holistic dog health natural pet wellness

How to Support Holistic Dog Health and Natural Pet Wellness

August 28, 2026

Holistic dog health has become a personal topic for many of us. Several members of our functional practice team have dogs of our own, and as we’ve supported our own pets, we’ve found ourselves asking many of the same questions we ask in human health: What are the root causes? What role does nutrition play? Are there environmental triggers being overlooked? How can we support prevention instead of waiting for disease to develop?

In our work with complex chronic illness, we’ve seen firsthand how common standard healthcare can miss the full picture. Many conventional narratives around nutrition, prevention, toxins, immune health, and chronic symptoms are incomplete, and the same can be true in pet care.

While veterinary medicine offers essential tools for diagnosis, emergency care, surgery, infectious disease prevention, and life-saving treatment, many pet owners are left wanting a broader framework for supporting long-term wellness.

That is why we started researching holistic dog health through the same lens we use in functional wellness. Let’s examine what we’ve learned so you can better support your dog’s health while also applying many of these principles to other pets in a species-appropriate way.

The goal is to offer a more holistic vet lens so you can ask better questions, recognize overlooked factors, and make more informed decisions for the animals you love. Finding the right veterinarian is still essential, but when you understand the bigger picture, you are better equipped to advocate for your pet’s health with clarity, confidence, and discernment.

Key Takeaways

Holistic dog health takes a whole-body approach that considers nutrition, environment, stress, toxins, vaccines, prevention, and individualized care.
Natural pet wellness should always be species-specific because dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and small mammals have very different needs.
A fresh, meat-heavy, species-appropriate diet is one of the most important foundations for supporting dog health naturally.
Kibble is generally the least ideal food option because it is highly processed, low in moisture, and often less aligned with a dog’s biology.
Gut health, dental health, metabolic health, and emotional regulation are all essential parts of long-term dog wellness.
Environmental toxins such as mold, lawn chemicals, heavy metals, plastics, fragrances, and poor indoor air quality can contribute to a dog’s overall toxin burden.
Vaccines, parasite prevention, spaying, neutering, and medications should be approached with informed consent, risk assessment, and individualized veterinary guidance.
Natural treatments and supplements may be helpful, but whole-food nutrition and foundational health supports should come first whenever possible.
The best holistic dog health plan balances preventive veterinary care with root-cause support, low-toxin living, and daily lifestyle choices that build resilience.

Table of Contents

Pro-Tip: If you’re rethinking your dog’s food, vaccine schedule, toxin exposure, or long-term wellness plan, it’s worth applying the same root-cause lens to your own health. At Empower Functional Health, our team helps clients uncover the deeper drivers behind chronic symptoms through personalized functional medicine, nutrition, and holistic health support. If self-troubleshooting hasn’t been enough, our Personalized Health Plan is a powerful starting point for identifying your root causes and building a more targeted path forward.

What Is Holistic Dog Health?

Holistic dog health is a whole-body approach to pet wellness that looks beyond isolated symptoms and considers how nutrition, environment, lifestyle, stress, toxin exposure, gut health, dental health, immune function, vaccines, parasite prevention, and preventive care all work together. Instead of only asking, “What medication can manage this symptom?” a holistic lens asks, “Why is this symptom happening, what systems are involved, and how can we support the dog’s long-term resilience?”

This is similar to functional and holistic human healthcare, where the goal isn’t just symptom suppression, but identifying root causes, reducing unnecessary stressors, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.

Just as humans can be affected by various factors and inflammatory triggers, dogs can also experience health challenges when these same foundations are overlooked.

What Natural Pet Wellness Means for Other Animals

Natural pet wellness extends the same whole-body philosophy to cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, and other companion animals, while recognizing that each species has very different biological needs.

What supports one animal may not be safe for another, so natural pet wellness should always be individualized rather than applying dog-centered advice across every species.

Holistic vs. Conventional Pet Care

Conventional pet care is typically strongest in acute situations, surgery, emergency medicine, infectious disease treatment, and life-saving interventions. These tools are essential and shouldn’t be dismissed, especially when a pet is experiencing sudden symptoms, injury, infection, toxin exposure, or serious disease.

Holistic pet care adds a broader prevention and lifestyle lens to that foundation, along with healthier, natural alternatives for daily support and longevity. The best approach is usually integrative, using conventional veterinary care when needed while also asking deeper questions about what may be the root cause drivers.

Why Pets Need Individualized Care

Pets are just like people in the sense that no two animals respond the same way. A dog’s needs can vary dramatically based on breed, age, genetics, size, activity level, medical history, gut health, toxin exposure, stress load, and even where they live. The same is true for other pets, each with its own species-specific requirements and sensitivities.

This is why individualized care is so important.

A plan that works beautifully for one pet may be ineffective, unnecessary, or even harmful for another. Holistic pet wellness means looking at the whole animal and making decisions based on their unique biology, symptoms, lifestyle, risks, and long-term health goals. When care is personalized, pet owners can better support prevention, catch early warning signs, and make more informed choices with the right veterinary team.

Why Holistic Dog Health Matters

Modern dogs are exposed to many of the same health stressors humans face. While dogs may seem resilient, their bodies are still constantly responding to the quality of their food, water, home environment, outdoor exposures, medications, emotional stress, and overall toxic burden. Over time, these inputs can add up and influence their overall health and long-term vitality.

The goal of holistic dog health isn’t to eliminate every possible exposure or create fear around everyday life. Instead, it is to build resilience while reducing the overall toxin bucket wherever possible. When we lower unnecessary stressors and support the foundations of wellness, dogs are better equipped to adapt, recover, and enjoy a healthier, more comfortable quality of life.

The Reality of Today’s Vetcare Landscape

Mars has sold unused confectionery ingredients to processors for use in livestock feed. Cattle diets may contain candy or confectionery by-products, with Extension guidance generally limiting them to around 10% of the total diet.

Preventative pet health matters because today’s veterinary care system is becoming harder for the average pet owner to afford. Vet care costs have reportedly risen about 60% over the last decade, roughly double the rate of inflation. At the same time, more than 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. That means one emergency visit, one surgery, or one unclear diagnosis can quickly force families into an impossible decision: drain savings, take on debt, delay care, or say goodbye sooner than they should have to.

This isn’t just because veterinary medicine has become more advanced. Yes, diagnostics, imaging, specialty care, and emergency medicine have improved, and those services cost money. But that’s only part of the story.

The bigger issue is that pet care has become a highly profitable industry, and large corporations and private equity firms have noticed. They know individual love their pets like family, and they know many owners will pay almost anything when their pet is suffering. That emotional bond has become part of the business model.

Mars, the candy company behind M&M’s, Skittles, and Snickers, now owns major vet chains including VCA, BluePearl, and Banfield. It also owns major pet food and pet care brands. That means the same corporate ecosystem can profit from what pets eat, where they receive care, what diagnostics they receive, what medications they are prescribed, and what long-term treatments they may need. Mars reportedly owns roughly 3,000 veterinary clinics, making it one of the largest players in veterinary medicine.

Private equity has also moved aggressively into the space. Reports suggest corporate and private equity groups may own up to 50% of veterinary clinics and up to 75% of emergency hospitals. Their strategy is simple: buy up clinics, consolidate them, standardize operations, increase pricing power, reduce costs, and eventually sell to a larger buyer. This is called a roll-up strategy, and it’s designed around financial return.

Most vets entered this profession because they love animals and want to help. But many are now working inside systems that can pressure them to see more patients in less time, follow software-driven protocols, sell bundled treatment plans, and increase revenue per visit. When corporate management is making decisions from a spreadsheet, individualized care can take a back seat.

This is why holistic dog and pet health is a form of protection. Prevention will never replace emergency care, diagnostics, surgery, or a skilled vet when those are truly needed. But the less we support our pets day to day, the more likely we are to end up dependent on a crisis-care system that is increasingly expensive, consolidated, and profit-driven.

Nutrition

Just like humans, dogs and other pets rely on nutrition as one of the most foundational inputs for health, and it is one of the most important decisions you make for your pet each day.

Why Diet Is Foundational for Health

Food provides the raw materials and building blocks needed for every aspect of health.

For dogs and other pets, diet directly influences how well the body can build, repair, defend, eliminate waste, regulate inflammation, and maintain resilience over time.

When diet quality is poor or mismatched, the body has fewer resources to adapt, recover, and thrive. Over time, nutrient deficiencies, excesses, poor digestibility, inflammatory ingredients, or highly processed foods can contribute to a variety of issues and chronic conditions. A holistic approach to pet nutrition starts with the understanding that food should be used as a foundational health lever before relying on medications, supplements, or other vet interventions.

The Optimal Diet for Dogs

The optimal diet for dogs is typically a meat-heavy, species-appropriate diet built around high-quality animal protein, healthy fats, organs in proper proportions, minerals, moisture, and properly balanced nutrients. Dogs are considered flexible scavenger carnivores, but their ancestral diet is still largely prey-based.

Like humans, dogs don’t have a known minimum dietary carbohydrate requirement. While dogs may be able to process some carbs, especially after domestication, this doesn’t mean starches and grains are required for optimal health.

This aligns with the dog’s evolutionary history. Domestic dogs descended from wolves and still share many carnivorous traits, including a strong biological reliance on animal-based nutrients. Wolves primarily eat prey animals when available, including meat, fat, connective tissue, bone, organs, and some partially digested plant matter from the stomach contents of herbivores. They may occasionally eat grasses, berries, or other plant foods when scavenging, but these aren’t the foundation of their diet. This offers an important framework for canine nutrition: dogs may have more dietary flexibility than wolves, but they are still biologically designed to thrive on fresh, animal-based foods.

One major concern with many commercial dog foods is that they are typically built around the economics of the pet food industry rather than the biology of the dog. The pet food industry commonly uses byproducts from the human food and agriculture industries, including animal fats, lower-cost grains, and other ingredients that may be less desirable for human consumption. While not all byproducts are inherently harmful, ingredient quality, sourcing transparency, processing methods, storage practices, and contamination risk all matter. A food can meet basic nutrient requirements while still being far from ideal from a fresh, species-appropriate, low-toxin perspective.

Grains and starches are especially common in commercial kibble because they are inexpensive, shelf-stable, and help bind the food together during processing. This is one reason kibble usually looks more like a processed convenience food than an optimal canine diet. Dogs do produce amylase and can digest some starch, but a high-starch diet is not the same as a biologically optimal diet.

Fat is also an important part of a species-appropriate dog diet. Dogs can thrive on fattier cuts of meat when their digestion has been gradually adapted to handle them, especially when the diet is balanced and transitioned slowly. Fat supports energy, skin and coat health, hormone production, brain function, satiety, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. It is essential and helps prevent problems associated with overly lean diets, such as rabbit starvation.

