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Going Mutts Pet Services and Nutrition, Fort McMurray, AB (2026)

02/01/2026

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗢𝗚𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗪𝗦 🦴

Yesterday I gave the girls beef tendons, and Treble got a pig ear — chews they get often. I stepped into my office to do some computer work, and about 10 minutes later I heard gagging.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗗
I went to check and Rhythm was choking on her chew. Most of it was already soft and chewed, but the end hadn’t been fully broken down and got slightly stuck. Thankfully I was able to pull it out easily.

She gagged a few more times and was clearly startled and a bit out of breath — but she was okay!

We haven’t had an incident like this in almost 8 years.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦𝗡’𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗜𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡’𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡

A few important reminders ⬇️

• Always supervise chews, even if your dog “does fine” with them
• I’m generally more comfortable leaving Kongs, but supervision is still a good idea — especially if your dog is an aggressive chewer
• If you feed whole raw pieces, frozen raw chunks, or grinds where dogs can bite off large pieces, supervision is non-negotiable
• If your dog is choking, be careful — many dogs panic and may bite (ask me how I know 😅)

𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘
Years ago, Rhythm tried to swallow a whole moose rib and I had to remove it — that’s why I don’t feed ribs anymore.

Also worth mentioning:
Lyric used to swallow large pieces of bully sticks whole (like 6″ chunks). This is very common. If you use bully sticks, use a stopper/holder tool to prevent dogs from swallowing the end. They’re much easier to find now and can be ordered online if your pet store doesn’t carry them.

🤓 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬
Most dogs are fine — until they aren’t!

Better safe than sorry 💛🐕

01/31/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴’𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 “𝗙𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺” 🍑🐾
(+ 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲)

Most people hear “a**l glands” and immediately think:
More fibre → bigger p**p → problem solved!

And honestly… sometimes that does help.

But it’s only one small piece of a much bigger terrain picture.
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𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 👇
• It increases stool bulk, giving the glands a better natural “squeeze”
• It holds water, softening overly dry/raw-fed stools
• It speeds up transit time for dogs who run slow or stressed
• It feeds gut bacteria → calmer lower GI → calmer glands

Rita Hogan, canine herbalist, mentions that many dogs do better with two p**ps a day.

The nuance: a lot of raw-fed dogs aren’t under-p**ping… they’re too dry!

Raw diets often create:
• Very firm stools
• Low moisture (due to excess bone)
• High bone content/calcium
• Low natural fibre (especially soluble)

So fibre helps because it fills a terrain gap — not because fibre is a universal fix.
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𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 👇
• Nervous system dysregulation → poor re**al tone, weak natural expression
• Sluggish lymph flow → the glands are part of the lymphatic system
• Low-grade gut inflammation → irritated colon = irritated glands
• High histamine terrain → more licking, scooting, fullness
• Poor bile flow → fatty irritation & soft stool endings
• Diet mismatch → too much fat, too much bone, not enough moisture/fibre

So yes — fibre has a role! But the long-term fix usually involves calming the terrain, not just bulking up p**p.
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𝗪𝗵𝘆 “𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲” 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🍖🚫
(and often makes a**l glands worse)

One of the biggest raw feeding myths is:
“If the p**p is too soft, add more bone”

Here’s the issue 👇
• Extra bone = dry, chalky, constipated stool
• Constipated stool = poor gland expression
• Poor expression = full, irritated, impacted glands

Most commercial raw blends already contain plenty of calcium — often on the high side.

Adding more bone rarely fixes anything unless you’re correcting a true deficiency (which is uncommon)
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𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝘀… 𝗳𝘂𝗿 🐇

Fur is species-appropriate fibre:
• Adds bulk without drying
• Supports motility
• Helps express the glands naturally
• Feeds the microbiome
• Doesn’t distort the calcium-phosphorus ratio

Think: rabbit ears, fur-on feet, whole prey, fur toppers.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 🧠
A**l gland issues are rarely just a “more fibre” problem — and almost never a “more bone” problem.

They’re a terrain signal, pointing toward lymph congestion, bile flow and liver issues, gut irritation, or nervous system stress.

Support the terrain → the glands usually take care of themselves.

