Nuts are a healthy snack, but the amount of glyphosate used on California almond crops and the risk of aflatoxins on peanuts makes me a little cautious about giving nuts to my dogs. So, I decided to dive a little deeper into nuts to figure out which ones are safe for...
For over a decade, I was convinced that feeding my dogs a raw food diet would make them healthier, but according to a 2021 study, there isn't a difference between raw fed dogs and those fed a high-quality kibble diet. I often find myself defending my choice to feed...
Several years ago, I took the Pet Food Nutrition course offered by Dogs Naturally Magazine, one of the biggest pet-focused websites. While the courses they offer are very informative, if someone is building a business in pet nutrition, the DNMU certifications may not...
As I learn more about canine health and nutrition, I have concluded that focusing on my dog's gut health and immune system is essential to longevity. I do this by feeding a fresh food diet that includes whole food supplements. The immune system protects dogs from...
New opportunities are developing as the raw feeding community expands and becomes more mainstream. You can become certified as a pet health coach, meal formulator, or a certified canine nutritionist. Because of the newness of these positions, there are questions: Are...
It's exciting to see the continued growth of the raw feeding industry, and with so many people researching fresh food for their pets, I decided to share a list of my favorite raw food brands to help others as they try to figure out what's going to work best for their...
Fish is a staple in my dogs' diet. I feed it primarily for the omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and zinc, although fish adds much more to the diet. In this article, I will share what I know about feeding fish to raw fed dogs, including the other seafood I feed to my...
My first introduction to hunger pukes had me racing to the veterinarian with my dog. Every morning, she'd vomit up yellow bile, and I was convinced she'd been exposed to a toxin. It was hunger pukes. What is Hunger Pukes? Hunger pukes, also known as canine bilious...
I transitioned my dogs to a raw food diet in 2013 – 80/10/10 was considered a healthy raw diet back then, but not a balanced diet. As I learned more about canine nutrition and raw feeding, I learned that 80/10/10 is a diet deficient in nutrients like Omega-3...
Dog owners understand the practice of raw feeding is an attempt to replicate the ancestral diet of dogs by combining muscle meat, organ meat, bones, and vegetation while acknowledging that our dogs have evolved to be pets, not wolves. We feed raw because fresh food is...
Tomatoes are a nightshade plant, and because of this classification, many people won't feed them to their dogs for fear of toxicity. But is this accurate? Over the years, I've seen raw feeders share meals that contain sardines in tomato sauce due to the beta-carotene...
I attended the 2023 Thrive Pet Expo, where I connected with friends, fellow pet lovers, and industry experts. Poppy Phillips, an animal naturopath for Equine Alternatives LLC and fellow Christian, posed an interesting question: “Does praying over dog food boost...
The foundation of the diet I formulated for my dogs is 80/10/10 – 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ meat. 80/10/10 isn't a nutritionally complete raw diet, so I use a base mix and feed additional foods to balance over time. So, why must I know bone...
Raw feeding can be expensive, with costs keeping dog owners from transitioning to raw and forcing others back to kibble. I nearly gave up on trying to feed raw when a local raw feeder introduced me to our local raw food co-op. I saved hundreds during my first month of...
I primarily feed my dogs a raw food diet. However, when Rodrigo was about 12 years old, he occasionally preferred cooked food. I fed him more cooked food than raw during his last year with me. The following is an easy DIY cooked recipe for dogs. I do not advocate only...
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.
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