House of Paws

02/09/2026

15/08/2026

🧬 CAN WHAT YOUR DOG EATS CHANGE HOW FAST THEIR BODY AGES?

A fascinating new peer-reviewed pilot study suggests it might.
Researchers followed pugs for 6 months, comparing dogs that stayed on extruded dry kibble with dogs switched to a cooked, minimally processed, human-grade diet formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Instead of just measuring weight or bloodwork, researchers looked at changes in the dogs’ DNA associated with biological aging — essentially, how old their bodies appeared compared with their actual age.

🥩 The surprising finding? Dogs switched to fresh food showed a nearly 1-year shift toward a younger biological age in just 6 months, while dogs that stayed on kibble did not show a significant change.

🥩 Fresh food: +2.75 years → +1.80 years
🥣 Kibble: +2.77 years → +2.46 years

Even more interesting, the dogs’ bodyweights remained stable, suggesting the shift wasn’t simply due to weight loss. Researchers also found significant changes involving KISS1R, a gene associated with metabolism and obesity, in the fresh-fed dogs but not the kibble-fed dogs.

Published in Veterinary Record Open, a peer-reviewed journal of the British Veterinary Association published by Wiley, the study adds to growing research on the potential benefits of balanced, minimally processed foods.

🥦 Want to add more fresh food to your pet’s bowl but aren’t sure where to start? That’s why Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib wrote The Forever Dog LIFE.

It includes 30+ complete and balanced fresh-food recipes that can be served raw, poached, slow-cooked, or baked, with versions for dogs and cats, different activity levels and life stages, plus hundreds of variations online.

Whether you feed fully fresh or simply want to add more fresh food, The Forever Dog LIFE helps you do fresh food right. 🐶🐱🥩🥦

17/07/2026

🐾 DOES YOUR DOG’S ITCHY SKIN START IN THE GUT?
 
A new study adds to the growing evidence that many dogs with atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) don’t just have a skin problem—they also have a gut problem.
 
Researchers found:
• Dogs with more severe allergies had greater evidence of intestinal damage.
• Biomarkers suggested increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”).
• Skin hydration declined as allergy severity increased.
• The findings support an important connection between gut health and skin health—the gut-skin axis.
 
What does this mean for pet parents?
 
If your dog struggles with chronic itching, licking, recurrent ear infections, or inflamed skin, focusing only on the skin may miss part of the picture. Supporting a healthy intestinal barrier and microbiome, while addressing the underlying cause of inflammation, may be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
 
Healthy skin starts from within. The gut and skin are deeply connected, and science continues to reinforce that caring for one helps support the other.
 
Unlike many probiotics that contain only a handful of human-derived strains, Primitive Probiotics™ combines canine-derived strains, soil-based probiotics, Saccharomyces boulardii, and wolf-derived strains to help support a healthier microbiome, a stronger gut barrier, normal immune function, and healthy skin from the inside out.
 
Because when it comes to allergies, supporting the skin may be only part of the solution—supporting the gut may be just as important.
 
👉 Comment BETTERBELLY and we’ll send you all the details.

09/06/2026

One of the things I love most about what I do is helping owners navigate the often confusing world of pet nutrition.

Recently I've been working with a lovely client in Cape Town whose boy, Logan, was struggling with severe digestive and acid reflux issues. Finding the right diet wasn't a quick fix — it took patience, careful observation, regular updates, and a willingness to make adjustments along the way.

Every dog is different. What works beautifully for one may not work for another, and Logan certainly reminded us of that!

The wonderful news is that after a lot of teamwork, trial and refinement, Logan is now doing incredibly well. Seeing him comfortable, happy, enjoying his food and his treats again has been such a rewarding journey for both his owner and me.

This is why I'm so passionate about nutrition. It's never just about food. It's about improving quality of life, one dog at a time.

Thank you to Logan's mum for trusting me to be part of his journey and for keeping me updated every step of the way. Messages like yours absolutely make my day. ❤️🐾

08/06/2026

Dogs fill our lives with loyalty, joy, and unforgettable companionship. They leave lasting impressions through the love they give every day. The only marks that should ever appear on a dog are signs that they are cherished. A loving home and gentle care are what every dog deserves. When dogs feel safe and valued, their happiness shines through. Protecting and caring for them is a responsibility we should always honor. Every dog deserves a life filled with kindness and affection. 🐾❤️

08/05/2026

Meet gorgeous Maggie and her very beloved Orca Flyer 💚🐾
Pic of the new one to see the difference between a brand new Orca Flyer… and Maggie’s “slightly loved” version 😂
This toy has been part of Maggie’s daily life for around 4½–5 years and has gone absolutely everywhere with her — even travelling across South Africa! It’s her comfort toy, her carry-around toy, her “must-have-at-all-times” toy… and every morning her humans have had to go searching for it because it now blends perfectly into the lawn 🌱🤣
We honestly think this says everything about the quality of these toys. Durable, safe, dog-friendly, and built to LAST. After years of daily use, Maggie has finally been treated to a brand new Orca Flyer… although she’s still looking a little suspicious about this strange clean version 😅
We’re pretty sure she’ll fall in love with the new one soon enough — and her family can finally retire the original relic 💚
Who else has a dog with a toy they simply cannot live without? Show us their favourite toy in the comments! 🐶

21/04/2026

Daily walks are one of the most powerful ways to support your dog’s physical and emotional health. But they’re not without risk; one of the most overlooked and easily avoidable hazards I’ve seen in clinical practice is the use of retractable leashes. While they may seem convenient, offering dogs more freedom to explore, they can create a dangerous illusion of control. In reality, extending your dog 10–15 feet away reduces your ability to respond quickly when something unexpected happens, whether it’s a passing car, another dog, or a sudden noise.
Over the years, I’ve treated far too many injuries tied directly to retractable leashes; everything from neck strain and spinal stress in dogs to serious rope burns, trips, and falls (for dogs and people). These devices change the way dogs learn to walk, too. Instead of reinforcing calm, connected movement, they often reward pulling by giving dogs more distance when they forge ahead.
A sturdy, fixed-length leash (about 4–6 feet) paired with a well-fitted harness gives you consistent communication and control while still allowing your dog to enjoy the walk and all the sniffs that go with it. It’s one small change you can make that can dramatically reduce risk and help create calmer, more enjoyable walks for both you and your dog. Learn the leash types I recommend for maximum safety for you and your pup in my latest blog. Link in comments🐾.