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Going Mutts Pet Services and Nutrition, Fort McMurray, AB (2025)

12/12/2025

𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 — Going Mutts is now on Instagram!

If you like quick tips, visuals, and condensed dog nutrition posts, my IG is where you’ll find them 🐶💚

Follow here:
👉

And yes… reels are coming. I’m warming up to the camera 😂

Thanks for being here — you all mean the world!

12/12/2025

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 🌿🐾
Cancer is one of those words 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿.

When my girl 𝗟𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗰 was diagnosed with lymphoma, I went deep into research mode — looking for every possible way to support her 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 naturally. One of the therapies I came across (and even purchased) was 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗼𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗲. Sadly, she didn’t get to begin her herbal protocol, but it started my journey into learning about 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀.

🌿✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝘀
Mistletoe (𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗺) is a plant extract used for decades in 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 — especially in Europe.

It’s 𝗻𝗼𝘁 the same as holiday mistletoe — this is a 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹-𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 used to help the body 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱, and 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Depending on the preparation, mistletoe can be:
• 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 (vet-supervised)
• 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗹 / 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 (supportive/energetic roles)

In Europe, vets often combine mistletoe with chemo or radiation to maintain 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗲, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁, and 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

💉🐶 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝘁
Holistic vets may offer 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗲 (Helixor, Iscador, Abnoba)

These versions are:
• 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲
• 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹-𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲
• 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Goals include:
• Supporting the immune system’s 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🧬
• Improving 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲
• Helping the body regulate 𝗳𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽, 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗿𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺𝘀

🤝💚 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
If your dog is undergoing chemo or radiation, always communicate before adding herbs or supplements.

There’s a myth that oncologists dislike holistic treatments — but 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲.

The reality:
Some natural therapies can 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗼, 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, or 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀.

Your oncology team’s job is to keep your dog 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲, and when everyone collaborates, 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹.

✨🐾 𝗔 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻-𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵
Some families choose a 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 path. Others go fully 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹. Most find a 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 that honours their dog’s terrain and tolerance.

There is 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲-𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀-𝗮𝗹𝗹 — only what’s right for you and your dog.

I’ll be sharing more posts about 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 & 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 — whether at home, with a herbalist, or a holistic vet. My goal is to help you feel 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱, and 𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱, never judged!

💚 Lyric’s journey continues to inspire every post like this. She taught me that 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 — even on the hardest paths.

12/11/2025

🌿 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 “𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀” 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺
When your dog reacts to grass, pollen, or dust… it’s rarely just a skin issue. Environmental sensitivities are almost always tied to terrain load, detox bottlenecks, and nervous system stress — not weak immunity.

Here’s what actually helps 👇

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄
🌱 1. Support the Lymphatic System
Slow/sticky lymph = itchier dogs.

Simple wins:
• Sniff walks instead of high-arousal walks
• Hydration + electrolytes
• Gentle herbs like cleavers or red clover (if appropriate)

🟡 2. Improve Bile Flow
When bile is sluggish, “allergy” flares worsen.

Try:
• Sunflower lecithin (slow and pulsed!)
• Cooked vs raw rotation
• Avoid stacking new supplements during flares

🧠 3. Regulate the Nervous System
Sensitive dogs = sensitive skin.

• Predictable routines
• Calming enrichment
• Bach Flowers (Rescue Remedy is a great start)

🍽️ 4. Reduce Internal Irritants
If the gut is inflamed, environmental triggers hit harder.

• Lower ultra-processed treats
• Rotate proteins
• Add cooked veggies for fibre & phytonutrients if tolerated

🧪 5. Track Patterns
Some dogs flare after:

• Grooming products
• Lawn chemicals
• Dry windy days
• Heavy pollen spikes

Noticing patterns = faster relief

💚 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Environmental allergies are a whole-body terrain conversation, not a skin diagnosis. When you support lymph, bile, nervous system, and gut resilience — your dog becomes more tolerant to the world around them.

12/10/2025

🦴🔥 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Joint supplements sound simple… until your dog gets itchy, gassy, or suddenly refuses meals. Let’s talk about why this happens👇

🐚 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 & 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Glucosamine & chondroitin often come from shrimp, crab, mussels, or fish cartilage. Sensitive dogs can get:
• Itching or ear gunk
• Red paws
• Belly upset
• Ye**ty flare-ups

Their terrain just isn’t ready for those proteins yet.

🥣 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 & 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀
Many joint chews are basically treats — loaded with sweeteners, starches, chicken flavour, or pea protein… all classic intolerance triggers.