Fat recommendations for dogs include:

Adult pets may do well with up to 40% – 45% fat in the diet, especially with no carbs
Puppies usually need more fat, but it’s important to slowly increase based on tolerance

The key is feeding a complete, balanced, meat-heavy diet that meets the dog’s nutrient needs. Muscle meat alone isn’t enough. Dogs also need the right balance of calcium and phosphorus, trace minerals, essential fatty acids, organs in proper proportions, connective tissue, and other micronutrients.

For many dogs, a thoughtfully formulated raw, cooked, freeze-dried, or fresh food diet is a better foundation than highly processed, high-starch foods, but the diet still has to be complete, digestible, properly sourced, and appropriate for the individual dog’s life stage, activity level, and health history.

A species-appropriate diet for dogs should generally include:

Muscle meat
Raw meaty bones or ground bone
Muscular organs
Small amounts of secreting organs (no liver or kidneys) in proportion to what they’re consuming
Eggs
Fatty fish
Animal fats, if tolerated
Possibly dairy, if tolerated
Small amounts of targeted whole-food additions to fill nutrient gaps

Pro-Tip: Some holistic vets recommend rotating at least three different types of meat each week so dogs can benefit from a broader rainbow of meats and the unique nutrients each provides. For example, pork is naturally rich in thiamine, seafood can provide DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids, eggs offer choline and highly bioavailable protein, ruminant meats such as beef and lamb provide zinc, iron, and B vitamins, and organ meats offer concentrated micronutrients when used in the right proportions. This kind of rotation can help expand nutrient diversity while still keeping the diet meat-heavy and species-appropriate.

Raw, Cooked, Freeze-Dried, Homemade, vs. Kibble

Every dog food type has its own benefits and limitations:

Raw Diets

Raw diets are considered the most biologically appropriate option for dogs because they most closely align with how dogs evolved to eat. Dogs have short, acidic digestive tracts designed to break down raw animal protein, fat, bone, connective tissue, and organs efficiently.

When raw meat is consumed, a dog’s stomach becomes highly acidic, which helps reduce the survival of many organisms that may be present in raw food. Since carnivores also have a shorter digestive transit time, food generally moves through the digestive system more quickly than it does in herbivores or omnivores with longer intestinal tracts.

Raw feeding also has the advantage of more nutritional value, as water-soluble nutrients are lost through cooking. Many pet owners and holistic vets report meaningful improvements after transitioning dogs to a properly balanced raw diet. Not every dog will experience every benefit, but reported improvements may include better stool quality, improved digestion, healthier skin and coat, less itching, cleaner teeth, fresher breath, improved energy, better weight management, reduced odor, fewer inflammatory symptoms, and overall improved vitality. When raw feeding supports better foundational health, some families may also find themselves needing fewer routine visits for recurring issues, which can reduce long-term care costs.

For owners who prepare raw diets at home, raw feeding can also be less expensive than some premium commercial diets, especially when sourcing meat, bones, and organs carefully. However, cost savings should never come at the expense of proper balance. The diet still needs the right proportions of muscle meat, fat, bone or calcium, organs, connective tissue, and micronutrients to avoid deficiencies or excesses over time.

Concerns such as Salmonella and E. coli are usually less common in healthy raw-fed dogs than many pet owners assume. However, raw food still requires careful handling because bacteria can pose a greater risk to humans in the household, especially through fecal-oral exposure or improper kitchen hygiene.

Extra caution is important in homes with immunocompromised individuals, young children, elderly family members, pregnant women, or anyone currently ill. Simple precautions such as washing hands, sanitizing surfaces, storing food properly, cleaning bowls, avoiding letting pets lick faces after eating raw meat, and having someone else feed raw food or handle waste when sick can help reduce risk.

Another consideration with raw feeding is bone safety. Choking, obstruction, or intestinal injury is uncommon but still possible, especially if a dog eats too quickly or swallows large pieces of bone. This risk can be reduced by using appropriately sized raw meaty bones, chopping bones into smaller pieces when needed, supervising meals, or choosing commercially prepared raw foods that already include properly ground or finely chopped bone. These products can make raw feeding more convenient while also helping ensure the diet includes the appropriate balance of meat, fat, bone, organs, and micronutrients.

Suggested raw diet ratios can include:

50%-80% boneless muscle meat
10%-12% raw bone
10%-25% muscular organs (e.g., heart, lung, gizzards)
Less than 5% other secreting organs (e.g., spleen, pancreas, brain)
No liver or kidneys due to vitamin A and copper toxicity risks

Pro-Tip: Certain nutrients may be lower or harder to balance in raw diets; however, there are whole-food options that can help. Consider adding eggs for comprehensive support; fatty fish (e.g., sardines, salmon, salmon roe, mackerel) for omega-3s, vitamin D, and minerals; blue mussels and green tripe for manganese; raw dairy if tolerated for iodine and other nutrients; and pork lard or duck fat for vitamin E.

Freeze-Dried Food

Freeze-dried dog food can also be a good option depending on the quality of the meat, organs, sourcing, and added ingredients. It’s usually less processed than kibble and may preserve more of the nutritional integrity of raw ingredients, while being easier to store and serve. The main consideration is moisture: freeze-dried foods are very dry, so they should usually be rehydrated before feeding to better support digestion, hydration, and kidney health.

Homemade Dog Food

Homemade dog food offers the benefit of full control over ingredient quality, sourcing, freshness, and preparation methods. This can be especially helpful for homeowners interested in saving money and tailoring ingredients to their dogs’ needs.

While raw diets have their advantages, cooked diets can still be used as a practical, better alternative to kibble and freeze-dried foods. Consider lightly cooked options if your household isn’t comfortable with raw feeding. Both raw and cooked homemade diets don’t require expensive, pasture-raised, grass-fed sourced meats—grocery stores, discount markets, and international markets can provide more affordable sources.

It’s important to note that homemade food must be formulated correctly, and oversimplified diets should be avoided. A meat-based diet needs to be formulated with nutrient balance in mind (refer to the ratios mentioned above).

Pro-Tip: If you’re adding bone to a cooked dog food recipe, never use cooked whole bones as they can become brittle, splinter, and pose a choking or intestinal injury risk. For cooked meals, use a properly measured ground bone powder/capsule or another safe calcium source instead. Raw meaty bones may also be used when appropriate, but they should be size-appropriate, supervised, and introduced carefully based on the dog’s tolerance.

Premade Cooked Dog Food

Premade cooked dog food can be a better option than kibble because it is less processed, higher in moisture, and closer to real food than dry, shelf-stable pellets. However, pet owners should still read labels carefully, as not all cooked dog foods are created equally. Some formulas rely heavily on liver or kidney, which can contribute to excessive vitamin A, copper, or other nutrient imbalances when fed long-term. It’s also important to watch for synthetic vitamins, feed-grade supplements, or synthetic preservatives.

Kibble

Kibble is the least ideal option because it is an ultra-processed food that is far removed from the fresh, moisture-rich, animal-based diet dogs are biologically designed to eat.

Like highly processed human foods, kibble is exposed to heat, pressure, repeated processing, storage time, and ingredient degradation that can reduce nutrient quality and increase reliance on synthetic vitamin and mineral fortification. Some ingredients in kibble may be cooked as many as four times before they reach the pet’s bowl, creating a shelf-stable product that is convenient and profitable, but not ideal for long-term health.

Dry foods can also be vulnerable to oxidation, rancid fats, mold growth, and mycotoxin contamination, especially when grain- or plant-heavy ingredients are used or when storage conditions are poor. Research has identified mycotoxin concerns in dry dog foods, especially extrusion-produced foods containing various grains and vegetables, and improper storage can further increase the risk of stale food, rancid oils, nutrient loss, pests, and mold.

Another major concern is moisture. Fresh meat and prey are naturally about 70–80% moisture, while kibble is a dehydrated food. This can be especially problematic for cats, who are designed to get much of their hydration from prey and often don’t drink enough water on their own. Dogs may tolerate dry food better than cats, but a lifetime of low-moisture food can still place unnecessary stress on hydration, digestion, kidney health, and overall resilience. For this reason, even when kibble can’t be fully replaced, adding moisture to the bowl can be one of the simplest and most impactful upgrades.

Ingredient sourcing is another important concern. While “complete and balanced” pet foods are designed to meet nutrient profiles for specific life stages, that label doesn’t automatically guarantee optimal ingredient quality. AAFCO explains that complete and balanced foods must contain required nutrients in proper ratios, but animal-sourced ingredients can vary widely in composition and quality.

Pet food legally functions more like animal feed than true human-grade food, meaning ingredients such as chicken, beef, or real meat on a pet food label don’t carry the same meaning they do on human food labels. Pet-food ingredients have different legal definitions from identically named human-food ingredients. Unless a product carries a legitimate “human grade” claim on the physical label, there are no guarantees that the meat was USDA inspected and passed for human consumption.

This is why marketing terms such as “premium,” “natural,” “raw,” “real chicken”, or “refrigerated” aren’t enough on their own. A pet food can look high-quality on the front of the package and still rely on feed-grade ingredients if it doesn’t meet human-grade standards. This issue isn’t limited to kibble: even wet, refrigerated, or raw commercial foods can have unclear sourcing unless the company is transparent about whether the meats are USDA inspected and passed, whether the supplements are human grade, and what testing is performed on both raw ingredients and the finished product.

The FDA has also acknowledged the need for safeguards around animal-derived ingredients, including hazards such as Salmonella, decomposed tissue, and drug residues such as pentobarbital; any presence of pentobarbital renders food adulterated under federal law.

One of the most concerning points raised about commercial pet food is the potential use of condemned animal material, also referred to as 4D animals: dead, dying, diseased, or disabled animals. This material is prohibited from entering the human-food supply, yet experts have raised concerns that through FDA enforcement discretion, diseased animals and animals that died from causes other than conventional slaughter may still be redirected into animal feed or pet food without clear disclosure to pet owners.

This reflects a broader waste-disposal concern within the pet food industry, where low-quality or inedible material from the human food system may be repurposed into animal products while still appearing on labels as familiar ingredients such as “chicken” or “beef.”

A particularly disturbing example of this reported by Susan Thixton, leading pet food consumer advocate and founder of Truth About Pet Food, was hogs and poultry that drowned during major flooding. According to Thixton, the decomposing carcasses were removed, sent to rendering facilities, cooked, ground, and sold into the pet-food supply without identifying their origin on the final label. Importantly, this concern isn’t limited to dry kibble. Thixton also states that FDA warning letters have described some raw-food manufacturers sourcing meat from animals that died other than by slaughter.

Synthetic supplementation is another concern. Many kibble and commercial pet food formulas contain a long list of added vitamins and minerals, which can indicate the food needs fortification to compensate for processing losses or lower-quality ingredients.

