One ingredient I am a massive fan of is Green Lipped Mussel (GLM) also known as Perna canaliculus, defined by its green edges on its shell.
I’ve added GLM into my dogs’ diets since 2009, and the more I’ve read, the more I love it!
Mr Binks my re-homed English Toy Terrier (now 12 years) began GLM the minute I got him home when he was 2 x years old.
He suffers from a degenerative bone condition- Legg Calve Perthes Disease. His left hip joint was removed at nine months.
I’m very pleased to say he’s still very mobile, playful and cheeky! This isn’t just down to his daily dose of GLM, but his species appropriate, ethically sourced, raw, balanced and complete diet. Plus a variety of physical therapies including acupuncture, massage and red light therapy.
]]>We know the expression ‘you are what you eat’, but what does it really mean? And does it apply to dogs too?
It’s a given that certain foods contain specific nutrients, and the reason we’re encouraged to eat a balanced diet is to nourish our bodies’ cells, with appropriate energy, to help them stay in optimum health.
It’s critical that we eat foods that will do their job. These foods should be whole, unprocessed, or minimally so, ethically sourced, even organic.
I like to think of wellness for dogs as being attributed to the three pillars of health (this also applies to humans!):
It’s not just the foods we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink, but its over medication, overly processed foods, micro plastics, cleaning products, gardening products: the list goes on.
Adding functional ingredients- polyphenols- like fresh herbs, leafy greens, fruits, berries and some other superfoods can make a huge difference to balance the inevitability of environmental stressors.
One ingredient I am a massive fan of is Green Lipped Mussel (GLM) also known as Perna canaliculus, defined by its green edges on its shell.
I’ve added GLM into my dogs’ diets since 2009, and the more I’ve read, the more I love it! Mr Binks my re-homed English Toy Terrier (now 12 years) began GLM the minute I got him home when he was two years old.
He suffers from a degenerative bine condition- Legg calve Perthes Disease. His left hip joint was removed at nine months.
I’m very pleased to say he’s still very mobile, playful and cheeky! This isn’t just down to his daily dose of GLM, but his species appropriate, ethically sourced, raw, balanced and complete diet. Also, regular acupuncture, massage, RED and mobility therapy has kept a spring in his step- and long may this continue!
What is GLM?
Farmed in New Zealand where high aquaculture standards have been recognised by the International Conservation Organisation Blue Ocean Institute.
The water quality is constantly monitored with tests carried out to the standards set by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, European Union, and NZ Food Safety Authority!
What’s more both the mussels and seawater around the farms are tested for biotoxins, bacteria, and heavy metals, which is interesting in light of the pollution issues with salmon and many other fish and the fish oils.
Over the years the Green Lipped Mussel freeze dried processing has advanced greatly to ensure that its nutrients, especially its broad spectrum of Omega-3 fatty acids remain intact.
Health Benefits
For around 20 years, scientists have been studying green lipped mussels as a safe and effective alternative for dogs (and people) who can’t take NSAIDs (non- steroidal anti-inflammatories).
The Green Lipped Mussel contains a powerhouse of Omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexanoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), minerals including, zinc, copper, manganese and the key antioxidant vitamins - E and C.
EPA and DHA from Green Lipped Mussel have been scientifically proven to proactively down-regulate COX-2 expression, which is an inflammatory mediator.
Osteoarthritis is created by a ‘self-perpetuating’ inflammatory cycle, caused by ‘inflammatory mediators’ that stimulate the production of more inflammatory mediators.
NSAIDs are routinely prescribed as they are known to break this cycle by inhibiting these mediators, and most notably, the COX-2 enzyme. (Laflamme 2012).
However long-term use of NSAIDS can cause side effects from vomiting, lethargy, to kidney and liver disease (Bren 2006).
Unlike NSAIDs, Green lipped mussels are rich in glycosaminoglycans (or GAGs). An important GAG found in GLM is chondroitin sulfate.
Chondroitin strengthens your dog’s joint capsules and this allows them to hold more water. More water means more shock absorption leading to less wear and tear on the joints. It means that GLM not only reduces arthritic symptoms, but also helps restore your dog’s joints!
Also, unlike NSAIDs, GLM contains LOX (lipoxygenase) inhibitors. These enzymes protect the stomach lining and liver from harm.
Plus, research shows green lipped mussels keep delivering these health benefits, even a full month after you stop giving them to your dog!
Does GLM do its job?
There’s been a number of clinical studies proving how GLM has reduced arthritic symptoms in dogs making them more playful, less lame, less stiff and more mobile.
Takeaway points:
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They call it ‘puppy love’, and this Valentine's Day dog owners will be celebrating their affections with their pooches.
Research suggests that card sales are set to boom for Britain’s pups, revealing an estimated one per cent of the millions of consumers who buy cards for their special person are now also doing so for their dogs.
Added to this, Britain’s biggest pet retailer suggests that dog owners spend an average of £30 a piece on Valentines presents for the four-legged love of their life.
According to Psychology Today, the human mind naturally creates the need for people to develop close relationships as a means for survival.
This basic instinct is what drives people to develop close relationships – and those relationships extend to our furry friends.
Unlike human relationships, which can be complex and fraught with expectations, our pets offer a simple, pure form of companionship.
One of the primary reasons we become so emotionally attached to our pets is the unconditional love and acceptance they provide.
Its mutually beneficial with science highlighting dogs help with our health, lowering our blood pressure, reducing our stress levels, offering us a gateway to the outdoors. Apparently, dog owners can live longer and smile more than non-dog owners!
On average, women tend to have more positive attitudes toward dogs as opposed to men. Yet studies have demonstrated that both benefit from the mutual release of the love hormone Oxytocin.
