Oh My Dog! - obsessed with dogs

Golden Paste for Dogs: The What, Why, and How

02•05•19

Have you jumped on the turmeric bandwagon yet?

It seems to be all the rage right now, and I’ll admit: I’m late to the party!

Why?

Well, I think it’s my natural desire to push back, to rebel. I read a ton of cancer stuff online–which I need to stop doing–but I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen someone post about a personal struggle and some stranger replies, “You should really add turmeric to your diet.” In my head, I’m screaming, “YOU SHOULD REALLY MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! YOU’RE NOT THE ONE WITH CANCER!” It’s not helpful. It’s not productive. It’s not supportive, though I suspect the person making the recommendation thinks they’re being supportive when really they’re inserting their unproductive opinion. Unless your friend specifically asks for your suggestion, keep it to yourself! They have enough on their plate.

End unrelated rant. Sorry ’bout that.

Ahem.

Anyways, turmeric!

How to Make Golden Paste for Your Dog

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Over the last six months or so, it’s really hit home that Coop is cresting that middle-age point. He’ll be nine this summer, and while he’s still high-energy and pretty fit, we’ve seen a few signs of aging: his increasingly-white fur, a slight stiffness after a strenuous hike, longer recovery times after his runs, and–for that matter–a little less stamina for the longer runs. He’s by no means done with any of that but rather slowing down on occasion or taking longer to recover. He’s still a lunatic who acts foolish without enough mental or physical exercise each day, and he’s at a healthy weight.

That said, I’ve been researching ways to aid him as he ages, specifically with his muscles and joints, and my research kept turning up the same thing: golden paste. So, I decided to give it a whirl. Before I share my super-simple recipe, let’s address what it is and why it matters:

First, what is golden paste?

“Golden paste” is just the name of the concoction. It’s a mix of turmeric, pepper (more on that below), water, and a healthy fat like coconut oil. Also called “turmeric paste,” it’s indicated for use in people, dogs, horses, you name it. But I’m forever a skeptic when it comes to health food claims, so I turned to the scholarly research. In a journal article posted by the National Institutes of Health:

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a yellow pigment present in the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) that has been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial activities as indicated by over 6,000 citations. In addition, over one hundred clinical studies have been carried out with curcumin. …
Extensive research over the past 30 years has shown that it plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of various pro-inflammatory chronic diseases including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and malignant diseases.

So, yeah. The research is there. This particular article, and why I chose to cite this one instead one of the other over one hundred studies, is that it highlights one of the key problems with turmeric: bioavailability. Basically, our bodies don’t do a good enough job absorbing the ingredient to really maximize its benefits. You could take turmeric daily and not benefit one bit. In that paper, they examine a number of studies that looked at different ways to administering turmeric–everything from intravenously to mixed with natural ingredients–and the most realistic pairing for our purposes was adding black pepper (you’ll see this in my recipe below). Piperine is a major component of black pepper and does the job of increasing the bioavailability, but do note that the studies that showed the biggest increase were in humans, not small mammals. Take that with a grain of turmeric, I suppose.

Second, how does turmeric help dogs?

Well, all the studies cited demonstrate a whole host of benefits BUT it’s super-duper important to note that these studies are largely conducted on rats and on humans. We’re extrapolating similar benefits for dogs.

Anyway, turmeric has been shown to do all sorts of things even, yes, potentially helping cancer patients. (Still, don’t suggest it unless you’re asked!) The key benefits of turmeric for dogs, people, horses, etc. include (links go to the studies that demonstrate the benefits):

Those are big benefits for anyone, of course, but serve aging pups (and people) particularly well. So, I’m on board! Let’s do this!

How to Make Golden Paste for Your Dog

You can share it, too!

If you search for this online, you’ll find a crazy number of recipes. They all contain the same foundation: turmeric (buy it in bulk, y’all!), water, black pepper (per the note above to help absorption), and a healthy fat like coconut oil. Tons of other versions contain all sorts of other things like freshly-ground ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and so on. TBH, most of those spices are added just for flavor and aren’t at all necessary.