These nutrients typically don’t behave the same way as nutrients found naturally in whole foods, and the ratios may not always be ideal. Concerns include added vitamin A on top of liver or other vitamin A-rich ingredients, the lack of clear maximums for certain minerals, potentially high copper levels, possible heavy metal exposure from feed-grade supplements, and nutrient standards based on older research that don’t fully reflect the needs of modern pets with chronic illness patterns. There are additional concerns around copper storage disease in dogs and the lack of a copper maximum in pet food, especially when high-copper ingredients such as factory-farmed beef liver are combined with added mineral supplements.

Heavy metals are another reason sourcing and testing matter. Studies have detected significant levels of metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and cobalt in commercial dry dog foods, reinforcing the importance of brand transparency, ingredient quality, and finished-product testing. Chemical preservatives are also a concern, especially in foods designed for long shelf life. Chemical preservatives have been connected with various health risks, like cancer and impaired gut health.

Kibble is problematic because it’s one of the main contributors to declining pet health. Similar to humans, dogs and cats can be affected by a combination of ultra-processed food, poor-quality ingredients, synthetic fortification, low moisture intake, environmental toxins, and nutrient imbalances.

Still, this doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. If kibble is the only realistic option due to budget, access, or storage concerns, pet owners can still improve the bowl. Adding fresh animal foods and moisture can help increase nutrient density and hydration. Simple additions include beef, pork, eggs, sardines, water, bone broth, or fresh meat toppers. Even small upgrades can make a meaningful difference over time, especially when they replace part of a dry, carb-heavy, ultra-processed diet with more bioavailable animal-based nutrition.

For pet owners choosing commercial food, the best starting point is to look for human-grade on the actual label, not just on the company’s website. If that claim isn’t present, it’s worth contacting the manufacturer directly and asking specific questions: Are all ingredients human-edible? Are the supplements human-grade? Are the meats USDA inspected and passed? What testing is done on raw ingredients and finished products? Do you test for heavy metals, contaminants, pathogens, or drug residues? Are any ingredients feed grade? These questions can help separate truly transparent companies from those relying on marketing language.

Transitioning From Kibble to Raw or Fresh Food

If you’re interested in transitioning from kibble to raw or fresh food, it’s important to start this process very slowly, especially with adult pets that have eaten the same food for years. Their gut may be adapted to kibble, and introducing too much raw meat too quickly can cause loose stools or gastrointestinal (GI) upset.

Here is the recommended transition:

Start with a tiny piece of raw meat added to their current food.
Increase very gradually over days or weeks.
Watch stool quality and tolerance.
If raw causes loose stool, lightly cook the meat first.
Slowly cook it less over time until the pet tolerates raw.
Consider whether a specific protein sensitivity may be involved if symptoms persist.

Organ Overconsumption Concerns

One concern we have with many store-bought raw and cooked meat blends is that they typically include high amounts of liver and kidney, and some may also contain added copper or vitamin A. While organs are incredibly nutrient-dense and can be an important part of a species-appropriate dog diet, more isn’t better.

Liver is especially rich in preformed vitamin A and copper, while kidney can also contribute meaningful amounts of certain minerals and micronutrients. When these organs are overrepresented in the diet, especially alongside supplemental vitamin A or copper, the risk of long-term excess becomes more relevant.

Vitamin A and copper toxicity are valid concerns in both humans and dogs because these nutrients can accumulate in the body when intake consistently exceeds what the animal can safely use and eliminate. In dogs, copper accumulation is especially important because certain breeds can be genetically more prone to copper-associated liver disease, and research has found that dietary copper and zinc levels in commercial dry dog food can influence hepatic copper levels. Organs should be included in the right proportion. Ideally, dogs should be fed in a way that reflects the whole animal. A well-formulated whole-animal grind includes the appropriate balance of meat, fat, bone, cartilage, connective tissue, collagen, and a variety of organs in natural proportions.

Important Note: Our practice doesn’t recommend feeding liver or kidney to dogs because, the potential risks outweigh the benefits—especially when safer foods can provide many of the same nutrients without the same concerns around excess. Liver is the body’s primary storage site for vitamin A, and organ meats, particularly liver and kidney, can contain very high concentrations of preformed vitamin A and copper. This becomes even more concerning when dogs are fed liver-heavy foods, liver treats, or fortified pet foods that combine organ meats with added vitamin A, copper, or other synthetic nutrients.

Judy raises this as a cautious hypothesis rather than a settled conclusion. If we are concerned about vitamin A and copper toxicity in humans, it is worth remembering that our livers are far larger than our dogs’ livers, and many dogs are being exposed to these concentrated nutrients repeatedly through commercial foods and treats. While the science around vitamin A excess in pets is still not fully settled, there is existing research on vitamin A and copper toxicity and copper storage disease in both dogs and cats, which makes this concern worth taking seriously. Because of that, we prefer to play it safe with our pets the same way we do with our clients and loved ones: avoid unnecessary excess, question repeated high-dose exposure, and choose safer nutrient-dense foods whenever possible.

Here’s the current available research on this topic:

For more information on vitamin A toxicity concerns in humans, we have an extensive library of articles and videos here:

Pro-Tip: Look for pet food companies that offer organ-less grinds, grinds without liver and kidney, or consider purchasing raw or cooked components separately so you can create your own balanced mix with enough bone and muscular/secreting organs but without excess liver or kidney. Homemade dog food can also work well for this reason, but it should be carefully formulated so the proportions of meat, fat, bone/calcium, cartilage, and organs are complete without overdoing the most concentrated organ meats.

N=1 NwJ Team Share on Liver Overconsumption

One of our team members, Wesley, has two dogs: Terry, a nine-year-old toy poodle who weighs about 7 pounds, and Porkie, a nine-year-old mini poodle who weighs about 17 pounds.

For the first three years of their lives, they were fed homemade cooked food with meat, vegetables, and fruits before transitioning slowly over about one month to a raw Carnivore diet in 2020. For the first year and a half, they ate only grass-finished, human-grade ruminants and pasture-raised, corn- and soy-free chicken, using meat and bones only with no organs. During this time, Wesley also supplemented them with cartilage scraps and rendered fat that she couldn’t tolerate, along with various single-ingredient freeze-dried non-liver/kidney Carnivore treats.

After that first raw-feeding phase, Wesley switched to a more affordable raw grind recommended by their holistic veterinarian. This grind followed the typical prey-model ratio of 80/10/10, meaning meat, bone, and organs, with liver making up at least 5% of the grind.

Both Terry and Porkie are breeds known for dental issues, so they went to the dentist yearly for cleanings and extractions, which required blood work to confirm they were healthy enough for anesthesia. After about three years on the 80/10/10 raw grind, Terry’s liver enzymes became elevated. The dentist initially suspected dental disease and expected the enzymes to improve after his affected teeth were extracted, but when they were retested, they remained elevated. She then raised the possibility that diet could be involved, noting that in her experience, some small dogs can have issues with raw grinds.

Around the same time, Judy adopted her puppy and began raising concerns about liver and kidney overconsumption.

Wesley realized this could be relevant for Terry, especially because Porkie, her larger dog, had no blood work issues on the same diet. She then changed both dogs’ diets to significantly limit liver and kidney. Their new diet is mainly muscle meat and bone, with limited heart and green tripe as the primary organs making up about 50% of the diet; whole ground poultry, including chicken, turkey, and duck from head to feet, making up about 25%; local rancher ground beef with Ancestral Supplements Living Bone and Living Collagen making up the remaining 25%; supplemental eggs, salmon roe, and sardines; and the same cartilage scraps, rendered fat, and non-liver/kidney Carnivore treats. After one year on this very limited liver/kidney diet, Terry’s liver enzymes normalized, the rest of his markers remained stable, and Porkie’s blood work continued to stay stable.

Based on the new diet structure, Terry’s liver/kidney intake dropped from about 10% of the total diet to an estimated 0.5%–1.25%, since the only liver/kidney source now comes from the 25% whole poultry grind. While this is only an estimate because exact organ percentages vary by grind, it represents a major reduction in repeated exposure to high-storage organs such as liver and kidney.

This is only an N=1 experience and doesn’t definitely prove that organ consumption caused Terry’s elevated liver enzymes. However, it supports the concern that smaller dogs may not tolerate repeated liver-heavy feeding, especially when organ-heavy grinds are used long term. For our team, this was enough to reinforce a more cautious approach: use safer, nutrient-dense animal foods whenever possible and avoid making liver or kidney a routine staple when the same nutritional goals can be met with lower-risk options.

How Dog Nutritional Guidelines Were Developed

The National Research Council (NRC) originally developed the nutritional requirements for dogs and cats, and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) later used that research to build its nutrient profiles and regulatory requirements. Some of the foundational dog nutrition research is more than 25 years old and was largely based on healthy beagles studied in controlled laboratory settings. The concern is that this research doesn’t fully reflect the needs of today’s pets, especially older dogs, chronically ill dogs, or animals living with the modern burden of processed food, environmental exposures, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic disease.

AAFCO expresses nutrient requirements relative to calorie intake, generally per 1,000 calories, which means a smaller dog should naturally receive less total nutrient intake because it eats fewer calories. This leads us to question whether some allowable upper limits may be too high and whether older evidence is enough to establish safe long-term exposure, especially when pets can be eating fortified foods, organ-heavy formulas, and synthetic nutrients every day for years.

Food Allergies and Elimination Diets

While food allergies and sensitivities appear to be less common in dogs than many pet owners assume, they can still happen. Dogs can react poorly to certain proteins, additives, plant ingredients, or repeated exposures, and symptoms may show up as itching, ear infections, paw licking, hot spots, digestive upset, loose stool, vomiting, gas, or recurring skin inflammation. Just like in humans, food reactions in dogs aren’t always simple allergies; some may involve gut irritation, immune reactivity, microbiome imbalance, poor digestion, or a compromised gut barrier.

This is where an elimination diet can be a helpful therapeutic tool. By simplifying the diet while also supporting gut healing, owners can better identify which foods may be contributing to symptoms. Although a rainbow of meats is recommended for long-term nutrient variety, it may be too broad when a dog is actively reacting. Focusing on one type of animal protein at a time can help determine whether a dog tolerates beef, lamb, poultry, fish, pork, or other meats better than others.

A Carnivore elimination diet can be used for dogs in a similar way it is used for humans. Once symptoms stabilize, foods can be reintroduced one at a time while tracking stool quality and other symptoms.

Species-Appropriate Nutrition for Other Pets

Species-appropriate nutrition matters for every pet because each animal has unique biological needs, digestive anatomy, nutrient requirements, and natural feeding patterns. Just as dogs thrive best when their diet reflects their carnivorous foundation, other pets also need food that aligns with how their bodies are designed to eat. A diet that is convenient or marketed as complete isn’t always the most biologically ideal option, especially when it is highly processed, too high in starch, poorly sourced, or mismatched to the animal’s species.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require animal-based nutrition to thrive. They need nutrients such as taurine, arachidonic acid, preformed vitamin A, and highly bioavailable animal protein, which are naturally found in meat-based diets. Moisture is also especially important for cats, making fresh, raw, cooked, or high-quality wet foods generally more species-appropriate than dry, high-carb kibble. Like dogs, cats also benefit from careful ingredient sourcing, low-toxin food storage, limiting vitamin A and copper consumption, and avoiding unnecessary fillers or additives.