In the same way breast feeding mothers receive an Oxytocin ’hit’, simply stroking your own dog releases this happy hormone, and this is correlated with one reason we form such a strong social bond with our dogs.
It’s also to do with dogs’ emotional intelligence that was once doubted by science, which adds to our close epigenetic evolution over thousands of years.
It’s interesting to note that dogs are born understanding what pointing’ means, whereas chimpanzees do not understand this physical ‘cue’.
As a result of this physical and social evolution, dogs respond to social cues common to humans. Dogs quickly learn the meaning of words, show cognitive bias and exhibit emotions that seem to reflect those of their humans.
Whilst it’s important not to consider your dog as a ‘little’ human in a furry suit, their perception of human body postures, including facial expressions is combined with dogs’ ability to sniff the fluctuating levels of cortisol in our system. This enables dogs to respond to us with great intuition and emotional intelligence.
But is this just ‘cupboard’ love? The great advancements in medical science like MRI scans confirms that part of the canine brain is associated with positive emotions and they do, indeed, feel love for their human companions.
There are some studies that suggest that the grief we feel on losing our beloved pets shows that the connection we feel for them might be stronger than the ones we feel for human family members.
Love me love my dog! At the end of the day, dogs don't judge us, never answer us back or lie to us – in fact, they are the key source of loyal companionship that many people crave.
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I advised Liz that as part of my ‘Wellness ‘consultation’, we’d look at her nutrition, including supplements, the physical frame, and use training and behaviour therapy to work holistically to re-balance her.
We began by switching Ruby from her overly processed ‘inflammatory’ diet - prescription ‘urinary tract’ formula to an ‘anti-inflammatory’ fresh whole food alternative.
Despite the prescription diet initially keeping Ruby’s cystitis at bay, I explained that ‘overtime’ the burden of feeding ‘anti-nutrients’ comprising ingredients like maize, poultry meat meal, ‘hydrolysed animal proteins’ along with a raft of synthetic minerals, vitamins, and additives would be compromising Ruby’s immune system, and creating inflammation, and quite possibly the cystitis flare ups.
Working on the assumption that her ‘flycatching and reflux were related to a possible injury to her upper GI tract, Ruby’s vet prescribed Omeprazole in February 2023, which she was still taking this when we first spoke in April this year.
Delving into Ruby’s background I discovered she had received all her vaccinations for a six-year-old, including annual boosters, and secondary vaccines like Kennel Cough. Plus, regular flea and worm treatments.
As ‘Fly Catching Syndrome’ is known as a symptom of Vaccinosis – a reaction to vaccines, I explained to Liz that from now on there would be no reason to ever get Ruby vaccinated!
I recommended she should test her immunity by doing a ‘Titre Test’. Presenting Liz with the science from the World Small Animal Association, enabling her to make informed decisions on whether to vaccinate Ruby.
I recommended transitioning from Ruby’s prescription diet to a raw, balanced and complete option, choosing low phosphorous meats including, Raw Green Tripe, Turkey and Duck. I explained that overtime anti-nutrients including sweet potatoes, potatoes, often included to bulk foods in lieu of using grains like barley, compromise digestion due to being pH alkaline and a dog’s digestion being highly pH acidic.
A run of blood diagnostics on May 10th revealed that Ruby’s liver readings were high, which meant re-advising onto a cooked wholefood alternative, not raw. Concerned the raised blood readings could have been triggered by a combination of Omeprazole, and an initially raw food switch Liz liaised with her vet to stop Ruby on this antacid, and we explored other diets.
Working on food being Ruby’s medicine, I suggested adding a little organic brown rice, to help take some ‘load’ away from the liver function, as it hopefully restored to ’normal’ levels. Ruby’s kidney function read within normal range, but considering her previous outbreaks of cystitis, I advised on an overall boost to the immune system avoiding red meats.
I suggested using Different Dog, which provides freshly cooked options that similarly arrive frozen to thaw and serve. On my recommendation Liz added plenty of omega rich foods, including poached duck, chicken, even quail eggs, along with steamed white fish, green beans and cooked organic chicken, and goat and sheep cheeses and yoghurt, and lots of leafy greens, not least to use for interactive, enrichment toys.
Working on the premise that the gut is our second brain, boosting Ruby’s gut function would in turn hopefully help re- balance her ‘Fly Catching Syndrome’. Upping the ante on a variety of protein sources served to boost and nourish the trillions of hairy bacteria residing in Ruby’s microbiome.
Offering a multi-faceted approach, we discussed the importance of the Vagus nerve as being key to overall wellness, but particularly its relationship with digestion and reflux.
Teaching Liz some simple TTouch massage techniques to reduce Ruby’s hypersensitivity, I also recommended investing in a Photizo Vetcare, LED sourced red and near infra-red light – in the silent version! Adapted for noise sensitive dogs, this silent alternative has the marker beep sounds (signifying the end of a pre-programmed dose starting and finishing) removed.
I explained that the Vetcare was designed for use at home enabling owners to help their dogs, not only physically post injury or post- surgery, but emotionally. Several studies highlight the calming effects offered using the Vetcare as triggering dopamine and endorphin release. Helping balance the effects of stress on our bodies, the Vetcare is a product I could not live without!
Advising Liz step by step, Ruby noticeably calmed using the Photizo Vetcare. Absorbing its biological effects deep at a cellular level. Promoting blood flow it reduces inflammation, increases lymph flow to help boost cellular energy, otherwise known as ATP. The evidence based pre-programmed doses made it easy for Liz to monitor accurately, and introduce to Ruby gradually training her that this new object was nothing to be afraid of!