**lGlands

01/31/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗞𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝘀 (𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘀) 🐾🧼

Quick but important kibble tip — especially if you use storage bins.

𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, kibble should stay in the original bag, and that bag goes inside the bin.

Those bags are designed to protect food from air, light, and moisture.

That said — I know that’s not always practical. I keep a smaller container upstairs in my pantry for training treats too.

And if you’ve ever looked inside one of these bins after a while…

you’ve probably noticed something 👀

👉 Greasy residue on the sides.

That’s normal!

Kibble is coated in fats and oils to increase calories and palatability.

But this is exactly why washing bins between bags matters.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 🧠

𝗢𝗻𝗲: 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲
Old oil residue and fresh kibble = faster rancidity.

Even a brand-new bag can start degrading sooner if it’s touching old, oxidized fats.

𝗧𝘄𝗼: 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 & 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸
Tiny crumbs and oil film can trap moisture — especially in warm kitchens or humid homes.

You might not see mould… but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲: 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲
Dogs with GI issues, reflux, itching, or vague “mystery reactions” can be more reactive to oxidized fats than to the kibble itself.

Sometimes it’s not the food — it’s the storage.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 🚨

If you’ve never washed your bin:
• your dog is not doomed
• you didn’t “ruin” their food
• this is not a panic situation

This is just one of those small, low-effort upgrades that can make a difference over time — especially for sensitive dogs.

𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 ✔️

• empty the bin completely between bags
• wash with warm water + dish soap
• let it dry fully
• then add the new bag or fresh kibble

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀:

• keep kibble in the original bag inside the bin
• use smaller containers for daily scooping
• don’t top up new kibble on old crumbs

Little details like this matter — especially for dogs with sensitive terrain.

Food quality doesn’t stop at the ingredient list.
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗼 🐶✨

01/30/2026

These dogs are having way more fun than me 😂

Hope everyone has a great weekend and gets to enjoy some of the warmer temperatures while they last!

Also — prime time to pick up dog p**p before we get buried again… because yep, more snow is on the way ❄️🐾

01/30/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘀 🐾🧠

If your dog turns their nose up at a renal (kidney) diet, you’re not alone — and it’s not because your dog is “picky” or “being stubborn”

There are real, physiological reasons this happens.

Here’s what’s usually going on 👇
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𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗜𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻: 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 — 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻!

Most renal diets are formulated to:
• Lower phosphorus
• Moderate protein
• Avoid strong flavours
• Reduce amino acids that create uremic byproducts

That combination often results in:
• Less meat aroma
• Fewer rich, cooked flavours
• A blander smell and taste

Dogs eat with their noses first, so this matters more than we think…
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𝗦𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 (𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆)
Many renal diets do reduce sodium compared to maintenance foods.

Lower sodium can mean:
• Less flavour enhancement
• Less thirst stimulation
• Reduced “food drive”

Salt does play a role in palatability — but it’s rarely the only reason dogs refuse renal diets.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁
Renal diets often:
• Use very specific fats
• Avoid richer animal fats
• Include plant-based or omega blends

This can change:
• Mouthfeel
• Smell
• Overall satisfaction

Especially for dogs used to richer foods.
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𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 & 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴
Even when protein isn’t “low”, it’s often:
• Highly processed
• Very uniform (protein isolation & fractionation, hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed proteins etc)
• Hydrolyzed or altered for phosphorus control

Some dogs simply don’t like the texture or smell of these proteins.
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𝗖𝗞𝗗 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁
This is a big one that gets overlooked.

Dogs with kidney disease may experience:
• Nausea
• Reflux
• Uremic breath
• Altered taste perception
• Reduced appetite from toxin buildup

Sometimes the food gets blamed — when the real issue is that the dog feels unwell. This is why addressing nausea and acid balance can improve food acceptance more than changing the food itself.
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𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
If a dog:
• Feels nauseous
• Eats the renal food
• Then feels worse

The brain connects the dots:
“That food made me sick”

Even if it didn’t.

