The heart breaking reality is that for many of the dogs that enter the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project in the United Kingdom, this will be their very first experience with real love and compassion.

A large number of those dogs are elderly dogs that have been abandoned or surrendered in their final days.

It is an absolutely devastating and unfair reality, one that Nicola Coyle could not accept. That is why she opened the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project. Her hospice is devoted to those abandoned dogs that have, at most, six months to live. It is in her incredible hospice that these precious animals are spoiled and treated with an incredible amount of compassion and gentleness.

In there final days, these special pups are are celebrated, loved, and given as much affection as they want. They are treated to delicious treats like ice cream cones, steak and fast food. They are given warm, soft beds in a safe home with someone to dote on them.

Please LIKE and SHARE this story with your family and friends if you support the amazing work they do for these wonderful dogs.

If you are reading this article, it is most likely because you are aware of the dangers and risks associated with the use of chemical pesticides on our beloved family pets. When the weather warms up, we find ourselves enjoying the great outdoors with our family - and that includes our dogs! Unfortunately, we are not the only species enjoying the warm weather.

Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other potentially dangerous pests are also out in the warm weather, looking for a host. Our dogs are the ideal target for these pests, so it is important that we do whatever we can to keep our dogs safe. Fleas are an annoying nuisance, ticks can carry potentially deadly diseases, and mosquitoes may pass along heart worm.

However, there are safe and effective alternatives to the potentially deadly chemicals (both oral and topical prevention) that can be purchased at your local Animal Hospital.

I am extremely passionate about my dog's health and nutrition, so when I looked into chemical pesticides sold by Veterinarians I could not bring myself to use them. After further research into the use of chemical pesticides on pets, while also exploring natural prevention, I made the decision to only use safer alternatives.

I was shocked to learn that at least 783 animal deaths occurred as a result of using chemical topical and oral pesticides - as were reported by the FDA. Beyond those numbers, thousands of owners are complaining about terrible side effects like seizures and lethargy. It is simply NOT worth the risk! I encourage you to investigate this yourself, so you can form your own educated opinion.

There are two products I am using successfully this year. I have been using both products to prevent fleas and ticks, and help deter mosquitoes! We are avid hikers, and this year we have hiked in some highly tick infested areas. I am happy to report that I have not had a SINGLE tick or flea on my dog! You can follow our adventures over on Instagram!

I am very confident in the effectiveness of these two all natural, chemical-free products. I firmly believe that combining both of them helps increase their effectiveness, so I do recommend pairing the two together.

Included with each product, I have provided some supportive biomedical studies and peer-reviewed research on the active ingredients.

For more amazing information on natural dog health care (supported by scientific research), feel free to come join my exclusive closed Facebook group: K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care. In that group I share all of my new articles and any new research or news in the pet world.

Rawhide chew toys are one of the most popular items for pet parents to buy, and they can be found almost everywhere including grocery stores, pet stores, and even the dollar store. Unfortunately, the majority of dog owners have no idea how DANGEROUS rawhide really is!

Rawhide is typically made from cow hides, which are cleaned with industrial strength cleaners, and coated in deadly preservatives not approved for human consumption. Manufacturers use bleach and formaldehyde to whiten and disinfect the product, before putting it together with glue, artificial flavors and artificial colors.

Rawhides are a byproduct of leather, and the chemicals and additives used in manufacturing these chews are extremely toxic to living  creatures. Due to the glue they use to bind the hide and make it last longer, rawhides are infamous for killing dogs via choking or intestinal blockages. Rawhide is indigestible!

There are absolutely NO safe rawhide chews to give to your dogs, but thankfully there are a ton of healthy and safe alternatives! Here are some of the most popular healthy alternative to rawhide chews.

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Osteoarthritis is the most common source of chronic pain in dogs, and arthritis and joint paint are unfortunately exceedingly common in senior dogs. It can be extremely difficult to watch our beloved canine companions slow down and start experiencing pain or discomfort. Fortunately, there are things we can do right at home to help soothe their aching joints. The following methods of natural treatment are completely safe and effective to do yourself right at home!

Looking for more great information like this, or to stay current with my new articles and new research in the dog world? Come join my private Facebook group K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care and set your notifications to "ALL POSTS" so you never miss new information!

You are what you eat! What you put into your body is what your body can use to either deteriorate, survive, or absolutely THRIVE! The body needs fuel to continue to exist, and that fuel is our food. What we eat, paired with physical activity, determines how healthy we are.

The exact same principal goes for every living creature on Planet Earth, including our beloved dogs! We love our four-legged family members dearly, and we want them to live as long as possible. We also want them to be free of disease and illness, and thriving with vibrancy and vigor. To achieve this, we need only look to what we are feeding our dogs.

