Functional Canine

26/09/2025

🐾💙 Celebrate National Deaf Pet Awareness Week!

Deaf dogs and cats are often overlooked in shelters, but they are just as capable of living happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives as hearing pets. With hand signals, positive reinforcement, and a safe home environment, deaf pets can thrive.
Adopting or fostering a deaf pet means giving a second chance to an animal who may otherwise wait years for a loving family.
✨ This week, let’s raise awareness and break the stigma.
✅ Share their stories
✅ Learn about hand-signal training
✅ Consider adoption or fostering
Because deaf pets don’t need pity, they need opportunity, love, and understanding.

👉 Share to spread awareness about deaf pets
👉 Follow for holistic dog health + advocacy tips

22/09/2025

𝐊𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

Kroshik, a 38-pound cat whose name means “Crumbs,” became an unlikely internet sensation after being caught mid-escape from a Russian pet weight loss clinic. He had been living in the basement of a hospital in Perm, where he is believed to have taken up residence after being abandoned. Once rescued, Kroshik began a strict regime of diet and exercise as veterinarians attempted to bring him down to a healthy weight of around 10 pounds.

After losing just 2.2 pounds, he regained enough mobility to attempt an escape, only to end up wedged between the bars of a shoe rack, face pressed into a bright blue Croc. Despite his popularity online, his story ended tragically. Kroshik passed away at the clinic after veterinarians reported multiple growths in his spleen and metastases in other organs, though the precise cause of death remains unknown.

While what began as a promising rescue became a sad reminder of the dangers of severe obesity, Kroshik’s story highlights the urgent need for awareness around pet obesity. Prevention and early intervention are key to ensuring a better quality of life and reducing health risks in our dogs and cats.

𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐁𝐂𝐒)

Assessing a pet’s health by weight alone can be misleading. Instead, veterinarians use Body Condition Scoring (BCS) to evaluate body fat and overall body composition. BCS is usually measured on either a 5-point or 9-point scale, with the 9-point system being most common in practice.

👉 On the 9-point scale, a score of 4–5/9 represents ideal condition, 1–3/9 indicates underweight, and 6–9/9 reflects increasing levels of overweight to obesity.

👉 On the 5-point scale, 3/5 is ideal, with 1/5 being too thin and 5/5 obese.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭

BCS combines both visual observation and hands-on assessment:

1. Ribs: Run your hands over the chest. In ideal condition, ribs are easily felt with a thin fat covering but are not prominently visible. Difficulty locating ribs suggests excess fat; sharp, prominent ribs suggest underweight.

2. Waistline: View from above while the pet is standing. A visible waist behind the ribs indicates healthy condition. A straight or bulging outline suggests overweight.

3. Abdominal Tuck: View from the side. In ideal condition, the abdomen tucks upward from ribcage to pelvis. A flat or sagging underside suggests excess fat.

4. Fat Deposits: Check areas such as the base of the tail, spine, and neck. Thick padding or rolls of fat in these regions indicate above-ideal condition.

Regular BCS checks allow early recognition of weight gain before it becomes problematic. Because obesity is linked with arthritis, diabetes (particularly in cats), reduced lifespan, and poorer quality of life, BCS is one of the simplest tools available to protect long-term health.

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

1. 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑊ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒, 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠-𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠
�Commercial dry diets are typically high in starch, which contributes substantially to calorie intake. When digested, starches break down into glucose, triggering a postprandial insulin response. Insulin promotes fat storage and inhibits fat breakdown, making weight loss more difficult. Transitioning to fresh, species-appropriate foods — rich in protein, balanced in fat, and low in starch — reduces insulin spikes and supports gradual, sustainable fat loss.

2. 𝐸𝑚𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠
�Protein preserves lean body mass during calorie restriction and contributes to satiety. Compared to high-glycaemic carbohydrates, protein has minimal impact on blood glucose. Limiting starch reduces insulin secretion, allowing the body to mobilise fat stores more effectively.

3. 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐴𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡-𝑅𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑊ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠
�Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress. Including species-appropriate vegetables, herbs, and berries provides antioxidants and phytonutrients that help regulate inflammation and support metabolic balance, without adding unnecessary glucose or calories.

