Zest&Bark Canine Wellbeing

17/10/2025

💥Calming Holistic Support for Dogs During Fireworks💥

Fireworks can be stressful for dogs, but holistic support can make a world of difference.
Discover gentle, natural ways to help your furry friend feel safe and calm.

Why Choose Holistic Support?

• Natural Ingredients: Gentle on your dog's body and mind
• Non-Sedative: Promotes relaxation without drowsiness
• Safe for All Breeds: Suitable for puppies, adults, and seniors

Our Calming Solutions

• Herbal Calming Drops: Blend of chamomile, valerian, and passionflower
• Aromatherapy Sprays: Lavender and vetiver to soothe anxious pups
• Weighted Blankets: Gentle pressure for a sense of security
• Soothing Music Playlists: Specially curated to ease canine anxiety

How to Use

• Start Early: Introduce calming aids before fireworks begin
• Create a Safe Space: Use blankets, toys, and familiar scents
• Stay Calm: Dogs take cues from their humans
• Reward Relaxation: Offer treats and praise for calm behaviour

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

16/10/2025

Holistic Detox Protocol for Dogs After a Course of Medication or Vaccination

💦Hydration
• Ensure your dog has constant access to fresh, clean water to help flush out toxins.

🦴Nutritious Diet
• Feed a high-quality, balanced diet with whole foods.
• Include antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, carrots, and leafy greens (in moderation and dog-safe portions).

🥛Probiotics
Add a canine-specific probiotic supplement
plain to support gut health.

🌿Milk Thistle
• Consider a milk thistle supplement to support liver detoxification.

🐟Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Add fish oil or flaxseed oil to reduce
inflammation and support immune health.

🦮Gentle Exercise
• Provide regular, gentle walks to stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage.

🪣Epsom Salt Foot Soaks
• For dogs who tolerate it, a brief paw soak in diluted Epsom salt water can help draw out toxins through the paw pads (never let your dog drink the water).

🪴Herbal Support
• Herbs like dandelion root or burdock root may support detoxification (always consult a holistic vet for safe use and dosing).

🦠Minimize Environmental Toxins
• Avoid exposure to lawn chemicals, cigarette smoke, and household cleaners during detox.

💤Monitor and Rest
• Allow your dog plenty of rest and monitor for any adverse reactions or changes in behavior.

Always consult your veterinarian or a certified holistic vet before starting any detox protocol, especially if your dog has underlying health conditions.

Take care and love you dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

05/10/2025

🌼🌼🌼CALENDULA 🌼🌼🌼

Calendula officinalis is a beautiful flower with many benefits for HUMANS and for DOGS.

🌼 it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties
🌼 support bruising, tissue regeneration, soreness
🌼 good for any skin types, in many ways
🌼can help wound healing, eczema, psoriasis

🌼As with any herb or botanical, there is a risk of allergic reaction.
🌼Calendula should not be used if allergic to pollen, ragweed, daisies, marigold, or plants from the Asteraceae family.

Get in touch and place your order today!

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

04/10/2025

02/10/2025

💥For Dogs During Fireworks Season💥

🌿Help ease stress and anxiety naturally with AT EASE, a gentle essential oil blend crafted specifically for dogs.

Benefits:

🐾 Promotes relaxation and calmness
🐾 Supports emotional balance during loud noises
🐾 Safe, soothing, and pet-friendly

How to Use:

🐾 Apply some blend one a pet-safe collar or bandana or/and on their beds

Why Choose At Ease?

🌿 100% natural ingredients
🌿 Specially created for canine comfort
🌿 Trusted blend for stressful events like fireworks, storms, or travel

Give your dog the gift of calm this fireworks season!

For more details visit our website
www.zestandbark.co.uk

Take care & love you dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

26/09/2025

IF YOUR DOG HAS BEEN SPAYED, PLEASE READ THIS.
YOU MIGHT FIND IT HELPFUL REGARDLESS OF YOUR DOG’S AGE.

Understanding Ovarian Remnant
Syndrome

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome (ORS) occurs when a small piece of ovarian tissue remains in a dog after spaying surgery. This tissue can continue to produce hormones, leading to signs of heat cycles even though the dog has been spayed.

Symptoms can be:

• Swelling of the vulva
• Vaginal discharge
• Behavioral changes such as restlessness or attraction to male dogs
• Possible mammary gland development

While ORS is not extremely common, it can cause confusion and concern for pet guardians who expect their dog to be fully spayed.

🩺Conventional Diagnosis and Treatment🩺

Veterinarians typically diagnose ORS through hormone testing, ultrasound, or exploratory surgery. The standard treatment is surgical removal of the remaining ovarian tissue.

🌿Holistic Support Approaches🌿

While surgery may be necessary in many cases, holistic care can support overall wellness and help manage symptoms before and after treatment.

Approaches may include:

🐟Nutritional Support🐟

• A balanced, species-appropriate diet to strengthen the immune system and support hormonal balance.
• Anti-inflammatory foods such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil or flaxseed.

🪴Herbal and Natural Remedies🪴

• Herbs traditionally used for hormonal balance, such as chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus).
• Milk thistle to support liver detoxification, which plays a role in hormone metabolism.

🌼Stress Reduction🌼

• Gentle exercise, massage, and calming botanicals like chamomile or valerian root to reduce anxiety associated with hormonal fluctuations.