Golden Paste Ingredients:

1 cup water
1/2 cup turmeric powder
1/3 cup coconut oil
1.5 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

How to Make the Golden Paste:

Combine the water and turmeric powder in a sauce pan. Stir constantly over medium-high heat until it thickens. It generally takes six or seven minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the coconut oil and pepper. (If you want to throw in any of the other, optional seasonings, now’s the time. Aim for about a teaspoon each.)
Let it cool, then pour it into a glass jar for storage.

Serving Golden Paste for Dogs:

This amount makes enough to fill a regular-sized mason jar (I like these ones) a little more than halfway. If you share it with your pup, like mixing it into your coffee or oatmeal or whatever, have multiple dogs, or love really big dogs, it’ll probably last about a week. OR if you have a small dog, don’t share it with your dog, or use it sparingly, it can keep in your fridge sealed in a glass jar for about two weeks.

As far as quantity/dosing, start small. It’s a strong flavor. A minuscule spoon mixed into your pup’s food is a great way to start. I’ve seen recommendations that generally fall in the range of 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per 10 pounds per day, so Coop weighs 50, which means he’d get upwards of 1.25 tsp per day. It doesn’t seem like much, does it? The flavor, though is super strong, so I’d recommend working up to that amount then dividing that total between meals.

One final note: It stains. #learnedthatlesson

Ta-da! Now you have a nice batch of golden paste for your dogs (and for you!)

Have you tried this? Or, if you haven’t, are you considering it? Did I leave you with any questions? Any experiences you’d like to share? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Everything Aspiring Eco-Friendly Dogs and Cats Need to Know

02•03•19

Last year I announced the launch of my new “pet” project, The Zero-Waste Pet. (Sorry for the terrible pun.)

Then I promptly forgot to come back here and share any of it, so today I’m going to remedy that with a quick roundup!

Everything Aspiring Eco-Friendly Dogs and Cats Need to Know

If you’re brand new to learning about sustainability and your carbon footprint–or your pet’s carbon pawprint–THIS is the post you need. It’s a comprehensive, non-judgey, actionable tutorial to get anyone started, no matter if you’re a pro-level recycler or a start-up at green living. Terminology is defined. Lists are simple to follow. The steps are affordable. Check it out here (click the image to go straight to the post):
Let’s say you’re starting your low-waste, zero-waste, or gentle journey and have discovered the one truth we can’t avoid when we start down this path: The way we eat is killing the planet. It’s true. It’s unfortunate. It can be remedied, though! If you’ve been exploring ways to diminish the impact of your diet on the planet (#MeatlessMonday FTW!) and want to take it a step further, this post has everything you need to know along with super positive, helpful, affordable steps to take to lessen your pets’ impact on the planet. What goes in their bowl matters! Click the image below to go straight to that post:
While we’re on the topic of food… what goes in must come out. And then what comes out must… go somewhere. It’s a reality of loving and caring for animals. We have to deal with their bathroom behavior. So, I actually wrote two separate posts about this because, TBH, cat waste and dog waste are entirely separate animals. (Why can’t I stop making dummy animal puns that aren’t even all that puny?) If you’re interested in learning about cats and how to make your litter box gentler on the planet, click this:
Or, click this one if you’re more interested in learning about dog waste–including a brief examination of the best ways to handle their urine and puke because, you know, #dogs.
Finally, for you, the loving pet parent! Here’s the thing with the zero-waste movement, imo: It’s too judgey. I’m in a Facebook group, and when someone asks something like, “What’s the best way to reduce the impact of my car? I’m looking at washer fluids, tires, etc. and want to find the most eco-friendly options,” no one jumps in to say, “Hey, that’s awesome! What a great avenue to explore!” or whatever. Nope. Not one bit. They say, “HA. Your car is a polluting beast. Get a bike.” UGH. This should not be an all-or-nothing endeavor. Tiny, consistent steps add up to huge, long-term change. It’s my goal to help you feel supported and encouraged, so I rounded up a bunch of tips for you, the pet parent, that are easy to do and either free or super inexpensive. Check those out here:

There you have it! Those five guides are the first of many. I’m researching them thoroughly and putting a ton of effort into each one, so it’s my hope to publish at least one a month or maybe two if it makes sense (like the dog and cat waste guides).

If you have any questions, I’d LOVE to answer them in the comments below! Or, if you have requests for my next round of guides, please leave those suggestions, too! We are all in this together!

Dog-Friendly Vacations: Plan your trip around your pup!

01•29•19

We recently returned from Cooper’s vacation!

