Pet Digest

Understanding Ketogenic Diets: High Fat, Low Carb Nutrition Explained The ketogenic diet—often called “keto”—has gained popularity in recent years for both humans and pets. But what exactly does “ketogenic” mean, and why is it such a hot topic? At its core, a ketogenic diet shifts the body’s main fuel source away from carbohydrates and toward fat. This metabolic state, known as ketosis , can have profound effects on energy use, weight management, and even certain health conditions. What Is a Ketogenic Diet? A ketogenic diet is typically described as: High in fat : The majority of calories (often 70–80%) come from fats such as oils, animal fats, and fatty cuts of meat. Low to moderate in protein : Protein intake is controlled—too much protein can interfere with ketosis. Low to no carbohydrates : Carbohydrates are severely restricted, often less than 5–10% of daily calories. This composition encourages the body to produce ketones —molecules created from fat metabolism—which s...

  Rosemary Extract in Pet Food: Natural Preservative or Hidden Risk? In recent years, more pet food companies have shifted away from synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Instead, many brands now highlight “natural preservatives” on their labels—most commonly rosemary extract. Rosemary extract is valued for its natural antioxidant properties, but some pet parents have concerns about whether it may be linked to seizures in dogs. Let’s break down what rosemary extract is, how it’s used, and what the science says about its safety. --- What Is Rosemary Extract? Rosemary extract is derived from the rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis), a common culinary herb. In pet food, it isn’t used for flavor but for its antioxidant compounds, particularly carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. These compounds help slow down the oxidation of fats and oils in kibble and treats, extending shelf life and preserving nutritional quality. Pet Food Institute – Preservatives --- Why Is Rosem...

Winter Effects on Your Dog’s Weight: Why It Happens and How to Help Winter can be a challenging season for dogs — from icy walks to long, lazy days indoors. But did you know that cold weather can also affect your dog’s weight? When the snow starts to fall and temperatures drop, many of us notice changes in our dogs — from lower energy to dry skin. One change that can sneak up on pet parents is weight fluctuation . Dogs may gain or lose weight in the winter depending on their activity level, metabolism, and environment. Understanding these seasonal shifts can help you keep your pup at a healthy weight year-round. A brisk winter walk can help your dog maintain a healthy weight. 🐾 Why Dogs May Gain Weight in Winter Less activity: Cold weather and shorter days often mean fewer walks, shorter playtimes, and less overall movement. Extra calories: Many owners add “comfort foods” or extra treats during the holidays, leading to calorie overload. Indoor l...

Winter Meals to Help Your Dog Thrive As the cold weather sets in, many pet parents wonder how to best support their dog’s nutrition and overall well-being. Just like us, dogs can burn more calories in colder months to stay warm, and they may benefit from small dietary adjustments. Providing nutrient-dense, warming foods can help maintain energy, support joint health, and keep your pup comfortable all season long. 🥩 Add Warming Proteins When we talk about warming proteins, we mean foods that are naturally more calorie-dense and help support body heat production, according to traditional food energetics. Proteins like lamb, venison, beef, and chicken fall into this category. They’re especially helpful for dogs that get cold easily, such as lean breeds, seniors, or dogs with short coats. For balance, you don’t need to switch your dog’s diet completely — simply adding small amounts of warming proteins (for example, mixing cooked beef or lamb into meals, or using them as toppers) can give ...

THC vs. CBD in Dogs: What Pet Owners Need to Know As cannabis-derived products become more mainstream, pet owners are increasingly curious about their potential benefits and risks. But when it comes to dogs, the distinction between THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) is crucial. What's the Difference Between THC and CBD? THC is the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana. It's responsible for the "high" and is toxic to dogs . Even small amounts can cause serious side effects like disorientation, tremors, seizures, or coma. CBD , on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and has shown promise in treating conditions like anxiety, arthritis, and seizures in pets. Many veterinarians are now recommending CBD products specifically formulated for animals. Is THC Safe for Dogs? No. THC is considered toxic to dogs . According to the ASPCA, ingestion can lead to vomiting, seizures, tremors, and even death in extreme cases. Can Dogs Have CBD? In m...