The approach focused on targeting her lymph nodes, and her sternum- soothing and stimulating the elusive Vagus nerve. Using the Vetcare on Ruby’s liver and kidney acupressure points as well as her right kneecap and hip joint (an injury from her over enthusiastic puppyhood which could have exacerbated Ruby’s sensitivity to noise).
The Vetcare’s LED sourced red and near infra-red light key mechanism is happening in the mitochondria to increase the production of ATP, the energy that drives all cellular processes to facilitate natural healing, promote blood flow & circulation, increasing lymph flow and reducing inflammation and promoting natural anti-oxidants such as melatonin.
I explained that this biological response has been termed Photobiomodulation by MeSH in 2015. As a distinct modality, it remains one of the biggest areas in natural healthcare with burgeoning research highlighting its healing potential not only physically, but emotionally.
Working to balance Ruby’s energy levels through the day with some proactive play games indoors and outdoors, the aim was to increase Ruby’s focus with fun cues that could be deployed as and when she began any ‘fly catching’ behaviour.
I also recommended some key supplements including Dorwest’s Skullcap & Valerian tablets to help with calming and her noise sensitivity. Liz added species appropriate pre and probiotics from Four Leaf Rover.
Plus, my favourite tried and tested raw unpasteurised colostrum from QuraDea SwissBioColostrum. Colostrum is known to be arguably the biggest immune system boost containing immunoglobins (=antibodies), growth factors, hormones, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
To focus on Ruby’s sound sensitivity, I advised on some simple sound therapy techniques and adding a Pet Remedy diffuser into the main living area. With its clever formula of calming herbs, it offers a natural alternative to stimulate the neurotransmitters and promote calm.
Keeping in touch with Liz regularly over six weeks, Ruby progressed well, gaining more vitality, responding to training, and the effects of her new diet, home massage and the Vetcare. Her bloods were taken again in mid- June with all readings back within normal range.
I’m delighted to also report that her ‘Fly Catching Syndrome’ is no longer a problem, and Liz has the skills to deflect and offer Ruby an alternative behaviour in the event a rare ‘flare up occurs. Ruby’s reflux is similarly managed with fewer flare ups, and both Liz and Ruby are enjoying the benefits of a natural ‘holistic’ lifestyle.
Liz Turner commented:
“I am so grateful to Anna for helping me discover a natural path for Ruby. Her advice has changed my world with Ruby for the better and I hope helped ensure a longer, less anxious life going forwards. I’ve learnt a lot on the way too, and my Vet is also impressed. It’s a testament to learning and seeing health from a holistic perspective.”
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I’m discussing this with singer, actor and animal rights activist, Collette Cooper
Talking about why harsh training methods are outdated and wrong in line with the latest research on pandemic dog behaviours from The Royal Vet College
Highlighting the dreadful plight of Beagles being tortured in the name of ’science’, we talk about the imminent discussion in Parliament, urging people to sign the petition to help end this needless suffering and abject cruelty.
We also chat about other Petitions, including #Canthekibble and the news of Pet Abduction becoming a separate criminal offence.
We talk about health and training, and how Collette’s Parsons Jack Russell, Billy, benefits from eating a raw balanced and complete diet.
And why keeping your home toxin free using natural cleaning products like those from Ingenious Probiotics
Helping reduce any indoor stressors- as indoor environments are 3.5 times more polluted than outdoors!
Despite great intentions, 80% of us give up on resolutions by the second Friday in January, its known as ‘quitters’ day’! Whether it’s to kickstart more healthy eating, lose some excess pounds, take up running, yoga or just practice mindfulness, it appears us human’s give up!
Dogs don’t make New Year resolutions. Dogs depend on us to make so many choices for them, from what they eat, whether they wear a collar or a harness, to where they sleep. What if we turn the tables and let our dogs inspire New Year resolutions?
I bet they'd say 'Walk Your Dog' is a good one to begin with!
]]>It's the time to think about New Year resolutions, not just for you, but your dog too!
Despite great intentions, 80% of us give up on resolutions by the second Friday in January, its known as ‘quitters’ day’!
Whether it’s to kickstart more healthy eating, lose some excess pounds, take up running, yoga or just practice mindfulness, it appears us human’s give up!
Dogs don’t make New Year resolutions. Dogs depend on us to make so many choices for them, from what they eat, whether they wear a collar or a harness, to where they sleep.
What if we turn the tables and let our dogs inspire New Year resolutions?
I’d guess that all ‘Fidos’ would suggest we all drink more water -preferably filtered and fresh. Keeping us hydrated naturally helps our metabolic function, bearing in mind our body chemistry is 70% water, just like a dog’s.
Studies concur that when given the choice between fresh or processed food, dogs jump to the fresh as their number one choice. If you are what you eat, so is your dog. Make 2024 the year of fresh, whole food options, packed with a variety of meats and species appropriate nutrients like Paleoridge
Dogs’ inspire us to see the world from a different perspective, arguably helping us appreciate another’s point of view.
Perhaps switch a session in the Gym for regular fun games like tug of war with your dog. It can really build arm strength, flexibility and mindfulness. Plus, it helps you connect with your pooch, working through frustration, building confidence, whilst being a mutual serotonin boost.
Challenge your own mental dexterity by learning a new language. I recommend we all learn how to speak dog. By understanding their subtle body language, we can guide them and empathise in any situation.
Dogs know when to rest and that’s something we could also aspire to in the New Year. Rest and restore to help manage stress and anxiety. So many studies concur that dogs are good for our health. Dog owners smile more than non-dog owners, which promotes wellbeing naturally.
