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.

Dental care is more important for your dogs than you may realize. Periodontal disease has become the most common disease in our furry family members, which is a hard fact to digest since dental disease is extremely easy to prevent.

As dogs enter their golden years, poor dental health is the ticket to a shorter life riddled with illness and potential disease. Bad dental health can cause liver, heart and kidney disease; Infection from ill-kept teeth can travel through the blood stream and infiltrate the body's organs, which inevitably causes disease or failure. Since dental disease in dogs can be easily prevented, it is important to find a cleaning routine that works best for you and your dog.

You can use safe, natural and effective methods to keep your dog's teeth white and clean without having to spend a lot of money or jeopardize your dog's health.

A RAW FOOD DIET: NATURE'S TOOTHBRUSH
The incredible raw food diet is nature's toothbrush, having been the ancestral diet of all carnivorous and predatory animals for millions of years. A raw food diet does not leave residue or food particles on the teeth, which turn into tartar and plaque, and the natural crushing and chewing of raw bone scrapes the teeth and keeps them clean.

BRUSHING TEETH WITH COCONUT OIL   
The amazing benefits of coconut oil for dogs are no longer a secret! Coconut oil is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and is a very effective deodorizer! If your dog has bad breath, give brushing with virgin, unrefined coconut oil a try. You will be impressed with the results!

AN ALL NATURAL GEL FOR DOGS WITH DENTAL DISEASE
If your dog has already developed dental disease, a great option along side a good brushing routine is adding an all natural but effective dental gel. PetzLife Oral Gel works by softening the build up on teeth and beginning to break it down so that you can brush or scrape it away. This is a natural, effective product I often recommend and have used myself on my cats!

CHEWING SCRAPES THE TEETH
By offering your dog a raw bone, an elk antler chew or a toy designed to help clean teeth via chewing can help reduce build up on the teeth, and is also an excellent preventive. Chewing is a natural, instinctual thing for a dog to do and can benefit them in terms of mental stimulation and enjoyment as well! Get a raw beef hock from your local butcher and monitor your dog as they enjoy this healthy, natural "toothbrush"!

Implementing a brushing routine with good recreational chewing is a great way to prevent dental disease in your canine companions, but there are safe and natural options for fighting dental disease too! If you have more questions about keeping your dog's mouth healthy, do not hesitate to contact me!

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to see new blog updates and news!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus) is a common, well known form of healthy bacteria (intestinal flora) that belongs in the digestive tract of every mammal, working with the body to protect it and aid in the digestion of food. These safe, necessary organisms are an important piece of the "total health" puzzle and can even help prevent disease and alleviate illness. There are a lot of phenomenal benefits that come with supplementing our dogs with probiotics, but the exceptional boost to their immune system alone is worth making probiotics an addition to your dog's nutrition program!

Supplementing your dogs diet with probiotics can act as a form of therapeutic treatment for a variety of health problems. It can also be a preventive measure against the bad bacteria overwhelming your dog's digestive tract which ultimately makes them sick. Many holistic veterinarians, nutritionists and traditional veterinarians will recommend probiotics to help combat and prevent bacterial infections and digestive disorders. By reinforcing the beneficial bacteria in your dog's gut, probiotics act as a safe way to keep harmful bacteria under control by allowing the strong beneficial bacteria to compete with the bad bacteria and ultimately prevent the wrong bacteria from flourishing.

Scientific research has been done repeatedly on the benefits of probiotics for dogs and the findings were great, showing that dogs did in fact receive significant benefits from the supplementation of probiotics both short term and long term. Veterinarians once believed that acidophilus could not survive passage from the dog's acidic stomach to the intestinal tract, but this was proven false. The healthy bacteria are strong and resilient, making it easy for dogs to nourish their intestinal tract with the bacteria designed to help them stay strong and healthy.

So how can probiotics benefit your dog? You'll be surprised by the many ways a strong and healthy digestive system can combat disease and prevent illness in our furry family members.

Supplementing puppies and young dogs with probiotics has shown to decrease the frequency and severity of allergies, increase healthy weight gain and growth, and decrease the frequency of illness and disease by providing a good foundation towards exceptional immune system health.

Probiotics are also ideal for dogs with digestive issues such as inflammatory bowel disease since this supplement promotes a healthy digestive tract. Ultimately probiotics assist in the breakdown of nutrients while aiding in proper digestion by encouraging the production of digestive enzymes. Probiotics help maintain a healthy, well functioning digestive system which is of vital importance in dogs with digestive disorders.

Probiotics can also help alleviate symptoms of allergies by strengthening the digestive system and the immune system to prevent allergic symptoms from arising when the dog is exposed to allergens. A stronger immune system means the body is able to better handle the allergens the dog has been exposed to, ultimately soothing symptoms or even potentially eliminating allergies all together. When you remind yourself how allergic reactions work, it will make more sense to you. Allergic reactions occur when the weakened immune system detects something and labels it as foreign or a threat, which in turn creates a variety of symptoms as the body fights to get rid of it. A stronger immune system means better overall immune system function. A strong immune system is not prone to allergies.