Why Dogs Should Never Consume Alcohol Updated for 2025 It may seem like harmless fun to let your dog have a sip of beer or wine during a celebration, but even small amounts of alcohol can have serious — even fatal — effects on your dog. Unlike humans, dogs process alcohol inefficiently, making them extremely sensitive to its toxic effects. Understanding the science and dangers behind alcohol consumption in dogs is critical to ensuring your pet's health and safety. Why Alcohol is Toxic to Dogs Alcohol (ethanol) affects the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and brain. Dogs lack the metabolic enzymes to safely break down ethanol, even in small amounts. This can lead to ethanol poisoning within just 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion. Their smaller size means it takes far less alcohol to cause damage compared to a human. Common Sources of Alcohol Exposure Many dog owners don’t realize how many household items contain alcohol. These include: Beer, wine, ...

Obesity in Dogs: Prevention and Management Through Nutrition Obesity in Dogs: Prevention and Management Through Nutrition Canine obesity is one of the most preventable yet underestimated health problems in modern dogs. It silently undermines their quality of life, increasing the risk of diseases like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer. But the good news? It's largely influenced by one thing: nutrition . This post explores the science behind obesity in dogs, the role of ingredients and calories, and how you can use holistic, species-appropriate nutrition to help your dog thrive at a healthy weight. How Do Dogs Become Overweight? Obesity happens when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Simply put, dogs eat more calories than they burn. But there’s more nuance: Free-feeding or overfeeding portions High-carb, high-calorie commercial diets Lack of exercise or breed predisposition Frequent treats or human food scraps In some case...

The Role of Water: Part 7 of Canine Nutrition Essentials Welcome to Part 7 of our comprehensive series on the 7 Essential Nutrients in Canine Nutrition . Today, we focus on water , the most fundamental nutrient for your dog’s survival, health, and wellbeing. Why Is Water Essential for Dogs? Water makes up approximately 60-70% of a dog’s body weight and is involved in every bodily function, including: Cellular functions: Transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells and removing waste. Thermoregulation: Helping maintain body temperature through panting and evaporation. Digestion: Assisting in breaking down food and facilitating nutrient absorption. Joint lubrication: Keeping joints flexible and reducing wear and tear. Blood circulation: Constituting a major part of blood plasma for efficient circulation. How Much Water Does Your Dog Need? Water needs vary depending on factors such as size, age, diet, activity, and environmental conditions. A com...

🐾 Low-Impact Exercise for Dogs: Safe Movement for Every Age and Stage Whether your dog is a senior, recovering from an injury, overweight, or just not built for high-intensity zoomies, low-impact exercise is a safe and effective way to keep them moving. Not every dog needs to chase a ball for hours or run alongside a bike to stay healthy. In fact, low-impact movement is often the best way to support long-term joint health, prevent injury, and improve mental well-being — especially for dogs with special needs or slower paces. Let’s explore some easy-on-the-joints ways to keep your pup active, engaged, and tail-wagging. --- 🐕 Why Low-Impact Exercise Matters Some dogs just aren’t built for constant high activity: Senior dogs often have arthritis or reduced mobility. Overweight dogs need gentle movement to avoid joint strain. Short-snouted breeds (like pugs or bulldogs) can overheat easily. Large breeds can develop joint problems if overexercised. Dogs recovering from injury or surgery n...

🥕 Ways to Help Your Dog Lose Weight (Safely and Naturally) Let’s be honest — some of our pups are more marshmallow than muscle . Whether it's a few extra pounds from too many treats or a long-term weight gain issue, helping your dog slim down can improve their quality of life and even extend it. But where do you start? Here are vet-approved , natural , and dog-friendly ways to help your dog lose weight — without sacrificing love, treats, or tail wags. 🐾 1. Talk to Your Vet First Before making any changes, get a proper weight assessment and rule out medical conditions like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, or joint pain that may be contributing to weight gain. Your vet can also help you determine a healthy goal weight. 🥦 2. Feed for the Weight They Should Be Most commercial food labels base feeding guidelines on ideal body weight, not your dog’s current size. If your dog is overweight, feeding according to their actual weight can perpetuate the problem. Adjust calori...