Another study suggests that dog owners often live longer, and people recovering from heart surgery, benefit from being able to walk their dog.
More science concurs that stroking a dog will reduce your blood pressure, and the flow of the love hormone Oxytocin.
Being mindful / in the moment’. Dogs do this naturally, they do have memory, and episodic memory, but they won’t be fretting about what happened yesterday or what’s possibly happening tomorrow.
I think our dogs can guide us, balance us, and become an antidote to technology overload, providing we take the time to tune into our ‘best friends’.
Through January, it’s ‘Walk Your Dog Month’, an initiative to highlight the health benefits to both dogs and their owners. Apart from a chance to get outdoors, a commitment to walk your dog builds routine, responsibility and the chance to train and have fun with your dog.
With 54% of owners engaging a dog walker at least three times a week, many of us are missing out on what’s free canine therapy! Let’s ‘paws’ for thought this New Year.
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Shedding more light on the human-dog relationship, this study adds to our understanding of how dogs may interpret and interact with human psychological states. It also confirmed the truth in the old adage: that dogs can smell fear! Interestingly, in another study from Sweden, scientists discovered that stressed owners and their dogs shared increased levels of cortisol in their hair.
When you think of Christmas from your dog’s point of view it’s no wonder ‘tis the season to be stressed. With an understanding of how changes in routine can affect every individual dog differently.
Being aware that dogs that aged three years or under won’t have benefitted from as much early socialisation around visitors as older dogs, so preparation and planning this Christmas will make all the difference.
]]>The answer is simple – no, he doesn’t know its Christmas, but dogs definitely know something is happening!
That could be due to human stress levels being contagious to our dogs, whilst we’re preparing for Santa Paws?
When you think of Christmas from your dog’s point of view it’s no wonder ‘tis the season to be stressed. With an understanding of how changes in routine can affect every individual dog differently.
Being aware that dogs that aged three years or under won’t have benefitted from as much early socialisation around visitors as older dogs, so preparation and planning this Christmas will make all the difference.
Awareness of the hustle, bustle and festive frenzy on our dogs and the omnipresence of stress created by us humans, which according to new science could transfer to your pooch.
Scientists at Queens University in Belfast discovered that dogs can ‘distinguish’ the odour of cortisol on our breath, and in our sweat.
The study involved four dogs and 36 humans. Samples of their breath were taken immediately after a complex mathematical test, and after four minutes. The dogs were able successfully to select the stressed samples from the relaxed samples.
Shedding more light on the human-dog relationship, this study adds to our understanding of how dogs may interpret and interact with human psychological states. It also confirmed the truth in the old adage: that dogs can smell fear!
Interestingly, in another study from Sweden, scientists discovered that stressed owners and their dogs shared increased levels of cortisol in their hair.
The connection to cortisol levels were higher in winter, and highlighted the synchronisation of stress between two different species, and the reality that stress could be contagious.
We know how stress builds overtime, especially if triggered on a daily basis, whilst we can ’understand’ and compartmentalise stress, dogs cannot. What’s more, studies concur that a stressed dog can take up to 72 hours to de-stress.
As dogs don’t know its ’Christmas’ - the preparations: buying the festive food, the presents, moving furniture to accommodate a tree in the front room, lots of deliveries, holidays disrupting routine, visitors and the arrival of so much food can be unsettling.
Taking its toll emotionally, mentally, and physically, it’s easy to understand how dogs could ‘snap’ and bite in a situation, out of fear, confusion, or resource guarding – all which could be avoided.
Stress affects every dog differently, but hypersensitivity, perhaps barking more, panting, yawning and pacing are tell- tale signs, or becoming territorial and protective. Be conscious to deflect, and offer alternative behaviour cues to distract and promote a sense of calm.
Think about maintaining your dog’s exercise routine, and regular diet being mindful that stress affects digestion and increases thirst, so adding some highly hydrating bone broth will help keep cortisol low.
Bearing in mind that 15% of Britain’s dogs do spend Christmas Day at an emergency-vets, minimise any risks, especially associated with the Christmas tree, a festive feature that can add a raft of stress.
Real pine trees drop their needles, which, in the right quantity, can be toxic to dogs and sometimes get lodged in dogs’ throats, causing a massive Vet emergency. Similarly imitation trees with internal wires, synthetic tinsel and plastic could easily combine for an expensive trip to the vet.
Male dogs could be tempted to scent mark it, while dogs that like sticks could see a huge vet opportunity presented with a whole tree in the room!
Dogs don’t know it’s Christmas, but that doesn’t mean they cannot enjoy the experience as part of the family, making it fun and safe from your dog’s point of view – so messages don’t get lost in translation.
10 TOP TIPS THIS CHRISTMAS:
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Anna's chatting to broadcaster Jo Good about the journey of the famous ‘dog slot' on BBC radio that she's co-hosted with Anna for 14 years and now is broadcast across the UK. Recapping on how we met, we talk about the media and dogs and how post pandemic the world of dogs has shifted. Anna and Jo touch on interviews and the messages to get across, and reminisce about their first dogs , Molly the Bull Terrier and British Bulldog Matilda who were TV and radio naturals,
]]>Anna's chatting to broadcaster Jo Good about the journey of the famous ‘dog slot' on BBC radio that she's co-hosted with Anna for 14 years and now is broadcast across the UK.
Recapping on how we met, we talk about the media and dogs and how post pandemic the world of dogs has shifted. Anna and Jo touch on interviews and the messages to get across, and reminisce about their first dogs , Molly the Bull Terrier and British Bulldog Matilda who were TV and radio naturals,
We chat about how this year where legislation is tightening its grip with Public Space Protection Orders, the XL Bully ban, and what’s in store for 2024, not least Jo’s YouTube channel ‘MiddleAgedMinx’ that is not to be missed!
