National Raw Feeding Week is a holiday created by Kimberly Gauthier (that's me) in 2018 when I noticed that raw feeders didn't have a day on Pet Holiday calendars. As I considered this atrocity, I decided we needed a full week. Later, I learned that there is a full...
As a dog owner, you want to ensure your dog gets the best nutrition. In recent years, bison has become increasingly popular as an alternative to beef, making bison a possible option for dogs with a beef intolerance. But what are the differences between the two...
Medicinal mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular in pet health due to their natural healing properties. Besides providing essential nutrients and antioxidants, specific varieties of these fungi offer a boost to your dog's body and mind that can be hard to find...
When I was new to raw feeding, I couldn't find raw green tripe. But I found canned green tripe and happily fed that to my dogs until I learned about carrageenan gum. I received many comments from people warning me about the dangers of carrageenan gum. I panicked. Was...
I received a SpotOn GPS Fence training collar for Apollo in exchange for my honest thoughts. I originally planned to return the collar to the company because I didn't want the smoke from the dog training community. But fellow dog lovers were interested in my thoughts...
Years ago, when I was still taking my dogs to a traditional vet, the veterinarian combed through my dogs' hair for the longest time, repeating, “they don't have fleas.” “Of course, my babies don't have fleas! They're raw fed.” I...
Like most dog owners, you want to feed your dog the best possible meals. That means understanding what ingredients provide the most nutritional benefit for your dog—especially regarding vegetables! Knowing which vegetables are the most nutritious can help you make...
Walking my dogs is the best part of my day because our walks are my main exercise. Our walks allow me to unwind from the day and boost my mental health. Plus, I love this uninterrupted time with my dogs. I find it fascinating watching them explore as we walk. Most of...
I was TODAY years old when I learned that we should store fish separately when preparing meals for our dogs. I add fish (sardines, salmon, mussels) to their dishes at mealtime instead of mixing seafood into my DIY raw blends; but I used to add it to the grinds to save...
We've had dogs for nearly thirteen years. And I've made a lot of mistakes over the years: I didn't correctly socialize my dogs. I didn't encourage confidence and independence. I humanized my dogs, treating them like my babies. My lack of knowledge contributed to a...
Thousands of articles list toxic foods for dogs, but few tell us what foods we should avoid for puppies. In 2022, we welcomed a puppy into our family. Bella is a mixed-breed puppy with Husky blue eyes, German Shepherd dimples, and a love for shoes. We feed our dogs a...
Living with four dogs and a cat in the Pacific Northwest means we live with pet odors and hair. On top of that, we have environmental allergies. We clean our home daily and use air purifiers around the house. So, I tested four brands to determine the best air purifier...
Two of our dogs were tested through Innovative Pet Lab (IPL). I chose to test Zoey and Apollo because they're healthy dogs, and the Innovative Pet Lab testing aims to give us a heads-up on potential health issues. I expected the tests to come back with stellar...
Boron is a trace element found in many foods and can be purchased as a supplement. Boron isn't considered an essential trace mineral, and humans get their recommended daily amount – 1 to 13 mg daily – through diet (we can't produce it on our own). But what...
Have you been told that DIY raw dog food isn't nutritionally complete? You're not alone. People often reference a “study” when trying to convince pet parents that homemade dog food is too hard to make and debunk the practice of balancing over time. In the...
I'm a passionate writer in the Pacific Northwest who loves all things dogs. I share what I'm learning as I attempt to crack the code to longevity. Keep the Tail Wagging is a blog dedicated to the dog who inspired this journey: Rodrigo Gauthier - March 2010 - September 2023.