🔥 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱
Green-lipped mussels, bone broth powders, and fish oils can spike histamine in sensitive dogs, leading to:
• Itchy skin
• Panting
• Restless behaviour

🧬 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
A dog with sluggish bile flow, gut inflammation, or yeast overgrowth will have a harder time tolerating joint supplements — even the “clean” ones.

💡 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Let’s support the terrain first:
• Sunflower lecithin
• Omega-3s tailored to tolerance
• Balanced minerals
• Lymph & bile support
• Clean, single-ingredient joint supports (GLM, collagen, eggshell membranes) — when they’re ready

Every dog is different, and there is zero shame if your dog reacts. It’s more common than people think.

If your dog isn’t tolerating joint supplements, send me a message — we can find the “why” and build a plan that actually works for their body 🐾💛

12/09/2025

🌸✨ 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 — 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 ✨🌸

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 aren’t herbs, supplements, or medications — they’re energetic remedies that work through the nervous system and emotional field. And yes… dogs respond beautifully to them.

You don’t have to put drops in their mouth. You can dose them right through the skin, just like in the image — a few drops on the inner ear flap, chest, or between the shoulder blades. Easy, gentle, and fast-acting.

🐾 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝘆: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿
It’s a blend of five flowers designed for:
• sudden stress
• fear, overwhelm, travel
• vet visits
• new environments
• emotional shock

Most dogs tolerate it well, and it gives owners a feel for how these remedies shift the nervous system.

🌼 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗜 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻:
• Walnut — transitions, reactivity, boundary support
• Aspen — vague anxiety, “something feels off”
• Mimulus — fear of known things (sounds, people, objects)
• Star of Bethlehem — past trauma, shock imprint
• Olive — exhaustion, burnout
• Clematis — spacing out, detached, dreamy dogs
• Crab Apple — dogs who feel “dirty", obsessive grooming or fussing

Every remedy works on a pattern, not a behaviour — and patterns show up clearly once you know what you’re looking for.

🧠 𝗡𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
If your dog has deep trauma, chronic stress, grief, or shutdown states, we simply layer the correct flowers slowly.

Many sensitive dogs actually do best with topical dosing, because it’s gentler than mouth drops.

💛 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Flower remedies don’t sedate your dog — they balance them. When matched correctly, you’ll see smoother transitions, calmer reactions, and a more regulated nervous system.

If you want help choosing the right remedy for your dog’s emotional terrain, just message me 🌿🐾

12/08/2025

🌿✨ 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 — 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝘃𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗳 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀)

Dandelion isn’t just a w**d — it’s one of the most useful gentle herbs for dogs when used strategically. But root and leaf do very different things, and that’s where the nuance comes in!

🌱 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗳 — “𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗗𝗶𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰”
Supports:
• gentle fluid movement
• puffy dogs, mild water retention
• kidney/urinary terrain
• lymph flow (indirectly)

Leaf is high in potassium → great if your dog needs a mild diuretic without draining electrolytes.

⚠️ Not ideal for:
• dehydrated dogs
• dogs on diuretics
• “dry” constitutions
• chronic diarrhea

🌼 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁 — “𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿”
Supports:
• bile flow (big one!)
• digestion of fats
• sluggish stool, gas, or nausea
• detox pathways
• skin issues linked to liver stagnation

⚠️ Not ideal for:
• active GI inflammation
• dogs with bile sensitivity
• pancreatitis flare phases
• “hot, irritated” guts

🔥 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Dandelion is not for every dog:
• If your dog is reactive to bitters → start tiny
• If they’re in a detox flare → hold off
• If they’re dehydrated, low electrolytes, or have kidney issues → leaf may worsen things
• Root can stimulate bile → amazing when terrain is ready, irritating if it’s not

🌿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝘁
• Leaf → mild fluid support + potassium rebalance
• Root → sluggish bile, skin issues, post-meal nausea, farting, burping
• Always start low → 1/8–1/4 tsp dried herb (or ½ capsule) and build based on stool, energy, and appetite (for larger dogs)

🐾 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆
Dandelion can be a game-changer when used correctly — but it’s not a “just add this” herb.

It needs timing, observation, and matching to your dog’s constitution.

If you’re unsure which one your dog needs (or if they should use it at all), just message me. I can help match the herb to your dog’s terrain 💛

12/07/2025

🐾 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗜𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 — 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱

I don’t build diets based on what’s trending on social media…

I build diets based on your actual dog — their gut, their history, their symptoms, their terrain.

🐺 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀, which means most thrive with primarily animal foods…

𝗯𝘂𝘁 many also benefit from properly-prepared carbs for:
• phytonutrients
• fibre
• microbiome balance
• metabolic flexibility

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 — 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲.
I’m not here to force a philosophy on anyone.