We’ve done this almost annually since Emmett’s youngest days with us. We pack our bags and head to a cabin in the woods somewhere for a long weekend of pet-approved activities: hiking, napping, snacking, whatever!

Dog-Friendly Vacations_ Plan your trip around your pup!

It’s super fun to plan a trip around your dog because… well… let’s talk vacations for a minute first.

We ALL need to step away from time to time. Even the most KonMaried among us carry stress, and vacations provide the opportunity to get out of the grind and recharge. Dogs? Well, they don’t have the same daily burden. (Thank goodness, right? It’s one of the things that makes dogs so magical!) But lotsa dogs get bored. And even if your dog never gets bored, your dog loves you and loves the opportunity to bond and play!

One caveat: This is about planning a vacation around YOUR dog. Back in 2006, we could take Em anywhere, and he loved nothing more than sitting on a pet-friendly patio and getting showered with attention and food. He could tour a winery as easily as he could hike a trail and be just as happy doing either. If your dog is like that, that’s GREAT! You can do just about anything for your pup’s vacation!

Cooper, though… Coop isn’t like that one iota. Public places stress him out. Each time I’ve taken him to a cafe patio to train, he’s been so anxious that he wouldn’t take any treats, even if I ordered him his own plate of something yummy like scrambled eggs! That type of vacation would simply not be a fun, enriching, bonding experience. However, he loves exercise. He loves to run. He loves to hike. He loves a physical challenge, and we haven’t been able to do much of that since Violet came along, so we decided for Coop’s vacation this year, we’d take him on some longer, harder hikes than he’s had in a couple years.

So, we found a pet-friendly cabin rental near the park we wanted to hit, and off we went!

If this idea intrigues you and you might want to take your dog’s vacation, here are a few things that have (and have not) worked for us that might help get you started!

How to go on vacation with your dog:

Plan everything. Obviously you can’t really, truly plan everything, and you do want to allow for spontaneous stops along the way, but once you pick your destination, spend a chunk of time googling everything pet-friendly you might want to do along with the city names. Here are a couple examples: pet-friendly cafes in Indianapolis, or dog-friendly wineries in Nashville, or whatever. We love GoPetFriendly.com for this, too, since we only ever road trip with Cooper. Have a list of places saved in your phone so you’re not stuck trying to find somewhere your dog can go and losing precious vacation time! BTW, don’t forget to plan down time to snuggle your pup!
Book pet-friendly accommodations. Don’t be that guy who sneaks your dog in. It ruins it for the rest of us. We strive to book cabin rentals or AirBNB-style places to stay because it’s usually quieter with a more home-like vibe, which Coop strongly prefers. Plus, they usually come equipped with everything you need to prepare all your own food, which is a necessity if you’re traveling with a dog like Coop who just can’t do outdoor restaurants, or if you’re traveling in a season where you can’t eat outside, or if you’re simply trying to save money. This time around, we found a perfect spot just by googling: pet-friendly cabin rentals in Brown County, Indiana.
Pack for comfort. OK, we’re not talking a backpacking trip here (that requires a whole other mindset, of packing for necessity). In this case, pack what makes your dog comfy: his regular bed, a special blanket, food, of course, and treats, a bowl and water dish, toys, and so on. We bring a cooler since Coop eats The Farmer’s Dog, and I always bring a stash of chew toys. I always bring an extra leash, too, just in case, far more pickup bags than we could possibly need, a flashlight for night-time potty breaks, and seasonally-appropriate apparel. Honestly? Not counting food, Cooper’s bags outnumber ours every time! But, it helps him to settle into a place if he has his home comforts!
Pack for safety. In addition to the comfy items, when you travel with your pup, bring a pet-specific first aid kit, a tool to remove a tick, your preferred paw treatment, and anything else that’s appropriate to the season, location, and adventures you have planned. There’s no worse feeling than driving around an unfamiliar place trying to find the right item in the right store when you have an emergency. I’d also highly recommend storing your pet’s vet records on a jump drive you can toss in your glove compartment along with the name and number of a pre-researched vet that is near where you’re staying. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, it’s helpful to have that already on hand.
Have fun! Don’t stress about timetables or hitting must-see spots. Your dog certainly isn’t, and this is his time with you! Focus on fun. Find things to do you’ll both enjoy, especially that much-needed downtime. This is vacation, after all!