This can create long-term refusal.
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𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁 (𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀)
• Transition slowly — sometimes much slower than a standard food change
• Start with small amounts mixed into the current food
• Warming the food can dramatically improve smell and acceptance (use a CKD approved broth or even warm water for kibble)
• Wet or fresh foods are often better tolerated than dry alone
• Consistency matters — frequent food swapping can worsen aversion

Properly balanced, individualized diets (whether commercial or custom-supported) often shine here — especially when the dog’s symptoms, appetite, and tolerance are considered as a whole.
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𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 (𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁)
For dogs struggling to eat renal food:
• Warm the food

Add tiny amounts of:
• Egg white
• Low-phosphorus meat broth
• A renal-safe topper

Small changes can make a big difference — without undoing the goal of kidney support.
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🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Renal diets aren’t bad, and prescription renal diets certainly get a lot of negative attention — but they are different, and many dogs need support adapting to them!

If your dog is refusing food, it’s usually a signal, not a behaviour problem.
And as always — it’s nuanced 🧠🐾

If you require help with your CKD pooch, feel free to reach out!

01/28/2026

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 🌿🐾
(𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁)

Most winter-itch dogs don’t need more oils, more baths, or more supplements —
they need targeted terrain support, and only then the right herbs.

Herbs work best when the terrain is already opening through:
• Humidity support
• Barrier & lipid support
• Hydration & electrolytes
• Lymph & bile flow
• Nervous system calming

Once those layers are in place, these herbs can make a huge difference 👇
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🌿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁
“The Moisture Blanket”

Best for dogs who run dry:
• Dry stool
• Dry skin
• Itch tied to gut dryness
• Anxiety & histamine flares

Adds deep internal moisture and soothes gut-driven histamine release.
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🍄 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺
“The Internal Humectant”

Great for:
• Dull coat
• Chronic dryness
• Itch worsened by static
• Oxidative-stress patterns

Helps skin hold onto hydration — not just adding oils.
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🌿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗳
“The Histamine Tolerance Booster”

Helps when:
• Paws flare
• Winter itch cycles repeat
• Ears get gunky
• Mineral status is low

Supports mast-cell stability, minerals, and lymph — start low for sensitive dogs.
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🌿 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁
“The Slow-and-Steady Skin Supporter”

Great for:
• Low-grade irritation
• Senior dogs
• Dogs with liver stagnation
• “Sticky” winter terrain

A nourishing, gradual detox & skin ally.
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🌱 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗮
“The Gentle Lymph Unsticker”

Use when:
• Belly redness
• Ear flares
• Immune “noise” increases in winter

One of the kindest lymph supports out there.
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🌱 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
“The Drainage Helper”

Best for:
• Paw licking
• Ear wax buildup
• Sluggish stool
• Dogs who itch with inactivity

Moves lymph gently — start very low.
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🌼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲
“The Neuro-Sensory Calmer”

Perfect for:
• Static-triggered itch
• Restless evenings
• Nervous-system sensitive dogs

Calms the skin–brain connection beautifully.
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⚠️ 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻
(depending on the herb, of course!)

Giving herbs on a stuck terrain often causes:
• Ear flares
• Loose stool
• More itch
• Detox overwhelm

Match the herb to the pattern, not the symptom. If you need help, book a mini-consult!
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🧠 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Winter itch is rarely a food issue or “allergy”

It’s usually a mix of:
• Dry indoor air
• Slower lymph and stagnant bile
• Reduced skin lipids
• Histamine sensitivity
• Nervous-system static
• Cold-weather stagnation (including fascia)

Herbs can be incredible — but only when they’re placed on top of a terrain that’s already opening!

01/26/2026

🐾 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀: 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 “𝗗𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻” — 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 ❄️🐕
(𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁)

Winter itch is one of the most misunderstood “allergy-like” issues in dogs.

It shows up every year, and people immediately panic:
❌ “It might be the food?”
❌ “It must be allergies?”
❌ “Do I add coconut oil, or fish oil?”

…but most winter itch has nothing to do with allergies — and everything to do with your dog’s skin barrier, histamine tolerance, lymph flow, fat digestion, and nervous system.

Here’s the real physiology 👇
________________________________________
1️⃣ Moisture does leave the skin — but that’s only the trigger

Cold air holds almost no humidity. Indoor heating dries it out even more!