There are far too many sick dogs in this world and it is time we start questioning how they got this way. Whether they are plagued with allergies, prone to illness or afflicted with various medical conditions our best friends are suffering more and more these days. Most dog owners are simply unaware of the fact that they can take control of their pets' fate and help guide them into an existence of health and well being.

There are several things we need to focus on in order to bring our dogs to optimum health. While we cannot cure all disease and prevent any sickness or injury, we can absolutely strengthen our dogs' bodies and give them everything they need to fight off illness, ward off disease and prolong their precious lives as a beloved member of our family.

There are several things we must focus on in order to create balance in health and wellness. By addressing all of these things, we provide our dogs with the opportunity to thrive.

NUTRITION
Diet and nutrition is the key to nourishing the body, providing the utmost bio-availability of nutrients on which our dogs can thrive. When we feed our dogs every day, we put food into their bodies meant to nourish and fuel them. Food helps living things grow and survive and a high quality species-appropriate diet can mean the difference between sickness and health. If we feed our dogs a poor quality diet that their bodies are not designed to thrive on, they will become weak and susceptible to sickness and disease.

A raw food diet for dogs is the most nourishing, species appropriate diet we can offer to our dogs. If you are unable to feed raw, the second best option is a homemade diet for dogs. Next in line is grain-free, high protein, whole food kibble. The following links will provide you with the in-depth knowledge I have to share on the topics of raw feeding, homemade diets and high quality commercial kibble diets:

• The Incredible Raw Food Diet for Dogs
  
• Dogs and Wolves: Why dogs are designed to eat raw!
  
• Raw Feeding Frequently Asked Questions
• A Guide to Raw Feeding eBook
• The Best Dog Foods
• Homemade Dog Food Diet Recipe eBook

• The Truth About Pet Food: Bad Ingredients

Provide only wholesome treats and snacks for your dog. Read the ingredient list on the back of treat packaging and be aware of where the ingredients are sourced from and where the treats are made. Read this article to learn more about selecting the right dog treats for your dog: How to choose healthy treats for your dog! Also consider making your own homemade treat recipes! I provide many healthy, easy and inexpensive treat recipes here on my blog under the "homemade treat" category!

Supplements are another excellent way to provide extra nutrition. While they are not necessary, they can provide a fantastic nutritional boost and target key problems that could occur in your dog. For example, supplementing your large breed dog with a joint supplement such as glucosamine can help prevent or alleviate joint issues at any point in the dogs' life.  A multivitamin such as Nupro Gold, Solid Gold Seameal or Carmspack's Feed-sentials can promote overall general health.

PREVENTION
There are several things you can do to help prevent disease and illness in your pet, all of which are simple concepts to implement into your dogs' healthcare.

The first thing is to attend your dogs' annual veterinarian check-ups, allowing a general examination to be done yearly to be vigilant over your dogs' health. When you allow a veterinarian to examine your dog yearly, your veterinarian can establish what is normal for your dog so that if problems arise they have a foundation to work with!

A minimal vaccine schedule is an excellent way to prevent bombarding your dogs with toxic substances, harsh chemicals and potentially useless anti-bodies that will overstimulate and greatly stress your dogs' immune system. Studies show that immunity from vaccines can last anywhere from 3-7 years for pets, sometimes longer, and giving your dog vaccine boosters annually is both unnecessary and potentially dangerous. The minimal vaccine protocol established by the highly reputable Dr. Jane Dodd includes vaccinating ONLY for parvovirus, distemper and rabies. After the initial set of puppy vaccinations for only those three diseases, dogs should be titered every three years to check levels of immunity in the body before making the decision to re-vaccinate.

Heartworm treatment and flea and parasite preventive/removers are harsh pesticides that veterinarians recommend be administered every month. There are two important things to understand about those monthly pills or topical treatments: The first thing is that these are pesticides your dog is ingesting monthly, while they can prevent parasites they work by effectively killing parasites, whether or not it is or isn't present in the animal's body, at every dose. This is very, very hard on the dogs' body and the chemicals present in the treatment are not exactly supportive of health in our dogs. The second thing to remember is that the heartworm/flea industry is a multi-billion dollar industry - reality is that they may not have your pet's true well-being at heart. It is important to do your own research, determine if your area has a high incident of heartworm, and use these treatments at your discretion. Many treatments don't need to be used every month, but can be extended to every other month. Use all-natural treatments where you can and just be aware of what is going into your pets' body. Voice your concerns with your veterinarian and bring research and an informed opinion to the table when it is time to discuss it.

