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Going Mutts Pet Services and Nutrition

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Going Mutts Pet Services and Nutrition

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Certified in advanced canine nutrition with a terrain-based approach to skin, gut, and behaviour.

Helping dogs feel better from the inside out — one meal, one protocol, one transformation at a time!

11/01/2026

𝗔 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀… 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀! 🐾💛

(I made this video last week, but posting today!)

Treble makes an appearance at the beginning of this video while I share a little about our journey with his ears.

We’ve been dealing with recurring ear issues for about a year. It’s been a trying time, but I’ve learned a lot—and we’ve now gone about a month without an ear flare! 🙌 There’s still some deeper wax present, so we’re seeing the vet this weekend and will likely have an ear cytology done.

Part of this journey has been exploring options that are practical for pet owners. Building a formula from individual herbs can get complicated, so I wanted to learn more about prepared formulas that could make a targeted plan easier to follow.

I’ve found several of the 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 formulas worth considering within that approach. In this video, I talk about 𝗖𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘅 and 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻, why I’ve been using them with Treble, and the changes I’ve observed.

I’m not a Chinese medicine herbalist, and I’m still learning. My approach draws on education from practitioners such as Dr. Steve Marsden, alongside careful observation of the individual dog.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻.

The location and appearance of symptoms, digestion, behaviour, and overall history all help inform the choice. Two dogs with the same diagnosis may need different support.

Treble’s progress is encouraging, but it’s one dog’s experience. Changes can take time, responses vary, and ongoing assessment matters—including checking for yeast or bacteria when ear problems persist.

If your dog struggles with allergies or digestive issues, send me a message. We can explore nutrition and targeted support that fit your dog, alongside their veterinary care 💙

10/31/2026

I took Jazz for some Halloween photos yesterday, at Wood Buffalo Small Animal Hospital, she got a little treat bag (and she got weighed, lol… she looks chubby but she’s just fluffy… we had to check!)

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween 🎃👻

10/31/2026

𝗣𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘂𝗺? 🐾🎃🔬

Both can provide fibre—but they aren’t interchangeable, and neither fixes every p**p problem!

𝗣𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗸𝗶𝗻 🎃
Plain pumpkin (fresh or canned) provides water and a mixture of fibres. A small amount may help some pets, but it’s mostly water, so a spoonful supplies relatively little fibre…

Choose plain cooked pumpkin or 100% pumpkin purée—not sweetened, spiced pie filling!

𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘂𝗺 🌾
Psyllium husk is a much more concentrated fibre source. Its gel-forming fibre holds water, which can help soften hard stools or improve the consistency of some loose stools.

That doesn’t mean it’s right for every cause of constipation or diarrhoea!

I buy NOW brand psyllium in bulk and sprinkle a little over my dogs’ food. Start with a small amount and gradually build up. I also mix in some water, broth, or goat milk so it isn’t offered completely dry. Raw or canned food already contains more moisture, but I still like to add a little extra liquid.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 🧬
The response depends on the fibre type, amount, hydration and how well the gut is moving.

Some constipated pets benefit from added fibre. Others—especially those with severely reduced colon movement—may need a different approach. More bulk can make things harder!

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀:
💧 Mix psyllium with moist food and adequate water, following professional guidance if needed

🥄 Use plain, unflavoured psyllium without added sweeteners

🐾 Start with an individually chosen amount and monitor stool changes

⚖️ Don’t swap pumpkin and psyllium spoon-for-spoon!

Repeated straining, vomiting, pain or persistent stool changes need a vet assessment—not another scoop of fibre!

🚨 A cat straining with little or no urine needs urgent veterinary care; urinary blockage can look like constipation

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀—𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿! 💛

10/31/2026

🎃 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿?

Here’s Jazz with the pumpkins I carved! I saved some of the fresh pumpkin pieces I cut out—some for the fridge and some for the freezer—so she can enjoy a little snack later. She loves pumpkin!