This increases TEWL (transepidermal water loss):
• Skin loses elasticity
• Micro-cracks form
• Nerves get exposed → itch signals fire

But if moisture loss alone caused winter itch,
👉 topical oils would fix it instantly.

They don’t — because winter itch is deeper than dryness.
________________________________________
2️⃣ The skin barrier weakens (lipids matter more than water)

Healthy skin needs lipids:
• Ceramides
• Cholesterol
• Essential fatty acids

Winter reduces these lipids, so:
• Moisture escapes faster
• Irritants enter more easily
• Immune signalling increases

This leads to neuro-immune itch with no rash — very common in dogs.
________________________________________
3️⃣ Static electricity & dry air = nerve irritation

Dry indoor air = more static!

Static affects cutaneous nerve endings, causing:
• Tingling
• Micro-irritation
• Restlessness → licking or scratching
Sensitive dogs feel this a lot.

Most common in:
• Seniors
• Thin-coated breeds
• Nervous system–sensitive dogs
• Dogs who already drain through skin/ears
________________________________________
4️⃣ Cold slows circulation & lymphatic flow

Cold → vasoconstriction → less blood flow

This means:
• Fewer nutrients reaching skin
• Waste products clear slower
• Lymph slows → immune “noise” builds

When lymph is sluggish, the body uses the skin as an exit route:
→ more itch
→ more paw licking
→ more ear wax
→ random hotspots

Not allergies — just terrain!
________________________________________
5️⃣ Histamine tolerance drops in winter

Dry, irritated skin = more mast cell activity.

But here’s the nuance:
Histamine goes up

📌 NOT because of “new allergens”
📌 But because tolerance goes down

This creates a loop:
Irritation → histamine release → scratching → more histamine

A loop, not a food reaction.
________________________________________
6️⃣ Why allergy tests come back “clear”

Because winter itch is often:
• Non-IgE
• Nervous system–driven
• Barrier-related
• Lymph-related
• Histamine tolerance–related

Allergy tests don’t detect winter terrain issues.
________________________________________
🧠 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳:
• Skin barrier lipid loss
• More exposed nerve endings
• Slower circulation
• Slower lymph & bile flow
• Lower histamine tolerance
• Sensory irritation from static

It’s a terrain pattern, not food allergies.
________________________________________
🐾 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵 (𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻)

1️⃣ Fix the air (this often helps the most)
Ideal indoor humidity: 30–45%

Too low → dry skin, static, irritation

Too high → mold (worse)

A small humidifier near the dog’s bed works wonders.

2️⃣ Support the skin barrier (outside & inside)

Topical:
• Avoid over-bathing
• Use oat-based or glycerin sprays
• Light leave-in conditioners
• Ceramide sprays if needed

Internal:
• Balanced omega-3s (not megadoses)
• Adequate omega-6 (often too low in homemade diets)
• Sunflower lecithin → improves fat digestion & skin barrier

Dry skin that doesn’t respond to oils?

👉 It’s usually a fat digestion issue, not a “more oil” issue.

3️⃣ Support lymph & bile flow
Lymph and bile slow dramatically in winter, especially in sensitive dogs.

Supports:
• Warm water & hydration
• Sniff walks (lymph goldmine!)
• Sunflower lecithin
• Gentle lymph herbs (calendula, cleavers) low–slow

Sluggish lymph is behind a LOT of winter itch.

4️⃣ Raise histamine tolerance (not suppress it)
Histamine isn’t the enemy — intolerance is.

Helps:
• Vitamin C
• Quercetin (if tolerated)
• Magnesium
• Nervous system regulation

Many dogs itching in winter are overstimulated, not allergic.

5️⃣ Nervous system support
Because itch is half sensory, half immune.

Tools:
• Predictable routine
• Warm rest zones
• Massage
• Rescue Remedy
• Lower stimulation evenings (puzzle games, sniffing, chews, massage, cuddles etc)

NS-calmer dogs scratch less!

6️⃣ Don’t stack supplements
Winter terrain responds best to one change at a time.