But if I believe your dog would genuinely benefit from carbs or plant matter, I’ll say so — gently, clearly, and with the “why” explained.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀?
That’s not a failure.
It’s information.

We work on the terrain — bile, lymph, enzymes, inflammation — so that tiny additions become possible later when they’re ready.

I create raw, cooked, and combo diets depending on:
• the dog’s biology
• your lifestyle
• what’s sustainable long-term

No trends. No fads. Just nutrition that actually works for the dog in front of you 🐶✨

12/06/2025

💧 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗨𝗧𝗜𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 “𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆” 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵

I see this one a lot — a dog gets a urinary tract infection, the vet finds struvite crystals, and suddenly everyone’s recommending cranberry powder and a prescription kibble.

Let’s unpack what’s actually going on — and how to prevent it long-term 🧠🐾

🧬 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲
Struvite crystals form when urine becomes too alkaline (high pH). They’re made of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate — minerals that normally stay dissolved in urine but crystallize when the pH drifts too high.

So what makes urine alkaline?

Most often, it’s bacterial by-products — especially from infections like Staphylococcus or Proteus. That’s why testing matters.

If you don’t know which bacteria are present, you can’t know which tools will help.

🧪 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲, 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
A urine culture tells you what’s growing and which antibiotics actually work. Many dogs are given antibiotics “just in case", but if the infection isn’t bacterial (or not the type you think), you can end up with resistance, relapse, or worse — an unaddressed root cause.

🥩 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 & 𝗽𝗛: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
Dogs are naturally carnivorous scavengers.

Meat-based diets acidify the urine, while starches and certain veggies make it more alkaline. That doesn’t mean “no vegetables ever” — it just means being mindful.

Veggies like spinach, beets, and some greens can raise pH, while meats, eggs, and fish bring it back down.

👉 If you feed fresh food, using urine test strips every few weeks is smart — it helps you track whether your dog’s terrain is trending too alkaline.

🍒 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲)
Cranberry only helps with one type of bacteria — E. coli — and only when you’re using a concentrated extract (not juice or dried fruit)

It works by making it harder for E. coli to stick to the bladder wall. If your dog’s infection is from Proteus or Staph, cranberry likely won’t help much.

🌿 𝗗-𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲 & 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝘀
• D-Mannose can help block E. coli adhesion and gently support immune defences.
• Methionine (an amino acid) can acidify urine — but it’s not a cure-all.

If you’re considering methionine, always discuss dosing with your vet. Amino acids compete for absorption, and too much can make the urine too acidic, causing discomfort or even other crystal types.

I don’t generally recommend single amino acids long-term unless there’s a plan — they’re not necessarily dangerous, but they’re not benign either.

There are plenty of premade herbal formulas available — for example, Adored Beast carries one that’s easy to find locally. You can also create a custom blend if you prefer!

Just make sure to get a urine culture first so you know exactly what you’re dealing with before choosing your approach.

💡 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀
• Test — don’t guess (use urine strips & culture)
• Prioritize meat-based, low-starch diets for natural urine acidity
• Use cranberry only if infection is E. coli and extract is concentrated
• Ask your vet before using methionine
• Support hydration, minerals, and bile flow — they all affect urinary terrain

💚 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Because it’s not just about chasing bacteria — it’s about creating a terrain that doesn’t let them set up camp in the first place 🐕💚

12/05/2025

Winter temperatures are here, stay warm everyone 🥹🥶

12/05/2025

🌿🧠 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮 & 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 💛

Let’s talk about supporting our senior dogs who are showing signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). They might seem restless at night, forget routines, stare into space, or even get “stuck” in corners — heartbreaking, but there are gentle tools that can help!

One formula I often recommend exploring is 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻 (by Gold Standard Herbs). It’s a Traditional Chinese blend used to calm the nervous system, improve circulation to the brain, and support a healthy sleep-wake rhythm. Vet approved!

💤 It’s especially helpful for dogs who pace or seem anxious after dark.

🧩 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗜𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵
• Sunflower Lecithin — nourishes cell membranes, supports brain phospholipids, and improves bile flow
• Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) — feed brain tissue and reduce neuro-inflammation
• Lion’s Mane — supports nerve growth factor and synaptic repair; gentle neurotrophic support

These layers help bring oxygen, nutrients, and balance to the brain while lowering systemic inflammation — key for clarity, mood, and coordination.

This formula covers lymph and circulation very well, so extra lymph herbs like cleavers or calendula aren’t usually needed.

🤔 𝗜𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗴?
Not necessarily. Some CCD dogs are too depleted or “cold” energetically for this blend — so start slowly and watch for changes in sleep, mood, or appetite.

Every senior has a unique terrain, so we adjust based on their constitution and comfort.