Other pets have very different needs. Rabbits and guinea pigs require high-fiber diets centered around quality hay to support digestion and dental health, while guinea pigs also need adequate vitamin C. Birds need species-specific nutrition beyond seed-heavy diets, along with careful mineral balance, fresh foods, and avoidance of rancid fats or contaminated feed.

Reptiles require highly specific diets depending on whether they are carnivores, herbivores, insectivores, or omnivores, along with proper calcium, vitamin D3, UVB, temperature, and humidity support. Small mammals also need careful attention to fiber, bedding exposure, hydration, and safe chewing options.

Gut Health and Digestion

Similar to humans, gut health and digestion are foundational for overall wellness in dogs. Prioritizing gut health helps support the whole dog, making digestion one of the most important foundations for long-term resilience and vitality.

Signs Your Dog’s Gut May Need Support

In dogs, the gut helps regulate immune activity, nutrient absorption, inflammation, detox, skin health, stool quality, and even behavior through the gut-immune-brain axis.

Common signs your dog’s gut may need additional support include:

Digestive Signs

Chronic loose stool or diarrhea
Constipation or straining
Mucus in the stool
Blood in the stool
Excessive gas
Bloating or abdominal discomfort
Vomiting or frequent regurgitation
Gurgling stomach sounds
Frequent burping
Eating grass often
Sudden changes in appetite
Poor tolerance to new foods
Undigested food in stool
Alternating diarrhea and constipation
Needing to go outside urgently after meals

Skin and Coat Signs

Chronic itching
Paw licking or chewing
Recurrent ear infections
Hot spots
Red, inflamed skin
Dandruff or flaky skin
Greasy coat
Dull coat
Excessive shedding
Hair thinning or patchy hair loss
Yeasty odor
Anal gland issues
Recurrent skin infections

Immune and Inflammatory Signs

Frequent infections
Slow recovery after illness
Seasonal allergies that seem to worsen over time
Increased sensitivity to foods, treats, or supplements
Chronic inflammation
Recurring yeast or bacterial overgrowth
Poor wound healing
Increased reactivity after antibiotics, medications, or diet changes

Energy, Mood, and Behavior Signs

Low energy or fatigue
Restlessness after eating
Increased anxiety or reactivity
Irritability
Trouble settling
Changes in sleep patterns
Reduced interest in play
Brain fog-like behavior or seeming off
Increased clinginess or withdrawal
Behavior changes that seem connected to meals or digestive flares

Weight and Nutrition Status Signs

Unexplained weight loss
Difficulty gaining weight
Weight gain despite no major diet changes
Muscle loss
Poor body condition
Increased hunger despite eating enough
Pica, or eating non-food items
Poor growth in puppies
Signs of nutrient deficiencies despite a seemingly adequate diet

Food Sensitivity Signs

Symptoms that improve on a simplified diet
Symptoms that flare after certain proteins, treats, or processed foods
Chronic ear, skin, or stool issues with no clear seasonal pattern
Reactions to multiple foods over time
Needing a very limited diet to stay stable
Increased symptoms after high-starch foods, additives, or table scraps

Supporting the Dog Microbiome Naturally

Supporting the dog microbiome starts with the foundations: feeding a species-appropriate, meat-heavy diet, removing foods your dog is sensitive or allergic to, reducing unnecessary starches and additives, supporting healthy digestion, and minimizing avoidable exposures that can disrupt gut balance.

Probiotics can also be helpful for some dogs, especially after antibiotic use, because antibiotics can disrupt both beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are tools that may help support a more desirable intestinal microbial balance, and research in dogs and cats suggests probiotics may support gut health and help with some intestinal disorders.

Dog-safe probiotic strains commonly discussed in vet sources include:

Enterococcus faecium, including strain SF68
Bifidobacterium animalis, including strain AHC7
Bifidobacterium longum, including strain BL999
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Saccharomyces boulardii
Bacillus coagulans

Other natural microbiome supports include slow diet transitions, clean water, digestive enzymes when needed, fermented foods in small amounts if the dog tolerates them, regular movement, stress reduction, and stool testing when symptoms are chronic or recurring. Probiotics are best used as targeted support rather than a cure-all, and dogs with severe diarrhea, blood in the stool, repeated vomiting, weight loss, significant lethargy, or chronic digestive issues should be evaluated by a vet.

Digestive Health in Other Pets

Digestive health is foundational for all pets. Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and small mammals all depend on species-appropriate nutrition and healthy digestion to thrive, but digestive imbalance can look different depending on the animal. Cats may vomit, develop hairball issues, lose appetite, or become more withdrawn, while rabbits and guinea pigs can decline quickly when gut motility slows.

Dental Health

Dental health can be overlooked in dogs and other pets, but it is an important reflection of overall wellness. The mouth is connected to the rest of the body through the immune system, bloodstream, digestive tract, and inflammatory pathways, which means chronic oral inflammation affects multiple systems.

Natural Dental Support for Dogs

Natural dental support for dogs starts with prevention. Chewing appropriately sized raw meaty bones or other safe, species-appropriate chews can help mechanically reduce plaque and tartar buildup, while also supporting jaw strength and enrichment.

Brushing your dog’s teeth with a non-toxic, fluoride-free toothpaste made specifically for dogs can also be helpful, especially for dogs prone to plaque, bad breath, or gum inflammation. Ultrasonic teeth cleaners are another option that uses high-frequency sound waves to break down plaque and soften tartar.

Diet matters as well—high-starch, high-carb, or sugary foods can contribute to oral imbalance, while a species-appropriate, meat-heavy diet better supports the oral microbiome and reduces the constant exposure to carbs that can drive dental issues.

Veterinary dental cleanings and extractions can also play an important role, especially when there is advanced tartar, infection, loose teeth, abscesses, significant pain, or teeth that can no longer be saved.

However, it is also important to consider the tradeoffs of anesthesia, particularly for senior dogs, medically fragile dogs, or dogs with chronic illness. Necessary extractions should be prioritized when dental disease is affecting quality of life or systemic health, but routine cleanings may not always be necessary for every dog—especially when gum disease is mild, symptoms are stable, and preventative care is being done consistently at home.

The best approach is individualized, weighing oral health, anesthesia risk, symptom severity, and the dog’s overall health status with a trusted vet.

Signs of Dental Disease

Dental disease can show up both locally and systemically. Common signs to watch for include:

Local Mouth and Gum Signs

Bad breath that does not improve
Yellow or brown plaque buildup
Thick tartar along the gumline
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
Gum recession
Loose teeth
Missing teeth
Cracked or fractured teeth
Discolored teeth
Drooling more than usual
Blood on toys, bones, bedding, or food bowls
Pawing at the mouth or face
Swelling around the muzzle, jaw, or under the eyes
Visible pus or drainage near the gums
Oral sores, ulcers, or masses
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Clicking, chattering, or grinding teeth

Eating and Chewing Changes

Chewing on only one side of the mouth
Dropping food while eating
Taking longer to eat
Refusing hard food or chews
Avoiding bones, toys, or treats they used to enjoy
Whining, yelping, or pulling away when chewing
Swallowing food without chewing
Loss of appetite
Preference for softer foods
Weight loss from reduced food intake

Behavior and Comfort Changes

Increased irritability
Restlessness
Hiding or withdrawing
Reluctance to be touched around the face
Head shyness
Reduced playfulness
Sleeping more than usual
Signs of pain without an obvious injury
Sudden behavior changes, especially in older dogs

Systemic or Whole-Body Signs

Low energy or fatigue
Recurrent inflammation
Worsening skin or immune symptoms
Poor coat quality
Swollen lymph nodes near the jaw or neck
Fever in more advanced infections
Increased thirst or changes in appetite
Flare-ups in dogs with chronic health issues
General decline in vitality or quality of life

Dental and Oral Health in Other Pets

Dental and oral health are also important for cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and small mammals, though concerns can look different by species. Cats may develop gum inflammation, tooth resorption, or hidden mouth pain, while rabbits and guinea pigs have continuously growing teeth that require proper fiber intake and chewing to prevent overgrowth.

Birds can experience beak abnormalities, trauma, or nutritional issues that affect eating, and reptiles may develop mouth infections or jaw problems when husbandry, nutrition, or immune health are compromised. Because many pets hide discomfort, changes in appetite, chewing, droppings, grooming, behavior, or weight can be important clues that oral health needs veterinary attention.

Healthy Weight, Movement, and Metabolic Health

Healthy weight, regular movement, and metabolic health are essential foundations for holistic dog wellness, especially as more pets are struggling with obesity, diabetes risk, inflammation, and reduced mobility. Recent veterinary data show that overweight and obesity are common in adult dogs and cats, with prevalence increasing through adulthood and usually beginning earlier in life.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is at a Healthy Weight

A healthy dog should have a visible waist when viewed from above and a gentle abdominal tuck when viewed from the side. You should be able to feel the ribs easily with light pressure, but they should not be sharply visible unless your dog is a naturally lean breed. If you have to press firmly to feel the ribs, there may be too much fat covering the body.

Other helpful signs include steady energy, comfortable movement, a defined but not bony frame, and the ability to exercise without excessive fatigue. Watch for subtle clues such as loss of waistline, difficulty jumping, heavy panting, slower walks, or fat pads around the ribs, hips, neck, or tail base.

Exercise for Physical and Mental Health

Exercise is essential for both physical and mental health in dogs. Regular movement supports healthy weight, muscle maintenance, joint mobility, circulation, digestion, blood sugar regulation, mood, and overall resilience. It also provides mental stimulation, helps reduce boredom, and supports calmer behavior by giving dogs an outlet for their natural instincts.

Different breeds, ages, and health conditions require different types and amounts of exercise, so movement should always be individualized. The key is consistency; daily movement is a foundational part of holistic dog health.

Emotional Health, Stress, and the Pet Nervous System

Dog anxiety is commonly managed in standard veterinary care with pharmaceuticals, and while these medications may be temporarily helpful in certain cases, they don’t address the deeper drivers. They can also come with a high cost, potential side effects, and the risk of masking symptoms without fully supporting the animal’s long-term emotional resilience.

A holistic approach considers supporting emotional wellness.

Why Stress Matters for Dogs

Stress matters for dogs because the nervous system is connected to nearly every major system in the body. When a dog is chronically anxious, overstimulated, under-enriched, in pain, or unable to feel safe, the body can remain in a heightened state of stress that affects everything from digestion to immune function and recovery.