• Add 1 thing → wait 7–14 days
• Watch stool, behaviour, ears
• Then adjust

Stability first → progress second!
________________________________________
💗 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Winter itch isn’t your fault.
It isn’t bad food.
It isn’t a new allergy.

It’s simply the way your dog’s skin, lymph, nerves, and histamine system respond to winter terrain. Support the underlying systems, and the itch settles — often without needing big diet changes.

01/24/2026

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 🐾
(𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀)

Most people hear “histamine” and immediately think:
✔ Hives
✔ Itching
✔ Red skin
✔ Swelling
✔ Allergic reactions

But in dogs, histamine shows up in way more ways than just scratching — and many of the most important signs get mistaken for “behaviour problems”, “sensitive tummy”, or “seasonal allergies”

Here are the common NON-itchy histamine signs you might be missing:

𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱
🐾 𝘌𝘢𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘬 & 𝘸𝘢𝘹
Histamine pulls fluid and immune cells into tissues.
The ears are a classic “drain point”

🐾 𝘌𝘺𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦
Clear or slightly coloured tearing is often histamine-related, not infection.

🐾 𝘓𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 (𝘱𝘢𝘸𝘴, 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘪𝘳)
This isn’t “behaviour”
Histamine makes tissues feel tingly, pressure-y, or buzzy
Dogs lick to soothe the sensation

🐾 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘯𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘢, 𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨
Histamine affects gut motility and acid secretion

🐾 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 & “𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦”
Histamine activates the nervous system
Dogs feel wired, antsy, or uncomfortable

🐾 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘭
Histamine increases peristalsis and can soften stool without diarrhea.

🐾 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴
Stress increases mast cell activation = more histamine release

✨ None of these involve itching — but they’re ALL histamine patterns!
________________________________________
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲
(𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹)

Dogs have:
• Thicker skin layers
• Different mast cell distribution
• Fewer surface histamine receptors

So instead of hives or welts (however, they can still get this), they show internal histamine as:
– Behaviour
– Digestion
– Itchy ears
– Eyes
– Paws

Which is why so many “allergy dogs” are actually dealing with:
✔ Bile flow issues
✔ Lymph congestion
✔ Leaky gut
✔ Nervous system stress
✔ Histamine clearance problems
✔ Microbiome imbalances

…NOT just “seasonal allergies”
________________________________________
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 🧠
If your dog is licking nonstop, restless, gunky-eyed, waxy-eared, or sensitive to stress —

it might be histamine. Even if they never itch!

Understanding this opens the door to REAL solutions:
• Better digestion
• Improving bile flow
• Lymph drainage
• Lowering stress
• Reducing gut permeability
• Supporting nutrients that clear histamine

Happy to help you decode your dog’s terrain anytime 💛

01/24/2026

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 “𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗬” 𝗗𝗢𝗚𝗦 🐾❄️🌱
(looking to collect data)

This isn’t a sales post, I’m tracking something and I’m curious how common this is outside of my own client and personal dog bubble!

If your dog struggles with chronic “allergies” (skin, ears, paws, digestion, behaviour, etc) or seizures — have you noticed more flares since December, when the weather turned very cold?

Or…

Did your dog seem fairly stable through early winter, then relapse or worsen after the January warm-up (when temps went above freezing)… once the cold returned? I have seen this pattern with one of my dogs, and a few clients, and it’s not seeming like a coincidence…

I’m especially interested in cases where:
• Food stayed the same
• Supplements stayed the same
• Vet care stayed consistent
• And weather / season changes were the main variable (with humidity being considered)
________________________________________
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜’𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 “𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀” 👇
This can look like:
• Itching (with or without visible rash)
• Ear redness, wax, or infections
• Muzzle or lip rash
• Paw licking, redness, swelling
• Eye goop or tear staining
• A**l gland issues
• Coat changes (dry, flaky, greasy)
• Behaviour changes (restlessness, reactivity, anxiety)
• Joint stiffness, soreness, or lameness

