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

03/27/2026

🐾 𝗥𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺, 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

Lately Rhythm has developed a funny little quirk.

She suddenly does not trust certain floors, thresholds, or stairs in the house.

If she thinks she might slip, she’ll sometimes panic, scramble, or refuse to step off the rugs.

This behaviour is actually very common in dogs as they get older, and Rhythm will be 10 this fall.

But it’s not just a “senior dog” thing — it can happen to dogs of any age.

And it turns out there’s some really interesting neurology behind it.
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🧠 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱
When a dog moves through space, three major systems are constantly communicating:

𝗩𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺
(balance from the inner ear)

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
(body awareness and limb position)

𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺
(the emotional brain and fear learning)

If a dog slips once, the brain can record that moment as:
⚠️ “This surface is dangerous”

The next time they approach it, the limbic system may trigger caution before they even step onto it.

So what looks like “dramatic behaviour” is often actually a nervous system safety response.
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🚪 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀
Doorways, stairs, and floor transitions are surprisingly complex for the brain.

At a threshold the brain suddenly has to process:
• surface traction changes
• visual contrast changes
• elevation differences
• sound shifts
• air flow changes

For sensitive dogs, this moment can create sensory overload.

That hesitation you see is often the brain saying:
“Hold on… let me make sure this is safe”
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🐶 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲
Dogs sometimes develop these fears around middle age because of things like:
• mild vestibular sensitivity
• small changes in balance
• muscle loss or stiffness
• reduced paw-pad grip
• one memorable slip event

Once the brain links movement + instability = danger, a behavioural loop can form.
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🌿 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜’𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘅
Borax veneta is a homeopathic remedy traditionally associated with fear of downward motion or unstable footing.

You’ll often see patterns like:
• fear of stairs
• hesitation at thresholds
• panic with sudden downward movement
• sensitivity to slipping or loss of balance

So it’s actually a pretty classic match for what Rhythm is showing.

Homeopathically, the idea is that the remedy helps the nervous system re-interpret that motion signal and rebuild confidence.
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🧩 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽
Alongside remedies, a few practical things can help the brain relearn safety:
• non-slip runners or yoga mats
• letting the dog explore slowly without pressure
• rewarding calm investigation of tricky spots
• exercises that improve balance and body awareness

Even small improvements in traction and proprioception can make a huge difference.
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🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
What looks like a behavioural fear is often actually a neurological safety response.
The brain is simply trying to prevent a fall.

When we combine:
• confidence building
• better traction feedback
• nervous system support
• and sometimes the right remedy

…the brain slowly rewrites the safety signal.

Dogs are pretty amazing that way. And Rhythm is my current little neuroscience case study 🐾

(by the time that this post is published, yes I did see an improvement after 3 days of dosing, and I am happy with the results!)

03/25/2026

𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ≠ 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 🦴

Bone is important in a raw diet.
But bone is not a calorie source.

And that distinction matters more than most people realize.
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❓𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳
Bone is composed of roughly:
• 60–70% mineral (calcium and phosphorus in hydroxyapatite form)
• 20–30% collagen matrix
• ~10% water and cells

Yes — collagen is technically protein. But not all proteins behave the same in the body.
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❓𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
The collagen in bone is:
• Tightly bound to mineral
• Heavily cross-linked
• Structurally rigid

That makes it:
• Poorly digestible once mineralized
• Low in essential amino acids
• Minimally useful for energy (ATP production)

So while bone contains protein, it contributes very little metabolizable energy. Bone is a mineral tool — not a fuel source!
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𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝘀 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝘃𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 🍗
This is where things get clearer:

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘁
• Highly digestible
• Rich in essential amino acids
• Primary calorie source

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 & 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲
• More digestible collagen
• Provides glycine & proline
• Moderate calorie contribution (especially if fatty)

𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲
• Mineral delivery system
• Stool regulator
• Structural protein
• Negligible calories

Collagen powder (from skin/tendons) is very different from mineralized bone collagen. That’s why they don’t behave the same.
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❓𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘄-𝗙𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻
This is especially common with:
• Bone-heavy blends
• PMR diets leaning high in bone
• Very lean raw formulas

The bowl can look full. The dog can feel full.

But if a significant portion of that meal is bone, the actual calorie density may be lower than it appears.