When it comes to vaccines, heartworm treatment, and parasite prevention you should do your research, decide what will work for your lifestyle, your dog and your budget - then make informed decisions on whether or not to use any of the methods of prevention. The important thing is to be informed about what is done to your pet.

EXERCISE
Exercise will help keep your pet in good physical condition, while promoting mental stimulation and happiness. There are many different activities you can enjoy with your pet to keep them fit, help energize the body, drain energy and promote emotional wellness.

Consider long walks, running or jogging, bicycling, trail hiking, or off leash hiking (only in appropriate areas, and only if your dog has good obedience and will come when called!).

Dog sports and training such as obedience, agility, flyball, dock diving, herding, Schutzhund/IPO, tracking and rally-o are fantastic ways to stimulate your dog's body and mind, while creating a strong bond between dog and handler. Giving your dog a "job" or "sport" to do will be very fulfilling you both you and your best furry friend!

Simply including your dogs in your everyday activities, especially with the family, can provide your dog with the love and enjoyment that will nourish their spirit.
You can influence your dogs' health substantially by providing proper nutrition, being an active and informed advocate in their health care and by providing healthy exercise and mental stimulation. Let's not forget love and companionship... the greatest gift we can give the dogs who give us all of their unconditional love is to welcome them into our homes to enjoy the warmth, comfort and happiness of our family.

Please do your research and never stop learning. Cross reference information and ask questions!

If you have any questions, are seeking guidance, or would like to schedule a nutritional consultation with me please visit my contact me page or click here to e-mail me.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Natural remedies have been used for hundreds of years and are quickly becoming a well known method of treatment in people and animals alike. The best part about using natural remedies is that you're avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and drugs to treat various ailments and conditions, which ultimately helps your pet achieve optimum health while helping keep harmful toxins and substances out of their bodies.

While some people claim that natural remedies do not work, my extensive research and experience tells me otherwise. While not every dog responds the same way to any form of treatment, whether that be traditional or alternative, I have found that many dogs can enjoy the full, safe benefits of natural remedies and be successful in treating various conditions.

At K9 Instinct, my goal is to provide the world with safe alternative methods of caring for their furry best friends. I strongly believe proper nutrition can help heal the body and that natural remedies have a place in our world alongside traditional medicine. The natural remedies I support are safe to use, and I encourage everyone to at least TRY them and give nature a chance to help create health and balance in your canine companions.

This is part one of my 'natural remedies series', so keep watch for future blog posts with new remedies!

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog updates and news! Click here to learn more about diet and nutrition, or visit my web store for informative eBooks!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Raw honey is a remarkable alternative medicine used and appreciated by many cultures for hundreds of years, renowned for its healing attributes and for the therapeutic results of using raw honey. Just as it can be good for us, raw honey can also be highly beneficial for our dogs. The use of raw honey in dogs is quickly becoming popular amongst not only the holistic pet care movement but is also being recognized by the every day pet owners for its benefits and healing effects.

Honey is known for being an excellent source of flavonoids and is believed to contain anti-cancer properties. Raw honey contains vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamins C, D and E. Honey also contains calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese! Honey is a good source of anti-oxidants and the live enzymes found in it make it antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antifungal.

For those concerned about the sugar content of honey, rest assured knowing that it is an easily digested and gradually broken down form of natural sugar unlike processed sugar. As a result, the addition of honey to a dog's day can help increase healthy levels of energy and can even energize older dogs.

Dogs suffering from environmental allergies can greatly benefit from the consumption of raw, local honey on a daily basis. Raw, local honey contains minute amounts of pollens collected from your area that can help ease the symptoms of allergies in your dog. This works by exposing your dog to a very low level of the substance causing an allergic reaction which can help your pet develop an immunity over time. It is important that the honey is raw and local to ensure your dog is being exposed to the same pollens causing the allergic reaction specific to your dog. When the body is safely exposed to those pollens on a very small level, the body can grow accustomed to the allergens and thus have little to no reaction.

Honey is also an excellent digestive aid since it contains live enzymes and amylase. Amylase is an enzyme which facilitates the proper digestion of carbohydrates. Honey is also very soothing for the digestive system and can also help tonify the body.

Honey can benefit dogs with gastrointestinal problems due to its antibacterial properties. Raw honey can benefit dogs suffering from gastritis, IBD, colitis and other GI issues resulting from an overgrowth of bacteria.

Honey has been praised for its health benefits to both people and pets for many years and the world is starting to recognize it for its healing properties. Raw honey can prove to be an important part of a dog's diet while acting as an alternative medicine for allergies, digestive trouble and more! I highly recommend the addition of raw, local honey to the diet of any dog suffering from environmental allergies. One tablespoon a day is ideal for large dogs and one teaspoon a day is ideal for small dogs.

