not provide long-term support.

Here’s what I often see:

🔹 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐭 & 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 – Many assume lowering phosphorus means cutting back on meat and bone (the primary sources). While true, this also 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 like magnesium, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and amino acids—key for overall health.

🔹 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞 & 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 – A similar approach is common with kibble, but reducing commercial food means removing key nutrients. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 who already eat smaller portions.

🔹 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 – Kidney values on bloodwork 𝐦𝐚𝐲 improve initially with a general reduction, but 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 will likely develop over time. Bloodwork doesn’t tell us about missing nutrients.

🔹 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐠’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 – Kidney disease has various stages, and a properly formulated diet should reflect 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠’𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬. Protein doesn’t always have to be heavily restricted—it depends on the dog’s current diet and lab results.

𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

03/03/2025

🍎𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴?

Clients often ask if one apple variety is better than another. The truth is, there aren’t major differences—calories are similar across the board, and we’re not feeding apples for specific nutrients like copper or magnesium as fruits and veg aren't the best sources of those for dogs.

Instead, apples support 🦠 𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 that help with 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Here are some interesting differences between the 5 varieties:

📌All are raw, with skin, 1 cup sliced, 109gm

𝗙𝗨𝗝𝗜
🦠Fiber 2.3gm
👀🧠Beta Carotene 18.5mcg
👀Lutein+Zeaxanthin 12mcg

𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗔
🦠Fiber 2.5gm
👀🧠Beta Carotene 12mcg
👀 Lutein+Zeaxanthin 12mcg

𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦
🦠Fiber 2.6gm
👀🧠 Beta Carotene 27.2mcg
👀 Lutein+Zeaxanthin 30.5mcg

𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗛
🦠Fiber 3.05gm
👀🧠 Beta Carotene 64.3mcg
👀 Lutein+Zeaxanthin 69.8mcg

𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦
🦠Fiber 2.5gm
👀🧠 Beta Carotene 29.4mcg
👀 Lutein+Zeaxanthin 33.8mcg

Sooo of course the apple I rarely buy - Granny Smith- has the highest antioxidants and fiber of the five varieties.

Does this mean only feed that one? Nope!

If you're feeding other fruits and veg 🫐🥦🍠then they are also contributing to fiber and antioxidants - but I think I might add some Granny Smiths into my basket on occasion!

🍎𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴.

28/02/2025

𝗪𝐡𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐔𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝗪𝐨𝐫𝐤

If your dog has struggled with urinary stones, you might have tried commercial urinary diets or generic recipes. Some dogs do well, but others continue to have issues—or simply refuse to eat them. Adding foods without a plan can backfire, and that’s when people turn to a 𝗰𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧.

Every dog is unique. 𝗠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝.

Take calcium oxalate stones, for example. A low-oxalate diet is key, but that’s just part of the picture. The same recipe could be fed to 𝗳𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲.

This is why I recommend dipstick testing 𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗛 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. For calcium oxalate stones, we aim for a 𝗽𝗛 𝗼𝗳 𝟲.𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟳—a lower pH makes stone formation more likely. Other stone types require different pH targets, something generic diets don’t account for.

🔬 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀

✔️ We start with a few 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 providing most of the calories.
✔️ Urine pH is monitored 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 as we adjust the diet.
✔️ 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 🥚🥩 typically acidify urine, while 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 🥦🍠 tend to promote alkalinity.
✔️ I may check in 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 over an 8-week period in more challenging cases.

💡 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘁

Yes, they cost more upfront, but the success rate is high. Your dog gets a 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁, often with 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 like better skin, coat, and energy. And most importantly—𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱!

26/02/2025

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲𝘀—𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀

My philosophy on feeding dogs has evolved over 25+ years of fresh food experience. I’ve done it all for my own dogs - ratio-based feeding, generic recipes, commercial raw, homemade cooked and raw, and the “variety over time” approach.

So when I say I now 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 (𝗡𝗥𝗖) 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, it’s not because I’m afraid of trying other methods or don’t know how to incorporate them. It’s because I’ve seen firsthand what works best for long-term health.

“𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀” – 𝗢𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆?

Some believe that following a balanced recipe is only for beginners and that experienced feeders no longer need one. 𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲. A recipe that meets 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (not just ingredient guidelines) is a game changer for optimal nutrition.

⚖️ When working with clients, they’re often surprised—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜’𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗱—at how even a small change in ingredients can create a nutrient gap or an excess. This is especially true for:

🐶 Small dogs that eat very little volume
🐕‍🦺 Large “easy keepers” that don’t eat much compared to their weight

Once someone has followed a balanced recipe and understands how minor tweaks impact nutrient balance, they usually don’t want to go back to estimating with ratios.

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱

When transitioning from processed to fresh food, you often see 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀, 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆. Fresh food is powerful! But that doesn’t mean the diet is balanced.

Here are important questions to ask about feeding ratios or ingredient-based approaches:

❓ Does your dog struggle with bone tolerance?
➡ If you reduce bone due to hard stools, is there still enough calcium?
➡ If you increase bone to firm up stools, are you 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 calcium and phosphorus?

❓ What about organ meats?
➡ If you reduce organs due to soft stools or vomiting, are you losing key vitamins and minerals?
➡ If you increase organs because they’re cheaper and help with constipation, are you 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 iron or copper?

❓ Are you relying on fatty cuts or raw meaty bones to save money?
➡ Are amino acid needs still met?

❓ Do you feed a lot of oily fish for omega-3s?
➡ How much vitamin D is your dog also getting?