🧘Energy Healing and Bodywork🧘

• Reiki, acupuncture, or acupressure to support the body's natural healing processes and restore balance.

💊When to Seek Veterinary Care💊

Holistic support can be valuable, but veterinary evaluation is essential if a dog
shows signs of heat after spaying. ORS requires professional diagnosis, and in many cases, surgical correction is the only way to fully resolve the condition.

🫐Integrative Care for Long-Term Wellness🫐

Combining conventional veterinary treatment with holistic support can provide the best outcome. Surgery addresses the root cause, while holistic care helps the body recover, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being.

For more information and support get in touch.

☎️ 0787 2174499
📧 erika@zestandbark.co.uk

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

17/09/2025

WHY DO DOGS EAT DIRT?

Have you ever noticed your pet occasionally dig and munching on dirt?
While it might seem odd, eating dirt is a relatively common behavior in dogs. Here are some reasons why dogs might eat dirt and what it could mean for their health.

🍁Nutritional Deficiencies
Dogs may eat dirt if they are lacking certain minerals or nutrients in their diet. Soil can contain trace minerals that dogs instinctively seek out when their bodies need them.

🍁Boredom or Curiosity
Sometimes, dogs eat dirt simply because they are bored or curious about their environment.
Exploring with their mouths is a natural way for them to learn about the world.

🍁Digestive Upset
Some dogs turn to dirt when they have an upset stomach. Eating soil may help them induce vomiting or soothe gastrointestinal discomfort.

🍁Behavioral Issues
Stress, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors can also lead them to eat non-food items like dirt.
Ensuring your dog has enough mental and physical stimulation can help reduce this behaviour.

🍁Underlying Health Problems
In rare cases, eating dirt can be a sign of underlying health issues such as anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, or other medical conditions. If the behavior is frequent or excessive, it's important to consult a veterinarian.

What Should Dog Owners Do?

• Monitor your dog's behavior and note any changes in appetite or energy levels.
• Provide a balanced diet with all necessary nutrients.
• Ensure your dog has plenty of exercise and enrichment activities.
• Consult a veterinarian if dirt-eating becomes frequent or is accompanied by other symptoms.

Understanding why dogs eat dirt can help address the root cause and keep them healthy and happy.

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

11/09/2025

The past few weeks have been quieter than usual. Thank you for your patience and continued support. Regular updates, tips, and canine health insights will resume soon. For any questions or support, please reach out via message or email 🐾

23/08/2025

Leaving our dogs at home while we go on holiday always an emotional experience, filled with worry and a sense of guilt. Our dogs are more than just pets-they're family members who have shared years of loyalty, comfort, and companionship. When I pack our bags and see those gentle, trusting eyes watching, it's hard not to feel sad.

I often find myself thinking are they comfortable, happy? Do they miss us? Are they confused by our absence?

Senior dogs, in particular, thrive on routine and familiarity, so any disruption can be stressful. Even if a trusted person care for them, there's always worry. Will they get the same attention we provide?

The guilt can be especially strong if your dog has health issues or needs special care. You might replay the decision in your mind, wondering if you should have stayed home or found a way to bring them along. It's natural to feel this way because your bond is so deep.

But it's important to remember that taking a break is sometimes necessary for your own well-being, and it does not mean you do not love them. And when you return, the joyful reunion will remind you both just how strong your connection truly is 💚.

Take care and love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

02/08/2025

☀️🛫🏖️

24/07/2025

🥦🫚🫐Holistic pet care is all about treating the whole animal, not just the symptoms of an illness. It's about prevention and the maintenance of overall health, which can include diet, exercise, and mental well-being. It's not a rejection of traditional veterinary medicine, but rather a complementary approach.

💉💊🩺Traditional veterinary care focuses on diagnosing and treating specific diseases or conditions. It's about reacting to health issues as they arise. This approach often involves medication, surgery, and other medical procedures.

🐾Think of it like this: holistic care is like eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly to stay healthy, while traditional veterinary care is like going to the doctor when being sick. They are equally important parts of maintaining health.

🐾Both approaches have their pros and cons, and what's best for your pet may depend on their specific needs and circumstances. Some pet parents even find a balance between the two works best!

Remember, it's always important to consult with a professional when making decisions about your pet's health. After all, we all want what's best for them💚

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

21/07/2025

🍃Peppermint🍃

🌿This aromatic plant is a popular herb that's often used in various forms for its potential health benefits. For dogs, it can also offer some advantages, apart from one type:

❗️Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). This plant is highly toxic for animals!❗️

🌿Digestive Health:
Peppermint is known to soothe the digestive system. It can help with issues like gas, bloating, and upset stomach.

🌿Fresh Breath:
Peppermint is a common ingredient in dog dental products due to its ability to freshen breath.

🌿Insect Repellent:
Peppermint essential oil can act as a natural insect repellent, deterring fleas and ticks.

🌿Energy Boost:
The scent of peppermint can be stimulating for dogs, potentially providing a natural energy boost.

⚠️A Peppermint essential oil in its concentrated form too potent for dogs, so using fresh peppermint leaves or dry herbs is recommended⚠️

🌿Remember, while peppermint can be beneficial, it should be used in moderation.
Too much can lead to adverse effects. Always consult with a holistic health professional to determine the appropriate amount for your dog's size and health condition.

Take care and love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