My Favorite Pet Products
(*) – starred products are ones I'm currently using
Nutrition Consultation | Dog Food Nutrition Course
Are you interested in learning about canine nutrition to improve your dog's diet and health or help others? These are the best courses on the market. For a list of more courses, visit check out this RESOURCE.
Real Dog Food Nutrition Course
- Basics of dog anatomy and the physiology of the gut microbiome
- Essential vitamins and minerals for healthy dogs
- The components of fresh food (protein, calcium, fats, fiber, liver/other secreting organs)
- What AAFCO & NRC standards are, and what this means when feeding a raw diet
- How to balance fats (omega-3s/6s)
- How to put your bowl together
- Supplements & Alternatives
- How to combat concerns about bacteria, aggression, and imbalances
- Tip and tricks to confidently transition to fresh food
DIY Raw Feeding by Dr. Ian Billinghurst
- Class Orientation (1 Lesson)
- Pre-Course (1 Lesson)
- Section 1 … RAW BASICS (13 Lessons)
- Section 2 … Potential Dangers of RAW (5 Lessons)
- Section 3 …Nutrition … an Evolutionary Perspective (11 Lessons)
- Section 4 … Evolutionary Foods for Cats and Dogs (10 Lessons)
- Section 5 … Practical RAW Feeding for dogs (8 Lessons)
- Section 6 … RAW for CATS (1 Lesson)
- Section 7 … RAW Wrap-up (1 Lesson)
You will be able to access all of Dr. Billinghurst's knowledge on raw food and have the opportunity to ask him LIVE Q&A through this course.
Professional Canine Nutrition Certification
- The components of fresh food: muscle meat (protein), raw meaty bones (calcium), seafood (fats), fiber, liver/other secreting organs.
- How to balance essential fats (Omega-3s and Omega-6s)
- Why and how to meet AAFCO and NRC standards while feeding a raw diet
- How to put your raw dog food bowl together, including supplements and whole food alternatives
- How to combat the main two concerns about raw feeding: bacteria, and nutritional imbalances
- The truth about carbohydrates and protein for the aging dog
- Overall costs of raw feeding
- Monitoring for nutrient imbalances, clinical signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and clinical health markers to follow closely.
- Interactions between vitamins, minerals, and medications
- Debunking myths such as raw feeding can cause aggression in dogs and that all bones are bad for dogs!
See the full list of online courses HERE.
Digestive Supplements
Supplements that support gut health and the immune system. Great for dogs with allergies, leaky gut, yeast overgrowth, arthritis, and inflammatory conditions. Many health issues arise due to an imbalanced gut. I alternate several of these supplements to boost my dogs' gut microbiome.
Gussy's Gut is a company that produces freeze-dried powder made from 19 superfoods and 180 nutrients. Their product is a fermented dog food topper, suitable for both adult dogs and puppies. The company claims that regular feeding of their product can lead to positive changes in your dog in just 3-4 weeks.
- Produced by Real Mushrooms, it is a powder that contains a blend of seven functional mushroom extracts, two herbal adaptogens, and other beneficial ingredients.
- Daily Dawg is formulated to support a dog's overall health and vitality, with the aim of addressing issues such as joint and mobility problems, immunity, digestion, gut health, heart health, weight management, and allergies.
- The supplement contains a 5 Defenders Mushroom blend which includes organic reishi, turkey tail, maitake, shiitake, and chaga mushrooms, as well as lion's mane, cordyceps, probiotics, seaweed, lignans, phytoplankton, krill, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
I alternate the following products with my dogs:
Earth Buddy Pet is a leading brand that consistently produces high-quality supplements that work. For gut health, I use…
Olewo carrots are my go-to natural supplement to clear up diarrhea and loose stool. And it comes with the added benefit of supporting vision health due to the beta-carotene.
FullBucket was one of the first digestive supplements I've tried that was 100% effective for my dogs, and I highly recommend it for dogs with digestive issues and owners on a budget. Full Bucket offers an affordable option that is high quality and works. It's limited to strains of bacteria but is still a good product.
Functional Mushrooms
Functional mushrooms support the immune system, fight off infection, reduce inflammation, support cognitive functions, and boost gut health and energy levels. For maximum benefit, I alternate several blends from these trusted brands in my dogs' diet. To learn more, check out this informative magazine by Angela Ardolino.
