Benny’s Best Bites

08/09/2026

Is your senior dog sleeping more, wandering the house at night, forgetting routines, or seeming a little “off” their game?
Many pet parents assume these changes are simply part of aging, but they could be early signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). This condition closely resembles Alzheimer’s disease in people.
Research shows brain health isn’t fixed. Fresh food, regular exercise, environmental enrichment, omega-3 fats, antioxidants, targeted supplements, and early intervention all help support cognitive function and improve quality of life.
In my newest article, I explain:
🐾The earliest warning signs of CCD
🐾What happens inside the aging brain
🐾Nutrients shown to support memory and learning
🐾Why daily activity protects the brain
🐾Practical ways to help your dog stay mentally sharp for years to come
Growing older is inevitable, but growing older well is something we can influence. Check out my latest article, link in comments. 🐾

08/09/2026

🔥 DOES THE WAY YOUR PET’S FOOD IS PROCESSED MATTER?

A new peer reviewed study published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition compared 41 commercial dog foods, including fresh, wet, kibble, freeze dried, and cold pressed diets, to see how processing changes food at the molecular level.

The findings were eye opening:

🥩 Fresh food contained more than twice as much lysine as kibble. Lysine is an essential amino acid that supports healthy muscles, immune function, and tissue repair. Kibble also showed 53% more heat related lysine damage than fresh food.

🥫 Wet food contained the highest levels of heat created compounds (AGEs) that have been linked to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cellular damage.

💰 One surprise? More expensive didn’t always mean better. Some premium kibble and wet foods had some of the highest levels of these unwanted heat created compounds.

The researchers conclude that both ingredients and processing matter. Food should be processed enough to ensure safety, but excessive heat may reduce nutritional quality and create unwanted compounds.

That’s one reason Dr. Karen Becker recommends feeding a balanced, fresh, minimally processed diet whenever possible. If fresh feeding isn’t realistic, don’t worry. Nutrition isn’t all or nothing. Choosing higher quality foods, rotating complete and balanced diets, and adding fresh whole food toppers like sardines, berries, or appropriate vegetables can all help improve your pet’s bowl over time.

Small changes, made consistently, can add up to a healthier future.

02/28/2026

FEED BY ELEMENT 🔥🪵🌎⚙️💧
Know your dog’s constitutional element, and you can choose foods that support what is deficient or calm what is excessive.

That balance is foundational in TCVM, and it guides what to feed, when to feed it, and why.

DR. JUDY MORGAN’S GENTLY COOKED CONSTITUTION DIETS
Five distinct recipes, each built with purpose-driven ingredients to help restore and maintain balance for specific needs. There is no one universal diet, so the TCVM approach is simple: tailor the bowl to your dog right now, and rotate as their needs change.

Find out what your dog's element is! 🤓 https://ow.ly/juFS50ViGSv

02/28/2026

Your dog’s ancestors consumed the pancreas and other digestive organs of their prey, which provided essential digestive enzymes. Many dogs today struggle with digestion and nutrient absorption. Loose stools, gas, vomiting or pooping undigested food, and insatiable hunger are often early signs of digestive issues.

My latest free article about enzyme deficiency is ready to read; I explain the critical difference between full pancreatic enzyme failure and enzyme insufficiency, why so many dogs struggle long before the problem is identified (and how modern life, diet, stress, medications, and genetics all play a role). Learn why supporting digestion early can dramatically change your dog’s long-term health and quality of life. Link to the article is in the comments ⬇️ 🐾

02/28/2026

Beyond the "Mushroom" Label: Why Mycelium-on-Grain is a Mismatch for the Canine Dog-As-Ecosystem.

When we reach for medicinal mushrooms, we’re looking for a specific physiological shift: immune modulation, nervous system support, or metabolic balance. But in the world of supplements, the word "mushroom" is often used loosely.

As a clinical herbalist, I look for mushroom fruiting body. That’s the actual mushroom you see above ground. It’s where the high concentrations of beta-glucans and secondary metabolites live.

Contrast that with "mycelium-on-grain." This is the fungal root system grown on a bed of rice, oats, or sorghum. When it’s harvested, the grain is ground right up with it. You aren’t just getting the fungi; you’re getting a significant amount of starch.

For a dog’s internal terrain, especially one already struggling with inflammation or yeast, adding daily starch via a "wellness" supplement doesn't work. It dilutes the medicine and complicates the ecosystem.

Check your labels for "myceliated grain" or "brown rice." Your dog’s protocol should be rooted in potency, not fillers. Look for hot water extracted fruiting body mushroom powders or liquid extracts using fruiting body mushrooms. This is what you need to work effectively and keep down inflammation.

02/27/2026

There’s a great debate about dog nutrition among pet parents, animal care professionals, and pet food companies. Some believe dogs should be eating whole prey. Others believe they should have vegetables in their diet. There’s also the vegetarian or grain-free routes. So what in the world should our dogs really be eating?

In this article, we are going to get down to the bottom of what foods are appropriate for dogs and how to effectively feed them for optimal health and longevity.

Read more here: https://blog.adoredbeast.com/dog-nutrition-what-should-we-actually-feed-them/

02/27/2026

02/26/2026

Holistic care isn’t a trend.

It’s a journey you take with your dog to support wellness, mobility, immunity, calm, and longevity.

Things like turmeric, ginger, reishi, or fish oil can be powerful, but only when given with understanding, the right dose, and the right support.

Here’s the thing: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Which herb? What dose? How often? Is it right for my dog?

That’s exactly why Dog Mom Society was created, so no dog mom feels lost or confused when choosing what’s best for her pup.

💬 Comment “DOG MOM” to surround yourself with other loving dog moms AND expert guidance so you can:
✨ Make confident health choices
✨ Understand natural support
✨ Avoid overwhelm
✨ Feel supported in every decision

Because your dog deserves your best, and so do you. 💞
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