Dog Paw Sanitizer: Necessity or Pandemic-Era Fad? Over the past few years, dog paw sanitizers have found their way onto pet store shelves and into viral videos—but are they truly necessary, or are they just another product of pandemic-driven anxiety? What Is Dog Paw Sanitizer? Dog paw sanitizers are marketed as a way to clean and disinfect your pet’s paws after walks, especially in urban environments where sidewalks, parks, and roads may be contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, or viruses. Some come as sprays, foams, or wipes, and many claim to be "safe if licked." But how much of this is actually needed—and is it even safe? --- The COVID-19 Influence It’s no surprise that the popularity of paw sanitizers surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many pet owners became extra cautious, fearing viral transmission via surfaces, including their pet's paws. While it's now widely understood that COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets—not surfaces or pets—some o...

10 Common Houseplants That Are Toxic to Dogs (with Photos) Indoor plants can brighten up your home, but not all greenery is safe for pets. Many popular houseplants are actually toxic to dogs and can cause serious health problems if ingested. Below is a list of common plants to watch out for — including photos to help you identify them. 1. Sago Palm The sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is extremely toxic to dogs. All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the seeds. Ingesting even a small amount can lead to vomiting, seizures, liver failure, and even death. 2. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) This popular decorative plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe mouth pain, drooling, swelling, and difficulty swallowing. Dogs that chew on this plant often paw at their mouth and may vomit. 3. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) Snake plants are known for their resilience, but they contain saponins that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy in dogs. It’s best kept out of reach or...

Why Most Dogs Prefer One Meal a Day If you’ve ever noticed your dog skipping breakfast or only getting truly excited about dinner, you’re not alone—and it’s not unusual. In fact, many dogs naturally lean toward eating just one meal a day. While feeding schedules can be a hot topic in the pet world, the “one meal a day” routine often aligns more closely with how dogs are biologically wired. A Look Back: What Did Their Ancestors Do? Dogs are descendants of wolves, and wolves are opportunistic hunters. In the wild, they may go for days without a successful hunt, and when they do eat, it’s often a large, single meal. Dogs inherited this feast-or-famine survival trait. While we’ve domesticated them and changed their environment, their basic digestive biology hasn’t evolved much. Digestive Efficiency A dog’s digestive system is designed to handle larger, more concentrated meals. Their stomach acid is much more acidic than ours, helping them break down big meals—and even bones—efficiently. Wh...

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food? (And Why Cats Should Never Eat Dog Food) --- Caught Your Dog Snacking from the Cat Bowl? You’re Not Alone. It’s a common scene: you turn around, and your dog’s muzzle is buried in the cat’s food bowl—tail wagging like they’ve discovered buried treasure. But is it safe? Can dogs eat cat food? And why is it such a big deal if your cat eats the dog’s food? Let’s break it down. --- 🐾 The Big Difference Between Cat Food and Dog Food Cats and dogs may both be carnivores, but they have very different nutritional needs. Cats are obligate carnivores – they must eat meat to survive. Dogs are opportunistic omnivores – they thrive on a balance of animal proteins, fats, and carbs. This means that cat food is much richer in animal protein and fat—designed to fuel your feline’s meat-powered metabolism. Dog food, on the other hand, is typically more balanced and lower in protein. --- 🍽️ Key Nutritional Differences Nutrient Cat Food Dog Food Protein Very high Moderate to high F...

