There are two types of dog owners
1: Christmas is not for Dogs
2: I work hard so my dog can have nice things.
You’re both wrong!… but you’re also both right.
The list of bonkers things you can buy your dog for Christmas includes dog clothes, dog beer, dog wine, an interactive webcam that dispenses treats remotely, a “pawdicure” polish pen, dog selfie sticks and the one I really can not get on board with – a rear gear butt cover that spares your dog’s blushes.
We’ve known for a long time that having a dog is good for us. Dog owners have less risk of cardiovascular disease, less risk of coronary artery disease and they visit the doctors less often. Dog owners also report lower levels of loneliness, greater self-esteem and greater life satisfaction than non-pet owners.
Our pets are good for us and spending on them is a way of showing gratitude. What the dog grinches fail to realise is that spoiling our dog taps into our prosocial instinct. Psychology Today found that owners who spent money on their pets instead of themselves experienced a boost in happiness and wellbeing. Yes, it’s actually good for us.
It’s no wonder then, that pet spending has gone mad. It even increases in climates of uncertainty as we search for ways to make us feel better. In the US in 2020, pet owners dolled out nearly 100 billion on pet food, supplies, services and accessories.
It begs the question. How are we spending 100 Billion Dollars, yes that’s right, 100 BILLION DOLLARS on our pets, and yet their health is deteriorating? The average life span of dogs is declining, degenerative diseases are on the rise and 47% of dog’s die of cancer.
This contradiction perfectly demonstrates how difficult it is for dog owners to access good advice. We shower our dogs with love and gifts, all the while feeding them dry or wet tinned food dinners that degrade their health and increase their chances of suffering from disease.
It’s time to make a change this Christmas!
For those of your who think the holidays are not for dogs, think again! It will make you feel good to spoil your dog. For those of you who need no encouragement, good for you! But before you lavish your dog with clothes, selfie sticks and rear gear butt covers, please consider getting your dog the best thing they can’t ask for…
A perfectly balanced diet and a long, happy life with you.
The Dog Nutritionists Christmas List
1: Download the Dog Nutrition Guide: to learn everything you need to know about raising a dog for longevity and health. All the recipes in this pack are all natural, based on your dog’s evolutionary history, and will promote a happy healthy lifestyle. If you want a more personal touch feel free to BOOK A CONSULTATION with me, and we can get your dog on a bespoke diet just for them.
2: The Super Dog Meal Topper. If you are already feeding your dog a healthy diet but want to give them the ultimate nutritional boost, check out my all natural super dog meal topper. I’ve formulated it to get all the difficult to source nutrients your dog needs into their diet in the most convenient way possible. This is for the owner that goes above and beyond to make sure their dog is getting all the vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, polyphenols and antioxidants their dog could possibly need. 1 scoop a day keeps the vets at bay.
3: Honey’s Real Dog Food is my favourite dog food company in the UK. If you don’t want to prepare your dog’s food at home these are the best guys you can source ready made raw food from, they are excellent.
4: Beautiful Joe’s Ethical Dog Treats. You’ve probably heard of these, they are my favourite dog treats. They are ox liver which is super healthy and they are all natural and sustainably sourced. They also donate a packet of treats to a rescue home every time we buy some. Top work guys.
Right – now that you’ve got your dog’s diet on the right track, we can move on to some of the fun stuff!
5: Bully Billows Dog Harness: If you don’t already have a great dog harness this is one of my favourites on the market. Bullybillows is doing an excellent job and they strike me as a company that really understands dog ownership. They are a little bit masculine for some people’s tastes but they are of the highest quality if you are looking for function over fashion!
6: K9 Pursuits Brain Games: The more information that comes out about how our furry friends’ brains work the more we realise that mental stimulation is just as important as exercise. Whilst the best thing you can do is play with your dog the old fashioned way alongside daily training, sometimes a brain game is a great alternative. Check out K9 pursuits for some IQ training.
7: 21 Days to a Clever Dog: Along that same theme – the best trainer I’ve ever met is Sarah Whitehead. She has a course called 21 days to a clever dog! That could be you and your pooch before the end of January (perhaps not as regal as Quinn here ?)! Check out Sarah’s Website HERE
8: Yak’s Cheese: Whilst I think a RAW meaty bone is the best way to deal with periodontal disease and is also generally great for your dog, I appreciate not everyone wants to feed their dog bones. Another great natural alternative is Yak’s Cheese. Yak’s bars were originally made for human consumption and are still widely eaten by people and their dogs who live in the Himalayan region.
They make for a high protein, high calcium and long-lasting treat, with a unique taste and smell. Dogs find this natural chew irresistible and are sure to enjoy the hours of entertainment it provides!
9: The Doggy DNA test: This one is a little bit extra for me, but I also think it’s pretty cool to get an understanding of your dog’s heritage. Also, if you have a mixed breed, understanding your dog’s DNA can be exciting and informative. Different breeds have different predispositions to health problems and actually the test can pick a few of these up. Pretty cool I’d say!
10: Fit Bark 2: FitBark 2 monitors your dog’s everyday activity and sleep and turns that data into deep, actionable health insights. It’s a new way to motivate you and your dog to be active, explain changes in behavior, and make better decisions about nutrition, mobility, anxiety, skin conditions and other health issues.
Merry Christmas everyone! Happy feeding.