High-protein diets also tend to produce leaner dogs in general. That isn’t automatically a problem. But if you’re seeing:
• Visible ribs beyond ideal
• Difficulty gaining weight
• Low muscle mass
• Low energy

…it’s time to evaluate calorie density, not just food volume.
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❓𝗪𝗵𝘆 “𝟮–𝟯% 𝗢𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁” 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
Feeding by percentage is simple.

But it ignores:
• Calorie density of the blend
• Fat content
• Bone percentage
• Metabolism & activity
• Age and hormonal status

Two raw blends fed at 2.5% body weight can deliver very different calories. A bone-heavy, lean blend may not provide enough energy — even if the portion looks generous.
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄?
Marrow is caloric (mostly fat)

But:
• Poultry bones contain very little marrow
• Large ruminant femurs contain much more

Most poultry-based raw blends do not deliver meaningful calories from marrow.
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🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Bone supports:
• Calcium & phosphorus balance
• Stool structure
• Dental mechanics

Bone does not meaningfully support:
• Weight gain
• Calorie intake
• Sustained energy

If your dog is eating a lot but staying thin, the issue may not be quantity — it may be calorie density.

Raw feeding isn’t just about percentages. It’s about nutrient balance and energy balance.

03/24/2026

I meant to post this video a while ago… and honestly, with winter making a comeback (ugh 😅), we could probably all use something a little heartwarming 💕

My dogs? Yeah… this would 100% turn into a fight lol

03/23/2026

🖤 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗔 𝗗𝗼𝗴’𝘀 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸?

I started digging into hyperpigmentation when Lyric was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

And one thing I learned quickly?
Hyperpigmentation isn’t just “dirt”
It’s not automatically yeast.

And it’s rarely random.

While it doesn’t always mean a dog has a thyroid issue, there is a strong connection in many cases — and it often tells us something important about what’s happening deeper in the body.
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1️⃣ 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵
When skin experiences repeated irritation or inflammation (moisture, friction, immune signalling, hormonal changes, stress), the body adapts.

One of those adaptations?

➡️ Increased melanin production

Melanin isn’t just colour — it’s actually protective. It can act as:
• an antioxidant
• an antimicrobial barrier
• an anti-inflammatory buffer
• a protective shield for stressed tissue

Darker skin often means the body has been responding to ongoing signalling in that area.
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2️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼
When the skin receives chronic signals, it doesn’t just change colour — its structure changes too.

This can trigger:
• faster skin cell turnover
• collagen remodeling
• thickening of the outer skin layer

This process is called lichenification…

The skin may appear:
• darker
• leathery
• velvety
• thicker (“elephant skin”)

That’s structure and pigment — not just infection.
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3️⃣ 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗶𝘁
Hormones influence skin signalling more than most people realize.

Changes in cortisol, thyroid hormones, and s*x hormones can alter:
• skin turnover
• pigment production
• barrier repair

That’s why hyperpigmentation is commonly seen in:
• senior dogs
• spayed/neutered dogs
• dogs with endocrine conditions
• chronically stressed dogs
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🚨 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁
If you notice new or worsening hyperpigmentation, it’s a good idea to book a veterinary appointment.

Things worth checking may include:
• thyroid panel (hypothyroidism is common — ask about a full panel)
• adrenal function (Cushing’s or chronic cortisol issues)
• skin cytology (bacteria vs yeast)
• complete bloodwork (CBC and chemistry)
• urinalysis if endocrine disease is suspected

Black skin itself isn’t dangerous — but the pattern behind it might be important.
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🧠 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Black skin isn’t the toxin.
It’s the adaptation.

It often means the skin has been responding to repeated stress or inflammation in that area for some time.

Support the terrain.
Investigate the root.
Don’t just scrub the surface.

03/21/2026

🐾 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀: 𝗜𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗧𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

Kelp is one of the most commonly recommended supplements in homemade dog diets — especially in raw feeding communities.

Most people add kelp because it’s a natural source of iodine, a mineral that plays a critical role in thyroid hormone production.

The thyroid regulates many important processes in the body, including:
• metabolism
• skin and coat health
• energy levels
• body temperature regulation
• hair growth cycles

When iodine intake is too low, the thyroid cannot produce enough hormone, which is why iodine deficiency has historically been associated with dull coat, hair thinning, and metabolic slowdown.

