Pet Digest

Aural Hematomas and Head Shaking in Dogs: Causes, Risks, and Nutritional Connections If you’ve noticed your dog frequently shaking its head or observed swelling in its ear flap, you might be dealing with an aural hematoma . While alarming, this common condition is usually a symptom rather than the primary problem , often signaling underlying medical or behavioral issues. Understanding the causes, risks, and the role of nutrition — including anti-inflammatory support like turmeric and ginger — can help you manage, prevent, and treat these conditions effectively. What Is an Aural Hematoma? An aural hematoma occurs when blood accumulates between the ear cartilage and the skin. This usually results from trauma, such as excessive head shaking or scratching, which ruptures small blood vessels in the ear flap. Hematomas can vary in size and severity: Acute hematomas appear suddenly and are often painful, with swelling and warmth. Chronic hematomas may develop over time and can resu...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Day 17: Christmas Morning Feeding Tips Christmas morning is one of the most exciting moments of the season — for kids, adults, and yes, for dogs too! With wrapping paper rustling, breakfast cooking, and emotions running high, your dog’s normal routine can easily get disrupted. Day 17 of our countdown gives you simple, healthy strategies to make sure Christmas morning is joyful and safe for your pup. 🎁 Keep Breakfast Normal — Routines Matter Your dog has a feeding rhythm that keeps digestion running smoothly. A sudden high-fat “special breakfast” can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or even pancreatitis. Stick to your dog’s regular meal and feeding schedule — consistency prevents stress and tummy upset. If you want Christmas morning to feel special, try one of these safe upgrades: A sprinkle of unsweetene...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Day 16: Safe Holiday Plants & What to Avoid The holidays bring beautiful decorations, cozy winter scents, and of course — classic festive plants. But many of the plants that symbolize this season can be surprisingly dangerous for dogs. Day 16 of our 25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog countdown is all about helping you create a beautifully decorated space… without putting your dog’s health at risk. 🎄 Popular Holiday Plants: Safe or Not? Below is a helpful breakdown of the most common Christmas plants and what dog parents need to know: Poinsettias Poinsettias often get a dramatic reputation, but they’re actually mildly toxic rather than dangerous. The sap can cause drooling, mild vomiting, or skin irritation, but severe reactions are rare. These plants don’t have to be banned from your home — just ke...

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 Day 9: Build Your Dog the Perfect Stocking — Enrichment Gifts That Keep Tails Wagging! We love filling stockings for our family — but what about our dogs? This year, make your pup’s stocking more than just treats and toys. Focus on enrichment! Dogs thrive when their brains are challenged and their senses engaged. From puzzle feeders to DIY scent games, these thoughtful stocking stuffers will bring joy long after the wrapping paper’s gone. 🎁 Why Enrichment Matters Enrichment toys and activities don’t just keep your dog busy — they help reduce anxiety, build confidence, and prevent destructive boredom behaviors. Think of it as mental exercise that pairs perfectly with your indoor activity routine . 🐶 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for S...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 🎄 Day 7 – Healthy Holiday Eating: How to Keep Both You and Your Dog Feeling Merry (Not Miserable) The holidays are filled with food, laughter, and temptation — for both humans *and* dogs. From rich meals to endless snacks, it’s easy for everyone in the house to overdo it. But the truth is, what we eat (and feed) this season can make the difference between a joyful celebration and a night of tummy aches. Let’s compare how you and your dog can both enjoy a balanced, happy holiday without feeling sluggish, bloated, or regretful. 🍽️ Humans vs. Dogs: Holiday Health Tips Side-by-Side 🎅 Humans: How to Avoid the Holiday Food Hangover Don’t skip breakfast. Skipping meals to “save calories” backfires — you’ll eat faster and more later. Watch portion size...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 🎁 Day 3 – Festive Foods: Sharing Is Caring, But Safety Comes First 🍗 Introduction: The Season of Sharing The holidays bring out the giver in all of us. From turkey dinners to cookie platters, we want our dogs to feel included — because sharing is caring. But when it comes to food, safety must come first. Dogs can enjoy the holidays with us, but not everything on the table is fit for paws and tummies. Let’s look at which festive foods are safe to share, which to avoid, and how to include your pup in every bite without risking their health. 🦃 1. Safe Holiday Foods to Share (in Moderation) Your dog doesn’t have to miss out on the flavors of the season! There are plenty of safe, healthy options — just remember, small portions and no added seasonings. Turkey or chicken (plain, skinless, ...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog: How to Include Your Pup in the Holiday Fun Welcome to the Paws & Claus Countdown! It’s the most wonderful time of the year — twinkling lights, cozy nights, and cinnamon-sweet kitchens. But for our dogs, the holidays can be confusing, overstimulating, orn hazardous if we aren’t careful. This series helps you make every day from now until Christmas safe, calm, and joy-filled for your dog. 🎁 Why Dogs Deserve a Spot in Your Holiday Plans Dogs thrive on routine and connection. The holidays bring new sights, sounds, and smells that can unsettle them — but they also bring opportunities to strengthen your bond. Including your dog in celebrations reduces anxiety, encourages good behavior, and keeps them feeling loved amid the chaos. They rely on routine – even small schedule changes can...

Why Do Low-Quality Dog Foods Suggest Such Large Serving Sizes? Why Do Low-Quality Dog Foods Suggest Such Large Serving Sizes? Have you ever looked at the feeding chart on a bag of budget kibble and been shocked to see recommendations like 7 or 8 cups a day for a medium or large dog? It’s not your imagination — low-quality dog foods often suggest much higher portions than premium brands. But why is that, and what happens to your dog’s body when they have to eat such huge amounts of food every day? --- 🦴 1. The Nutrient Density Problem The main reason low-quality dog foods require such large portions is that they contain fewer usable nutrients per cup . These foods are often packed with cheap fillers like corn, wheat, soy, or by-products that boost calorie counts but don’t provide much real nutrition. When a food is low in digestible protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals , your dog’s body has to consume more volume to meet their nutritional needs. The label may tech...

