Protecting Pets Naturally

Did you know this? Here is why you shouldn't regularly feed wild birds. The best thing you can do is provide shrubs with berries, seeds and leaves they eat and water. You can get the same enjoyment watching them in your garden. You don't want those adult birds to fill up on junk food OR "special seed mixes" and have no room for the rest of their daily dietary requirements to produce a healthy, strong egg. Metabolic Disease is a horrible issue in young birds in urban environments. Why would you contribute to that?

Iodine is so important to get right in your dog's diet. You don't want to overdose or underdose or it will affect your dog's thyroid. The Holistic Canine's ebook mentioned here can help you get the formula right in your dog's diet plan. This chart is a great guide to start with. My Perry loves his seaweed treat but I do not rely on this as his RDA. It would not be enough.

IODINE IS NOT A “NATURAL ADD-IN” — IT’S A PRECISION NUTRIENT

A common formulation error I see in fresh-food canine diets is not iodine deficiency itself, but HOW pet parents attempt to correct it.

Adding iodine is often treated casually:
▫️“Add some kelp.”
▫️“Rotate fish occasionally.”
▫️“Use whole foods and it balances out.”

Unfortunately, this is not how iodine physiology works.

1️⃣ Iodine Has One of the Tightest Safety Margins in Canine Nutrition

Iodine is required in microgram amounts (not milligrams) and both deficiency and excess directly impact thyroid function.

▪️Too little → inadequate thyroid hormone production
▪️Too much → suppression of thyroid activity (Wolff–Chaikoff effect), or dysregulation over time

This is not a nutrient where “more is safer.”
It is a nutrient where precision matters.

The NRC recommended iodine allowance is 220 mcg per 1000 kcal for both adults and puppies.

2️⃣ Kelp Is Not Always a Reliable Dosing Strategy

Kelp is often recommended as a “natural iodine source,” but its iodine concentration is highly inconsistent.

It varies by:
▪️ Species
▪️ Harvest region
▪️ Processing methods

Without batch-specific analysis, kelp can deliver:
⚠️ negligible iodine
or
⚠️ several times the daily requirement

That variability makes it a risk factor, not a precision tool. However,...

If using a kelp supplement, only use products with a clearly quantified iodine yield based on batch-specific analysis. Generalized or average values are not reliable for dosing.

3️⃣ “Whole Food Feeding” Does NOT Automatically Cover Iodine

Land-based meats, organs, and even well-rotated proteins do not reliably supply iodine.

Unless the diet deliberately includes:
✅️ measured iodine supplementation
or
✅️ calculated marine sources

…it is very easy to fall short.

“Variety” does not equal adequacy.

4️⃣ Marine Sources Work, But Still Require Intentional Use

Fish can provide iodine in a more physiologically balanced form, alongside selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.

However, even here:
▪️ Iodine content is species-dependent
▪️ Inclusion must be consistent
▪️ Total intake must still be estimated, not assumed

Food-based iodine can be measured, but only when intake is consistent and intentionally calculated.

5️⃣ Clinical Takeaway

Iodine is not a “top-off nutrient.”
It is not something you sprinkle in and hope balances out.

It is a dose-dependent, thyroid-regulating micronutrient that requires:
▪️ Defined intake
▪️ Awareness of variability
▪️ Avoidance of guesswork

Because when iodine is off, even slightly, it is the endocrine system that pays for it.

Precision, not intention, is what makes fresh feeding safe.

— The Holistic Canine 🐾 theholisticcanine.us

Create NRC balanced meals at home:
👉 Fresh feeding, explained—finally.
"Fresh-Food Feeding Explained" eBook
Available on our website❗️
https://theholisticcanine.us/ebook/

​

New peer-reviewed study shows 100% of bird nests tested contained residues of flea and tick chemicals from pets. These chemicals were found not just in nest lining made from treated pet fur, but also in eggs and dead chicks. Researchers also observed that higher contamination levels in nests were associated with more unhatched eggs and chick mortality signals, suggesting a clear exposure pathway from pets to wild birds through nest building materials.

In simple terms, wild birds may be unintentionally exposing their embryos and chicks to pet parasite treatments.