So kelp can absolutely be a useful tool when formulating balanced diets.

But this is where the conversation gets interesting.
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🧠 𝗜𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱
Although the thyroid concentrates iodine the most, iodine is actually used by many tissues throughout the body.

Cells in the following tissues can accumulate iodine or iodide:
• gastric mucosa
• salivary glands
• mammary tissue
• skin
• immune cells
• reproductive tissues

In these tissues iodine can play roles in:
• antimicrobial defense
• antioxidant signaling
• mucosal protection
• iodinated lipid signaling molecules

So iodine is not simply a “thyroid nutrient” — it’s part of a broader biological system.

However, the thyroid is where iodine handling becomes most sensitive to imbalance.
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⚖️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺
The thyroid operates within a relatively narrow physiological range of iodine intake.

Too little iodine can impair hormone production.

But too much iodine can also stress the thyroid, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals.

Why?

Because thyroid hormone synthesis requires reactive oxygen species.

Inside thyroid cells, iodine must be oxidized by the enzyme thyroid peroxidase (TPO), a process that uses hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)

This means the thyroid is constantly producing oxidative molecules as part of normal hormone production.

When iodine intake becomes very high:
• iodine processing increases
• hydrogen peroxide production rises
• oxidative stress inside the thyroid can increase

If antioxidant systems (such as selenium-dependent enzymes) cannot keep up, this oxidative stress can damage thyroid proteins like:
• thyroglobulin
• thyroid peroxidase

In susceptible individuals, those altered proteins can trigger autoimmune reactions, leading to conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in humans or lymphocytic thyroiditis in dogs.

This is why iodine often follows what researchers describe as a U-shaped curve:
Too little → thyroid dysfunction
Too much → thyroid stress

The goal is balance.
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🌊 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲
Natural kelp products can vary tremendously in iodine content depending on the species and harvest location.

Two kelp powders may look identical but contain completely different iodine levels.
This is why blindly adding kelp from bulk seaweed powders can sometimes overshoot iodine intake without people realizing it.

For that reason, when I formulate diets I prefer kelp products where the iodine content is clearly measured and batch tested.

One example many nutritionists use is NOW Kelp Powder, which provides a consistent iodine content so we can actually calculate how much iodine is being added to the diet.

That allows us to aim for levels that meet the dog’s needs without overshooting them.
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🦷 𝗔 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀
Many dental powders for dogs use kelp species such as Ascophyllum nodosum.
These products may help with plaque formation for some dogs, but they can also contribute additional iodine to the diet.

If a dog is already eating a balanced diet that provides adequate iodine, adding kelp daily through dental products may push intake higher than intended — especially with long-term use.

This doesn’t mean those products are automatically harmful.

But it’s something worth being aware of when looking at the whole diet picture.
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🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Kelp can be a very useful ingredient when formulating balanced dog diets.
But kelp is best thought of as a controlled iodine source, not simply a coat supplement.

Like many nutrients, iodine works best when it’s provided in the right amount — not simply the highest amount possible.

When we balance iodine properly within a complete diet, we support the thyroid, metabolism, and overall health of the dog.

03/21/2026

I was going through my phone the other day trying to free up space (because apparently I have none left 😅), and had to start deleting old photos… but scrolling through all my summer pictures just made me hate this snow even more. Like okay winter, you’ve had your time — melt already 😂

Hope everyone’s having a great weekend!

03/21/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 🐾🧂

Iodine is a trace mineral, but it plays a major role in your dog’s health. It’s required for the production of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), which regulate:
• Metabolism
• Body temperature
• Growth and development
• Skin and coat quality
• Neurological function

When iodine intake is consistently too low, thyroid hormone production can suffer. When iodine intake is too high, thyroid regulation can also become disrupted.

Like many nutrients, the goal isn’t more. It’s appropriate balance.
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘀?
If you’re feeding a commercially formulated kibble or canned food that meets AAFCO standards, iodine is already included.

Typically as:
• Potassium iodide
• Calcium iodate
• Kelp or other iodine-containing ingredients

You do not need to add extra iodine. Some people like to add kelp for skin and coat support — which can be appropriate in some cases.