4. 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐹𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠
�Many treats are cereal-based and add unnecessary starch. These repeated glucose spikes hinder fat loss. Functional wholefood options — such as freeze-dried meats, small organ pieces, or raw meaty bones (dogs) — provide nutrient density without driving insulin release.

5. 𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑁𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
�Successful weight reduction requires both dietary control and increased activity. Exercise enhances fat utilisation, but its effects are diminished if insulin remains consistently elevated. Regular BCS checks and ration adjustments ensure progress remains on track.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭

Long-term weight management begins with feeding a fresh, species-appropriate diet that prioritises protein, balanced fats, and minimal high-glycaemic carbohydrates, thereby avoiding chronic insulin spikes that promote fat storage. Early establishment of these practices supports satiety, lean muscle, and stable metabolism. Including antioxidant-rich wholefoods such as berries, herbs, and low-starch vegetables reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, while functional, nutrient-dense treats provide value without excessive calories. Consistent monitoring of body weight and BCS across life stages, together with seasonal and activity-based adjustments, helps prevent gradual weight gain before it becomes clinically significant.

Kroshik’s story is a sobering reminder that obesity is not simply a cosmetic issue, but a serious health condition that shortens both lifespan and quality of life. By learning to assess body condition, feeding fresh species-appropriate foods, limiting high-glycaemic carbohydrates, and monitoring weight consistently, we can prevent pets from following the same path. Addressing weight early is far easier than reversing advanced obesity, and it ensures our dogs and cats enjoy healthier, happier lives.

22/09/2025

‘Dingoes provided a companionship that had never before existed in Australia. These creatures were the first non-humans who answered back, came when called, helped in the hunt, slept with people and learned to understand some of the vocabulary of human languages. People gave them names, fitted them into the wider kinship structure and took care of dead dingoes in the same way they took care of dead people. Dingoes have been fitted into the sacred geography as extremely powerful Dreamings, and they now figure prominently in ritual, songlines and stories.’

Academic and author Deborah Bird Rose

Images: Long 1957, Northern Territory Library

21/09/2025

🐕 Thinking about switching your dog’s food? These 7 essential questions will help you make the RIGHT choice for your furry friend’s health and happiness! 🥗

Before making any dietary changes, consider your goals, your dog’s sensitivities, transition time, supplements, sustainability, research sources, and nutritional balance. Your pup’s individual needs matter most!

What other factors do you consider when changing your dog’s diet? Share your tips below! 👇

17/09/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞

I use to look at a bag of dog food and see the colourful images, veterinary endorsement and the expensive price tag implying quality. When I would prepare meals, I would just see an ingredients list and not think much more of it. Since becoming a Canine Nutritionist, I really began to take the finer details seriously. Every diet—whether commercial or home-prepared—comes down to nutrient availability, balance, and digestibility. How ingredients are cooked or prepared can change everything. Even considering nutrigenomics, sustainability and ethics are priorities now, as these also have impact on the nutritional value of the meal.

Here are some of the key questions I ask:

🥗 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦? Animal-based nutrients are generally more bioavailable to dogs than plant-based and a preference when preparing food for my dogs. This is a consideration to make for both highly processed diets and fresh food diets.

🥩 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬? Things to consider here:
- Are what are the protein sources (animal based, legume, gluten?)
- Are animal protein sources pet grade or human grade
- How much do I trust the suppliers
- Understanding of quality and measures of quality control?
- Can I access wild caught or free range in an affordable manner?

🥘 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐰𝐥?
For commercial products ask, is it extruded, air dried, freeze dried, well cooked, lightly cooked, raw frozen or HPP fresh? The aim is to have as little heat processing as possible as this impacts not just the nutritional content of the ingredients but also initiates the Maillard reaction and Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs)

🐣 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲?
For dogs itchy dogs with food intolerances or gut issues, ingredients are as important as the nutrient itself. Think histamines, protein sensitivities and grains that cause leaky gut.