This adds a concerning layer during a period of ongoing bird declines, but it is important to note it is not considered a primary driver. Major causes of bird population declines in Europe and North America are still habitat loss and fragmentation, insect decline and food shortages, climate change, and intensive agricultural practices.

POV - You'd have to be OUT OF YOUR MIND to believe that a year's worth of neurotoxins injected into your dog is not going to affect it long term or kill it!

Flea & tick season is here again… and this post reached 2,500 shares last year 👇

I’m sharing this again because it’s something worth revisiting during flea & tick season.

Has anyone come across this or been offered it yet? Would be interested to hear experiences.

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There’s a new chemical cocktail being pushed on pet parents, and it’s got me shouting from the rooftops: please don’t fall for it.

📢 It’s called Bravecto Quantum, a 12-month injectable flea and tick treatment for dogs.

Yes, you read that right. One jab. 365 days. A full year of insecticide pulsing through your dog’s body. And guess what it targets? The nervous system, not just of fleas and ticks, but often of the dogs, too.

💥 What is Bravecto Quantum?
Bravecto Quantum is the injectable version of Bravecto, part of the same dangerous class of flea and tick products (isoxazolines) that’s been linked to seizures, tremors, unsteadiness, vomiting, and even death in thousands of dogs.

And now they’ve put it into a 12-month injection, which means:

You can’t stop it once it’s in

You can’t detox it out quickly

And if something goes wrong, you can’t reverse it

It’s a neurotoxin designed to paralyse fleas and ticks. But for many dogs, especially those with existing sensitivities, inflammation, or toxic load, it can have serious neurological effects.

⚠️ Safe and Effective? Not So Fast…
The phrase “safe and effective” is thrown around far too lightly in the pet industry.

Safe for whom? A lab-tested beagle in a short-term trial? Or your individual dog, who may already be dealing with food sensitivities, itchy skin, vaccine damage, or whose health is already compromised?

Is It Available in the U.K.?
Yes, and here’s the part most people don’t know:

Bravecto Quantum has been available in the U.K. since early 2024, following approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). But it flew under the radar most pet parents have only just started hearing about it because it was only recently approved in the U.S. (July 2025).

🇬🇧 It was authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate on 24 June 2024, under licence VM 01708/5091, and is available by prescription only through vets.

You can read the official VMD product sheet here: 👇🏻https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productInformationDatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_2808659.PDF

Now, vets across the U.K. are beginning to offer it as part of ‘preventative care packages’ alongside annual jabs and checkups. That’s why this is the time to speak out, before it becomes the new normal.

🧠 It Targets Nerves – Including Your Dog’s
This drug interferes with how nerve signals work, in fleas, ticks… and yes, sometimes in dogs too.

I’ve personally supported dog parents after reactions to Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica, and similar drugs. The side effects can include:

⚠️Chronic itching
❌Disorientation or confusion
❌Head tremors
⚠️Seizures
❌Sudden behaviour changes
❌Digestive upset
⚠️Lethargy and more
❌Once that shot is in, you’re stuck with it for a full year. There is no off-switch.

🌱 Natural Alternatives Do Exist
You don’t have to choose between fleas and chemical cocktails.

Supporting your dog’s internal terrain is the key. A clean, species-appropriate, low-fat diet reduces the appeal of your dog to parasites. Add gentle natural repellents, real food, detox support, and ditch the toxins and you’ll be amazed at what the body can do.

❤️ If Your Dog’s Already Struggling…

If your dog is already itchy, ye**ty, inflamed, anxious, or has had vaccines, antibiotics, or parasite treatments, this injection is the LAST thing they need.

I offer bespoke detox and healing plans to gently support recovery and help your dog thrive without the junk. No suppressing symptoms here, I look at the root cause and remove what doesn’t belong.

🐾 Book a Consultation
💬 Ready to help your dog heal naturally?
Book a 1:1 with me here: https://canine-wellness-specialist.uk/services-2/

Because real health doesn’t come in a syringe, and your dog deserves better.