Common Sources of Dog Stress

Dog stress can come from obvious events and subtle daily patterns that keep the nervous system on alert:

Environmental Stressors

Loud noises, such as fireworks, thunderstorms, construction, or traffic
Chaotic or unpredictable home environments
Frequent visitors, parties, or unfamiliar people in the home
Moving to a new house
Boarding, daycare, grooming, or vet visits
Poor sleep environment
Lack of a quiet place to retreat
Overcrowded living spaces
Exposure to unfamiliar animals
Changes in household routine
New babies, new pets, or new family members
Indoor air quality issues, mold, fragrances, smoke, or chemical exposures

Social and Relationship Stressors

Separation from their owner
Being left alone for long periods
Lack of bonding or connection
Inconsistent rules or expectations
Punishment-based training
Harsh corrections, yelling, or intimidation
Conflict with other pets in the home
Resource guarding around food, toys, beds, or people
Poor socialization during puppyhood
Too much forced interaction with people, children, or other dogs
Not being allowed to move away when uncomfortable

Physical and Medical Stressors

Pain or injury
Dental disease
Digestive discomfort
Itching, allergies, or skin irritation
Ear infections
Hormonal imbalances
Chronic illness
Poor diet or food sensitivities
Hunger or blood sugar swings
Sleep deprivation
Medication side effects
Sensory decline in senior dogs, such as vision or hearing loss
Overexertion or inappropriate exercise for age, breed, or health status

Mental and Behavioral Stressors

Boredom or lack of enrichment
Not enough physical movement
Lack of sniffing, exploring, chewing, or natural dog behaviors
Overstimulation from too much activity or constant excitement
Fear of specific triggers, such as strangers, other dogs, cars, or certain sounds
Anxiety around crates, car rides, grooming, or handling
Unclear communication from humans
Lack of predictable routines
Learned fear from past trauma, neglect, or medical experiences

Lifestyle and Routine Stressors

Sudden schedule changes
Irregular feeding times
Lack of daily structure
Too much time indoors without stimulation
Too much confinement
Not enough rest between high-energy activities
Frequent travel
Inconsistent exercise
Unmet breed-specific needs, such as herding, guarding, retrieving, digging, or scent work

Supporting a Calm, Regulated Dog

Supporting a calm, regulated dog starts with identifying which stressors are most active and addressing them in a practical, consistent way. For environmental stressors, create a quiet retreat space, reduce loud noises when possible, avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh cleaning products, improve indoor air quality, maintain predictable routines, and give your dog a safe place to decompress away from visitors, children, or other animals.

For social and relationship stressors, focus on trust-based training, gentle handling, clear communication, and allowing your dog to move away when uncomfortable. Avoid punishment-based methods, forced interactions, or overwhelming social situations. Dogs feel safer when they know what to expect, have consistent boundaries, and experience their owner as a source of calm leadership rather than fear or pressure.

For physical and medical stressors, rule out pain, dental disease, gut issues, allergies, ear infections, hormone imbalances, or other health concerns that may be driving anxiety or reactivity. A dog who is uncomfortable in their body will often struggle to feel calm. Supporting nutrition, gut health, sleep, appropriate movement, and appropriate veterinary care can make emotional regulation much easier.

For mental and behavioral stressors, provide daily enrichment that matches your dog’s breed, age, and personality. Sniff walks, chewing, scent work, puzzle toys, play, training games, and structured rest can all help satisfy natural instincts. Some dogs need more movement, while others need less stimulation and more decompression.

For lifestyle and routine stressors, consistency is key. Regular feeding times, predictable walks, enough sleep, balanced activity, and calm transitions can help the nervous system feel safer. The goal isn’t to remove every stressor, but to build enough safety and structure that your dog can recover more easily and move through life with greater confidence.

When anxiety, separation distress, reactivity, or other behavioral challenges appear, it’s important to look at the dog’s full environment rather than treating the behavior as an isolated problem.

Dogs can be highly responsive to their owner’s emotional state, and one study of 58 dog-owner pairs found that long-term cortisol levels were synchronized, suggesting that co-regulation may play a role. However, this doesn’t mean owners should automatically be blamed for a dog’s behavior.

As mentioned above, anxiety or reactivity can also reflect pain, illness, poor sleep, excessive isolation, an unpredictable routine, or inadequate physical and mental stimulation. Lower daily exercise has been associated with separation anxiety and noise sensitivity, while controlled enrichment research has shown improvements in desirable behavior. Regular walks, sniffing, play, positive training, breed-appropriate movement, predictable routines, and meaningful time together should be foundational parts of any behavioral plan.

While behavioral medication may sometimes be appropriate for severe panic, safety risks, phobias, compulsive behaviors, aggression, or animals too distressed to learn, it shouldn’t be used as a reflexive first response or as a substitute for understanding what the dog is communicating.

In an analysis of more than 32 million canine medical records from 2010 through 2020, documented behavioral problems increased from 1.0% to 10.2%, and trazodone prescribing rose sharply after 2015, with 8.4% of dogs with a behavioral diagnosis receiving trazodone. Veterinary guidelines emphasize that these medications should be used only as part of an integrated plan that includes a proper diagnosis, environmental changes, humane behavior modification, and careful monitoring, ideally with a veterinarian experienced in behavior alongside a qualified positive-reinforcement trainer or board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

Emotional Wellness for Other Pets

Emotional wellness matters for all pets because every companion animal has a nervous system that responds to safety, stress, environment, routine, and connection. Cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, and small mammals may express stress differently, but they can all be affected by similar stressors. Supporting emotional wellness means creating a safe, predictable, and enriched environment where each pet can live in ways that align with their natural biology.

Vaccinations and Holistic Dog Health

Vaccines are one of the most debated topics in pet health, and a holistic perspective requires both honesty and nuance. Vaccines are meant to help protect dogs from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, but there are documented risks, and overvaccination is a valid concern.

Vaccine Side Effects

Vaccine side effects in dogs can range from mild, short-term reactions to more serious immune-related concerns. Mild reactions can include temporary soreness, fatigue, low appetite, swelling at the injection site, or a brief fever.

More concerning reactions can include facial swelling, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, breathing difficulty, seizures, or anaphylaxis, which require immediate veterinary care. Some holistic veterinarians also raise concerns that repeated vaccination may contribute to longer-term immune dysregulation in susceptible animals, especially when vaccines are given more often than necessary.

This is one reason annual revaccination has become a major point of debate.

Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, a veterinary immunology researcher who serves as a professor and chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UW-Madison, has stated that, “Annual revaccination provides no benefit and may increase the risk for adverse reactions. The percentage of vaccinated animals (those vaccinated only as puppies) protected from clinical disease after challenge with canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus in the study was greater than 95%.”

His research has shown that many dogs vaccinated as puppies remain protected against diseases for years, which supports the argument for more individualized vaccine schedules rather than automatic yearly boosters.

Some holistic vets take this concern even further. Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM, has argued, “Routine vaccinations are probably the worst thing that we do for our animals. They cause all types of illnesses but not directly to where we would relate them definitely to be caused by the vaccine. Repeating vaccinations on a yearly basis undermines the whole energetic well-being of our animals. Animals do not seem to be decimated by one or two vaccines when they are young and veterinary immunologists tell us that viral vaccines need only be given once or twice in an animal’s life. First, there is no need for annual vaccinations, and second, they definitely cause chronic disease. As a homeopath, it is almost impossible to cure an animal without first addressing the problems that vaccines have caused to the animal, no matter what species.”

Potential immune-related concerns discussed include autoimmune disease, inflammatory skin conditions, allergies, arthritis, inflammatory bowel issues, neurologic symptoms, and other chronic inflammatory patterns.

These outcomes aren’t always easy to prove as directly vaccine-caused, and not every dog will react poorly. However, the possibility of adverse effects is one reason many holistic pet owners choose a limited, thoughtful vaccine plan.

Puppy vs. Adult Vaccine Schedule

Vaccine recommendations can vary widely among holistic veterinarians, ranging from no vaccination to individualized schedules that prioritize early protection while avoiding unnecessary boosters later in life. The most balanced approach is to consider your dog’s exposure risks, local disease prevalence, legal requirements, lifestyle, health history, previous vaccine reactions, and immune status so you can make an informed decision with the right veterinarian.

Some holistic veterinarians recommend a more limited puppy schedule, such as administering core vaccines around 8 and 12 weeks rather than automatically following every conventional booster. Others may delay vaccination in smaller, medically fragile, or sensitive puppies when the individual risk assessment supports doing so. However, maternal antibodies can interfere with early vaccines, which is why current AAHA guidance recommends at least three doses of the distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus combination between 6 and 16 weeks of age, spaced two to four weeks apart. Rabies should be considered separately because its timing and revaccination requirements are governed by local law.

For adult dogs, many holistic veterinarians avoid automatic annual boosters for distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus and instead use antibody titer testing when appropriate. A positive titer can provide evidence of an immune response to these core viral diseases, but titers aren’t equally useful for every infection and don’t replace vaccination against leptospirosis. They also generally don’t override legal rabies requirements. Current guidelines recommend that most core viral boosters be administered no more frequently than every three years after the initial series, while some vaccines, including leptospirosis, require more frequent revaccination to maintain protection.

Some holistic veterinarians also question why a 5-pound dog and a 100-pound dog usually receive the same full vaccine dose, and may advocate for smaller doses in small or sensitive dogs. This can sound reasonable because vaccines aren’t ordinarily adjusted according to body weight. WSAVA specifically advises against giving small dogs one-half or one-quarter of a dose, even though smaller dogs may experience adverse reactions more often.

Separating vaccines is a different strategy and has more support. Rather than reducing the dose, a veterinarian may administer fewer vaccines during one visit and schedule the remaining vaccines at least two weeks later. AAHA notes that this can reduce the total antigenic stimulation presented at one time and may be particularly useful for small dogs or animals with a history of reactions. This approach still provides the complete licensed dose of each selected vaccine.

Some holistic veterinarians and pet owners also consider nosodes, which are diluted homeopathic preparations made from infectious organisms, diseased tissue, or related biological material. They are sometimes promoted as a gentler alternative to conventional vaccination, but they technically aren’t presented as proven vaccines. For owners concerned about unnecessary repeat vaccination, individualized risk assessment and antibody titer testing for certain core viral diseases provide a more evidence-based discussion to have with a veterinarian.

Any alternative vaccine schedule should be viewed as individualized guidance rather than a blanket recommendation. The more defensible approach is to select only the vaccines justified by the animal’s risk, use the full licensed dose, consider spacing vaccines when appropriate, use titers selectively for certain core viral diseases, and comply with rabies laws. These decisions should be made with a veterinarian who understands both immunology and the dog’s complete medical history.

