Northern Hound Holistic

Northern Hound Holistic Your pet's well-being is our passion. Let’s support your pet’s health and happiness together!

As a Certified Canine Nutritionist and Holistic Pet Health Coach, I’m dedicated to crafting canine wellness through personalized plans and whole food nutrition.

The most amazing thing is finally happening! After one full month of trying to rid Marley's poor body of yeast, we are F...
05/03/2025

The most amazing thing is finally happening! After one full month of trying to rid Marley's poor body of yeast, we are FINALLY winning!!

I can't even explain how horrid and pungent the smell has been coming off of her body. So bad it nearly ruined nachos for me for life. And no matter how many baths we gave her, that awful smell just kept hanging on. Then all of a sudden a few days ago, I noticed a weird sour smell coming off of her. One might think, gross, but I was EXCITED! I knew EXACTLY what this meant. The yeast is dying!!

In my head I was honestly singing the witch song from the Wizard of Oz, but replacing "ding d**g the witch is dead" with "ding d**g the yeast is dead" and I’m not even a little bit sorry about it.

Over the last few days, that smell has been fading more and more and more. Which means hopefully soon, her body can finally focus on repair and regrowth. She almost looks like a normal dog at this point and she is SO full of life. She’s playful, energetic, and truly turning into an incredible dog.

After a whole month of intense natural support, we are finally winning this war. I totally understand how people can feel lost and overwhelmed, and how easy it is to want to give up. But when you push through and stay the course, the results are beyond worth it. And the best part is, this isn’t a quick fix. This isn’t a bandaid. This is real, lasting healing.

I truly hope her perfect forever family finds her soon. She’s ready.

Let’s talk about elimination diets and why they’re one of my favorite tools when it comes to allergies and sensitivities...
05/01/2025

Let’s talk about elimination diets and why they’re one of my favorite tools when it comes to allergies and sensitivities.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is hit the reset button. Strip it all down, remove everything, and find just a few truly “safe” foods to work with. From there, we can begin to rebuild, focusing on gut health, reducing inflammation, and giving the body time to rest and recover.

Here’s the thing, many dogs diagnosed with allergies don’t actually have true allergies. They have sensitivities, and those are very different. True allergies usually show up immediately, often with itching, swelling, or digestive upset after exposure. But sensitivities are created over time, often by a leaky gut. When the tight junctions in the gut lining start to weaken, undigested food particles can enter the bloodstream. The body sees them as invaders and reacts.

That’s why I start with a basic, slow-cooked diet after pulling apart every single ingredient your dog is eating. Sometimes, it takes a bit of trial and error. Other times, just removing kibble and switching to real food starts to repair the gut almost immediately.

And the best part? Once the inflammation has gone down and the body starts to heal, we can reintroduce foods one by one. You’ll have complete control over what goes in, and you’ll know what your dog reacts to and what they thrive on. Tracking everything during this time is a game-changer.

Do you have a dog with allergies and want to make a real, lasting change? Reach out, I’d love to help guide you through it.

Is it a quick fix? Nope. Is it easy? Not always. But is it worth it? Absolutely.

You just have to be willing to do the work, and your dog is worth every bit of it.

Some days, this work gets heavy.Comments like, “Why not just feed hydrolyzed kibble? It’s balanced.” This is what I hear...
04/30/2025

Some days, this work gets heavy.

Comments like, “Why not just feed hydrolyzed kibble? It’s balanced.” This is what I hear almost every single day. I feel like I spend most of my time trying to convince people that there is another way. That their dog doesn’t have to be an “allergy dog” for life. That we can get to the root instead of just masking symptoms. But this idea of long-term kibble prescriptions and lifelong meds has become the norm, and it’s heartbreaking.

Before Marley, I couldn’t confidently say if my methods would truly work in extreme cases. But now I can say with certainty, it is working. Marley is living proof. Her progress has been incredible, and it hasn’t come from a magic pill or miracle food. It’s come from real food, targeted support, consistency, and time. We’re still in the fight, but she’s finally healing, and this time, it’s real.

And yet, I still get looked at like I have two heads for suggesting fresh food. “It’s table scraps.” “It’s not meant for them.” But processed, rendered, starchy kibble somehow is?

I won’t stop teaching, but this week I’m just feeling it. Tired, frustrated, and disheartened. Not because I don’t believe in what I do, but because it’s hard watching so many people choose convenience over real change.

If you’ve done the work, if you’ve seen the change, I see you. And if you’re just starting, keep going. There is another way, and it’s worth every step.

You are not crazy for feeding real food. You are not alone in this journey. And you’re absolutely making a difference.

Keep going, fresh feeders. You’re doing something amazing for your dog.

Feeling the weight this week, but also the fire.

