Health & Nutrition

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If your pup is living with cancer, there is no better resource. From a best selling book, podcast, newsletter, and Facebook support group, I cannot say enough good things about this community. They are one of the first resources I found and they have introduced me to so many other resources.

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide is published by the folks behind DogCancer.com. I found this book through the Tripawds community and it has been invaluable through Ziggy and Cookie’s cancer journey.

Dr. Judy Morgan is a holistic veterinarian and author. She has terrific content on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Her website is full of resources to learn more on various topics, offers online courses to take a deeper dive into canine health, and an online store where you can have confidence in the quality of products sold.

One of my favorite things about Dr. Judy Morgan is that while she may have a general stance on a topic, she advocates for treating the pup in front of you based on their needs and lifestyle. Plus, she supports taking small steps that you can do to improve your pup’s health; this is particularly true with nutrition!

Dr. Susan Ettinger Heuter is a veterinary oncologist and co-author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide. She regularly posts great informational news and tips regarding canine cancer on Instagram and has a wealth of videos on YouTube. When learning more about Ziggy and Cookie’s cancer, I relied on her YouTube channel greatly. Following her on Instagram is a great way to stay on top of developments in diagnosing and treating various forms of cancer so you can discuss those with your care team.

The Forever Dog is an excellent resource. I first listened to the audio version but later purchased a hard copy so I could highlight and flag sections of interest. The first half dives into the science and research behind dog health and longevity. The second half discusses how you can positively influence your dog’s well-being. What I love about that is that they offer suggestions on how you can start small. It can be overwhelming and intimidating to make drastic changes, but the encouragement of starting with small simple steps makes it easy to rely on.

Throughout the year, PetSummits.com hosts virtual webinars with experts on various pet wellness topics. The events I attended covered nutrition, training, raw food, holistic care, senior dogs, and more. They also launched a podcast and have a Facebook community where you can find like-minded pawrents to ask questions and support each other.

Suitical Surgical Recovery Suits

Our first experience with surgery was Ziggy’s amputation. He recovered with a cone. Cookie’s first surgery was an easy recovery, and she was less active, so she went cone-free. But for Ziggy’s splenectomy, we got a recovery suit (left) so that he could be more comfortable in recovery. When Cookie had another surgery on a new lump on her leg, we got the recovery sleeve (right) to again keep her cone-free while protecting the incision site.

Tripawds is for pawrents of three-legged dogs or cats. Their website offers terrific resources for pawrents whose furbabies are getting or have gotten an amputation. Or even if you’re adopting a three-legged (tripawd) furbaby. The site also features products that work great for tripawds and more!

TruthAboutPetFood includes information about how underregulated the pet food industry is, and the differing standards for pet and human food. Though there is a wealth of information available, I primarily reference it for it’s annually published list of pet foods that the sole consumer advocate behind the site trusts to give to her own pets. The list is available for a small donation (minimum $10) and is updated annually.

Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs discusses whole food nutrition for dogs utilizing principles of Chinese medicine. When I first read it, I was intimidated and confused by selecting a recipe based on my disposition according to Chinese medicine. However, it was a great resource when Chip came along with his allergies. Our veterinarian is versed in Chinese medicine and recommended proteins that align with the principles in this book, making it easier to select an appropriate recipe for Chip.