But kelp is naturally high in iodine (and varies significantly between batches), so it’s best used thoughtfully — usually no more than 2–3 times per week unless calculated.

If you’re using kelp-based dental products, remember those contribute iodine too.

Also important:
𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲.

Blood iodine can rise after kelp use without meaning thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid regulation is more complex than a single number — interpretation should include clinical signs and a full thyroid panel.

It’s nuanced!
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𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘄: 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹
Some commercial raw diets include kelp.

Some do not.

If you’re feeding commercial raw:
• Check for kelp or an added iodine source
• Confirm it meets AAFCO or NRC nutrient profiles (unless you’ve calculated the diet yourself)

If iodine isn’t included, it may need to be added separately.
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𝗣𝗠𝗥 & 𝗗𝗜𝗬 𝗥𝗮𝘄: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘄
Muscle meat, bone, and organs are naturally very low in iodine.

Many assume ocean fish covers iodine needs.

Usually… it doesn’t.

AAFCO adult minimum:
𝗢.𝟮𝟱 𝗺𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗸𝗰𝗮𝗹 (𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝗺𝗰𝗴)
To hit that using fish alone:
• ~145 g cod per day
• ~110 g haddock per day
• ~570 g po***ck per day
• Nearly 1.9 kg salmon per day (not realistic)

Most PMR feeders offer 20–50 g of fish a few times per week.

If that fish is salmon or another oily species, iodine intake is negligible.

Whitefish like cod or haddock can work — but then you have to manage overall calories, fatty acids, selenium, and vitamin D.

It becomes a balancing act quickly.
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𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲
Measured supplementation is often simpler and more predictable.

Options include:
• Batch-tested kelp powders or capsules (look for disclosed iodine content)
• Liquid iodine drops (consistent and measurable dosing)

Important:
𝗜𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀.

Excess iodine can disrupt thyroid function just as deficiency can.
________________________________________
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱?
Requirements vary based on caloric intake and weight.

You can calculate individual needs using the free nutrient calculator at:
www.rawfedandnerdy.com
________________________________________
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 🧠

• Kibble and canned diets already contain iodine
• Some commercial raw diets do — some don’t
• PMR and DIY diets are typically low unless intentionally supplemented
• Fish alone is rarely sufficient unless fed consistently and in substantial amounts
• Measured iodine sources are usually the most reliable way to ensure balance

Iodine isn’t a nutrient to ignore.
But it’s also not one to megadose.
The goal is thoughtful, consistent adequacy.

If you have questions or need help assessing your dog’s diet, feel free to reach out 🐾

03/19/2026

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 🦌🥚🐟

Today I’m making a bit of a “wild game bowl” for my dogs.

We had a funny moose encounter at the dog park recently, which inspired this meal — and conveniently I had a small moose roast in the freezer that needed to be used up.

So today’s bowls include moose meat, rabbit feet, sardines, eggs, and a few other nutritious additions, and I thought it would be fun to show how I build a nutritionally thoughtful homemade meal.

𝗔 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:

This is not their everyday meal plan. This is a one-time bowl because I used up the entire moose roast (it was just over a pound cooked). There’s only a small amount left that I’ll use tomorrow as a topper on their kibble meals.

When I build meals like this, I formulate them using the NRC (National Research Council) nutrient guidelines, which are considered the gold standard in animal nutrition — especially when designing diets for different life stages or dogs with specific health considerations.

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

Nutrient data for moose meat specifically isn’t always easy to find in the common databases used for formulation. Because of that, I estimated the nutrient values using elk and venison, which are very similar nutritionally and are commonly used as reference points for wild game.

There are likely nutrient values for moose out there if you dig deep enough in wildlife or research databases, but elk and venison are a very reasonable approximation when building a balanced meal.

Organ meats can sometimes differ a bit more depending on species, but in this meal I used beef liver and kidney, which I do have reliable nutrient values for.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘄𝗹?

• Moose meat – lean, iron-rich wild protein
• Eggs – healthy fats, choline, and highly digestible protein
• Sardines – omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and natural calcium
• Rabbit feet – a unique whole-food calcium source containing bone and connective tissue
• Rice & butternut squash – digestible energy and fibre
• Liver & kidney – nutrient-dense organ meats rich in vitamins and minerals

One thing people don’t always realize is that when you build homemade meals like this, some nutrients still need to be supplemented.