I also saved and rinsed some of the seeds. I’ll dry them well and pop them in the freezer until I have time to grind them up. Because that is definitely a project for another day 😂

I’ll only use a tiny sprinkle for a little variety, some different fibre, and a few extra nutrients. At those amounts, they won’t make a meaningful contribution to balancing their diets—just a little extra!

Anyone else have a pumpkin-loving pup? 🐶

10/30/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 & 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 🎃🍬🐾

A curious nose, an unattended candy bag… and suddenly your dog has helped themselves!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲!

🍫 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, restlessness, a racing heart, tremors and seizures. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder are especially concentrated. The risk depends on the type, amount eaten and your dog’s weight—don’t assume a small-looking amount is safe.

🍬 𝗫𝘆𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗹
Some sugar-free candies, gum and mints contain xylitol, sometimes marketed as “birch sugar”. In dogs, it can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and, in some cases, liver damage. Suspected ingestion needs immediate veterinary guidance, even if your dog seems fine.

🍇 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
Raisins—including chocolate-covered raisins—can cause kidney injury in dogs. Large amounts of rich, fatty candy can also cause digestive upset or pancreatitis.

📦 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀
Dogs don’t always unwrap their treats! Swallowed packaging can cause choking or an intestinal blockage, depending on the material, amount and size of the dog.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 🔒

Store candy in a secure container inside a closed pantry or cupboard. A bowl pushed back on the counter may still be within reach!

Keep children’s treat bags, backpacks and discarded wrappers secured, too—and make sure everyone knows where candy belongs.

🚨 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘁?

• Remove access to the remaining candy

• Save the packaging and ingredient list. Estimate what was eaten, how much and when—including any missing wrappers

• Call your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic or pet poison control promptly. Have your dog’s weight and any symptoms ready

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀. Early treatment may make a big difference!

If your dog is collapsing, having seizures, struggling to breathe or becoming markedly weak, go directly to an emergency veterinary clinic. Call ahead if possible. Be prepared to drive out of town if you live in Fort McMurray!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗱𝗲? 🧪

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 may be used by veterinary professionals for certain poisonings, including some chocolate exposures. It isn’t a universal antidote, doesn’t solve a wrapper blockage and is not recommended for xylitol poisoning because it binds xylitol poorly.

Giving it incorrectly can cause serious complications, including inhalation into the lungs. Home charcoal capsules are not a substitute for veterinary treatment.

𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗱𝗲 is sometimes recommended to induce vomiting in dogs, but ONLY when a veterinarian or pet poison specialist specifically directs you to use it and provides instructions. It can injure the stomach and esophagus, and vomiting isn’t safe in every situation.

Never give hydrogen peroxide to cats, and don’t use salt, oil or other home remedies to make a pet vomit!

📞 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀:

𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
1-855-764-7661
Available 24/7, including in Canada

𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗖𝗔 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹
1-888-426-4435
Available 24/7, including in Canada

Consultation fees apply. Save your local vet and emergency clinic numbers as well!

* Riverside Ambulatory Veterinary Care (mobile vet): 780-531-0664

* Wood Buffalo Small Animal Hospital: 780-715-9369

* Northern Veterinary Services: 780-790-2035

* Fort McMurray Animal Hospital: 780-743-4044

Pulse Veterinary Specialists & Emergency — Sherwood Park: 780-570-9999. Address: 320–450 Ordze Road

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁, 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲! 🧡🐾

10/30/2026

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀! 🐾❄️

When it comes to winter walks, I personally prefer the soft, flexible boots that fit more like socks—even for walking around town on sidewalks!

From my experience walking dogs, they generally seem to walk more comfortably and tolerate these styles better. They’re lightweight, bend easily, and don’t put a thick, stiff sole between the paw and the ground. Some have a canvas or suede-like reinforcement for extra durability while still staying flexible.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘀? 🥾

Those thicker soles have a purpose! I see more value in them for gravel, rocky trails, or rough, jagged terrain, where an extra barrier can help protect paws from abrasion and sharp surfaces.