🐟 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝?
Some are easy to overlook in certain diets. For example:
- Vitamin E is often deficient in fresh, raw, or lightly cooked diets.
- Despite the label “complete and balanced”, omega 3, probiotics, enzymes and antioxidants are often lacking in commercially available dry foods.
- Magnesium can be low in boneless home made meals supplemented with just calcium.
- Zinc and iron are particularly critical for growing puppies and often lacking in home made diets without correct ingredient selection.

🥦 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬?
Being facultive carnivores, dogs absorb nutrients differently depending on the source—animal-based nutrients tend to be better utilised than those from plant or synthetic forms.

Each ingredient needs to have its purpose in the meal - whether that be macro, micro or therapeutic. Understand the way the ingredients have been processed, their origin, nutritional content and the digestibility are all essential considerations. These are the kinds of details that influence not just whether a diet meets “basic requirements,” but whether it truly supports long-term health.

16/09/2025

The small vertical groove that runs from a dog’s upper lip to the nose, known as the philtrum (also referred to as the vegetal groove), plays a subtle but important role in maintaining nasal function.

When a dog licks its lips, saliva collects within this groove. Through the process of capillary action, this moisture is transported upward to the rhinarium (the external, hairless surface of the nose). The added moisture helps maintain hydration of the nasal tissues, which is essential for olfactory efficiency.

A moist nasal surface is more effective at trapping and dissolving scent molecules from the environment, thereby enhancing the dog’s ability to detect, discriminate, and interpret odours. This mechanism contributes to the exceptional olfactory sensitivity for which dogs are well known.

It’s just one more example of nature’s clever design at work.

13/09/2025

Be your pets advocate!
Knowledge empowers you to ask for alternatives that may be healthier options for your pet 🫶

08/09/2025

𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰

It is widely believed that high cholesterol is linked to cardiovascular disease in humans, which often causes concern for pet owners. However, cholesterol is essential for producing steroid hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and cell membranes. Every cell in the body makes cholesterol, highlighting its critical role in normal health.

Dogs and cats rarely develop cardiovascular disease from high cholesterol. They are naturally adapted to diets high in animal fat and cholesterol.

𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒍-𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑫𝒐𝒈𝒔

Many cholesterol-rich foods are safe and beneficial when fed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They support hormone production, cell health, and energy metabolism. So yes, you can give your dog eggs regularly!

Other appropriate foods include:

🧈 Grass-fed butter – small amounts provide fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

🐣 Eggs (especially yolks) – rich in cholesterol, protein, and essential fatty acids.

🥩 Grass-fed meats – moderate-fat cuts provide balanced cholesterol and a favorable omega-6:3 ratio (1:1–4:1).

♥️ Organ meats – nutrient-dense and high in cholesterol; ensuring liver is fed in appropriate portions.

🥛 Full-fat dairy – provides moderate cholesterol, probiotics, vitamin D and calcium, fed within the individual animals’s dairy tolerance.

🦪 Shellfish – rich in cholesterol and trace minerals such as zinc and copper.

𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

Cholesterol-rich foods should complement a balanced, species-appropriate diet rather than dominate it. Excess fat can increase caloric intake, potentially leading to weight gain or pancreatitis, especially in dogs acustomed to highly processed foods such as dry and canned. Raw-fed dogs tolerate higher quantiries of fat well. Dry-food-fed dogs may need fats introduced gradually and their meals should prioritise antioxidants, enzymes, probiotics, essential fatty acids, and vitamins before focusing on cholesterol content.

A cat or dog experiencing abnormal blood cholesterol levels may be used as a measure to indicate disease. Underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, pancreatitis, liver or kidney disorders, or malabsorption syndromes may all produce a high blood cholesterol results. These readings are part of a bigger picture. Your vet would need to run additional tests and check other biomarkers to make a diagnosis.

While high cholesterol is a cardiovascular concern that people may have (whether there is truth to this or not!), there shouldn’t be the same concern for dogs and cats. Instead, it acts as an important marker of overall health. Cholesterol-rich foods such as eggs, organ meats, and grass-fed meats are safe and provide essential nutrients when fed appropriately.