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]]>My passion to feed Molly for optimum health inspired my study on canine (and feline) nutrition at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies. The field of nutrition changes almost daily with science increasingly confirming the health value of fresh functional whole foods. Appreciating the key role of food, the new science of Epigenetics investigates the interplay between everything in our environment, including diet, that impacts either positively or negatively to genetic expression, which either promotes health or creates disease.
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When I brought Molly, my first Miniature Bull Terrier home in 2002, I was confused when, at our first vet appointment, we were gifted a bag of biscuits – apparently the new way of feeding dogs for maximum health?!
On the way home I quickly reflected on this. As we lived near an excellent butcher’s, I thought I didn’t need this bag, especially as Molly’s breeder had recommended raw green tripe.
After realising that vets were not at all supportive in helping source raw green tripe, my quest for raw green tripe led to the only two suppliers back then. My butcher could only source white or bleached tripe for human consumption.
I learnt the expression: You Are What You Eat early on, and abide by it on a human level. This is why I never eat processed foods and I don’t own a microwave.
My passion to feed Molly for optimum health inspired my study on canine (and feline) nutrition at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies.
The field of nutrition changes almost daily with science increasingly confirming the health value of fresh functional wholefoods.
These foods should be ‘bio-available’, meaning the type of food that can be digested, broken down and absorbed seamlessly into the bloodstream from the small intestine. Before being circulated to every cell in the body and fuelling them with ‘nutrients’ and energy.
It’s interesting to think of food as impacting positively on your cellular expression. But many foods like overly processed options are classed as an ‘environmental stressor’ or anti-nutrients, which can be defined as: “a toxic contagion in your surroundings that accumulates overtime to impact negatively on health and mental wellbeing”.
Appreciating the key role of food, the new science of Epigenetics investigates the interplay between everything in our environment, including diet, that impacts either positively or negatively to genetic expression, which either promotes health or creates disease.
Each of our trillions of cells is surrounded by a semi-permeable structure called the Epigenome, which is responsible for selecting and transferring nutrients like metabolites into the Genome - where the DNA is stored in almost every cell.
Ideally only ‘good’, appropriate nutrients should be allowed into the genome, but inevitably in our modern environments, many contaminants like sugars, antibiotics, and chemicals will also enter through its semi-permeable structure. Over time contributing to distorting our genetic expression causing inflammation and disease.
Dogs can’t choose and buy the food they eat. They’re dependant on their Pet Parents / Owners to do that for them.
I’ve seen how many dogs have been transformed by a switch from processed to a raw unadulterated balanced and species appropriate complete diet.
Not least with my own Mr Binks, who I re-homed aged two. He’s an English Toy Terrier and nearly 12. He has a degenerative health condition called Legg Calve Perthes Disease, which affects his bones and hip joints.
It’s classed as an idiopathic condition: vets are split as to whether it is environmentally caused from over exercise as a puppy or whether its congenital, inherited from damaged DNA.
Either way feeding him on foods meant for a carnivore, including fresh raw meat, offal and ground bone didn’t only put hairs on his bald chest!
Along with appropriate exercise, massage, Physiotherapy (including ‘red light’ therapy), his diet helped strengthen his joints, build his muscles and strengthen his bones by fuelling him appropriately at a cellular level.
He’s proof that along with a focus on the holistic health principle: You are what you eat!
TOP TIPS
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Traditionally Medics have viewed OA as a structural disease that involves the breakdown of articular cartilage and its subsequent effect on the joints. Whilst wear and tear overtime is one cause, new technology, and the sciences of Epigenetics and Nutrigenomics highlight how negative environmental influences, like obesity, affect gene expression making dogs more likely to suffer from inflammation of the joints.
]]>As the seasons change Autumn can exacerbate arthritic symptoms in both humans and dogs. As a London based canine nutritionist, I often get asked what supplements can help my dog become less stiff in the winter months.
When it gets cold your dog’s body is more sensitive to pain and chiller temperatures slows down blood circulation, causing stiffness, even muscle spasms, combined with damp weather which also triggers flare ups.
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joints disease is the most commonly diagnosed, and accounts for 80% of arthritis in dogs. Just as in people, OA is a condition primarily caused by inflammation of the joints and a degeneration of bone density.
Nobody is invincible from the effects of ageing, but it’s not inevitable that every dog will get arthritis – which literally means inflammation of the joints.
Some larger breeds like Labradors and German Shepherds are prone congenitally to hip and elbow issues. Terriers can be prone to slipping kneecaps/luxating patella. Bigger pooches are also more prone to OA as they carry more weight bearing on their joints, so tend to suffer from OA more than smaller dogs.
Traditionally Medics have viewed OA as a structural disease that involves the breakdown of articular cartilage and its subsequent effect on the joints. Whilst wear and tear overtime is one cause, new technology, and the sciences of Epigenetics and Nutrigenomics highlight how negative environmental influences, like obesity and diet affects gene expression making dogs more likely to suffer from inflammation of the joints.
Researchers have discovered that this isn’t just down to a dog’s excess weight stressing their joints, but to many inflammatory cell markers that are ‘turned on’ in overweight dogs with OA.
Interestingly, fat tissues secrete biological pro-inflammatory cell messengers called cytokines that specifically stimulate inflammation in the articular cartilage.
If arthritis is connected to inflammation, then if fat cells are breeding an inflammatory environment, promoting oxidative stress also associated with arthritis, it begs the question which comes first the structural joint changes or environmental influences causing changes in gene expression that led to these structural changes?