Research provides an important role in helping us determine which food has the greatest health benefits, and which are nutritional powerhouses. From that research, I have compiled a list of what is known across the world to be excellent superfoods for our dogs!

For more amazing information on natural dog health care (supported by scientific research), feel free to come join my exclusive closed Facebook group: K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care. In that group I share all of my new articles and any new research or news in the pet world, including dog food recalls!

I'd also like to extend an invite to my positive only, friendly, safe FB group for dog parents like you! Come join us over at The K9 Connection!

Parsley is not just an aromatic garnish to be ignored on the side of your plate! This flavorful herb is packed full of nutrition, antioxidants, chlorophyll and disease fighting oils. It is very easy to add to your dog's diet, and inexpensive too! Dogs like to eat grass - it is a well known fact! There is a reason why dogs like to munch on chlorophyll rich greens. Their basic instinct tells them it is good for them, especially for digestive issues!

Grass can be pull of chemical residue and pesticides, so it isn't the ideal source of greens for our dogs. Parsley, however, is a fantastic option!

Parsley is a nutritional powerhouse, containing Vitamins K, C, A, B3 and B1. It also is rich in folate, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc! It is a highly nutritious green super food that is totally safe for dogs.

It also contains highly beneficial chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is known to support a healthy immune system, support healthy red blood cell production, help detox the body (especially from heavy metals), and help fight infection. Most importantly, chlorophyll can help soothe and heal the gut. This is primarily why dogs munch on grass and greens outside when they don't feel well.

Studies have shown that chlorophyll has anti-cancer properties, can help detoxify carcinogens and help reduce DNA damage.

Parsley also contains antioxidants which help prevent or slow damage within the body caused by free radicals!

Parsley is best fed fresh, but you can also feed it dried. Simply add it to your dog's bowl, either chopped up or whole, however your dog prefers it.

One teaspoon per 30lbs of weight is ideal for the majority of dogs - if your dog is picky you can blend the parsley with water and mix into their food OR water bowl.

Interested in more content like this, including new research and news on holistic pet health care? Come join our sister Facebook group: K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care.

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Fasting is the art of restricting food during an extended period of time in pursuit of optimal health and longevity. It may sound wrong, especially since the majority of pet owners are instructed by pet food companies to feed their dog two or three times a day, but it is actually healthy and natural for the majority of species on Earth.

Carnivores and omnivores across the planet do not normally eat two or three meals a day. They eat once a day, or once every two days, after they've hunted or scavenged for food. It is also not unusual for animals to hunt for days before they get a good meal. During this period of fasting, animals are either resting (healing the body and regenerating healthy cells) or actively hunting (burning calories, exercising the heart and muscles, stimulating the cells of the body).  These natural processes are written into the evolutionary code of many animals. Fasting is a way of life for the majority of mammals.

When an animal fasts, the body doesn't need to expend most of its energy converting food to energy through digestion. The body can then divert its focus towards healing and cell repair. This is exactly why veterinarians recommend fasting your dog for 24 hours when they have digestive upset. Fasting gives the body a chance to calm down and heal.

Please remember that fasting is NOT starvation. When you are fasting your dog, or if your dog tries to self fast by showing no interest in eating, you will make sure they get their daily caloric requirements met when fed their next meal.

A half day fast involves skipping breakfast. So your dog eats dinner the night before, skips breakfast the next morning, and then breaks the fast with dinner. Dinner that night should be a combination of breakfast and dinner in terms of the amount of food daily calorie requirement.

With intermittent fasting, your dog should go 18 hours without eating. It is easiest to have a large portion of their fasting hours occur overnight. You can also feed your dog twice a day as long as they first go the 18 hours of fasting, then break up the meals between the window of time after the 18 hour fast, and before they fast overnight again.

At this point in research and experience in the dog health community, dogs can see plenty of benefits from intermittent fasting once or twice a week.

Veterinarians and dog nutritionists do not recommend fasting puppies, because puppies need the appropriate amount of calories and nutrients through out the day for proper growth and development. A newborn or young animal needs plenty of calories coming in during the day.

Adults and healthy senior dogs are those that benefit from intermittent fasting, but elderly dogs that are experiencing severe decline in their health should not be fasted without approval and close monitoring by your veterinarian.

There are also several disease and conditions that can be aggravated or worsened by fasting (such as diabetes or  morbid obesity), so it is extremely important to involve your Veterinarian in your fasting plans so that they can help you determine if your dog is healthy enough for to be successful with it.