Vaccination Recommendations

Vaccines such as coronavirus, Giardia, Lyme, and leptospirosis are not recommended for every dog, especially when exposure risk is low or when the vaccine’s coverage, duration, or side-effect profile is a concern.

Some holistic vets are especially cautious with leptospirosis vaccines because the strains included in a vaccine don’t always match the strains causing disease in a specific region, making risk-based discussion with a knowledgeable vet important.

A more conservative approach includes yearly wellness exams without automatic yearly boosters, avoiding vaccination in sick or weakened animals, and delaying vaccines when a dog is actively dealing with allergies, skin flares, digestive issues, immune stress, or other signs of poor resilience.

If a dog is unvaccinated or minimally vaccinated, owners should also be mindful of exposure by avoiding high-risk public areas, pet stores, dog parks, boarding facilities, or unknown animals during vulnerable windows. The goal is to vaccinate only for diseases the dog is realistically likely to encounter and to give boosters only as often as truly needed, with titer testing considered when appropriate.

Many holistic vets also prioritize supporting the immune system before and after vaccination. This includes species-appropriate nutrition, regular movement, good sleep, low-toxin living, gut health support, targeted supplements when needed, and avoiding unnecessary medications or stressors around the time of vaccination.

Some holistic vets may also recommend homeopathic remedies after vaccines, such as Thuja 30C followed later by Sulfur 6X, though recommendations vary by practitioner and should be individualized. These approaches are intended to support the body’s response, not replace emergency care if a pet has a serious vaccine reaction.

Ultimately, vaccination decisions should be made with informed consent and individualized guidance.

Environmental Toxins and Dog Health

Environmental toxins can be overlooked in dog health, but they can affect pets in many of the same ways they affect humans.

Pesticides, Herbicides, and Lawn Chemicals

Pesticides, herbicides, and lawn chemicals can be a significant concern for dogs and other outdoor pets because they spend time walking, rolling, sniffing, digging, and playing close to treated grass, soil, weeds, and garden areas.

Dogs can also lick their paws or fur after outdoor exposure, creating another route for these chemicals to enter the body. Reducing unnecessary chemical exposure can be an important part of lowering the overall toxin bucket.

One of the best ways to minimize exposure is to avoid using synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and chemical lawn treatments whenever possible. Homeowners can also reduce risk by:

Choosing organic or regenerative lawn care practices
Hand-pulling weeds instead of using herbicides
Using pet-safe pest control options when needed
Keeping dogs off recently treated lawns, parks, golf courses, and public green spaces
Asking neighbors, HOAs, or lawn companies when nearby areas are sprayed
Wiping or washing paws after walks
Removing shoes before entering the home to reduce tracked-in chemicals
Keeping pets away from garden beds, mulch, fertilizers, and compost piles
Storing all lawn and pest products securely out of reach
Avoiding rodenticides and slug/snail baits, which can be especially dangerous to pets
Providing a clean, untreated area for dogs to relieve themselves and play

For cats, rabbits, chickens, tortoises, and other animals that spend time outdoors, the same principles apply.

Household Chemicals, Grooming, and Indoor Air Quality

Household chemicals affect both humans and pets because everyone in the home shares the same air, surfaces, water, dust, and cleaning residues. Dogs and other pets may be even more vulnerable because they spend more time close to the floor, lick their paws and fur, sleep on treated surfaces, and have smaller bodies that can be affected by lower levels of exposure.

Choosing non-toxic, fragrance-free cleaning products can help support the health of the entire household while reducing unnecessary chemical burden for pets.

Grooming products matter for the same reason personal care products matter for humans. They can contain fragrances, preservatives, and harsh detergents that can irritate the skin, respiratory system, liver, or nervous system.

Safer options include gentle, fragrance-free, pet-specific products made without synthetic perfumes, dyes, phthalates, parabens, or unnecessary chemical additives. Essential oils should be used with extreme caution around pets, and concentrated oils should not be applied directly unless guided by a vet trained in their safe use. Veterinary toxicology sources note that essential oils can be toxic when inhaled or applied topically, with cats and birds being especially vulnerable.

Essential oils commonly flagged as unsafe or potentially toxic for dogs, cats, or other pets include:

Tea tree, also called melaleuca
Wintergreen
Sweet birch
Pennyroyal
Pine
Cinnamon
Clove
Eucalyptus
Citrus oils, including limonene
Peppermint
Ylang ylang
Thyme
Oregano
Anise
Garlic oil
Juniper
Yarrow

Important Note: Some of these essential oils are diluted and used in alternative dog-safe insect repellents. The risk is higher from ingesting these from licking their fur, so proper bathing after outdoor exposure and use can be helpful for reducing these risks.

Indoor air quality can also be a hidden source of toxin burden for both humans and pets. Fragrances, candles, smoke, VOCs, renovation materials, water damage, mold, and endotoxins can all contribute to poor indoor air. In our practice, we have seen pets living in homes with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) patients also develop stubborn symptoms or chronic illness patterns connected to the same water-damaged environment. This doesn’t mean every symptom is caused by mold, but it does mean the shared home environment shouldn’t be overlooked.

When mold or poor indoor air quality is part of the picture, surface cleaning alone is usually not enough. Proper water-damage assessment, source removal, professional remediation when needed, humidity control, high-quality HEPA air filtration, HVAC hygiene, and improved ventilation through options such as ERV or HRV systems can all play a role in creating a healthier home for both people and pets.

Pro-Tip: If your dog or pet has stubborn symptoms and you suspect mold exposure may be part of the picture, learn more about how to support pets suffering from mold exposure here.

Heavy Metals and Water Quality

Heavy metals can be another overlooked source of toxin burden for dogs. Potential exposure points may include contaminated tap water, old plumbing, well water, soil, treated outdoor areas, low-quality supplements, certain fish or fish-based ingredients, and commercial dry dog foods. Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and aluminum can accumulate over time and can place stress throughout the body.

Water quality is especially important because hydration is just as foundational for dogs and other pets as it is for humans. If we wouldn’t choose unfiltered tap water for ourselves, it makes sense to extend that same standard to the animals in our home. Dogs should have consistent access to clean, fresh, high-quality filtered water, especially if they eat dry food. Filtered water can help reduce exposure to chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, microplastics, and other contaminants that may be present in municipal or well water.

Consider distilled water, gravity system filtration, and reverse osmosis (RO) water. Distilled and RO water can be helpful options because it removes many common contaminants, but they also remove beneficial minerals. If you give your dog or other pets distilled or RO water, it should ideally be remineralized with natural trace minerals to support electrolyte balance, hydration, and long-term mineral intake.

Plastics, Endocrine Disruptors, and Food Storage

Plastics can be a hidden source of toxin exposure for dogs and other pets through food bowls, water bowls, food storage containers, canned food linings, toys, bedding, leashes, collars, crates, and household dust.

Microplastics, BPA, phthalates, PFAS, flame retardants, and other plastic-related chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with everything from hormone signaling to liver function and immune function. Since dogs chew, lick, sniff, and sleep on many of these materials daily, reducing plastic exposure can be a meaningful part of lowering their overall toxin burden.

Simple swaps can make a big difference. Choose stainless steel, ceramic, or glass bowls instead of plastic food and water dishes, and store pet food in glass or stainless steel containers rather than plastic bins. Avoid heating food in plastic, and be mindful that fats in pet food can absorb chemicals from plastic storage more easily over time.

For toys, many conventional options are made from polyester, nylon, plastic, or other synthetic fibers that dogs constantly chew and hold in their mouths. Consider safer alternatives such as natural rubber, organic cotton, wool, hemp, leather, or other natural-fiber toys when appropriate for your dog’s chewing style.

Pet bedding can also be a source of synthetic fibers, chemical treatments, flame retardants, and microplastic shedding. When possible, choose washable bedding made from natural materials such as cotton, wool, hemp, or linen, and avoid heavily treated, fragranced, or stain-resistant fabrics.

Other helpful ways to reduce plastic burden include washing new pet items before use, vacuuming with a HEPA filter to reduce microplastic-containing dust, choosing unscented and low-toxin cleaning products, replacing damaged plastic toys or bowls, and selecting food brands that prioritize safer packaging. The goal is to reduce daily exposures wherever simple swaps are realistic.

Lyme Disease, Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm, and Parasite Prevention

Holistic veterinary recommendations for fleas, ticks, Lyme disease, heartworm, and parasites can vary widely, so the best plan should always be based on your dog’s geography, seasonality, lifestyle, health history, and individual sensitivity.

A dog hiking in a tick-heavy region or living in a high-heartworm area likely needs a very different plan than a mostly indoor dog in a low-risk climate. It’s important to avoid blanket year-round protocols when they may not be necessary for every dog.

Many conventional flea and tick products are effective, but some are also pesticide-based or neurotoxic to insects. The FDA has noted that isoxazoline flea and tick products are considered safe and effective for many dogs and cats, but they have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions such as tremors, ataxia, and seizures in some animals. This is why pet owners want to discuss lower-toxin options, topical alternatives, or seasonal use with their vet.

Natural flea and tick support can include regular tick checks, flea combing, bathing with gentle non-toxic shampoo, apple cider vinegar rinses, food-grade diatomaceous earth in the home environment, yard management, raising poultry for tick control when practical, and topical sprays made with dog-appropriate essential oils such as cedarwood, citronella, lemongrass, geranium, eucalyptus, or catnip oil.

These options are less toxic than conventional oral or spot-on products, but they may also be less reliable and require more consistency. Essential oil sprays should be properly diluted, used cautiously, and avoided on cats unless specifically approved by a vet.

Diet and overall health also matter. A species-appropriate, fresh-food diet can help make some dogs less attractive to pests and more resilient when exposures happen. However, natural approaches often work best when combined: daily tick checks, environmental control, bathing, topical repellents, flea combing, and careful monitoring may be needed together. There is rarely one magic bullet, especially during heavy flea or tick seasons.

Heartworm prevention requires an individualized discussion because both the infection and the medications used to prevent it carry risks. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, not directly from dog to dog, and infected larvae can eventually migrate to the heart and lungs, where adult worms can cause serious damage. Risk varies by region, mosquito season, temperature, and climate, but the American Heartworm Society recommends annual testing for dogs, and updated guidance focuses on both antigen and microfilaria testing when screening canine patients.

Some holistic veterinarians recommend evaluating local heartworm prevalence, climate, mosquito season, lifestyle, and the individual animal’s health rather than assuming every pet requires the same protocol year-round. Regular testing remains essential because early heartworm infection may cause no visible symptoms. In lower-risk regions with a defined mosquito season, some owners may discuss seasonal pharmaceutical prevention or a heartworm-only product with their veterinarian. In high-risk, warm, mosquito-heavy regions, holistic vets advise that prescription prevention is generally the safer choice because active heartworm disease can cause permanent damage to the lungs and heart.