If we are what we eat, then a diet that comprises pro-inflammatory anti-nutrients like starches, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, and rice, these ingredients will be fuelling inflammation in the body. Not only making losing excess weight more difficult, but without any health benefits.
Whereas a diet that’s functional and species appropriate for dogs comprising a variety of fresh wholefoods, including meats, offal, ground bone and seasonal veggies offer an anti-oxidative, and pro-nutrient dense alternative that will reduce inflammatory responses in the body, and optimise good health and longevity naturally.
Not only helping to reduce weight more easily, a natural unprocessed diet offers support your dog’s physical frame. Studies show that as dogs lose weight, they not only gain mobility, but there’s a decrease in the systematic inflammation and oxidation associated with OA.
If medicine can be your food, it offers an alternative, at least a reduction in Non-Steroidal Inflammatory medications or prescribed pro-inflammatory diets. There’s evidence that when NSAIDs are used long-term, they can cause damage and injury to tissues of the liver, kidneys and bone marrow.
Being aware how weight and environmental factors like diet, over medication, correct exercise, can impact on joint health enables us to make informed choices and, with a few adaptations, putting a spring in your dog’s step feasible, no matter the weather!
MY TOP TIPS:
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This week I’m joined once again to friend of the show, Esther Logue, from Paleoridge talking about why nutrition is a pillar to wellbeing and optimum health
We talk about how a raw food diet helps your dog with health and behaviour issues. I explain why when I was gifted a bag of dry food 22 years ago at Molly’s (my first mini bullterrier’s) first vet visit, I thought better of this ‘new’ way to feed a dog, and sourced raw green tripe instead!
We chew the fat and lay to rest some misnomers around raw food, and why its simply peace of mind in a bowl.
That’s when you’ve researched your firm, confirming the ethical quality of the meats, packaging ,and compony ethos.
We chat about Mr Binks and how I’ve managed his degenerative bone condition minimising any inflammation in his body by feeding species appropriate and bioavailable ingredients - at nearly 12- he’s proof something is working!
We also discuss treats and why maintaining a healthy diet in your training sessions and as enrichment shouldn’t compromise your whole food regime.
We talk about the new range of treats from Paleoridge and why the Lamb Lung is possibly my favourite dog treat ever!
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]]>When we’re joined by Niall Harbison talking about his book, Hope, which is about how Thailand’s street dogs taught him the meaning of life! Originally from Tyrone, Niall moved to Thailand after selling his marketing and PR company.
Niall who was a self confessed alchoholic who in moving to Thailand became worse, ending up in in intensive care, and nearly died. His rescue dog fromIreland called Snoop was his inspiration to get out of hospital and clean up his act, channelling his energy and into helping hundreds of Thai street dogs.
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Niall who was a self confessed alchoholic who in moving to Thailand became worse, ending up in in intensive care, and nearly died. His rescue dog fromIreland called Snoop was his inspiration to get out of hospital and clean up his act, channelling his energy and into helping hundreds of Thai street dogs.
He now lives in the countryside, where he spends his days feeding and looking after thousands of street dogs he comes across. We chat about individual dogs that have made their mark on Niall’s heart, and why even in the toughest moments, the dogs have given Niall hope to carry on. After all everybody deserves a second chance!
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As one of the first artists to focus on dogs back in 2010, Robert’s first A-Z of dog breeds was exhibited in the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in 2012. We chat about one of Anna’s most coveted possessions, a portrait by Robert of Molly her first Miniature Bull Terrier painted in 2011.
It’s Robert’s style that brings every dog to life using a canvas and the structure of paint and colour to capture a dog’s unique personality. Having studied at St Martins, Robert is no stranger to a range of subjects and projects not least his latest A-Z project looking at Montauk in New York state, south of Long Island.
We chat about his up-coming new A-Z of dogs, which will be created and available to buy in time for Christmas. As an update to his original A-Z of dogs circa 2012, this will highlight the shift in breed popularity to include more doodles. We calling out to A DOG’S LIFE listeners to contact Robert with your ideas for the new A-Z (watch this space on Instagram). And of course to get your order in time for Christmas!
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This week we’re joined by Amber Pegden, Marketing Manager at The Picture House Central. Based in Piccadilly in the heart of London’s Theatre land and Soho, it's also home to very special dog friendly screenings. Amber has been instrumental in creating this extremely popular dog-centric cinematic experience. She chats about why as a dog owner herself she understands why fellow dog owners would prefer to go and see films with their dogs. Interestingly it's not to see Lassie or 101 Dalmatians, it's the latest ‘blockbuster’ movies.
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Amber has been instrumental in creating this extremely popular dog-centric cinematic experience. She chats about why as a dog owner herself she understands why fellow dog owners would prefer to go and see films with their dogs. Interestingly it's not to see Lassie or 101 Dalmatians, it's the latest ‘blockbuster’ movies.
We talk about how Anna’s own Mr Binks is a seasoned cinema goer, and how Prudence, my Bull terrier, went to see the multi-award winning Isle of Dogs, created in Hackney in London.
Amber highlights the thought behind her project which includes a seat for your dog that’s included in the price for a single human seat. On entering the Auditorium dogs are offered their own blanket to keep their seat dog hair free, with fresh bowls of water dotted around for the dogs. There’s dog-friendly ice cream on offer, and of course dog-friendly popcorn too. We chat about the joyous spirit of these screening where like minded folk get together and celebrate their dogs.Its a chance to sharpen their training, as well as meet and greets.
As my personally most favourite thing to do as an inspired concept taking dog friendly to new limits. What’s extraordinary is that the dogs really enjoy it and settle.