Rio the Sun Conure visited the Helensville Market today. Here he is discovering the joy of our Pineapple Wafers. Blake's Bikkits aren't just for dogs. https://protectingpetsnaturally.com/shop/Pineapple-Wafers-p79159855

Dr Katie Woodley explains why you must repair the gut after using antibiotics. We are told this for humans but its just as important for your pets. My Perry is 6 and has never had antibiotics but I would give them if its a life or death emergency. I keep his gut health at an optimum by feeding kefir, sauerkraut and Dr Dobias Gut Sense (https://bit.ly/4m9tH06) along with his raw diet.

https://youtu.be/AeF6oDjFyhI?si=DJoT3p6n3jKMKqd-

How to Rebuild Your Dog's Gut After Antibiotics - Holistic Vet Explains ⬇️ Download the FREE Dog Gut Health Starter Guide:https://www.thenaturalpetdoctor.com/gut-health-starter-guideThis guide walks you through the early warning ...

This is alarming that this happened. Always question the ingredients in your vet-prescribed medications.

🚨 HIDDEN XYLITOL IN DOG MEDICATION? This nearly killed a dog.

This case stopped me in my tracks.

A pet parent (Halszka Kuza) asked her veterinarian in writing if her dog’s medication contained xylitol.
She was told no.

But what happened next could have cost her dog’s life.

What happened

This involved a dog named Lady. She was prescribed a very common medication: liquid gabapentin (often used for pain and anxiety in dogs and cats).

Because it was liquid, it had to be compounded—specially prepared at a pharmacy rather than dispensed as a standard product.

Everything seemed routine… until it wasn’t.

Within a few days, Lady became extremely sick:
• Weak, lethargic, not herself
• Developed bloody diarrhea
Terrifying for her owner.

The turning point

Her owner started questioning the medication. She found that some liquid gabapentin formulations can contain xylitol. So she asked again:

“Does this medication contain xylitol?”
The answer came back clearly: no.

But something still didn’t feel right.

So she sent the medication to an independent lab.

The truth

The result?
Almost 18% xylitol.

That’s a massive amount. And yes—at that level it could absolutely kill a dog.

Why xylitol is so dangerous

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener found in sugar-free gum, toothpaste, candy, peanut butter, and some medications.

In dogs, xylitol triggers a surge of insulin → blood sugar crashes fast. This can cause:
weakness, tremors, seizures, collapse, even death—often within 30–60 minutes.
It can also lead to acute liver failure.

And cats? There’s a myth that xylitol is “safe” for cats. It’s not. Cats may react differently, but serious toxicity has been documented. Best rule: never give xylitol to any pet.

Why this happened

Because the medication was compounded. It may have been made using a human base that contained xylitol, or the wrong formulation was dispensed. Easy mistake. Huge consequences.

What you should do

If your pet is prescribed a liquid medication:
• Ask exactly what’s in it
• Ask specifically about xylitol
• Check the label
• If it smells sweet, stop and question it
• Trust your instincts

If exposure happens: don’t wait, don’t treat at home—go to the vet immediately. Treatment may include IV fluids, blood sugar monitoring, glucose support, and liver protection.

Lady survived. Thankfully. But this is your reminder: even when it’s prescribed, it’s okay to pause and ask questions.

To Halszka Kuza ( ), you did everything right—thank you for being the kind of pet parent who speaks up and saves lives.

This was inevitable when not enough thought is given to what breeds you are mixing. eg. temperaments begin to decline once you breed two first generation (F1) Cockerpoos.

Designer dog crossbreeds show more 'undesirable' behaviours, vets say The Royal Veterinary College says popular "doodle" dogs do not always behave as expected.

This spray is simple to make and you can interchange the oils. I particularly use cedarwood oil the most on Perry for ticks. His raw-fed constitution prevents fleas but every now and then I'll see a tiny tick on his face. I think they sit there trying to decide whether he tastes nice or is his blood is just too healthy to be a good lunch.

Here's the EASIEST WAY to get FLEA and TICK PROTECTION for your DOG only using NATURAL ingredients! Looking for a natural tick and flea repellent spray for your furry friend? As pet owners, we all want to give our furry companions the best care possible. Th...