Planning your vacation around your pet simply means that you get to do fun stuff together away from home! 🙂 It’s an awesome way to build your bond, to enjoy some time away, and to go on a new adventure. You’ll love the memories you make together, and you’ll have a great time–all that really matters!

Have you ever taken a trip for your pup? Do you typically take your dog on vacation? Would you consider planning all or part of a family vacation around your dog’s preferences and personality? Let’s share in the comments!

Plan a vacation for your dog

Additional resources:

Hiking with Dogs: Winter Safety Tips

DIY Travel Blanket

How to Pack for a Dog-Friendly Road Trip

The 9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge

01•23•19

Welcome, friends, to the 9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge. This is my eighth time participating, and if you’re not a blogger, these Q’s and A’s might give you a glimpse into what it’s like!

It seems 2018 packed a punch for many of us. I know I spent the year caught up in my own stuff, buried under the weight of shifting responsibilities and a rapidly-developing toddler, leaving one job and trying to create another, finding a sense of structure and routine and purpose… and, more often than not, coming up short. That’s life, though, isn’t it?

I’m always grateful to our friends at GoPetFriendly.com for organizing this hop each year because I appreciate the opportunity to reflect, to look ahead, and to learn from others working in this space. Even though I haven’t started drafting my replies to the questions yet, I apologize in advance for the wordiness that I’m sure is to come!

The 9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge

Digging in to the 2019 Pet Blogger Challenge:

For those who may be visiting your blog for the first time, how long have you been blogging and what is your main topic? If we’re just now meeting, hello! I’ve got a lot to catch you up on!I started my blog in 2009. My purpose then was to chronicle my two dogs, Emmett and Lucas, and their adventures, from Emmett’s therapy dog work to Lucas’ reactive dog training and everything in between. I came up with the tagline obsessed with dogs and just decided to chronicle anything dog-related in the context of my guys. Since then, we’ve moved thrice, dealt with four bouts of cancer (two Em, one Lucas, one me), added another pup Cooper and cats Newt and Ripley, fostered, trained, volunteered, worked, adopted (human) baby Violet who’s now the sweetest/funniest/mulish almost-two-year-old around, and struggled through the most difficult goodbyes of my life to both Emmett and Lucas and the subsequent grief. In that time, I’ve had periods of prolific work and periods of silence. Last year, 2018, was a period of silence. I experienced some dramatic transitions in my work life, all while mourning Em and trying to keep up with Violet. I needed that period of silence to recover my sense of purpose because, man, I had lost my vision and forgot my way. But, I feel like it’s coming back, though I’m trying to ease into it.
What was your proudest blogging moment of 2018? Hands down: Being named the incoming Vice President of the Dog Writers Association of America. {{Here’s that story.}} Honestly, this wouldn’t be my life and livelihood if it weren’t for this blog. Starting this blog–really, adopting Emmett–changed the entire course of my life. {{And here’s that story.}} This tremendous honor feels so great because it’s a venerable organization that I was intimidated to join way-back-when, but it’s proof that finding your passion and working hard at it pays off!
What was the biggest blogging challenge you faced in 2018, and how did/will you tackle it? The internet landscape shifted dramatically these last 10 years. Whether it’s an algorithm change or new FTC guidelines or a social channel altering how they weight content, well, some people live and die by that stuff. In working with tons and tons of bloggers over the past few years, I think one of the biggest errors I see bloggers make is forgetting that none of those things matter if your blog does its job: delivering amazing/useful/helpful/entertaining content that serves your audience. Sure, stuff like a keyword strategy and a Facebook marketing strategy matter, but only to the extent that they support, not drive, your blog. OK, all that said, my biggest challenge is getting those content marketing pieces in place! 🙂 Seriously, I’m not worried about social channels or video marketing or whatever even half as much as I worry about creating great content here. However, I avoided social media (except Instagram, tbh) most of 2018. I was burnt out, not of the content marketing or anything like that, but of the negativity and just the plain old bat-shit-crazy state of the world. So, I took a giant step back, and I avoided it almost entirely. I didn’t tackle it. In 2019, I plan to dive back in. I started a Facebook group that has an extremely strict positive-vibes-only rule. And the rest? That remains to be seen… maybe some degree of automation… some degree of outsourcing… I really don’t know yet.
Which of your 2018 blog posts was your favorite and why? (Please include a link.) I stopped covering as many welfare topics in 2018 and 2017, and I have no good excuse other than… I was busy? Those posts require time? And research? And I was short on that? #noexcuse Animal welfare is a core value of mine, so I plan to do more of that moving forward. However, the two posts I did write that were specific to advocacy, I’m glad I wrote: a return to pit bull advocacy and pets as presents.
Which of your 2018 posts was most popular with your audience? Why do you think it does so well? So, circling back to point 3, I’ll say that this isn’t my most popular post in terms of traffic, but it’s the most popular with my audience. {{This post.}} I’ve received the most emails about this one than about any other post in a long, long time. In fact, just recently I received a DM on Instagram asking for me to share the link on that platform, and the post was from last April. When I reread it now, I’m tempted to edit. To revise. I wrote it when I felt raw and open. Yes, it could be better written. But people connected to the emotion. Honestly? I think it’s done well, not necessarily just in terms of traffic, but because it’s something that everyone who’s lost a pet can relate to and really, truly feel. Any post where a reader walks away nodding and saying, “YES! Me too!” forges that personal connection we all really need. And when it’s a bond over our pets? All the better.
Did you implement a new series, feature, or practice on your blog in 2018 that you’re enjoying? The only series I ran was a two-parter on pet blogging. {{Read part 1 and part 2.}} I’m not huge into series because I find them hard to sustain…
As the social media landscape changes, how are you promoting your blog posts and connecting with new readers? So, per point 3, I haven’t really been promoting my posts. I think I have a handful of solid evergreen posts that drive a lot of organic search traffic, but this is what I need to work on with purpose and intention in 2019.
Looking forward to 2019, if you accomplish only one thing through your blog, what do you hope it is? Last year, my friend and colleague Carol Bryant and I wrote a book about pet blogging. We’re currently pitching agents to get representation. I’ve wanted to write books since I wrote my first “novel” in a red, wide-ruled Mead notebook in third grade. I’m thrilled to have one done and ready to go out in the world. I started a second book that’s going back to my roots in narrative nonfiction, and a lot of the story arc comes directly from this blog. It’s in its infancy; I’m not ready to talk about the story yet, but I set myself a goal to write 500 words every morning so that in 100-200 days I’ll have a substantial first draft.
What steps are you planning to take to ensure you reach your goal? Writing those words every single day no matter what. Yesterday it was a slog. Each word was like a pulled tooth. Today, they flew across the screen, and I doubled today’s word count in about a third of the time it took me yesterday. So, just plowing ahead like a mule. And now I’m accountable to YOU to do my writing each day since I’ve let the project out into the world! 🙂
Now it’s your turn! How can we help? Is there an area where you could use some advice, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on? Share it here, and we’ll answer you in comments! I guess my main question for other bloggers is what tools do you use to streamline? I know everyone’s all about Tailwind, and I’ve had a Buffer account for a while that I just don’t love… How do you schedule/automate/remember to do all your social sharing and stuff? What’s worth investing in for you?

If you made it this far, you deserve a medal! Thank you for sticking with me. I love introspection and digging into questions like this, so a big thank you to Amy from GoPetFriendly.com for taking the time to put this together each year! I can’t wait to read everyone’s entries this weekend!

Take care, everyone!

Apple Cider Vinegar for Itchy Dogs

01•15•19

Do you have an itchy dog? Does your pup suffer from skin ickiness that varies by season? Then this one might be for you…

Quick, obvious disclaimer: I’m not a vet. I’m not a vet tech. I’m not anything useful. I’m just a writer. I tend to research obsessively and try only what I deem to be safe and worth a shot. This is one of those. Always consult with your vet before you try anything because this post is for informational purposes only.

Apple cider vinegar rinse for itchy dogs

This post actually started with my hair. Since absolutely no one other than me cares about my hair, the gist: My hair started to shed heavily (read: fall out) last year, which is unusual for me. So, I tried a bunch of stuff and ended up using an apple cider vinegar (ACV from here on out) rinse that made a huge difference.

That experience made me wonder if it would help Coop and his seasonal itchiness and his winter-dry skin.

Short answer: Yep!

Longer answer: Here we go!