In over six years there’s never been a complaint about dog hair or any allergic reactions! It has to be experienced to be believed! Later, Anna joins her friends Jo Good, Henry Brandman, and Caroline Brill, all with their dogs to see the Barbie Movie.
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Brought to a head in the pandemic when the demand for puppies outstretched supply, along with prices for puppies soaring to ridiculous levels, canny criminal activity reached preposterous levels with scamming, stealing dog in daylight, breaking into private gardens and more.
As a crime with little consequence under the antiquated Theft Act 1968, dogs are classed in law as chattel. This means that stealing dogs is a low-risk, high-gain business for criminals. The penalty is the same for stealing a laptop, a phone or a car. During the pandemic there was much talk of creating a specific law that factored in the enormous emotional attachment between dogs and their owners and the trauma to individuals suffering from this ‘abduction'.
We discuss this at length not least that science now concurs that dogs have emotional intelligence -they are not chattel. So Dr Dan has launched a new petition to re-galvanise Government to take action - please sign the petition!!!!
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]]>This week we’re joined by Dr Lise Hansen who returns to talk about the latest science behind neutering and spaying. We last recorded an episode about this same subject three years ago, it seems that the messages from a raft of science on the side effects of neutering is yet to filter down into routine Vet practice.
Dr Lise explains that the issue surrounds the reproductive LH Hormone, which continues to be produced by the brain even when the sex organs are removed. This hormone accumulates in the body and becomes out of balance, creating health issues from osteoarthritis, cancers, to hypothyroidism.
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Dr Lise explains that the issue surrounds the reproductive LH Hormone, which continues to be produced by the brain even when the sex organs are removed. This hormone accumulates in the body and becomes out of balance, creating health issues from osteoarthritis, cancers, to hypothyroidism.
The science is only 10 years old, and change can be slow to take effect. But according to Dr Lise this is the biggest news in the Veterinary world, which she predicts that in 10 years time, neutering will be considered not only an unnecessary, but unethical procedure.
Dr Lise points out that in Norway it is already illegal to neuter unless for extreme health reasons, and in Scandinavia generally it’s frowned upon as a practice compared to the complete opposite in the USA where Dr Lise thinks that a possible alternative like vasectomies for dogs and ovary sparing spays for bitches will become the norm, in the USA, but for now Dr Lise encourages you to read the science much of which is included in her book : The Complete Book of Cat and Dog Health.
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This week we’re joined by John Honchariw, founder of Companion. This is the groundbreaking new device recently launched in the USA that deploys AI to train, entertain, feed, and monitor the health of your dog.
It’s a stationary robot that engages with your dog and cleverly adapts as your dog learns, fulfilling a dog’s instinctive needs to hunt, chase, and forage. Designed by dog lovers for pet parents to help maximise good behaviours like settling, learning sit, recall and down, whilst minimising unwanted behaviours like destructive chewing, barking, whining, and pacing.
]]>This week we’re joined by John Honchariw, founder of Companion. This is the groundbreaking new device recently launched in the USA that deploys AI to train, entertain, feed, and monitor the health of your dog.
It’s a stationary robot that engages with your dog and cleverly adapts as your dog learns, fulfilling a dog’s instinctive needs to hunt, chase, and forage. Designed by dog lovers for pet parents to help maximise good behaviours like settling, learning sit, recall and down, whilst minimising unwanted behaviours like destructive chewing, barking, whining, and pacing.
Companion aims to minimise stress, anxiety, and boredom when your dog is left alone, offering mental stimulation and enrichment. With games and features supported and designed by world-class behaviour and training experts focusing only on positive reward based training, the technology is easy to use offering pet parents real-time remote communication and interaction with your dog.
Companion plans to launch in the UK soon so watch this space!
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This week we’re joined by Phil Green, animal advocate, dog lover and proud pet parent to Scarlett the Beagle. Rescued by The Beagle Freedom Project in 2016 from a toxicology laboratory in Hungary, she had been bred by Marshall Bio Resources at the huge HQ in New York for the purpose of vivisection.
Scarlett is one of the very few lucky ones enabled freedom, aged only two years. Both Phil and Janie Green had their names down for a rescued Beagle, understanding the long socialisation journey ahead. Scarlett adapted very well to her rural life in Essex, and enjoys the sights, sounds and smells of woodlands, and outdoors that she was deprived of.
]]>This week we’re joined by Phil Green, animal advocate, dog lover and proud pet parent to Scarlett the Beagle. Rescued by The Beagle Freedom Project in 2016 from a toxicology laboratory in Hungary, she had been bred by Marshall Bio Resources at the huge HQ in New York for the purpose of vivisection.
Scarlett is one of the very few lucky ones enabled freedom, aged only two years. Both Phil and Janie Green had their names down for a rescued Beagle, understanding the long socialisation journey ahead. Scarlett adapted very well to her rural life in Essex, and enjoys the sights, sounds and smells of woodlands, and outdoors that she was deprived of.
Scarlett has helped raise awareness of the atrocities that these Beagles endure in their very short terribly sad lives. In the hands of ‘white coats’ that justify their salaries from private ‘Big Pharma’ firms making everything from cleaning products to headache pills.
The practice of vivisection is morally and financially bankrupt in an age when we have advanced technology that can do testing more economically, accurately, and without causing huge suffering to animals - in this Beagle.
Scarlett has become the face of many campaigns , not least The Camp Beagle, to raise awareness and urge the public to support her in getting vivisection - the dark secret - raised in Parliament, get legislation amended in line with the Animal Welfare Act.