Holistic vets reduce the likelihood of mosquito bites by eliminating standing water, limiting outdoor activity around dawn and dusk, and using appropriately formulated pet-safe repellents such as catnip or cedarwood-based products. Good nutrition, omega-3 fats, probiotics, and general immune support may support overall health but have not been shown to prevent heartworm infection. Natural sprays and mosquito control can be additional layers of protection, not proof that a pet is protected from heartworm. Cats require particular caution because many essential oils and concentrated natural products can be toxic to them. Any ivermectin or heartworm medication should only be used under veterinary guidance, especially because dosing, breed sensitivities, MDR1 gene mutations, drug interactions, and product formulation all matter.

Some holistic vets recommend assessing heartworm risk seasonally rather than automatically using preventives year-round in every region. In lower-risk climates, this can mean testing regularly and using mosquito control or natural repellents during relevant months. In high-risk regions, many holistic vets still consider pharmaceutical prevention less harmful than an active heartworm infection, especially for dogs that tolerate preventives well. Any ivermectin or heartworm medication should only be used under veterinary guidance, especially because dosing, breed sensitivities, MDR1 gene mutations, drug interactions, and product formulation all matter.

Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses also require region-specific prevention. The CDC recommends checking pets for ticks daily if they go outdoors and discussing appropriate tick prevention with a vet. Tick prevention can include avoiding tall grass and brush, maintaining the yard, checking the ears, paws, armpits, groin, collar area, and tail base after outdoor time, and removing ticks promptly with proper technique.

For intestinal parasites, prevention should include fecal testing, clean yards, prompt stool pickup, flea control for tapeworm prevention, rodent control, and minimizing exposure to contaminated soil or feces. Some natural options, such as pumpkin seed, papaya, garlic, black walnut, or herbal blends, are used by holistic pet owners, but these should be approached carefully because safety and effectiveness vary, and some herbs can be harmful when dosed incorrectly. Veterinary dewormers can be appropriate when parasites are confirmed or strongly suspected, with some vets recommending annual or biannual deworming.

Spay and Neutering Considerations

Spaying and neutering can offer important benefits, including preventing unwanted litters, reducing certain reproductive disease risks, and helping manage some hormone-driven behaviors. However, these procedures also permanently alter a dog’s hormonal system, and sex hormones play important roles beyond reproduction.

Estrogen and testosterone influence growth plate closure, bone and joint development, muscle maintenance, metabolism, urinary health, behavior, immune function, and overall endocrine balance. Spay and neuter decisions should be individualized.

The research is nuanced. Some studies suggest spayed and neutered dogs may live longer on average, partly because they are less likely to roam, experience reproductive emergencies, or develop certain reproductive cancers. At the same time, newer breed-specific research shows that early spay or neuter may increase the risk of certain joint disorders or cancers in some breeds, especially large and giant breeds. A UC Davis study of 35 dog breeds found that the health risks associated with neutering varied significantly by breed, sex, and age at the time of surgery.

Timing matters. AAHA guidance generally suggests that small-breed dogs may be neutered around 6 months and spayed before the first heat, while large-breed dogs often benefit from waiting until growth stops, usually around 9 to 15 months, depending on the individual dog.

Some holistic and integrative veterinarians recommend delaying spaying or neutering until the dog has reached full physical and hormonal maturity instead of automatically performing the procedure at six months. The ovaries and testicles produce hormones that influence muscle mass, fat distribution, metabolism, bone and joint development, immune function, and brain health. Removing these hormones can make weight gain easier and has been associated with increased risks of obesity and certain metabolic, orthopedic, urinary, and endocrine problems. Dr. Andrew Jones of Veterinary Secrets recommends waiting at least 12 months for most dogs and preferably until approximately two years of age. For large and giant breeds, he recommends waiting until skeletal maturity, generally 16 to 24 months, while certain higher-risk breeds, including Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers, may benefit from waiting at least 24 months.

The decision is especially nuanced for female dogs. Preserving ovarian hormones through skeletal maturity may support healthier muscle development, joint stability, body composition, and metabolic regulation, but leaving a female intact also carries risks such as unintended pregnancy, heat-cycle management, pyometra, and reproductive disease. The goal is to avoid removing hormone-producing organs before their developmental role has been completed. Timing should be individualized according to the dog’s sex, breed, size, orthopedic and cancer risks, lifestyle, reproductive risk, and overall health.

Supplementation and Natural Treatments

When possible, whole-food options should be prioritized over supplementation because they provide nutrients in a more bioavailable, balanced, and synergistic form. For example, instead of relying only on fish oil for omega-3s, pet owners may choose high-quality frozen or freeze-dried salmon roe, sardines, or other carefully sourced seafood options that provide DHA, EPA, phospholipids, minerals, and fat-soluble nutrients together. Fish oil can still be useful in some cases, but sourcing and freshness matter because poor-quality fish oil can oxidize and become rancid, potentially adding more inflammatory burden rather than supporting health.

Similar to humans, pets can be over-supplemented.

More is not always better, and unnecessary supplements can create imbalances, interact with medications, or burden the liver, kidneys, gut, or detox pathways. A holistic approach uses supplements intentionally. The goal is to build the foundation first with species-appropriate nutrition, clean water, movement, low-toxin living, gut support, and preventive care, then use targeted supplements only when they truly add value.

Holistic veterinary recommendations for supplementation can range from whole-food nutrient support to herbs, mushrooms, glandulars, homeopathics, minerals, probiotics, digestive aids, joint support, liver support, CBD, and natural antimicrobials for specific concerns. These tools may be worth exploring, especially for owners who want alternatives or adjuncts to standard pharmaceutical options.

While medications are sometimes necessary and life-saving, pet owners shouldn’t feel limited to only conventional approaches when safe, thoughtful natural treatments can also support healing. Working with a knowledgeable holistic or integrative vet can help owners understand which options are appropriate, which are unnecessary, and which may be unsafe for their pet.

FAQ on Holistic Dog and Pet Health

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions on holistic dog and pet health:

What are some resources and recommendations from a holistic vet?

One of the holistic vets we’ve had the privilege of interviewing is Dr. Judi Keller from Sunflower Holistic Veterinary Care. Dr. Judi is recently retired and now newly living off the land, homesteading, and enjoying beekeeping.

The following are Dr. Judi’s recommendations. You can find her handout in the first link.

Food/Fresh-Feeding Resources:

Homemade Food (and Vaccine Titer) Guidelines
Texas Tripe: One of her main Texas recommendations for raw feeding. She described their 80/10/10-type mixes and said many of her large-dog clients used them because of the price.
Jake & Blue’s: Another local Texas raw-food company she mentioned as an option.
Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm Mix: Her convenience recommendation. Powdered vitamin/mineral/vegetable mix; you add fresh meat.
Primal: Frozen/freeze-dried raw food company she mentioned favorably, including that they had been allowed to provide veterinary continuing education about raw feeding.
Tiki Cat canned food: She explains that some mainstream canned cat foods can have reasonable ingredients if you read the label.
Fancy Feast canned food: Some formulations can be reasonable; check ingredients and avoid things such as wheat gluten/legumes.
Green tripe: She recommends feeding green tripe, not the cleaned white tripe sold for human consumption. She said canned or frozen versions can be found in pet stores.
Fresh heart: She suggested buying hearts at the grocery store and feeding them fresh/cut up or cooked.
Tallow/animal-based fat: When discussing Dr. Harvey’s mix, she said she would favor tallow or another animal-based fat rather than vegetable oil; coconut oil was described as probably okay.
Probiotics: Optional during transition from kibble to fresh food; she doesn’t present them as essential.
Dr. Peter Dobias: She brought him up in the omega-3 discussion and said he used an omega-3 source she believed came from squid.

Books/Education

Pukka’s Promise: The one book she specifically named and recommended. She described it as a good eye-opener covering diet, vaccines, toxins, and how to help a dog live as long as possible.

Finding a Holistic Veterinarian

AHVMA VetFinder: Enter your location and search for holistic/integrative veterinarians.
Traditional Chinese Medicine/acupuncture veterinarians: She suggested these practitioners as another route for finding a more holistic/open-minded veterinarian, although she said she does not necessarily agree with all TCM dietary recommendations.
Her broader criteria were: Privately owned, open-minded, willing to use titers/minimal vaccination, and not shaming owners for fresh/raw feeding.

Vaccine/Titer Resources

Vaccine titers for distemper and parvo (and dietary recommendations): One of her biggest practical recommendations. She described titers as blood testing for antibody/immune status and discussed using them instead of automatically revaccinating when appropriate.
Hemopet/Dr. W. Jean Dodds: Keller said this is where she used to send her vaccine titers.
In-house titer test kits: She said veterinary clinics can purchase kits and perform titers in-house, though she described them as somewhat more subjective because they use a color-code-type result.
Nosodes: Discussed as a homeopathic alternative some clients had used, but this was not a firm Keller recommendation. She specifically said she was not trained in homeopathy and had limited experience with nosodes.

Heartworm Resources

VetaHeart — Pets Megastore Australia: She specifically suggested it as an ivermectin-only heartworm option available through Pets Megastore.
AmberTech herbal heartworm preparations: She mentioned these as another possible option but emphasized that she had only a handful of clients use them and found the schedule inconvenient.
Heartworm antigen test: She said the antigen test was generally fine in her view.
Microfilaria testing: Discussed as an additional heartworm test because it assesses something different from the antigen test.
Ivermectin/moxidectin: “Slow kill” heartworm treatment, doxycycline for Wolbachia, etc.,

Flea/Tick Resources

Wondercide: She recommended a cedar/essential-oil flea/tick product for things such as hiking/exposure.
Cedarside: Another cedar product for lawn use.
Flea comb: One of her simplest recommendations: routinely comb and actually determine whether the animal has fleas.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth: She described rubbing some into the coat as part of her flea-control approach.
Vacuum every ~3 days + wash bedding: Part of the same non-drug flea-control approach she used.

What is the best way to support a dog's health holistically?

The best way to support holistic dog health is to focus on the foundations first: species-appropriate nutrition, clean water, regular movement, gut health, dental care, low-toxin living, emotional regulation, and individualized preventive veterinary care.

A holistic approach doesn’t mean avoiding all conventional medicine; it means using the best tools available while also asking what may be driving symptoms, inflammation, or declining resilience in the first place.

What should I feed my dog if I’m not comfortable with raw food?

If raw feeding isn’t the right fit for your household, a fresh cooked, lightly cooked, freeze-dried, or carefully formulated homemade diet may still be a much better option than conventional kibble.

Cooked food can be especially helpful for families with immunocompromised individuals, young children, or anyone concerned about raw food handling. The key is to keep the diet meat-heavy, low in unnecessary starches, properly balanced, and appropriate for your dog’s life stage, tolerance, and health history.

Do dogs need carbs to be healthy?