For example, I added a small calcium boost to help balance the phosphorus from the meat, and depending on the meal you may also need nutrients like vitamin E, iodine, or certain trace minerals.

That’s why formulation matters — it’s not just about throwing a bunch of healthy foods into a bowl.

𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼… 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗱.

When you cook meat like this, the liquid often contains flavour, gelatin, and some nutrients from connective tissue, so I’ll be adding a little bit of that to their meals over the next few days instead of letting it go to waste.

𝗔 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆:

I’m not necessarily a “diversity feeder” if a diet is already balanced — consistency is important for dogs.

But when we can safely include different foods from time to time, many dogs really enjoy it. Diversity can also contribute to a wider range of nutrients and support the gut microbiome.

And honestly… just like us, some dogs enjoy a bit of novelty in their meals. A new flavour or ingredient can be a nice little enrichment moment — a bit of a dopamine boost.

Here is the transcript for the second part of the video:

“Alright, so I wanted to add a few extra nerdy notes about the wild game bowl I made for my dogs.

When I filmed the video yesterday, my dogs were… let’s just say very enthusiastic about dinner, and I didn’t get to explain some of the things I wanted to talk about. They were being a bit naughty and very distracting.

So I’m adding this little follow-up because there were a few nutrition points that I thought were interesting.

Also, I clearly need to do a little more training with them if I want to make educational videos without chaos happening in the background… otherwise my ADHD is really going to shine through.

So let’s talk about a few things in this bowl.

First, wild game meat like moose is extremely lean, which I mentioned earlier, but another interesting detail is the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio.

Wild game, as well as grass-fed or pasture-raised animals, tend to have a better omega-3 to omega-6 balance compared to conventionally raised livestock.

Now, this doesn’t mean wild game is suddenly a huge omega-3 source like fish — it isn’t. But the ratio is often more favourable, because animals that move more and eat natural forage accumulate different fatty acid profiles in their tissues.

Conventional meats tend to be much higher in omega-6 fatty acids, and some research suggests those values may actually be even higher than what many nutrition databases currently list, possibly because a lot of those databases are using older data.

So it’s just a neat little nutritional detail that wild and pasture-raised animals tend to have a slightly healthier fat profile overall.

Moose meat is also a great source of iron and zinc, which are two minerals that dogs require in fairly significant amounts.

Those minerals are especially concentrated in red meats and wild game, which is one reason they can be such a valuable ingredient in homemade diets.

Another point I wanted to mention is vitamin D.

If you were to analyze this particular bowl strictly using nutrient databases, it would appear relatively low in vitamin D3, and some people might choose to supplement vitamin D because of that.

For me personally, vitamin D supplementation in dogs is something I’m still a bit cautious about.

In the human nutrition world, vitamin D supplementation has actually become quite controversial, and while dogs are different — they don’t synthesize vitamin D from sunlight like humans do — the way their bodies use and regulate vitamin D is still complex.

Vitamin D metabolism involves the liver, the kidneys, and several nutrient cofactors, so blood testing is really the only way to know status with any confidence. And even testing doesn’t always give us the full picture of how it’s being used in the body.

Another interesting detail is that some forms of vitamin D found in whole foods may not always be fully captured in nutrient databases, especially when we’re looking at whole animal foods.

Whole prey animals, for example, would naturally contain more vitamin D across multiple tissues, not just muscle meat.

Because of that, I tend to rely more on food-based sources, and sometimes cod liver oil when appropriate, rather than automatically reaching for synthetic vitamin D supplements like lanolin-derived D3.

But this is definitely an area where I still want to dig deeper specifically for dogs, because a lot of the detailed research we have comes from human nutrition, and we can’t always assume those systems work exactly the same way.

The last point I wanted to mention is manganese.

Some people assume that feeding things like fur or hair provides enough manganese for dogs, but I personally don’t consider fur to be a reliable manganese source.

Instead, I usually make sure manganese is coming from foods like green tripe, plant ingredients, or from something like green-lipped mussel powder, which is actually what I use most often.

Sometimes I will also use a small supplemental source if the diet analysis shows it’s needed.

So those were just a few of the nerdy details that I didn’t get to explain while filming the bowl yesterday.

