Confident New Pet Guardians

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Grass seed!

Hey doc!

Any recommendation for what to do with little grass seeds with barbs stuck in the back of my gals throat? My vet said wait a week but some are saying to rush her in, put her under, and remove. She’s coughing when she gets up in the morning, but eating, drinking, and moving fine, but obviously irritated. Thanks!

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You are what you eat... the same goes for your pet.

When thinking about nutrition, ask yourself:

"What happens in the wild?"

Wild dogs don't have ovens, stovetops, boiling water or highly processed kibble.

They hunt or scavenge.

A rabbit isn't just meat. It also contains small amounts of organs, raw bones, connective tissue, and the intestinal contents, including fermented grasses, berries, and other plant material.

While our modern world has changed dramatically, our dogs' genetics and physiology have changed very little.

It can seem complicated to recreate nature, but we can ask ourselves:

"How can I make my pet's diet just a little closer to what nature intended?"

Adding fresh food is one step in that direction.

Food isn't just something that fills the stomach.

Food is one of the main foundations of good health.

Next time, we'll look at which human foods are some of the best ones to safely share with your pet.
👇 Meanwhile, what fresh foods does your pet love? Share below—you might give another pet owner a great idea to try!

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🐺 Think of your puppy's crate as their den—not a cage.

When I explain crate training, I like to look at nature.

Wolves naturally raise their pups in a den—a small, safe space where they can rest and feel protected. They don't sleep just anywhere, and neither do our dogs.

An appropriately sized crate gives your puppy that same feeling of security. It becomes:
🐾 A quiet place to relax.
🐾 A safe retreat when life gets busy or the kids are a little too enthusiastic.
🐾 A valuable tool for house training.

Here's another interesting fact...

Wolves don't go to the bathroom in their den. They leave the den to eliminate, helping keep their resting space clean. That's one reason an appropriately sized crate can be such a helpful house-training tool. If the crate is too large, puppies are more likely to use one end as a bathroom and the other as a bedroom.

One difference between the wild and our homes is that we can make the crate an even more enjoyable place by offering treats or a food-stuffed toy. Personally, I don't recommend feeding regular meals in the crate, as wild predators don't eat in their den either—food would attract scavengers and pests. Instead, I like to keep the crate associated with rest, comfort, and the occasional special treat.

When introduced with patience and kindness, many dogs grow to love their crate. In fact, you'll often find them choosing to rest there even when the door is wide open.

👇 Does your dog have a favorite "den" in your home? Is it their crate, a dog bed, under the table, or somewhere else? Share a photo—I would love to see where your furry family member feels safest! 🐾💚

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