🍖 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁!
Brain health starts in the gut! Balanced meals with proper fat, amino acids, and minerals are essential — it’s hard to build neurotransmitters on nutrient-empty fuel.

🌿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Your senior’s golden years can be gentle ones. By combining circulatory, nervous system, and nutritional support, we can help them find more peace, awareness, and comfort — one terrain layer at a time 💛

12/04/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝘆 🐕🍗

If you caught my last post about “all-fruit days” for dogs 🍌 — here’s another reason why those so-called Natural Hygiene diets just don’t make sense for carnivores (yes, that includes cats — especially cats 🐈)

I recently came across someone promoting Natural Hygiene feeding for pets in a local Fort McMurray group, so we definitely need to talk about this before more people get pulled in by the hype.

We all love our pets and want them to live long, healthy lives — but please don’t go down this path, no matter how much “science” they claim to have or how polished the pitch sounds.

🍗 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱
Wolves, coyotes, and wildcats don’t peel their meals.
They eat whole prey — skin, fat, organs, marrow, and fur.

Fat isn’t a mistake of nature; it’s their fuel source.
That rich layer under the skin is what drives:
• Steady, clean energy
• Hormone production
• Bile flow and detox
• Nervous system regulation
• Skin and coat health

When we strip the fat off, we’re removing the very nutrient base that keeps their terrain stable.

🧠 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗜𝗻
Raw vegans and fruitarians sometimes project their own logic onto animals:
“Fat clogs the body”
“Low fat cleans the lymph”
“Too much fat causes stagnation”

That might feel true for certain human detox protocols — but dogs and cats aren’t built like us. Their mitochondria are fat-burning machines.

They can handle starch, but not as efficiently as humans.

And their lymph doesn’t “clog” from fat — fat actually moves through the lymph as part of normal digestion!

So in a canine or feline terrain, healthy animal fat = lymph movement + bile stimulation, not stagnation.

🐾 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲
• Leave the chicken skin on (you can remove some if needed — I often do, unless you know your dog tolerates fat well and has robust digestion)
• Don’t fear visible fat on red meat.
• Rotate fat sources when possible (duck, beef, fish, egg yolk)
• Support bile and lymph flow with hydration, movement, and gentle herbs — not fat restriction.

If your dog has pancreatitis, EPI, or another condition that affects fat digestion, this info doesn’t apply the same way.

Those cases require a more cautious, lower-fat approach — ideally guided by your vet (and with my support if you’d like help reintroducing fat safely)

💚 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Fat isn’t the villain — it’s the vehicle.
In a balanced terrain, fat doesn’t block the flow… it keeps it flowing.

12/03/2025

🐾✨ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗜𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗱)

If your dog suddenly becomes obsessed with licking the floor, carpet, walls, or random surfaces…

You’re not imagining things — and they’re not “just being quirky”

One of the biggest hidden reasons?
𝗙𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 or 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄.

🧪 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
Dogs rely on bile to break down and digest fats. When bile isn’t flowing properly, fat sits in the stomach → causing nausea, queasiness, and that “I need to lick something” feeling!

Just like humans, nauseated dogs lick surfaces to soothe the gut. Well... we don't lick surfaces, LOL!

⚠️ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
• Floor/carpet licking
• Lip-licking or drooling
• Eating grass
• Gurgly stomach
• Vomiting yellow foam
• Soft-serve p**p or “pudding butt”
• Hunger pukes
• Loose stool after fatty meals
• Smelly gas
• Itching after meals

🍗 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁?
• Too much fat for their terrain
• Low bile flow
• Gallbladder congestion
• Pancreas struggling
• Sudden diet changes
• Antibiotics or meds that affect digestion
• Older dogs losing digestive resilience

🌿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽
Start simple:

1️⃣ Reduce fat temporarily (leaner proteins, remove skin, drain fat)
2️⃣ Support bile flow gently
– Sunflower lecithin
– Digestive bitters (tiny amounts)
– Warm meals
3️⃣ Feed smaller, more frequent meals
4️⃣ Add cooked carbs (helps settle the stomach & supports bile recycling)
5️⃣ Avoid stacking supplements during a flare
6️⃣ Track symptoms — patterns tell the story

If it improves? You’ve found your culprit!

If it doesn’t, we look deeper into pancreas, liver, GI terrain, or food tolerances.

💛 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲
Floor licking is a symptom, not a behaviour problem.

Supporting bile, lowering fat, and easing digestive load can make a huge difference.

If you want help figuring out whether your dog is dealing with fat intolerance, bile congestion, or a deeper terrain issue — I’m here 🐾💛

Going Mutts Pet Services and Nutrition

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