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]]>This week in loving memory of Gremlin, tune into my chat with Dr Zazie Todd - CompanionAnimal Psychology - talking about her book Purr. In our conversation on cats , the lack of science on their behaviour (compared to dogs), I recount several hilarious anecdotes on Gremlin, which will make you realise why I named him Gremlin, the lengths he went for to help Molly when she was poorly, and why Gremlin was quite a cat for someone’s first feline! He is so missed, but I hope is he is reunited with Molly across that rainbow bridge.
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Brenda Stowers joins us to chat about Le Pet Express. Her passion to offer straight forward service to travel in and out of the UK began with her own experience when relocating from California into the UK. She flew into France because dogs and cats can travel in the cabin as long as they fit in front of your airline seat. From Paris they entered the UK on a ferry in a rented car service.
Le Pet Express lessens this anxiety, whether you’re relocating, or popping over to Paris for a long weekend, or driving traveling onward into Europe. Le Pet Express offers help with all the newly complicated paperwork, and Brenda handles bookings and holds customer’s hands through checking the minute details of the Animal Health Certificate needed for British pets to enter France.
]]>This week Brenda Stowers joins us to chat about Le Pet Express. Her passion to offer straight forward service to travel in and out of the UK began with her own experience when relocating from California into the UK. She flew into France because dogs and cats can travel in the cabin as long as they fit in front of your airline seat. From Paris they entered the UK on a ferry in a rented car service.
Coordination took months of planning and a lot effort to find a trusted provider to cross the Channel. The only other option was to put her cats in cargo and fly direct into Heathrow. The issue with traveling in the hold as cargo means you lose control, and it can be super stressful for your pet.
Le Pet Express lessens this anxiety, whether you’re relocating, or popping over to Paris for a long weekend, or driving traveling onward into Europe. Le Pet Express offers help with all the newly complicated paperwork, and Brenda handles bookings and holds customer’s hands through checking the minute details of the Animal Health Certificate needed for British pets to enter France.
Having designed the minibus especially to accommodate five pets and their people in line with DEFRA’s regulations, Brenda has traveled with Great Danes to Chihuahuas, Ferrets and of course cats. Le Pet Express is an ideal option for larger dogs that cannot travel in cabin due to their size, which puts owners off taking them abroad.
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This week we’re down at the Mind, Body and Spirit show where we caught up with Ruth Milner talking about ‘Red Light Therapy’. As a member of the International Light Association, Ruth is an expert authority on the power of light as a healing modality. We discuss the sudden boom in LED sourced Red and Near Infrared devices, which have flooded the beauty market recently. We chat why not all ’devices’ are the same in their evidence based doses.
]]>This week we’re down at the Mind, Body and Spirit show where we caught up with Ruth Milner talking about ‘Red Light Therapy’. As a member of the International Light Association, Ruth is an expert authority on the power of light as a healing modality.
We discuss the sudden boom in LED sourced Red and Near Infrared devices, which have flooded the beauty market recently. We chat why not all ’devices’ are the same in their evidence based doses.
We discuss the how light interacts with our cells at a biological level to provide vital energy and power ATP. We discuss the latest volume of The Power of Light, Colour and Sound for Health and Wellness from the International Light Association, in which Ruth’s chapter of using a device called Photizo has helped all creatures great and small: from tigers, elephants, horses, dogs and even hedgehogs.
And we discuss why the Photizo range gained its Medical CE status -with so many applications to help on a human level too - we chat notably about evidence on Red Light and Parkinson's disease. But we also discuss why ‘Red Light Therapy’ uses a modality termed by MeSH in 2015 - its called Photobiomodulation.
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]]>Hercule’s self-proclaimed ‘ultra-realistic’ style is akin to that of a small child who has never seen an animal before and is only just learning how to hold a pencil properly, but people like it. A large social media following and worldwide media coverage catapulted Hercule into the limelight and he has used this exposure to raise money for his chosen charities, Turning Tides Ending Local Homelessness and StreetVet.
Hercule does not take paid commission requests. All of the portraits are free and are just uploaded to his social media pages in return for a discretionary donation to the charity (more information can be found on the Facebook page).
To date he has raised over £260,000 and counting and this fundraising has seen Hercule receive a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister, recognised by The Big Issue as one of their 100 Change Makers for 2021, and named as the ‘Creative Fundraiser of The Year’ at the 2022 Just Giving Awards.
]]>Phil Heckels, AKA Hercule Van Wolfwinkle, is a pet portrait artist with a self-proclaimed ‘ultra-realistic style’ that has gained him worldwide fame and an ever-increasing gaggle of disgruntled customers trying to get their hands on him!
But all of that changed one late summer afternoon in 2020 when, whilst trying to coerce his young son into making some thank you cards, he doodled a picture of their family dog. The picture was rubbish, so naturally he stuck it on Facebook.
Little did he know that post would go viral and his work would soon be in high demand with requests for portraits flooding into his inbox in tens of thousands from all over the globe.
Hercule’s self-proclaimed ‘ultra-realistic’ style is akin to that of a small child who has never seen an animal before and is only just learning how to hold a pencil properly, but people like it. A large social media following and worldwide media coverage catapulted Hercule into the limelight and he has used this exposure to raise money for his chosen charities, Turning Tides Ending Local Homelessness and StreetVet.
Hercule does not take paid commission requests. All of the portraits are free and are just uploaded to his social media pages in return for a discretionary donation to the charity (more information can be found on the Facebook page).
To date he has raised over £260,000 and counting and this fundraising has seen Hercule receive a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister, recognised by The Big Issue as one of their 100 Change Makers for 2021, and named as the ‘Creative Fundraiser of The Year’ at the 2022 Just Giving Awards.
Tune into the episode here
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