Interested in more content like this, including new research and news on holistic pet health care? Come join our sister Facebook group: K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care.

Don't forget to join our awesome, friendly, positive-only Facebook community for dog lovers and pet parents alike: The K9 Connection!

There is nothing more rewarding than providing your four-legged family members with real, fresh, wholesome food! The benefits are outstanding. From better physical health, to improved resistance to disease and illness, and most importantly... a longer life!

Much like with people, dogs are healthiest when they are fed a wholesome diet with lots of variety. Fresh meat, raw edible bones, nutrient-rich vegetables and antioxidant packed fruit - that is the key to a diet on which they can thrive. There is a huge difference between surviving and truly thriving - only one of those things leads to a long, vibrant life!

For those who are unwilling or unable to feed their dogs a balanced and biologically appropriate raw food diet, there is still a lot you can do to improve your dog's health through food! The old adage about food being medicine is absolutely true!

Adding fresh food to your dog's diet is easier, and CHEAPER than you think! There are a wide variety of different foods you can add, and rotate for variety. The added benefits are worth the effort - you can extend your dog's lifespan just by providing him or her with nutrient dense, whole food.

From essential amino acids to antioxidants, there are plenty of options for any dog parent looking to boost their beloved canine companion's health and help them live a long and healthy life!

Here is a list of healthy foods you can add to your dog's food bowl immediately!

Interested in more content like this, including new research and news on holistic pet health care? Come join our sister Facebook group: K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care.

Don't forget to join our awesome, friendly, positive-only Facebook community for dog lovers and pet parents alike: The K9 Connection!

 Omega Fatty Acids are a powerful component of true, vibrant health in all living creatures. There are so many incredible benefits your dog can derive from an omega fatty acid supplement that every pet nutrition professional recommends it enthusiastically!

Krill oil is an excellent alternative to fish, plant or seed sources of omega fatty acids. This is ideal for dogs that have a white fish allergy, but no shellfish allergy.

Krill oil contains high levels of a highly beneficial carotenoid called Astaxanthin, which is a powerful antioxidant. The Astaxanthin is responsible for the incredible red pigment in krill oil! It is such an amazing supplement that it is even able to cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver its benefits where it counts the most.

Astaxanthin plays an important role in keeping the body's cells healthy, while helping support good immune system function. This powerful antioxidant is difficult to find in therapeutic amounts in foods, but it is abundant in krill oil.

This deeply pigmented super antioxidant helps the body fight free radicals, while protecting against harmful oxidation. It will help protect your dog's organs, it will help protect against oxidative stress in the body, and it will also help protect the brain and eyes!

This is a powerful tool you can utilize to help your dog achieve optimum health through all life stages!

Dogs LOVE to chew - some more than others. Chewing can sometimes become a destructive habit for dogs if they are not given appropriate exercise to burn off excess energy. Dogs with destructive chewing habits often have issues with separation anxiety, general anxiety, or lack of exercise. Some dogs chew because they are bored, and some dogs chew to relieve anxiety or stress. Whatever the cause, chewing on something like a raw meaty bone is like therapy for dogs!

Chewing on raw bones is an instinctual act that provides a tremendous amount of mental stimulation, and exercise for your dog's head, neck and jaw muscles. Chewing is a therapeutic, stress relieving activity you can provide your dog with.

It is important to make sure you provide the right size of bone, the right type of bone, and supervise your dog while they chew to make sure they do not develop bad chewing habits.

Dogs that try to eat the bone, bite it in half, bite off chunks, or swallow the bone should be supervised closely every single time and given softer bones. Be sure to provide big enough bones to prevent breaking and swallowing large chunks.

Bones should always be completely raw, NEVER cooked. Cooking changes the structure of bone, making it harder and prone to splintering and breaking off in sharp shards. Raw bones are safe, COOKED BONES ARE DANGEROUS!

Dogs should chew, grind away at, and shave small pieces off with their molars and eat away at the surface. The majority of recreational chewing bones are not meant to be 100% consumed. You can view a video of my dog Hunter below to see ideal chewing behavior with a raw meaty bone.

Ideal recreational chewing bones for large to giant breeds of dogs include (from large animals like cows, elk, venison, etc) knuckle bones, neck bones, rib bones, and marrow bones, femur bones.

For small dogs, you can feed things like beef knee cap bones, rib bones, turkey necks, turkey legs, lamb femurs and more.

Recreational bones are different from raw meaty bones in a raw food diet because recreational bones aren't meant to be completely consumed by your dog. Both bones are perfectly fine to provide for chewing, just be sure to make sure they are safely chewing the recreational bones they aren't meant to completely consume.