First, what is apple cider vinegar?

From HonestPaws.com: “Apple cider vinegar is quite similar to white vinegar. The major difference is ACV is made through the process of fermenting apples. The result of the fermentation process is a substance that is full of iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.”

(BTW, the FDA says those are there but in trace amounts, so like all things health-related, take it in measure.)

Its natural properties can do all sorts of things like control or prevent yeast overgrowth, mange, fleas, ticks, and just plain-old itchiness. People use it for all kinds of things in human health, and many of those uses translate to our pups.

It’s super-duper safe, containing only apples and water, but since it’s acidic it can sting if your pup has any open wounds. More on that in a minute.

If you google for ACV uses and dogs, you’ll find everything from adding it to food for digestive health, cleaning ears, flea and tick repellent, and so on. For our family, we only use it as a skin rinse. Those other indications? Well, we already have them under control, for one thing, and also I’m not a boat-rocker when it comes to Coop’s health.

I’ll also add that there’s not really any science to show these benefits or uses to be proven. These are essentially folk remedies, you know? ACV has been used for ages and ages (literally) but go into it knowing you likely won’t find a peer-reviewed journal article showing that ACV helps with, say, your dog’s itchy paws.

How to use apple cider vinegar for itchy dogs

When I searched for recipes for my hair/scalp treatment, the unanimous “dosing” seemed to be: start with a little and dilute it a ton, then slowly lower the dilution.

I’ve felt like the best ratio for us both has been 2 parts water to 1 part ACV. I don’t see myself adjusting that further.

You have two options for using ACV to help your dog’s itchy skin:

Spritz and rub. After your dog’s regular shampoo or entirely on its own as a specific treatment, use a spray bottle (I love these if you want to shop local or these if you want to shop Amazon because they’re pretty, non-plastic, and can be clearly labeled) spritz your pup with the ACV mixture and the rub it down through his fur so you’re sure it gets onto his skin. For a short-haired pup like Coop, this takes no time at all. If you have a super furry, double-coat, etc., you might want to work in sections using your hand to shift the fur away from the skin so you’re confident the spray reaches the skin and doesn’t just get trapped in the coat. SUPER important note: If your dog has ANY open wounds, use this method. This stuff stings if it hits a cut or open wound, so use your spritz carefully to avoid your dog’s wound.
Pour it on. This is basically an apple cider vinegar bath for your dog. This method definitely saves time, but it also consumes more product so I only have done this if either I’m in a hurry or if I’m trying to reach every nook and cranny. Mix up the ACV and water in a big jar. After your dog’s regular shampoo, simply pour it from head to tail in slow-motion so you get it to thoroughly cover your pup. I like to brush it through or rub it in with my hands, too, just to make sure we got thorough coverage.

ACV FTW!

It’s an instantly-cooling sensation, so this is really great for dogs with hot spots, too, if the hot spot isn’t open. Another option with the spray bottle is to keep it handy for when you notice your dog chewing or licking his feet. It helps soothe, and it also deters further chewing. In fact, I use a modified version of this as my DIY bitter apple spray, too, because you guys… bitter apple spray is literally made from this stuff. Save yourself some money and DIY your own!

Incidentally, if you’re a major DIYer, you can ferment your own ACV with apple cores. (Here’s a tutorial I found that looks helpful!) And, if you do, way to go! I’m super proud of you!

If that’s not you or you simply don’t have the time, I’m right there with you. I buy this kind, which is the absolute cheapest per ounce that I’ve found it for the organic unpasteurized. (Buying pasteurized is cheaper, but it kills the beneficial bacteria, so what’s the point?)

A couple cautions to be, you know, cautious

As with all things, chat with your vet, knowing full well there’s no real science to back this stuff up. Like most things, we trial-and-error. I worry about the acidity being too much for Coop’s sensitive belly, so I probably won’t ever add this to his food, though many, many, many people swear by it. His chronic ear infections seem controlled by our current protocol (knock on wood…), so I’d never use this to clean his ears, though hordes of people claim it’s an ear miracle.

You know your dog best. Do what’s best for you, your pup, and your budget.

Have you tried apple cider vinegar for your dog? How did you use it, and how did it work? Or, if not, have you considered it? Have I left you with further questions? Please leave ’em in the comments so we can all share and learn from one another!