The dogs, however, were extremely happy with their meal — which is ultimately the most important review.

And next time, hopefully they will behave a little better so I can actually finish explaining things before dinner chaos begins”

03/18/2026

𝗦𝘁. 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 🍀🐕

If you’re feeling festive this week and want to make a St. Patrick’s Day themed treat for your dog, there are actually quite a few naturally green foods that can work well in small amounts.

And no… your dog doesn’t need green food colouring 😅

Here are a few nutrient-dense green additions you can use for homemade treats or lick mats.
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𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆 🌿
A classic dog-safe herb that can support breath, digestion, and micronutrient intake. Parsley is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and plant antioxidants.

Great in:
• homemade meat treats
• finely chopped into food
• blended into frozen kefir treats
________________________________________
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗵 🥬
Spinach contains folate, magnesium, and plant phytonutrients, but it is also high in oxalates.

Because of this, I usually recommend using spinach occasionally rather than as a daily food, and avoiding it in dogs prone to calcium oxalate stones.

In small amounts though, it can still be a fun addition to seasonal treats.
________________________________________
𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 🫛
One of my favourite simple vegetables for dogs.

Green beans provide fibre, vitamins, and hydration, and they work really well in treats because they blend nicely into mixtures.
________________________________________
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 🌊
Technically not a plant but a nutrient-dense microalgae.

Spirulina contains protein, B vitamins, trace minerals, and antioxidants. A tiny pinch can add colour and nutrition to homemade treats.
________________________________________
𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗽 🌿🌊
A small amount of kelp can contribute iodine and trace minerals.

But because iodine intake matters for thyroid health, kelp is something I prefer to measure carefully rather than sprinkle freely.
________________________________________
𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁. 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮

Try mixing:
• plain kefir or yogurt
• a small handful of chopped parsley
• a few green beans
• a tiny pinch of spirulina!

Spread it on a lick mat or freeze in small moulds.

Your dog gets a festive snack, and you get to feel like a very responsible dog nutrition nerd 😄
________________________________________
🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Treats can absolutely be fun and seasonal — but they should still fit within a balanced diet overall.

Small additions of herbs, vegetables, or algae can provide phytonutrients and variety, but more isn’t always better.

Dogs do best with thoughtful variety, not random supplementation.

03/17/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗦𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻 🦌
(𝗔 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀)

We had a bit of an interesting dog park experience the other day.

I normally walk my dogs quite early, and seeing wildlife on the trails is fairly common around here. But lately, with the cold and deep snow, we’ve mostly been sticking to the dog park instead.

There’s been a mama moose hanging around the Beaconhill area this winter with her twin calves… and well, we ended up meeting them a little closer than expected. Thankfully, there was a fence between us.

The girls, of course, took off barking and chased them along the fence line. The calves bolted, and mama moose was clearly not impressed — she made this deep growling, grumbling sound that let everyone know she was a bit peeved.

That encounter ended up inspiring a bit of a “wild” bowl creation for the dogs (we had some moose meat in the freezer)

I hope you enjoy the post! I’ll also be sharing a video of their meals soon — editing and all that jazz takes a bit of time.

***

If you’ve ever cooked wild game like moose, elk, or deer, you’ve probably noticed something right away:
𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻.

That’s because wild animals live very differently than livestock.

Wild herbivores spend most of their lives:
• walking long distances
• climbing hills and uneven terrain
• constantly foraging for food
• staying alert to predators

All of that movement means their muscles are built more like endurance athletes.
These muscles develop more oxidative muscle fibers, which contain higher
amounts of:
• mitochondria
• iron-rich myoglobin
• oxygen-using enzymes

Those adaptations help the animal sustain long periods of activity.

But they also mean something important nutritionally:
𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘁.

That’s why moose and venison are often:
• higher in protein
• richer in iron
• lower in calories
• much leaner than beef

For dogs, that lean protein can be fantastic — but it’s one reason homemade meals using wild game often benefit from adding a little extra fat, like eggs, fish, or another meat source.
________________________________________
🤓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Wild game meats are nutritionally closer to the natural prey animals dogs evolved eating — lean, iron-rich, and built for endurance.

But when we use them in homemade diets, we often need to add a bit of fat back in to keep the meal balanced.

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