30/08/2025

“The dog is of the Carnivora order, and he was a flesh-eating beast in his wild state. Well-preserved skeletons of wild or semi-wild dogs show that they were superbly healthy. Therefore, first and foremost, the dog is a meat-eater, its entire anatomy being adapted for a meat diet, from the teeth fashioned for tearing and crushing, the powerful jawbones and muscles, the small, very muscular stomach, the short intestines (to avoid putrefaction of flesh foods), and, above all, the very powerful digestive juices peculiar to the carnivorous animals – the digestive juices that can dissolve even lumps of bone.”

Probably the first person in modern times (if the 1930s can be considered modern) to promote the idea of species appropriate or natural feeding was Juliette de Bairacli Levy.

Born in 1912, de Bairacli Levy spent two years studying to be a vet in Manchester before becoming interested in herbal medicine and the way in which traditional and especially nomadic farmers cared for their animals.

To learn more she travelled all over Europe, Turkey, North Africa, Israel and Greece living with Bedouin, Romani and other ancient peoples. The result of which was a series of books on herbalism and animal care.

de Bairacli Levy believed that ‘we are what eat’ and that diet and health are inseparable.

Decades before the raw food movement took off, this is what she had to say about dogs:

“The dog is of the Carnivora order, and he was a flesh-eating beast in his wild state. Well-preserved skeletons of wild or semi-wild dogs show that they were superbly healthy. Therefore, first and foremost, the dog is a meat-eater, its entire anatomy being adapted for a meat diet, from the teeth fashioned for tearing and crushing, the powerful jawbones and muscles, the small, very muscular stomach, the short intestines (to avoid putrefaction of flesh foods), and, above all, the very powerful digestive juices peculiar to the carnivorous animals – the digestive juices that can dissolve even lumps of bone.”

We strongly recommend ‘The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat’, first published in 1955 and still in print.

30/08/2025

𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝

In dogs, red blood cells (RBCs) normally make up 35–55% of total blood volume (PCV/hematocrit). Greyhounds are naturally higher, averaging 50–65%.

A Packed Cell Volume (PCV) above 65% at sea level usually signals polycythemia, a rare and dangerous condition where blood becomes too thick.

But in dogs living at high altitude (above ~6,000 feet / 1,800 m), oxygen levels are lower. To compensate, the body produces more red blood cells, which raises PCV. In these dogs, it is common to see hematocrit values up to 60–65% without disease — levels that would otherwise be concerning at sea level. This is considered a normal physiological adaptation, secondary to altitude hypoxia.

𝑾𝒉𝒚? The hormone erythropoietin (EPO) increases red blood cell production to improve oxygen delivery when atmospheric oxygen is limited. This same mechanism is why human athletes train at altitude.

28/08/2025

Research has uncovered something heart-melting: when dogs smell their human, their brain’s caudate nucleus — the region linked to reward, pleasure, and emotional bonding — lights up more strongly than when they smell other dogs or unfamiliar people. In short, science now supports what every dog lover has always felt: dogs genuinely love us.

In 2014, researchers at Emory University in the United States trained 12 dogs to lie perfectly still in an MRI scanner — no sedation, no restraints. Once inside, the dogs were presented with different scents: their own, an unfamiliar human, a familiar human, an unfamiliar dog, and a familiar dog.

The results were striking. While all scents activated the brain’s olfactory regions, only the familiar human scent caused significant activation of the caudate nucleus. This part of the brain is also active in humans when we see someone we love or anticipate a reward. For dogs, it suggests that their attachment to us is not simply about conditioning, but about genuine emotional connection.

For decades, scientists debated whether dogs truly felt emotions, or whether behaviours like wagging, licking, and following us were simply learned responses to food and attention. This discovery challenges that view. It reveals a hidden emotional world inside our pets — one where human–dog relationships are built on trust, joy, and authentic affection.

And it has meaning beyond the science. Knowing that our scent alone can bring comfort and joy to a dog reminds us to treat them with the same emotional care and sensitivity we would any family member. The bond we share with dogs isn’t one-sided. It is mutual, deep, and written into their biology.
So next time your dog greets you at the door, tail wagging wildly, remember — it’s not just excitement, and it’s not just habit. It’s love. Something we’ve now made measurable and that is beautifully real.