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.

Nutrition plays a very important role in your dog's health and well-being during their life, and adding supplements and nutrient dense "extras" to their food bowl can have a big impact on their overall health. There are many different supplements pet owners can add to their dog's diet, but there are five specific supplements that I strongly believe every dog should enjoy the benefits of.

Supplements provide a nutritional boost when fed along with a balanced and complete diet, and can ensure that your dogs dietary needs are being met and potentially exceeded. By adding certain supplements to your dog's diet you can help prevent disease and fight illness. The reason why I recommend giving your dogs supplements is because I strongly believe in using nutrition as a preventive. When the body is strong and the body's systems are functioning properly (be it digestive, immune, cardiovascular, etc) the dog is better able to recover quickly from illness, avoid disease and handle physical and emotional stress.

OMEGA FATTY ACIDS
Omega fatty acids such as salmon oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, and borage seed oil provide many different nutritional benefits. Omega fatty acids are ideal for dogs with allergies, skin disorders or plain dry skin since these nutritious oils help add moisture, fullness and shine to any coat. These oils also promote healthy cognitive function as well as growth and development in puppies and young dogs. Omega fatty acids have also been proven to aid in promoting heart health and relief from arthritis and inflammation.

Read more about omega fatty acid oils with my article: The Benefits of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids For Dogs

PROBIOTICS / ACIDOPHILUS
Probiotics are an excellent way to significantly boost the digestive system and the immune system. Adding probiotics to your dog's diet will help them properly digest their food while improving nutrient absorption. Probiotics also help build immune system health by creating a proper balance of healthy bacteria in the body, making it easier for the body to fend off harmful bacteria and disease. Probiotics have also proven to be beneficial to dogs with allergies, digestive disorders and susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Read more about the benefits of probiotics with my article: The Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs

COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a healthy,very easily digested fat that is quickly converted to energy in the body. Coconut oil is my third recommendation because of it's antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Coconut oil also helps condition the dog's fur to make it thick, glossy and healthy. Coconut oil can also be applied topically to hot spots, cuts and abrasions and can also be used as an all natural toothpaste!

Learn more about this powerful natural remedy with my article: The Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs

MULTIVITAMIN
A good multivitamin can provide dogs with a nutritional boost that can improve their physical condition and help prevent disease and illness. Dogs who receive complete nutritionally balance in their diets are stronger, live longer, and recover from sickness faster.

Read more about my most recommended multivitamins here: The Best Multivitamins for your Dog

When you combine these supplements with a balanced, highly nutritious diet you ultimately set your dog up for a life of strength, health and longevity. Choosing a correct diet is the most important factor in ensuring the very best health your dog can possibly achieve.

Learn more about diet with my other nutrition articles!

The Incredible Raw Food Diet
The Benefits of a Homemade Diet for Dogs
The Best Dog Foods

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog post updates and other helpful dog tips!

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.

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!

There are many reasons some dogs need to put on more weight, and there are both slow and quick ways to do so. A recipe was created specifically for the purpose of putting weight on dogs very quickly, and that recipe is for a "weight supplement" called Satin Balls.

Satin Balls are perfect for underweight working dogs, or emaciated dogs coming in to rescues. Satin Balls were designed to put weight on a dog very quickly and are loaded with calories. While fast weight gain (and fast weight loss) is not very healthy for the body, some dogs need a calorie boost quickly to push them towards regaining a balance of health.

Satin Balls as traditionally made with grains, but I will provide a grain free recipe for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

Satin Balls (With Grain)
10 pounds of ground beef
1 box of Total cereal (NO RAISINS!!) or Shredded Wheat
1 box of oatmeal
1 jar of wheat germ
1 1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/4 cup of unsulphured molasses
10 raw eggs with the shells
10 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
A pinch of salt

Satin Balls (With Grain) SMALLER RECIPE
1 pounds of ground beef
1 cup of Total cereal (NO RAISINS!!) or Shredded Wheat
1 cup of oatmeal
1/4 cup of wheat germ
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup of unsulphured molasses
1 raw eggs with the shell
1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
A pinch of salt

Combine all of the ingredients, roll into 1-inch balls and feed them raw! Portions can be frozen for future use, as well.

Grain-free Satin Balls
10 pounds of ground beef
1 large tub of 4% fat cottage cheese
500g of cream cheese  
1 1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cup of unsulphured molasses
10 raw eggs with the shells
10 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
A pinch of salt

Remember to monitor your dog's weight-gain closely so that you can cease using the satin balls or drastically reduce the amount you feed when your dog reaches their ideal weight.