For our usual snowy neighbourhood walks, though, soft boots are generally my first choice. That’s my preference based on experience—not a rule that every dog will prefer the same thing!

Whatever style you choose, fit matters. Boots should stay secure without being tight, allow room for the toes, and be checked for rubbing or trapped snow. Give your dog time to get used to them, and remember that a rubber sole doesn’t necessarily mean good grip on ice 🧊

𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗴-𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: if your dog needs boots for their walks this winter, please leave them out and let me know! 🐕💙

10/29/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆: 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 🎃🐾

(Just another reminder!)

Costumes, doorbells and constant visitors can frighten dogs and cats—even familiar people may look unfamiliar! Scared pets may bolt or react defensively, including biting.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿!

🚪 Set up a quiet room with water, bedding and familiar activities. Cats need a litter box and hiding spot. Gentle TV or radio sounds may help. Use a kennel only if your dog already feels comfortable there.

An anchored gate or X-pen adds protection only if pets cannot climb, jump or squeeze through. A closed room is often safest for cats. Separate pets if excitement could cause tension.

🐕 Practise “place” beforehand. If your dog stays nearby, have an adult hold their leash, safely away from visitors. Never leave a tethered dog unattended. If they’re struggling, offer a quiet retreat.

🌿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
Interested in passionflower, lemon balm, American skullcap, valerian or milky oats? I’m studying canine herbalism and offer mini consults for dogs. Herbs require individual consideration and can interact with medications.

For very fearful dogs or cats, contact your vet now about anxiety medication and any recommended trial dose.

🌿 𝗖𝗕𝗗
Trial it beforehand with veterinary guidance to assess response, tolerability and dosing—not for the first time on Halloween!

Message me about dosing considerations or products for dogs. I prefer clearly labelled, independently tested options from licensed dispensaries; the source alone doesn’t guarantee suitability. Avoid THC and human edibles, and check interactions with your vet.

🍬 At my house, I cover the doorbell, leave candy outside and post a “please don’t knock or ring” sign. A visible barrier discourages access while keeping the walkway safe. If the candy disappears, it disappears! 😂

🔦 Taking your dog out? Only if they’re comfortable. Use a secure leash, current ID, reflective gear and a light. Keep yourself and your children visible, too!

A quiet, secure Halloween is perfectly okay! 🧡

10/28/2026

🐾 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗙𝗶𝗱𝗼’𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮

Fido’s Flora combines a multi-strain probiotic blend—including strains originally isolated from dogs—with larch prebiotic fibre and humic and fulvic acids.

🌱 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗱𝗼?

These are naturally occurring compounds formed as organic matter breaks down. Early research suggests potential benefits for the intestinal barrier, inflammatory responses and the gut microbiome. Humic acid has shown protective effects in laboratory models, while fulvic acid has shown effects on gut bacteria and inflammation in other animals.

Promising? Yes! But research in dogs is still limited, and these findings don’t prove that this particular product repairs the gut or “detoxes” a dog.

🔍 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲?

I might choose it when I want probiotics plus prebiotic fibre and the potential additional gut support of humic and fulvic acids in one formula. That doesn’t automatically make it better than a simpler probiotic—the choice depends on the dog!

🐢 Check the full ingredient label, introduce slowly and watch their response. Sensitive dogs may do better with fewer ingredients, even when the ingredients themselves have useful properties. 💙

10/27/2026

Anyone else? 😂

10/25/2026

We got absolutely dumped on with snow! ❄️

(Anyone else sore from shovelling? I’m wrecked, lol)

Jazz took her bone outside and settled into the snow like it was a cozy bed. Clearly, she’s quite pleased with the weather!

I imagine some of the little guys weren’t nearly as impressed… it was deep! Getting out for a p*e probably felt like a whole expedition 😂

Do your dogs LOVE the snow, or would they rather you let them know when spring arrives?

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Fort McMurray, AB

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