Your dog's diet and nutrition plays a large role in how healthy they are and how long they live, consider learning more about proper diet and nutrition with K9 Instinct! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you are interested in a diet and nutrition consultation.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Herbs and spices are nature's way of providing us with natural ways to promote health and well-being in our lives. These healthy, all natural herbs not only benefit us but are an excellent addition to your dog's food bowl. These little nutrition powerhouses can be grown in your own garden or purchased fresh or dried from the grocery store. They are full of vitamins, minerals, healing properties and preventive attributes that can have a wonderful effect on your dog's overall health.

There are many wonderful herbs and spices that are safe for your dog, but be sure to double check with a reputable source before you introduce it into your dog's diet. Simply add 1/8th of a teaspoon to your dog's food to enjoy the benefits. You can mix herbs and spices into moist carriers such as plain yoghurt, cottage cheese, kefir or peanut butter if that is readily accepted by your dogs.

Parsley
Parsley contains protein, Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and K, fiber, calcium, riboflavin, potassium, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus. Parsley can act as a nutritive, diuretic, carminative, and can lower blood pressure, help reduce arthritic inflammation and act as a breath freshener. Avoid parsley in pregnant dogs or if a dog is suffering from inflammation of the kidneys.

Sage
Sage contains Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and zinc. Sage is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, but it is also an anti-oxidant powerhouse. Sage is also known for aiding in the digestion of fats and proteins.

Rosemary
Rosemary is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folate, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and is full of anti-oxidants. Rosemary is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti fungal, anti-septic and can help the body both fight and prevent disease.

Thyme
Thyme contains Vitamin K, iron, manganese, calcium, fibre and tryptophan. Thyme also contains phytochemicals and anti-oxidants. Thyme has anti-spetic, anti-spasmodic and anti-bacterial properties. It is good for the skin, the respiratory system, good brain function and gastrointestinal health. Thyme has also been said to have anti-cancer properties.

Oregano
Oregano contains Vitamin K, anti-oxidants, iron, manganese, fibre, and is a natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Oregano is renowned for it's anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties.

Fennel
Fennel contains protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potasssium, zinc and copper. Fennel also contains Omega-6 fatty acids. It acts as a detoxifier and strong digestive aid.

Turmeric
Turmeric contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, Omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants. Turmeric has excellent cancer fighting properties and is also anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is good for heart health and is powerful detoxifier. Turmeric also is a blood thinner, so cease use prior to surgical procedures.

Ginger
Ginger contains protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, folate, choline, betaine, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, manganese and selenium. Ginger also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as fiber. Ginger is a digestive powerhouse; It helping with digestion, soothing an upset stomach, soothing nausea and assisting in fighting diarrhea. Ginger is also known to help ward off cancer.

Kelp
Kelp (seaweed) is another nutritional powerhouse, containing Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, folate, fiber and protein. Kelp is also rich in iodine, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. Kelp benefits thyroid function, promotes heart health, helps fight and prevent cancer, is a powerful anti-oxidant and aids in healing skin disorders and problems. Kelp is magnificent for skin and coat health, and simply has too many benefits to list!

Nature's own miracle food! Raw green tripe is one of the best additions you can make to your pet's diet. Whether or not you feed a balanced raw food diet, homemade meals or commercial kibble; there are many amazing benefits to this smelly, healthy food!

Raw green tripe is the stomach organ of ruminant animals such as cattle, elk, bison, lamb and venison. Raw green tripe is unbleached and full of living nutrients, unlike the white honeycomb tripe you find in your grocery store. That white tripe has been bleached, sterilized and has had all of the digestive enzymes and nutrients destroyed. White tripe has no benefit to dogs, but raw green tripe has tons!

Raw green tripe is lower in fat, is an excellent source of protein and has a calcium to phosphorous ratio of 1:1, which is perfect for dogs! Raw green tripe is full of living digestive enzymes and healthy probiotics, too!

Some of the many incredible benefits of feeding raw green tripe include an improvement to skin and coat condition, reduction in allergy symptoms and skin conditions, cleaner teeth, improved digestion and absorption of nutrients, a reduction in digestive disorders and problems, and overall improvement to general health. That is just the tip of the iceberg, this canine superfood is proving to be an essential part of a truly healthy diet.

The only downside? The smell! Raw green tripe smells absolutely terrible, but luckily the benefits of feeding this food are so great that most pet parents are willing to sacrifice their appetite to include this in their dog's food bowl.

Green tripe is so beneficial to dogs that it is something they can eat every single day, and can be fed as a muscle meat as part of a dog's raw food diet.  Tripe can also be used as a food topper for finicky dogs and would be an excellent addition to a sick dog's diet.

Interested in switching to a raw food diet or switching to a high quality food? Visit my Diet and Nutrition page or Contact me for more information! Online consultations are available, making it easy to change your dog's life forever through all natural, balanced nutrition!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com