Anna's Blog

In my practice offering wellness advice to ‘pet parents’, my focus is to highlight the three pillars of health, how they interrelate, and why an integrative approach boosts natural health. In my study with The College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) I took on board the positive symbiosis between the three pillars of health: the immune system, the physical frame and the nutrition pillar. The principle of holistic healthcare relies on keeping each pillar strong so they support your pet’s health. It’s the positive symbiotic relationship between them that’s critical.

 

This Christmas gift your dog wisely, even make your own presents, save money and gift to your animal rescue of choice. Be aware of common Christmas hazards like chocolate and raisins. Emergency vet visits double in December and can cost around £3,000.00! Think about no waste , including your turkey carcass that can be transformed into a bone broth with huge healing benefits to get you and your dog's New Year off to a very healthy start!

‘Black’ days are often associated with depression, or impending doom, yet the term Black Friday refers to ‘being in the black’ rather than ‘being in the red’. In accountancy terms red ink would show negative amounts, whilst black ink showed positive amounts! At Paleo Ridge it’s an opportunity for both new and existing customers to scoop some substantial discounts!  If you’re new to feeding your dog on a raw balanced and complete diet, this is a chance to enjoy more for less, whilst seasoned ‘real food’ advocates can also save and stock up the freezer. To make purchasing simple, the award-winning team at Paleo Ridge is offering nine nutritious hampers which cater for every taste, life-stage and budget. 

 

 

 

 

We know that ‘You are what you eat’, exemplified by the endocrine system being responsible for regulating appetite, nutrient absorption, nutrient storage and usage. The primary function of the endocrine system is to maintain glucose homeostasis, which is key to health as every cell in our body uses glucose to make ATP – the energy currency of all cells. Science concurs that ‘inadequate’ nutrition can disrupt the normal development and function of the endocrine organs. This involves dangerous modulations or fluctuations in the production and secretion of essential hormones.

It’s the time of year when Pumpkins as a symbol of Halloween are abundant. Could adding pumpkin to your dog’s diet be beneficial?Pumpkin can be regarded a s super food as its packed with nutrients that are good for them. Pumpkin has many health benefits for your dog, including high fibre content that supports their digestive system. That’s not all! It’s a great source of Vitamins A, E and C which are important for the immune system, brain function, eyes, skin  and coat health. Like other orange vegetables, pumpkin contains a lot of beta-carotene, which is a precursor for vitamin A . Once it converts to vitamin A in the body, it helps improve vision as well as boosting overall immunity and skin and coat health. 

On International Black Cat Day apart from celebrating the companionship these black beauties of the feline world, it’s an opportunity to reflect on their history steeped in legend, myth and witchcraft, becoming a symbol of Halloween. Given the belief in medieval Europe that the devil and witches were capable of taking the form of black cats, it makes sense that the superstition surrounding crossing their paths developed. Their resemblance to the cat-goddess Bastet led them to be honoured in ancient Egypt.  In other countries, such as Scotland and Japan, they have been known to represent prosperity. In Scandinavia when a black cat crosses your path it’s deemed to be assign of good fortune.

 

The Pet Abduction Act 2024 is arguably the biggest step forwards in animal welfare since the Animal Welfare Act was introduced in 2006!  The new law whilst brilliant news has been campaigned for years, and falling on deaf ears for decades, so it’s testament to the hard work of the Pet Theft Taskforce for not giving up! The new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects, but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers.

The first ever Biome Broth research project is proving that dogs who have never taken Bone Broth before reveal a remarkable improvement to their gut's bacteria in four weeks. The levels of good bacteria including Bifido bacteria rise, the bad bacteria like Helio bacteria fall and the diversity of the microbial species increases! The project wants to raise more funds to channel into further research into why Bone Broth makes this positive difference, impacting on the better health of dogs, simply, naturally and cost effectively!

Collagen is a structural protein that depletes with age. Supplementing our bodies whether we're a human or a dog as we age can be critical overall health and wellness. As a structural protein it works like scaffolding! Collagen not only supports our joint health, promotes the elasticity of the skin. It adds strength to our gut lining, supporting a healthy immune system. Collagen is plentiful in Bone Broth , Gelatine and Hydrolysed peptide collagen.

For centuries we evolved epigenetically as we domesticated the dog to be our guards, our hunters, and our best friends.

Without dogs to drive our livestock to market back in the day, we may not have even built our modern capitalist world!

Its only with the advances in science over the past 20 years or so, that’s enabled us to unpick exactly why the human: dog relationship is so strong.

Why we're often walking the dog the wrong way. The differences between along line and an 'extendable lead' and why long lines help navigate modern parks where 54% of dogs have not been trained a reliable recall . Why Long Lines are key to training a recall and boundaries in the home, in the garden and in the park. Lightweight and easy to wipe clean My Line is made from soft biothane rubber, minimising the risk of any ankle burns, skin removal, lacerations, whilst making training fun and safe.

While the intention behind plant-based pet food is to reduce environmental impact, it is crucial to balance these concerns with the nutritional needs of pets. Rather than fully replacing meat with plant-based alternatives, a more sustainable approach might involve reducing meat consumption and opting for ethically sourced, high-quality meat products. This can help minimise the carbon footprint while ensuring pets receive the nutrients they need.