𝗜 𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀

I’ve worked with dogs whose diets may sound great —grass-fed, organic, ratio-based fresh diets—but they still struggled with:
🚩 Dirt eating
🚩 Intermittent vomiting or mucous stools
🚩 Excessive shedding & dry coat
🚩 Inability to gain weight
🚩 Constipation or loose stools

I’ve also seen diets unknowingly 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝘁 (for a breed prone to pancreatitis) or 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲 (causing mineral imbalances that affect skin and coat health).

When we adjusted their diet to meet NRC nutrient guidelines, the issues improved. That’s why 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 to relying on ratios and variety alone. There is so much guesswork involved in variety over time, and given the other environmental and genetic factors involved in health and longevity, if I can reduce guesswork in the dietary aspect, then I'm all for it!

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀—𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Let’s be honest—we don’t always do a great job feeding ourselves, so it makes sense that we’d need guidance when feeding another species.

🎯That’s why I follow NRC guidelines - because after decades of experience, I know the details matter.

24/02/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀

A 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 should always specify the fat percentage or the exact cut of meat—not just “ground beef.” Even terms like "lean" can be misleading since fat content varies.

For example, check out this label from ground beef at the grocery store. It shows 𝟭𝟲% 𝗳𝗮𝘁, but many people mistakenly look at the 𝟮𝟭% and assume that’s the fat percentage. Here’s how to calculate it correctly:

✔ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝘁 (𝟭𝟲𝗴) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 (𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗴) → 𝟭𝟲% 𝗳𝗮𝘁
✔ 𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝟭𝟯𝟱𝗴, you’d divide 𝟭𝟲𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟯𝟱 → closer to 𝟭𝟮% 𝗳𝗮𝘁

That 𝟮𝟭% you see on the label? That’s the % 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 the fat percentage of the meat itself!

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿? Because 𝗳𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲—and is especially important for dogs who are sensitive to fat. In 𝗡𝗥𝗖-𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘀 (like the ones I formulate), accuracy is key—different fat percentages mean different nutrient profiles.

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱! 🤓🐶

20/02/2025

Meet the dashing 𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐨! 🖤🤍

Oreo recently had bladder stones removed, and his mom signed up for a diet tailored to support his recovery and long-term health.

Can you guess what type of stones he had?

Since Mini Schnauzers are prone to 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐱𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬, that would be a great guess! But surprisingly, Oreo had 𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬—the same type commonly seen in Dalmatians. This is why sending stones for analysis is so important!

Because Oreo is predisposed to both 𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐱𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬, his diet needs to:
✅ 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐇
✅ 𝐁𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (to help prevent urates)
✅ 𝐁𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐱𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 (to reduce oxalate stone risk)

But that’s not all—Oreo also has 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐲 (which is well-controlled), so we’re factoring that into his diet too. While I usually avoid grains for seizure-prone dogs, in this case, we needed some to help maintain the right urine pH balance, in addition to other overall factors.

This is why we should be cautious before vilifying specific foods, like rice. Every diet needs to be tailored to the 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐠, considering overall macronutrients, micronutrients, and what works best for them.

In Oreo’s case, using some rice (in addition to suitable veggies) helps provide important calories while keeping fat to moderate levels (breed prone to pancreatitis) keeps 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬, supports the 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐇 we aim for, and avoids excessive fiber from too many veggies.

🎯 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭—𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬.

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Videos

This might seem like a weird video to share, but it came up today and is from 6 years ago. We had two of our dogs' ashes (Tee and Ripley) spun into glass orbs @okotokshotglass . It was a wonderful experience to see it being done and I highly recommend them if you're looking for a way to honour your pup. You use very few ashes so still have lots to spread or keep - whatever you choose. They also have different shapes like bones etc you can now do. The little bubbles you see are the ashes... you choose the colors too. We chose them based on the color collars they used to wear. I still have Sawyer and Audrey to do and this video probably came up at the perfect time to remind me to do that. ❤️ #petmemorial #yycdogs #okotoksdogs #dogmemorial

Ashes in hot glass

This might seem like a weird video to share, but it came up today and is from 6 years ago. We had two of our dogs' ashes (Tee and Ripley) spun into glass orbs at Okotoks Hot Glass. It was a wonderful experience to see it being done and I highly recommend them if you're looking for a way to honour your pup. You use very few ashes so still have lots to spread or keep - whatever you choose. They also have different shapes like bones etc you can now do. The little bubbles you see are the ashes... you choose the colors too. We chose them based on the color collars they used to wear. I still have Sawyer and Audrey to do and this video probably came up at the perfect time to remind me to do that. ❤️

Frustrated with your regular pill splitter leaving tablets in crumbs? Here is a client demo/review of the Pill Mill. Sometimes small dogs only need 1/4 or 1/8 of some tablets so this is a wonderful tool!

Thought I'd share this old newspaper clipping I came across yesterday which I've saved for almost 24 years.😳 Our city paper featured the birth of the thirteen pup litter my second Dalmatian, Ripley, came from. The cool part is that the smaller title at the top is "Spot On" - I've never noticed it before, who knew it would become my business name ~ 18 years later! 🤯 Ripley's litter name was Brando, he had a black ear patch and as they mention he was the first of the thirteen puppies born. I point him out in the video ☺️. If you knew Ripley, it wouldn't surprise you that he came out first of thirteen because he had THE biggest personality and had sooo much love to share with every person he met - I can see why he needed out first. ❤️

Thought I'd share this old newspaper clipping I came across yesterday which I've saved it for almost 24 years.😳

Fun, healthy, fiber boost treats for catching. 1 tsp is 4 calories.

I thought you might enjoy seeing a few of the beautiful dogs I'm working with and where they live! 🌎 📍𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘀 *𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲* 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲☺️ PS I'm unsure if FB delivers video that well - it's finicky. If you saw this post would you please like and/or comment so I know whether to do a video again? Thank you! #caninenutritionist

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