Earlier this week I was honored to be the featured speaker for my friend Eileen’s HLW Academy’s January Reward Event to talk about animal naturopathy of course! She is a licensed physical therapist in human health who has morphed into helping people age well and move without pain. She also has an international best seller book titled, “Pain Culprits: Surprising truths behind pain, how to uncover the cause, and what to do about it.” We became friends because we’re both in TranzformU together and she has helped me with my own pain challenges.
During the event the topic about joint pain in dogs came up. While there wasn’t time to elaborate specifically on joint issues, I was able to share a couple of things I do. However, that said, I had already spoken at length on the proper nutrition for our canine CARNIVORES. I absolutely loved the questions that her academy students asked regarding nutrition for their dogs, as it was obvious they’d learned so much about their own proper nutrition to eliminate pain culprits. Eating the wrong foods increases inflammation which will lead to pain in varying ways including in the joints. Guess what? That is absolutely true in our animals as well – ALL of them, not just dogs.
If an elderly dog has only been fed kibble, they will often have so many issues that joint pain seems to be a given – but that doesn’t need to be the case. Let me share a little story from yesterday before I continue…
Yesterday I was walking my younger dog Ezra (Carolina Dog) in our lower yard (large enough to do that), and he was running up and down the fence line because he could see our neighbor’s young daughter in their yard doing her target practice. Most of us have horse fencing in the lower parts of our yards with walls in the upper yards. So the lower yards are more native flora and fauna, while our upper yards are more cultured. This little neighbor girl is so intelligent and was chatting with me about dogs. I asked her if she’d ever seen our elderly dog before and she said no, only this one you walk all the time. So I took Ezra back in (otherwise he tries to engage King in wild dashing around the yard and since King had an CCL tear a few years ago we don’t let them play together in the yard) and came back with King (American Bully). She gasped when she saw him as she likes the bully type breeds since she’s grown up with Boxers. She told King, “You look just like my dog in the face” LOL. Not exactly since her boxer has a much more brachycephalic face than King. When I told her he was going to have his 11th birthday next week she looked shocked. She said dogs never live that long. She is sadly correct on that even though it’s not normal it’s just common. Normal lifespan really ought to be much longer in our dogs, but due to improper nourishment, injections, and pesticides masquerading as protection, this “experimentation under the guise of healthcare delivery” has just about destroyed their genome. I was able to share with her why King has been able to live longer even though he isn’t 100% healthy. I could tell those seeds sown landed in fertile soil in that brilliant mind of hers too, yay!
So the question begs, why isn’t King 100% healthy since I naturally rear him? Well, he came from a line of conventionally reared dogs which means all the things I mentioned above. He came to us weaned to kibble and raised on kibble until my friend Mike got him at age 6 months and then later gave him to us when he was 13 months old. This breed has digestive and respiratory issues – markers that turned on as a result of the “health” care they’ve been subjected to. I can assure you most breeds are presenting with digestive issues these days. I was able to sow some seeds into this young girl as she is so intelligent, easy to converse with and definitely confident in her own abilities so she was like a sponge. She is also very well-read which isn’t common these days sadly. I really enjoy my over the fence conversations with her – much like it was when I was growing up and had neighbors who did likewise with me. Now back to King…
So what do I do to help King? If you read the article I’ve linked about his CCL you’ll see some of what we’ve done to help him. It’s a 3-part series just so you know. He isn’t wearing a brace any longer, but he’s had other related issues that all go back to one thing: gut health. We are simply palliating the joint issues with massage, but focusing on healing his gut. You’d think with years of raw feeding that would be a done deal, but sadly (as I’ve had conversations lately with a couple of natural rearing breeders to confirm my suspicions) that isn’t the case. We are going to have to go both deeper and higher in helping them – way beyond just what is done here in the natural earth but higher (I have a course coming soon that will address this). I’ve been told it can take up to FOURTEEN generations now to clear the lines. By the way that includes rescue and shelter dogs as well but that’s a whole other Pandora’s box to discuss.
If you want to get a deeper understanding for your own health I invite you to attend my friend Eileen’s upcoming free challenge titled, “Reverse Aging Boot Camp“. She gives SO much value in her challenges – whether you decide to join her academy or not AND she offers beneficial giveaways during the challenge as well. Keep in mind that the same information will apply to our animals although nutrition must be species specific. Be sure to go to the page linked here to find out all the details about Eileen’s challenge.
Below is what I’m currently using as additional support for King’s gut health – maybe it can be of help to you and your senior dog also. PLUS I’ll share a couple of the other products that can help. That said, following the laws of health aren’t optional if you want a healthy dog no matter the age. My neighbor’s daughter thought King was much younger – and she was amazed at his agility and attitude lol, so that’s just evidence our natural rearing methods ARE worth doing. Besides, aren’t they worth it?
NOTE: I am using this alongside the raw diet and following ALL the laws of health or will add in – I’m not a fan of using a lot of supplements and definitely not ones that aren’t carnivore specific. The ones I’ve chosen here I believe can lend needed support for him at this time. I also don’t use them all at once all the time. If you need more guidance, reach out to me for a consultation.
With this product you do need to give them a rest from it after 60 days: Gut Guard so I’ll alternate with Protect
What I will use for both dogs – but not daily. Remember balance happens over time not in every meal:
Lion’s Mane – Organic Mushroom Extract for Dogs – this is for brain health which can help with aging dogs and also those with anxiety like Ezra experiences.
Look around their site, 4LeafRover.com, you may find things that will be more beneficial for your dog. Yes, I am an affiliate for them now – after seeing the benefits for my own dogs in what I’m using.
Until next time,
Have a PAWSitively, tail waggin’, NATUROPATHICALLY healthy day!
Kim Bloomer, V.N.D., N.D. is an animal naturopath as well as being certified in small animal nutrition, with years of experience in animal wellness. Dr. Kim is a published author, writer, and blogger. Subscribe to her DOGgone Newsletter for updates or to her blog via email. Copyright ©2005-2024 Aspenbloom Pet Care, Dr. Kim Bloomer, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article is intended to be educational. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified animal health professional. Dr. Kim Bloomer and Aspenbloom Pet Care, do not assume any legal responsibility for misuse of the products discussed in this article. The only essential oils referenced on this website are Young Living.