Marley, this one’s for you
❤️‍🩹🐾🥦🐶

Planning Your Garden? Let’s Talk Dog-Safe FlowersFlower season is almost here, and I know I’m excited to add some colour...
04/26/2025

Planning Your Garden? Let’s Talk Dog-Safe Flowers

Flower season is almost here, and I know I’m excited to add some colour to my otherwise bland-looking yard. But when planting flowers, it’s always worth thinking about what’s safe for your dog — especially if they like to dig, nibble, or explore with their mouth.

Many common flowers are surprisingly toxic to dogs, while others are completely safe to have in your yard or garden space. Even if your dog doesn’t usually chew on plants, it only takes one curious bite, and it’s always better to plant with peace of mind.

Some beautiful, dog-safe flowers include sunflowers, snapdragons, roses (as long as they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides), calendula, asters, pansies, zinnias, marigolds, and petunias. All of these add vibrant colour without the worry, and many also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

On the other hand, some flowers are best avoided. Lilies, foxglove, tulips, daffodils, delphinium, peonies, sweet peas, and bleeding heart are all toxic to dogs if ingested — and some can even cause issues just through skin contact or digging around the roots.

If you’re planning your flower beds this year, try to choose blooms that are safe for both your dog and the local wildlife. A little planning now means fewer worries later — and your yard can be both beautiful and dog-friendly.

Planting a Garden for Your DogAs planting season rolls in, a lot of us are thinking about seeds, soil, and what we want ...
04/25/2025

Planting a Garden for Your Dog

As planting season rolls in, a lot of us are thinking about seeds, soil, and what we want to grow. But have you ever thought about planting something for your dog?

Dogs love to graze. When they’re given access to safe, fresh herbs and greens, they’ll often choose exactly what their body needs. Whether it’s a little digestive support, a calming herb, or just a burst of flavor, they’re surprisingly intuitive.

This year, I’m planting a small dog-friendly garden space with:

Sweet grass

Lemon balm

Calendula

Parsley

Chamomile

Dandelion

You could also add catnip, basil, thyme, snap peas, or edible flowers like nasturtiums.

Even a small patch in a raised bed or a few pots on your deck is enough to start.
It’s a simple way to bring fresh food into their life and let their instincts lead the way.

Wow, we are 24 days in, and just look at this beautiful girl! Marley has officially gained a whopping 6 pounds in just o...
04/24/2025

Wow, we are 24 days in, and just look at this beautiful girl! Marley has officially gained a whopping 6 pounds in just one week! I can’t even believe it!

We were away for Easter and my sister’s surprise 50th birthday, and I want to say a huge thank you to her substitute foster Reava Simmons and family for taking such great care of her while we were gone.

This is truly the power of whole food nutrition and a multi-layered support plan. From her strict elimination diet (yes, even down to her treats!) to targeted supplements, gentle detox support, and daily care — her body is finally doing what it was always meant to do. Heal.

I was told this was an “allergy dog,” a long-term medical case who would need immune suppressants and hydrolyzed food forever. But guess what? After just over 3 weeks, she’s off steroids, she’s not itching, and her coat is coming back thick and soft. Her skin is calm. Her energy is steady. And she’s finally thriving.

This isn’t magic. It’s not a miracle. It’s just what happens when we give dogs real food, support their immune systems, and remove the junk standing in their way.

I’m honestly so excited. This is the kind of transformation that keeps me doing what I do.

On Our Way Home Animal Rescue Society

Still Feeding Kibble? Here’s Why It’s a Problem.If your dog is eating dry food, chances are it’s doing more harm than go...
04/23/2025

Still Feeding Kibble? Here’s Why It’s a Problem.

If your dog is eating dry food, chances are it’s doing more harm than good, even if they look fine right now. Processed food chips away at their health over time, and it’s not always obvious until something goes wrong.

Kibble isn’t real food. It’s ultra-processed, shelf-stable for years, and made from ingredients you’d never feed on their own. The proteins are often low-quality meat meals that have been cooked at extreme temperatures, stripping away anything beneficial. It’s packed with carbs because they’re cheap, not because your dog needs them, and those carbs fuel inflammation, weight gain, and even chronic issues like allergies and skin problems.

And let’s be honest, most of those “added vitamins and minerals” are synthetic. They don’t absorb well, and they certainly don’t make up for the fact that the food is otherwise lifeless. By the time it hits your dog’s bowl, it’s stale, possibly oxidized, and in many cases, contaminated with mold or rancid fats.

Fresh food changes everything. Whether it’s raw or home-cooked, real food nourishes the body. You’ll notice a difference in energy, digestion, skin, and coat and even behavior. Less scratching. Smaller poops. A leaner body. A happier dog.

I see it every day in my work. Dogs who are labeled as “lifelong allergy cases” suddenly thriving on a clean, whole food diet. My own rescue, Marley, came to me sick, itchy, and shedding like crazy. And now, after only a few weeks she’s glowing with health on a strict home-cooked plan.

So if you’re ready to make the switch or just want to learn how to do it right, I’m here to help. Let’s get your dog off the processed stuff and onto real food that supports real healing.