How Does Food Affect Sleep in Our Dogs? Dogs, like humans, need quality sleep to recharge, repair their bodies, and support healthy brain function. But have you ever noticed your dog seems restless at night—or, on the other hand, sleepy right after eating? It turns out diet and feeding habits play a bigger role in canine sleep than most pet parents realize. Let’s explore how food impacts your dog’s sleep patterns, and what you can do to help them rest better. 💤 1. The Connection Between Diet and Sleep Food affects the body’s energy cycles, hormones, and digestion—all of which influence sleep. In dogs, certain nutrients can calm the nervous system, while others can make them more alert. Just like a child who’s had too much sugar before bed, a dog’s diet can either promote relaxation or cause restlessness. If your dog tends to get “zoomies” or acts wired after mealtime, you might enjoy reading Can Food Make Your Dog Hyper Like It Makes Your Kids? 🍗 2. Protein, Carbs...

Can Food Make Your Dog Hyper—Just Like It Sometimes Does to Kids? If you’ve ever watched your child get a “sugar high,” then crash into a meltdown, you may wonder: can food have the same effect on dogs? The answer isn’t black and white—but there is evidence that diet can influence canine behavior, energy, and mood. Below is what research says and how you can use that to help your pup stay more balanced. --- 1. The Human “Sugar Rush” vs. the Canine Reality In children, high-sugar or high-carb snacks can trigger rapid blood glucose spikes and hormonal responses, leading to bursts of energy (and sometimes crashes). Dogs’ physiology is different—but there is a plausible pathway for diet to affect behavior: Diet influences neurotransmitter precursors (e.g., tryptophan → serotonin, tyrosine → catecholamines) which influence mood and arousal. (PubMed) Metabolic and gut‑microbiome interactions may influence how nutrients are processed, modulating energy or restlessness. (ScienceDaily) Some add...

Why the 80/10/10 Raw Food Ratio Isn’t Always Enough for Dogs — and How We Can Do Better If you’ve been in the raw feeding world for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard of the 80/10/10 model — 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ. It’s simple, easy to remember, and feels close to what a “whole prey” meal might look like. But as more feeders (and even nutritionists) dig deeper, we’re learning that the 80/10/10 ratio might be more of a starting point than a perfect formula. A recent article on RawFeederLife made that point beautifully — and it’s worth exploring why it matters for our dogs’ long-term health. The 80/10/10 Rule Was Inspired by Nature… But It’s Not the Whole Story The idea behind 80/10/10 was to mimic a natural prey animal — a rabbit, bird, or rodent — and what a wild canine would eat if it caught one. The problem? Most of us aren’t feeding entire prey animals. Even if you’re sourcing great ingredients, chances are you’re missing a few thi...

 Whole-Prey vs Raw Diets for Dogs: Understanding the 80/10/10 Rule and What “Whole Prey” Really Means 🥩 Introduction: The “Natural” Diet Debate Across social media and the raw feeding community, terms like “whole prey,” “prey model,” and “BARF” are everywhere. But what do they really mean? While both whole-prey feeding and raw diets aim to mirror what dogs might eat in the wild, there are important differences in balance, sourcing, and nutrient content — and even more confusion when kibble brands borrow the term “whole-prey” for marketing. Let’s break down what these diets actually involve, how the 80/10/10 ratio fits in, where nutrient differences arise, and what science (and experience) show about the health impact of feeding fresh, whole foods. --- 🐺 1. What Is a Whole-Prey Diet? A whole-prey diet means feeding an entire animal — fur, feathers, organs, bones, and all — often in the form of small prey like rabbits, quail, rats, or fish. This diet aims to replicate what a wild c...

  🐾 L-Tryptophan in Dog Food: Enhancing Canine Well-Being What is L-Tryptophan? L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that dogs must obtain through their diet. It serves as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Adequate levels of L-tryptophan can contribute to a balanced and healthy canine. How L-Tryptophan Supports Dogs Mood Regulation: L-tryptophan aids in serotonin production, promoting a calm and balanced mood in dogs. Sleep Improvement: By influencing serotonin levels, L-tryptophan can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to better rest. Appetite Control: Serotonin also plays a role in appetite regulation, potentially aiding in maintaining a healthy weight. Stress Reduction: Adequate L-tryptophan levels can help mitigate stress and anxiety in dogs. Natural Sources of L-Tryptophan Incorporating natural sources of L-tryptophan into your dog's diet can be beneficial. Some options include: Turkey and...

🌐 Part 5: Other Avenues for Participation – Expanding Pet Food Research Beyond Traditional Trials et food research has evolved well beyond traditional laboratory feeding trials. Today, veterinarians, breed-specific organizations, online platforms, and academic institutions play a vital role in gathering real-world data, recruiting participants, and testing new diets and functional ingredients. Participation in these studies is essential for advancing nutritional science, functional food innovation, and evidence-based dietary recommendations . This post explores alternative avenues for participation, their methodologies, and how pet owners can contribute to the science of pet nutrition. For context on feeding trials and industry standards, see: Part 1: Companies Excelling in Feeding Trials Part 2: Summit Ridge Farms Part 3: Food Research Lab Part 4: BioPharma Services 1. Veterinary Networks Veterinarians are a critical link between researchers and real-world pet p...