If you’ve noticed any of these patterns lining up with weather shifts, I’d love to hear from you. I’m also tracking seizure and epilepsy patterns — not because this is a new concept, but because weather and seasonal transitions are already well recognized by both holistic practitioners and neurologists as influencing seizure activity in many dogs. Gathering real-world observations helps me recognize patterns earlier and support dogs more appropriately through seasonal changes.
________________________________________
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜’𝗺 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼 — 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁) ❓
I’m tracking seasonal and weather-related patterns in dogs labeled as having “allergies”

Holistic vets (including Dr. Steve Marsden) and circadian biology research both point to something important:
• Winter cold, low light, and reduced circulation in winter can worsen symptoms (even if your dog is mostly indoors)
• Sudden warm-ups, snowmelt, pressure changes, and early pollen can trigger different flares
• The transition periods often matter as much as the seasons themselves

What I see often is this:
• Dogs tolerate certain foods in summer
• Winter hits → resilience drops
• Suddenly those “safe” foods aren’t tolerated anymore
• Owners understandably assume a new intolerance or failure

In many cases, it’s not.
________________________________________
𝗔 𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀)
Winter flares and spring flares are related — but not identical.

• Winter tends to drain resilience (circulation, lymph, bile, nervous system)
• Spring asks the body to respond to more input (moisture, pollen, pressure shifts, immune shifts)

Some dogs struggle with one.
Some with the other.
Some with both, especially during transitions.

That doesn’t mean they’re “allergic to everything”. It often means their buffering capacity is stretched.
________________________________________
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘁…
I’d love to follow up later:
• When things warm up again
• During snow thaw
• And into early pollen season

Not to panic or overhaul anything — just to observe patterns and responses for my own notes/data.

This helps me:
• Recognize patterns faster for future clients, and this will also shape future educational content
• Avoid unnecessary food changes or supports
• Keep protocols calmer and more seasonal
• Keep costs more appropriate (less “chasing symptoms” or requiring clients to purchase additional time)

If you’d like to share:
• Comment below
• Message me on my business page
• Or email me at goingmutts.k9@gmail.com

I’m not here to sell you anything — I genuinely just want to chat and learn, this data is invaluable.

Seasonal transitions matter more than we give them credit for. And the more we notice together, the better we can support our dogs 🐕💛

01/23/2026

I hope that everyone has a great weekend, stay warm… 🥶🥺

We’ve got some better temperatures coming, bring on February!

01/23/2026

𝗜𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗲𝗹 𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘀? 🐱
𝗬𝗲𝘀 — 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀!

Hairball gel is a very common over-the-counter product for cats. Most formulas are petroleum-based (or short-chain oils) and are flavoured so cats will lick them.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀:
• Lubricates the GI tract
• Helps hair slide through more easily
• May reduce hairball events short-term

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗼:
• Improve digestion or GI motility
• Fix dehydration
• Support bile or fat digestion
• Reduce shedding or over-grooming
• Address stress or food reactions

In other words — hairball gel treats the symptom, not the cause.

If hairballs are occasional, using a gel now and then can be fine.

If hairballs are frequent, that’s a 🚩 that something deeper is off.

𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼:
• Slow GI motility
• Low moisture intake (kibble cats especially)
• Dehydration
• Stress or anxiety
• Over-grooming
• Poor coat quality
• Weak bile & fat digestion

That’s why many cats improve more from:
• Added moisture
• Diet changes
• Digestive support
• Nervous system regulation
• Addressing grooming triggers

…than from hairball gel alone.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 🧠
Hairball gel can be a useful bridge, but it’s not a long-term solution. If you’re relying on it regularly, it’s time to look at the terrain — not just the hairball.

And if your cat is gagging repeatedly without producing a hairball, has reduced appetite, or seems uncomfortable — that’s always worth a vet check.

01/22/2026

Hey guys! ❄️

Around -30°C today, so great for us!

Feeding the dogs, this is pretty normal for me… waiting to see if Treble will eat. No nuggets today!

• Treble decided supper was… negotiable 🙃
• Rhythm was probably scarfing her food in the other room
• Jazz — yes, the malamute — was absolutely offended by the cold on her paws this morning… she’s also not sure of the white fish today, but she’s been eating a lot of frozen turds… so, there is that! 😂

No perfection. Just dogs, weather, and winter reality!

Going Mutts Pet Services and Nutrition

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