I alternate between medicinal mushroom products by Real Mushrooms when feeding my dogs because they support gut health and the immune system, prevent disease, and balance the system. I take Real Mushrooms for myself, too.
I alternate between several of the products; the main ones I order are:
- Daily Dawg
- Mushroom Immune Pet Chews
- Mushroom Relax Pet Chews
- 5 Defenders Organic Mushroom Complex Powder
- Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder
- Organic Lion's Mane Extract Powder
- Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder*
*Reishi has a bitter flavor that may turn off some dogs; I prefer using capsules.
Earth Buddy Pet is a high-quality brand committed to producing the best products. I take the below tincture myself – it works!
MycoDog, by Angela Ardoline of CBD Dog Health, combines mushroom extracts with adaptogens to support overall health. There are three products available that focus on different areas of concern:
- Breathe (my favorite): supports respiratory & cardiovascular functions
- Clarity: for canine cognitive diseases, nervous system, and mental/emotional support
- Vitality: supports dogs with cancer, Autoimmune Diseases, and offers liver & respiratory support
I use Animal Essentials Mushroom Defense, but this isn't their only mushroom tincture. Mushroom Defense contains a proprietary blend of reishi, maitake, and cordyceps mushrooms.
CBD Oil
CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system in dogs, which plays a crucial role in regulating bodily functions. Unlike THC, CBD does not have psychoactive properties and therefore does not cause a “high” in dogs. Studies have shown that CBD can have a multitude of benefits for dogs, including reduced anxiety and seizures, improved joint mobility, and decreased inflammation.
Earth Buddy CBD oil WORKS! It's made in small batches for better quality control, and it works for my dogs. I primarily use their Senior Support product (aka Balance). I add the recommended dose to a drop of MCT oil before their meals, which vastly increases the bioavailability and benefits for my dogs.
CBD Dog Health offers several CBD oil and salve products that focus on various health concerns. The EASE Dog formula is my favorite and great for daily use.
The EASE Horse formula was key in my cancer regimen for Scout, who passed away more than 525 days after a lymphoma diagnosis. I keep a bottle of the HORSE formula on hand for additional support. My dogs don't like the taste because it contains essential oils, but I can't deny its effectiveness, and they tolerate the occasional dosage.
- improved the cancer survival rate in one dog while reducing the side effects of the treatment
- provides relief when my senior dog struggles with arthritis pain after overdoing it
- reduces anxiety symptoms and encourages calming before triggering events
- is more cost effective when dealing with serious or chronic health issues.
And I've taken it myself to ward off an anxiety attack.
Joint Supplement
Dogs may benefit from joint supplements to support their joint health and mobility, maintain joint cartilage, reduce inflammation, and alleviate discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis. Incorporating joint supplements into a dog's routine can promote their overall joint function, enhance mobility, and contribute to better quality of life.
Chewable joint supplement that my dogs love. I started using WINPRO Hip & Joint when Sydney had trouble standing; she was running and jumping within 48 hours on this supplement.
MYOS canine muscle supplement contains Fortetropin®, derived from fertilized egg yolk, known to support muscle health, strength, and recovery in dogs. I began giving MYOS to my senior dog to prevent muscle wasting; today, all of my dogs enjoy the benefits.
I was introduced to YuMove senior dog tablets by my podcast co-host, Cathy Bennett (Groovy Goldendoodles). I saw improvements in my senior dog's mobility right away.
Jump for Joynts is a homeopathic supplement I give my senior and geriatric dogs for a little extra support. I spray this into a small amount of food daily to keep them active and reduce inflammation and pain.
Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of a dog's diet, supporting skin & coat health, joint health, reducing inflammation, boosting cognitive health, and boosting gut health and the immune system.
I only give my dogs salmon oil from Life Line Pet Products, a small, local (to me), family owned company committed to providing high-quality, sustainable pet products.
A subscription to the Real Dog Box treats and chews box is a subscription to healthy fresh food that adds additional nutrients to the diet, helps clean teeth and gums, and supports joint health.
Dental Care
Dental health is directly linked to overall health, and poor dental hygiene in dogs can lead to a variety of health issues, such as gum disease and tooth decay. Taking care of your dog's teeth can also help prevent bad breath, which is a common problem for dogs. Regular dental check-ups, toothbrushing, and giving your dog dental chews are just a few ways to maintain their dental health and keep them happy and comfortable.