Don't forget to "like" K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog posts and news!

Angel Leandres
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

A lot of pet owners believe that adding a multivitamin or whole food supplement to their pet's diet isn't necessary if they are already on a balanced diet. When it comes to adding supplements and multivitamins, I always describe it as an extra boost in nutrition that makes an impact on the body. While they can do very well without a supplement, providing one in their diet is an excellent way to give your dog extra nutrition and fill in any holes their diet may miss. Chances are high that despite a high quality diet, your dog is missing something.

Many people have have dogs that experience lots of dander and shedding, bad doggy smell and lacklustre fur would benefit greatly from the added nutrition. That extra boost ensures your dog is getting everything it needs every day and that reflects on their physical condition. Nutrition truly does show itself on the outside and a good way to judge whether or not a dog is getting exemplary nutrition is to look to their skin, coat, ears, eyes and muscle tone.

When it comes to selecting the right whole food supplement or multivitamin, there are several things to consider. I first check where the product is made, selecting only products produced within North America. Secondly, I want to see whole food ingredients as opposed to added vitamins and minerals. Whole food ingredients supply whole vitamin and mineral complexes, meaning you get the entire "nutritional picture" as opposed to one part of a vitamin added synthetically to the formula. An example of this is vitamin C; Vitamin C is more complete when it comes "with rosehips" as it contains bioflavonoids, flavonoids and tannins. Adding rosehips also increases vitamin C absorption. Another benefit of whole food supplements is that the nutrients are derived naturally from real food sources, which is better accepted by the body with a higher level of nutrient absorption.

Nupro Gold / Nupro Silver
Ingredients: Desiccated liver, Norwegian kelp, amino acids & enzymes, imported yeast cultures, flaxseed, lecithin, garlic concentrate, lactobacillus acidophilus, calcium citrate

My first recommendation is a whole food supplement called Nupro. This comes in two varieties; the Gold is their original formula and the Silver is their original formula with the addition of joint supplements. Nupro contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and enzymes that come from the live, unprocessed, raw human grade ingredients that they use.

Carmspack's Feed-sentials
Ingredients: Carob powder, ground sunflower seed, dried parsley leaf, kelp flakes, alfalfa greens, ground almond, hulled oil rich hemp seeds, hemp seed flour, dried red and green pepper, dry celery leaf, dried blueberry, dried cranberry, dry dandelion leaf, ground pumpkin seed, powdered carrot, stinging nettle, barley grass powder, dried mint leaf, powdered rosehip, paprika, burdock root powder, garlic powder, ground walnut, ground flax seed, sesame seed, Prozyme, glucosamine, MSM, dried dill week, coriander, anise, fennel, goat mild whey powder, powdered marshmallow root, blue Hawaii spirulina, rosemary, ascorbic acid, Primal Defense probiotic, oregano, ginger, cumin, marjoram, thyme, savory, basil, sage, cayenne, powdered yucca, turmeric, fenugreek, bilberry, vegetal silica.

Feed-sentials is a whole food, complete nutritional supplement made in Canada. This is the perfect supplement for raw feeders to incorporate for a nutritional boost, but works just as well when mixed in with homemade dog food or a high quality commercial kibble diet. Once again you see whole food ingredients and a complete nutritional picture.

Solid Gold SeaMeal
Ingredients: Dried Seaweed Meal, Flaxseed Meal, Dried Lemon, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Pineapple, Lactose

SeaMeal is also a whole food supplement deriving a lot of its nutrition from seaweed. SeaMeal contains 60 trace minerals, 12 vitamins, 22 amino acids and digestive enzymes. Not as complete as the others mentioned above, but still good quality.

Holistic Blend Seagreens Powder
Ingredients: Dried seaweed (19 different types), dehydrated bioflavonoids, ground flax meal, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, complex vitamin B, digestive enzymes, probiotics.

Holistic Blend's Seagreens Powder is also a whole food supplement, but unlike the Solid Gold product it also contains a good dose of probiotics.

These supplements have the best ratings and reviews, and I have seen good results in my clients using these products. I personally use Nupro Gold and Feed-sentials on rotation, so those are always my go-to recommendations.

For more information on creating true health and vitality in your dogs by means of diet and nutrition, visit my nutrition consultation page or contact me!

Angel Leandres
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com