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Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We spend the morning walking the dogs and the afternoon with family. Every year, we go around the table, and each person shares something they're grateful for – for me, it's my dogs. And I know I'm not alone. Here are five practical ways to show gratitude that your dogs will love.
1 – Feed a Species Appropriate Diet
Over the past ten years, I've fed six dogs and one cat a species-appropriate diet and they love me for it. We feed mice to snakes, vegetation to rabbits, and hard, dry pellets to domesticated carnivores. Dogs can survive on a high-carb diet, but they won't thrive on a high-carb diet.
Transition Your Dog to Raw or Homecooked
You're in luck if you'd like to switch your dog to a raw or homecooked diet. Raw is becoming more mainstream, and there are several gently cooked options. Visit a local, independent (not a chain) pet store and ask for recommendations from the manager. They'll be happy to introduce you to products stocked in their freezers.
Many brands also deliver to your door, or you may have a raw food co-op in your area.
If you'd like to attempt DIY, a Dr. Harvey's base mix is the easiest way to start, or you can work with a meal formulator.
And, if you're still not sure, check out Feed Real. They offer guidance through a nutrition consultation.
Not Ready to Feed Raw?
If raw feeding isn't for you, that's okay. Many ways to improve a dog's diet include freeze-dried, dehydrated, switching to single-ingredient protein treats, or adding fresh food to the bowl.
Feed the best kibble you can afford and add fresh foods like:
- canned sardines in water, no salt added (or mackerel)
- canned salmon (or baked)
- boiled canned oysters (not smoked)
- make a DIY vegetable mix
- cooked, lean ground beef, chicken, turkey, or pork
- soak the kibble in bone broth
- chicken, duck, or quail eggs
- raw goat's milk or kefir
2 – Ditch the Dog Bowl
We feed kibble from a bowl because this is what we thought was right for our dogs. But just like kibble isn't the best diet, dog bowls aren't the best dish for our dogs.
I switched to feeding from flat surfaces (plates, pasta dishes, lunch trays, cutting boards) in 2020 after Sydney was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. She went from being a food-motivated dog to cringing away from her bowl. A friend recommended changing to a flat surface, and Sydney cleaned her dish.
The traditional food bowls aren't ideal for dogs because…
- smells of the food become overwhelming
- dogs struggle to get food out of the corners; especially flat-faced breeds
- the sides of the bowls block a dog's peripheral, which can be unsettling
- dogs may suffer from whisker fatigue, something we primarily see with cats
- dogs experience less engagement; with flat dishes, dogs can choose what to eat and in what order
Even my cat eats from a flat dish.
3 – Improve Your Dog Treat Game
I hinted at this above, so let's go deeper. When I improved my dogs' diet, it didn't take long for me to buy better dog treats. And better dog treats – single protein, quality sourcing – are expensive. So, I now make my own, sourcing organ meat from local farms and homesteaders. I subscribe to Real Dog Box and receive a monthly box filled with treats and chews my dogs love.
Each month, my dogs enjoy three single-ingredient protein treats like bison liver, pork kidney, and green-lipped mussels. And three chews like duck heads, rabbit feet, and beef tracheas. And we get all this for less than half these treats and chews would cost in the store. Worried about protein sensitivities? No problem, contact Real Dog Box customer service.
And, as if the monthly box and customization possibilities aren't enough. We can also access a Secret Shop to order more of our dogs' favorites or try new things.
4 – Go for a SniffSpot instead of a Walk
We're lucky to live on five acres and near a walking trail, but it gets old after a while, so I like to shake things up and take my dogs somewhere new. We have one reactive dog, which limits where I can take my dogs, which is why I love SniffSpot.
SniffSpot is an AirBNB for dog lovers seeking a safe and private dog park. Homeowners rent their yards to pet parents for 45 minutes. I found a large property 25 minutes away that my dogs love. They run around, smell every blade of grass, and we play. The dogs are exhausted when it's time to leave. SniffSpot leaves a block of time between reservations, so we don't have to engage with other dogs.
SniffSpots are popping up around the world. Check them out.
5 – Invest in a Better Dog Bed
I used to think the round dog beds from Costco were the best. For $40, I can get a huge bed lasting from puppyhood through my dogs' senior years. I didn't know that those beds, and many others, don't offer the support growing dogs and senior dogs need.
Today, my dogs sleep on the bed, sofa, or chair. They also sleep on Big Barker Dog Beds.
Big Barker Dog Beds are made with triple-layer orthopedic foam that's so thick that I can do a knee drop without busting them on the floor. Can you do that with your dog's bed? I can't with a Costco bed, even when I stack one on the other. These beds are perfect for aging dogs living with arthritis.
These beds are an investment that comes with a ten-year warranty. Our oldest Big Barker bed still looks new. They come with a cover made from strong fabric that stands up to a dog that likes to scratch before settling down. And liners are optional and protect the beds from wet dogs during the rainy season here in the Pacific Northwest.
Honor Your Dog's Nature
Dog trainers often encourage us to respect our dog's nature. And we can do this by feeding a species-appropriate diet, providing engagement opportunities, and allowing our dogs to roam and explore.