I use the Mad About Organics herbal oral dental spray. After spraying my dog's teeth twice daily for a couple of weeks, any plaque build-up comes off after a chew session.
I add a small amount of TEEF! to my dogs' water dishes, alternating this with the Mad About Organics oral spray to keep their teeth clean.
From TEEF!
- Drinkable Dental Health for Dogs – TEEF for dogs is an award-winning natural water additive for dogs to attack the cause of dental disease, not the symptoms to promote healthy gums, clean teeth, fresh breath. Made in the USA!
- Outsmart Gum Disease – TEEF!'s formula, Protektin42 is a patented prebiotic dog water additive supplement that improves the oral biome for improved dog oral care. Outsmart the causes of plaque, gum disease and bad breath
- How to Use – this dog breath freshener water additive is super easy to use. Simply scoop the dental powder for dogs and add to the water bowl. Includes 3 grams, approx. 30 servings
- Veterinarian & Pet Parent Approved – oral care for dogs is crucial to their health. TEEF dental care for dogs targets the root cause below your pup's gumline to help rid your furry friend of bad breath
- Tasteless & Odorless – water additive for dogs teeth made with safe, human-grade and plant-based ingredients. No toxic chemicals, preservatives, vegan, gluten & grain free
Proprietary Blend 1-TetraDecanol Complex Fatty Acid Complex (bovine source) 420 mg, Carob, Fish Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water, Soybean Oil. 1-TDC supports;
- oral health
- joint & mobility health / decreased inflammation
- increased stamina
- skin & coat health
A subscription to the Real Dog Box treats and chews box is a subscription to healthy fresh food that adds additional nutrients to the diet, helps clean teeth and gums, and supports joint health.
I also brush my dogs' teeth, which is an excellent opportunity to examine their teeth and gums. I use a soft toothbrush (or finger brush) and an enzymatic toothpaste recommended by my veterinarian.
Liver Support
I keep supplements that support my dogs' liver on hand to use after vaccinations and prescription medication. These supplements strengthen my dogs liver, helping it do it's job efficiently, while not impacting the effectiveness of the vaccines or medications. Supplements that support liver health are also great when a dog has elevated liver enzymes.
I use Adored Beast's Liver Tonic and Rebalancer to protect my dogs after vaccines and prescription medication. I start the Liver Tonic a week before the medication; I use both the Liver Tonic and Rebalancer for several days after their appointment.
I use Hepato Support to support liver health, alternating it every other month. And when my dog's bloodwork shows elevated liver enzymes.
Grooming / Flea & Tick
Bathing dogs is important for maintaining their hygiene and overall health. Regular bathing helps to remove dirt, debris, and odor-causing substances from their coat and skin. It also helps to prevent skin irritation, infections, and keeps their coat in good condition, promoting a clean and comfortable living environment for both the dog and their human family.
Mr. Suzuki's Dry Shampoo Spray is a hypoallergenic pet grooming product used to care for pets between baths, after walks, or play. It's safe for daily use.
- Keep pets clean and fresh
- Enhance the skin's natural protective barrier
- Keep skin moisturized
- Act as an antibacterial/antiviral deodorant
4-Legger is an organic pet brand that produces shampoo and other products to support healthy skin and coats for dogs. My favorite products are:
- Unscented (great for dogs that are sensitive to odors)
- Oatmeal & Lavender
- Targeted shampoos – cooling, calm, revitalize, moisturize, soothe
Project Sudz is an eco-friendly pet brand that produces amazing soaps, sprays, salves, and more. My favorite products are:
When a popular brand changed their ingredients, Kin+Kind was the number one recommended alternative. They offer many products; I currently only use their flea & tick spray, which I alternate with essential oils from AnimalEO.
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Plant-Based Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs – lavender (preferred), lemongrass
The Skout's Honor probiotic line is a favorite in our home because it supports skin health (the largest organ). My favorite products are:
They also have coat conditioning sprays, coat detanglers, and flea & tick sprays, and household cleansers.
Clippers and brushes are specific to the dog and their human. The following are what works for my dogs after discussions with professional groomers and personal experience:
- Clippers: Stainless Steel Dog Nail Clipper, Plier Style
- Undercoat Rake: Andis
- Slicker Brush: Andis
- Detangling Comb: Andis
- Comb to remove mats: Andis