12 Common Human Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs (and What to Do Instead) We all love treating our dogs like family—which sometimes means sharing food from our plates. But what’s tasty (or harmless) to us can actually be dangerous to our pups. Many everyday foods we eat are toxic to dogs, causing anything from stomach upset to life-threatening reactions. Here’s a list of the most common human foods that are toxic to dogs—plus safe alternatives and what to do in an emergency. --- 🧄 1. Garlic & Onions (Including Powdered) Toxic Part: All forms—raw, cooked, powdered, or dried. Why It's Harmful: These veggies destroy red blood cells and can cause anemia. Symptoms: Weakness, vomiting, pale gums, collapse (can take days to appear). 👉 Better Option: Stick to dog-safe herbs like parsley or turmeric for flavor. --- 🍫 2. Chocolate Toxic Part: Theobromine (especially in dark and baking chocolate). Why It's Harmful: Causes heart issues, seizures, and even death in high doses. Symptoms: ...

💉 The New Injectable Flea & Tick Shot for Dogs: What You Should Know Before You Say Yes A once-a-year injection that protects your dog from fleas and ticks? It sounds convenient—and for some, it might be. But as pet parents who believe in mindful, informed choices, we have to ask: what are the risks? Let’s take a look at the new injectable parasite prevention making headlines, and why some of us might want to pause before jumping in. 📦 What Is It? Bravecto® Quantum is a brand-new injectable flea and tick treatment for dogs, developed by Merck Animal Health. It contains fluralaner , an isoxazoline-class parasiticide—the same active ingredient found in Bravecto chews and topicals. Protects against fleas and three species of ticks One injection lasts 12 months Veterinary prescription only – given subcutaneously 📍 Release Dates Country Status Details 🇦🇺 Australia / 🇳🇿 New Zealand Approved May 2023 Alr...

Understanding Dog Anxiety: Signs, Causes & Calming Solutions Understanding Dog Anxiety: Signs, Causes & Calming Solutions Part 3 of our Natural Wellness Series for Dogs Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always speak to a licensed veterinarian before introducing supplements or behavior therapies. Catch Up on the Series: Part 1: Shiny Coats & Happy Guts – Omega Fatty Acids & Coconut Oil Part 2: Mushrooms & Cordyceps – Immunity and Energy Boosters Part 4: How Local Pet Stores Can Help Avoid Prescription Diets Why Understanding Anxiety in Dogs Matters Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety, stress, and emotional overload. These feelings can manifest as behavioral problems or physical symptoms if not addressed. Understanding anxiety is key to helping your dog live a calm, happy life. Common Signs of Canine Anxiety Excessive barking or howling Pacing or trembling Destructive behavi...

Best Heart Health Supplements for Dogs Best Heart Health Supplements for Dogs Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any supplement. Heart disease in dogs, including conditions like Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), can be influenced by both genetics and diet. While a balanced, meat-rich diet is the foundation of good cardiovascular health, supplements can offer added support—especially for breeds at risk or dogs on commercial kibble diets. This guide covers the most effective, science-backed supplements that support your dog's heart, plus tips for choosing quality products. 1. Taurine What it does: Taurine supports heart muscle strength, regulates heartbeat, and aids in calcium transport. Who benefits: Breeds with genetic predisposition to DCM (Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Boxers), dogs on low-protein or grain-heavy diets, or dogs sh...

⚠️ The Sweet That Can Kill: Why Xylitol Is Extremely Dangerous for Dogs 🐶🚫 Xylitol might be safe (and even healthy) for humans—but for dogs, it’s deadly. This common sugar substitute is found in everything from chewing gum to peanut butter, and it takes only a small amount to cause serious harm—or even death—in your pup. If you're a dog parent, this is one ingredient you need to recognize and avoid at all costs. --- 🍬 What Is Xylitol? Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener in many sugar-free and "diet" products. It’s commonly found in: Sugar-free gum and mints Baked goods Peanut butter Toothpaste and mouthwash Sugar-free candy Chewable vitamins Some medications While it doesn’t harm humans, dogs’ bodies react to xylitol very differently—and not in a good way. --- ☠️ Why Is Xylitol So Dangerous to Dogs? In dogs, xylitol triggers a massive release of insulin, which causes blood sugar to plummet dangerously—a condition called hypoglycemia. It can happe...