Similar to humans, dogs don’t have a known minimum dietary carb requirement in the same way they require essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. While dogs can digest and use some carbs, especially compared to wolves, this doesn’t mean starches and grains are required for optimal health.

Many dogs do best on a meat-heavy, species-appropriate diet that uses animal protein, fat, organs, bone, and targeted whole foods as the main nutritional foundation.

Why is kibble considered least ideal for dog health?

Kibble is considered less ideal because it is an ultra-processed, dry, shelf-stable food that is far removed from the fresh, moisture-rich, animal-based diet dogs are biologically designed to eat. Concerns include low moisture, high starch content, oxidation, rancid fats, mold and mycotoxin risk, synthetic fortification, heavy metals, chemical preservatives, and unclear ingredient sourcing.

Similar to humans, dogs aren’t designed to thrive long-term on highly processed food as their primary diet.

How can I improve my dog’s kibble if I can’t fully replace it?

If kibble is your only realistic option, you can improve the bowl by adding moisture and fresh animal-based foods. Simple upgrades may include water, bone broth, beef, pork, eggs, sardines, fresh meat toppers, or other tolerated whole foods.

Try to find the highest quality kibble options with lower carb/starch content and human-grade ingredients. Even replacing part of a dry, high-carb diet with more bioavailable animal nutrition can help support hydration, nutrient density, and overall resilience.

Can dogs have food allergies or sensitivities?

Yes, dogs can have food allergies and sensitivities, although they may be less common than many pet owners assume. Symptoms can include itching, ear infections, paw licking, hot spots, digestive upset, gas, vomiting, loose stool, or recurring skin inflammation. In some dogs, food reactions may also reflect gut irritation, microbiome imbalance, poor digestion, or immune dysregulation rather than a simple allergy.

How does a carnivore elimination diet work for dogs?

A Carnivore elimination diet can be used as a short-term therapeutic tool to simplify the diet and identify potential food triggers. Instead of feeding many proteins at once, pet owners may start with one tolerated animal protein and gradually reintroduce others while tracking stool quality, itching, skin symptoms, ear health, energy, and behavior. The goal is not unnecessary restriction forever, but clarity about which foods support your dog and which may contribute to symptoms.

Why can too much liver or kidney be a problem in raw or cooked dog food?

Liver and kidney are nutrient-dense, but they can become problematic when overused, especially if a formula also contains added copper or vitamin A. Liver is naturally rich in preformed vitamin A and copper, and too much over time may increase the risk of nutrient excess, particularly in dogs prone to copper storage issues. A better approach is to feed organs in natural whole-animal proportions and avoid liver and kidney as much as possible.

We practice doesn’t recommend feeding liver or kidney.

Is raw food really better for dogs than kibble?

For many dogs, a properly balanced raw diet is more biologically aligned with how dogs evolved to eat because it provides fresh animal protein, fat, organs, bone, collagen, moisture, and minimally processed nutrients.

However, raw feeding has to be done carefully, with the right proportions and safe handling practices. Kibble is generally the least ideal option because it is ultra-processed, has contamination concerns, is low in moisture, and often high in starch, but pet owners can still improve a kibble-based diet by adding fresh animal foods and moisture when a full transition isn’t realistic.

Are probiotics helpful for dogs?

Probiotics can be helpful for some dogs, especially after antibiotic use or during periods of digestive imbalance. Dog-safe strains often discussed include Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii, and Bacillus coagulans.

However, probiotics work best when the foundations are also addressed, including diet quality, food sensitivities, clean water, stress, stool testing when needed, and overall gut terrain.

What are signs that my dog’s gut health needs support?

Signs your dog’s gut may need support include chronic loose stool, constipation, gas, bloating, vomiting, mucus in stool, poor food tolerance, itching, recurrent ear infections, paw licking, dull coat, anal gland issues, low energy, behavior changes, and increased reactivity after foods, medications, or supplements. Because the gut connects to the immune system, skin, brain, and inflammatory pathways, gut imbalance may show up far beyond digestion.

How does dental health affect overall dog wellness?

Dental health is connected to the rest of the body through the immune system, bloodstream, digestive tract, and inflammatory pathways. Chronic oral inflammation, tartar, gum disease, loose teeth, or hidden dental pain can affect appetite, behavior, energy, immune health, and systemic inflammation. Supporting dental health naturally may include species-appropriate chewing, tooth brushing with dog-safe toothpaste, a lower-carb diet, and individualized veterinary dental care when needed.

Does my dog need regular dental cleanings under anesthesia?

Not every dog needs routine dental cleanings under anesthesia, especially if gum disease is mild and consistent preventive care is working well at home. However, dental cleanings and extractions can be important when there is advanced tartar, infection, abscesses, loose teeth, pain, or systemic health effects. The decision should balance oral disease severity, anesthesia risk, age, chronic illness, and quality of life with a trusted veterinarian.

Should holistic dog owners avoid vaccines completely?

This is a very personal decision that needs to be made from the most informed place possible. Avoiding unnecessary over-vaccination is key. However, this decision should be based on your comfort level, local vaccination requirements by law, and your specific pet.

What should I ask my vet before vaccinating my dog?

Helpful questions include: Which vaccines are legally required? Which are truly necessary based on my dog’s lifestyle and location? Can we separate vaccines instead of giving multiple at once? Is my dog healthy enough to vaccinate today? Is titer testing appropriate? What reactions should I watch for? How does my dog’s age, breed, medical history, or prior vaccine response change the plan?

Are annual vaccine boosters necessary for adult dogs?

Many holistic veterinarians question automatic annual boosters, especially for certain core viral diseases where immunity may last for years after puppy vaccination. Titer testing can sometimes help determine whether a dog still has protective antibodies for diseases such as distemper and parvovirus. Rabies is different because it is governed by local laws, which may require boosters regardless of titer status.

How can I start supporting my dog’s health without changing everything at once?

Start with the biggest foundations first: improve food quality, add moisture, provide filtered water, reduce fragrances and harsh chemicals, support daily movement, address dental health, and create a calmer routine. Then make changes slowly while tracking stool, skin, energy, mood, weight, and symptoms.

Can environmental toxins affect dogs like they affect humans?

Yes, dogs can be affected by many of the same environmental stressors as humans, including mold, lawn chemicals, fragrances, cleaning products, plastics, heavy metals, poor water quality, and poor indoor air quality. Dogs may be especially vulnerable because they walk close to the ground, lick their paws and fur, sleep on treated surfaces, and share the same indoor air as the household.

Can mold exposure affect dogs and other pets?

Yes, mold and water-damaged buildings may affect sensitive dogs and other pets, especially when symptoms are stubborn, recurring, or difficult to explain. Possible signs may include itching, ear issues, respiratory symptoms, digestive upset, lethargy, neurologic changes, or worsening inflammatory patterns. When pets live in the same environment as people with CIRS or mold-related illness, the shared home environment should not be overlooked.

Should dogs drink filtered water?

Yes, filtered water is a simple but important part of holistic dog health. Tap water can contain chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticide residues, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, or other contaminants, depending on the source. If using reverse osmosis or distilled water, it should ideally be remineralized with a safe, natural trace mineral source to support hydration and electrolyte balance.

Are natural flea and tick preventives enough?

Sometimes, but not always. Natural flea and tick options may include tick checks, flea combing, gentle bathing, apple cider vinegar rinses, yard management, food-grade diatomaceous earth in the environment, and properly diluted dog-appropriate topical sprays. These can reduce toxin burden, but they may be less reliable than conventional products in high-risk areas, so prevention should be based on local exposure, seasonality, disease risk, and your dog’s sensitivity.

How should I think about heartworm prevention holistically?

Heartworm prevention should be risk-based because heartworm is serious and potentially life-threatening. Risk depends on mosquitoes, geography, climate, season, and local prevalence. Some holistic vets use seasonal prevention and regular testing in lower-risk areas, while many still recommend pharmaceutical prevention in high-risk regions because active heartworm disease can be far more dangerous than prevention for dogs that tolerate it well.

Are spaying and neutering always the healthiest choice?

Spaying and neutering have benefits, including preventing unwanted litters and reducing certain reproductive disease risks, but they also permanently alter hormone function. Sex hormones influence growth, joints, metabolism, muscle, behavior, urinary health, and endocrine balance. The healthiest decision depends on breed, size, sex, cancer risk, orthopedic risk, temperament, lifestyle, and whether accidental breeding can be reliably prevented.

Why does natural pet wellness need to be species-specific?

Natural pet wellness must be species-specific because what supports one animal can harm another. Cats are obligate carnivores, rabbits and guinea pigs require high-fiber hay-based diets, birds need species-specific nutrition and safe air quality, reptiles require precise heat, humidity, UVB, and calcium balance, and small mammals have unique digestive and housing needs. Holistic care works best when it honors each animal’s biology rather than applying dog advice to every pet.

Closing Thoughts on Holistic Dog Health and Pet Wellness

Discovering alternative wellness options for your pet can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you start learning about nutrition, vaccines, parasites, toxins, dental health, gut health, emotional stress, and preventive care from a more holistic lens.

But this information is meant to empower you with better questions, broader context, and more confidence so you can make informed decisions for your pet’s long-term health and quality of life.

Many of these same principles are already recommended for individuals pursuing a non-toxic lifestyle: cleaner food, filtered water, safer household products, better indoor air quality, less chemical exposure, and a more intentional approach to medications and prevention. Extending those same values to your pets is a natural next step, especially because they share your home, breathe the same air, walk on the same surfaces, and rely on you for every part of their daily care.

If there is one key takeaway, it is this: diet is one of the most important things you can do for your pet. A species-appropriate, nutrient-dense, minimally processed diet provides the foundation. From there, each additional step helps create a more thoughtful and supportive path for your pet’s longevity.

Holistic pet care doesn’t require perfection. Even small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference over time. When you lead with curiosity, discernment, and love, you are better equipped to advocate for the animals who depend on you and help them live healthier, happier, and more vibrant lives.

Work With Our Trusted Carnivore Diet Functional Medicine Practitioners

Our Empower Functional Health practice is honored to be trusted Carnivore diet functional medicine practitioners, supporting patients and clients from around the globe. We’re passionate about helping individuals achieve root-cause healing in order to live the life they are meant to, nearly symptom-free. We provide holistic health thought leadership and evidence-based insights, paired with clinical pearls, to help you achieve your wellness goals. We welcome you to explore our free resources, and if you find that self-troubleshooting falls short, we’re here to guide you with personalized support and protocols. Our Personalized Health Plan (PHP) is the ideal starting point for uncovering your root causes. You can learn more about this powerful, proprietary tool in-depth here.

DISCLAIMER: We share this content to help you make informed and empowered decisions about your health. However, it is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or replace individualized medical advice. Always consult with a trusted, qualified healthcare practitioner before beginning a new diet, supplement, treatment, or health protocol.