Nicole
Canine Nutritionist & Holistic Pet Health Coach

Let the Weeds GrowAs the weather warms up, a lot of people reach for w**d killers without thinking twice. But most comme...
04/22/2025

Let the Weeds Grow

As the weather warms up, a lot of people reach for w**d killers without thinking twice. But most commercial lawn products aren’t just tough on w**ds — they come with real health risks for your dog.

Ingredients like glyphosate have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, gut damage, and liver stress. Dogs don’t have to eat it to be exposed. Just walking through a treated lawn and licking their paws is enough to absorb it through their skin and mouth.

And here’s the thing — most of the w**ds we’re trying to kill aren’t even harmful.
Dandelions, plantain, and clover are rich in minerals and completely safe for dogs to graze on. Some dogs will naturally nibble on these when they need a bit of digestive support or a gentle detox.

Your lawn doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be safe.
This spring, let it grow a little wild.

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and treat-filled Easter weekendFrom all of us at Northern Hound Holistic, we hope your d...
04/20/2025

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and treat-filled Easter weekend
From all of us at Northern Hound Holistic, we hope your dogs get a little sunshine, a few belly rubs, and maybe a taste of something fresh and delicious in their bowl.

Thank you for being part of a community that believes in better food, gentler healing, and doing things a little more naturally.

Happy Easter from our pack to yours

With Easter around the corner, let’s talk chocolate and dogsYou’ve probably heard that chocolate is toxic for dogs, and ...
04/18/2025

With Easter around the corner, let’s talk chocolate and dogs

You’ve probably heard that chocolate is toxic for dogs, and it’s true, but not all chocolate is created equal, and not every nibble is an emergency.

The ingredients we worry about are theobromine and caffeine, which are found in cocoa. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate have the highest levels, while most Easter treats, especially milk chocolate, are lower in those compounds but still not ideal.

What most people don’t realize is that Easter chocolate usually contains more sugar and filler than actual cocoa, which means it may not be deadly in small amounts, but it can still cause an upset tummy or jittery behaviour.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Dark chocolate is the most dangerous. Just a small amount can cause symptoms

Milk chocolate is less concentrated but still risky in large amounts

White chocolate contains barely any theobromine but is full of sugar and fat

If your dog sneaks some chocolate, don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either.

First figure out:

What kind of chocolate was it?

How much did they eat?

How long ago did it happen?

Now let’s talk about activated charcoal
This is one of my favorite tools to keep on hand for moments just like this.
Activated charcoal doesn’t make your dog throw up. It works by binding toxins in the digestive tract before they’re absorbed and helping the body pass them safely.

It’s gentle, fast-acting, and much easier on the body than hydrogen peroxide, which can cause vomiting, irritation, or even damage when used incorrectly.

Here’s a general dosing guide using powdered charcoal:
Small dogs (up to 25 lbs): 1 to 3 grams (1/4 to 3/4 tsp)
Medium dogs (25 to 50 lbs): 2 to 5 grams (1/2 to 1 1/4 tsp)
Large dogs (over 50 lbs): 5 to 10 grams (1 1/4 to 2 1/2 tsp)

Activated charcoal can be a great first-response tool while you get support.

Easter should be sweet, just not for your dog.

Let’s talk, Kefir! The gut booster you didn’t know your dog neededKefir is one of the easiest, most powerful things you...
04/17/2025

Let’s talk, Kefir! The gut booster you didn’t know your dog needed

Kefir is one of the easiest, most powerful things you can add to your dog’s bowl.
It’s loaded with probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, and even a little healthy fat. And unlike plain yogurt, kefir usually has over 30 strains of beneficial bacteria and yeast, which makes it an absolute gut health powerhouse.

Yes — kefir contains yeast. But it’s the good kind.

The beneficial yeasts in kefir help crowd out harmful strains like Candida or Malassezia, support immune function, and bring balance back to the microbiome. This is exactly why kefir is often helpful for dogs struggling with yeast overgrowth, itchy skin, or gut imbalance.

It can help with:

Yeast overgrowth

Itchy or inflamed skin

Digestive upset and sensitive stomachs

Bad breath

Immune support

Recovery after antibiotics

Seasonal allergies

Detox and liver support

You can use plain, unsweetened milk kefir (goat or cow) or make your own if you’re into that kind of thing. Just start slow — about a teaspoon for small dogs, a tablespoon for medium dogs, and up to 1/2 cup daily for large dogs.

Some dogs do best when it’s added every day, others only a few times a week. I like to rotate it with other probiotic-rich foods to keep the microbiome diverse and happy.

And yes, it’s totally safe for most dogs, even those with lactose issues, since kefir is over 99% lactose-free.

A little splash goes a long way. Gut health starts with the small stuff.

Address

Fort Saint John, BC

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Northern Hound Holistic posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Northern Hound Holistic:

Shortcuts

Share

Category