One of the most common things I hear from well-meaning dog parents is this: “I don’t feed kibble. I cook for my dog. Chicken, rice, and vegetables. It’s really healthy!” And I love the intention behind that. Truly. Choosing to cook for your dog usually comes from a desire to be better. Wanting cleaner. Wanting less processed. Wanting to do right by them. But here’s the hard truth: Chicken, rice, and vegetables is not a balanced diet for long-term feeding. It’s a recovery mea

Smack Pet Food is a brand that tends to spark strong opinions, and honestly, that makes sense. They do a lot of things very differently than traditional pet food companies, and for the right household, this food can be an excellent option. That said, it’s not without important caveats, and understanding the full picture matters. Up until August of 2025, many of Smack’s recipes were considered “not balanced” under AAFCO standards. While this wasn’t necessarily an issue for exp

If you’ve ever switched your dog’s food and suddenly found yourself dealing with itchy skin, loose stools, ear infections, or random flare-ups that seem to come out of nowhere, protein choice may be part of the puzzle. In holistic and functional nutrition circles, proteins are often described as hot, cold, or neutral. These terms aren’t meant to be trendy or mystical, they’re used to describe how different proteins tend to affect the body in terms of inflammation, digestion,

Fish-based dog food recipes are often chosen for a very specific reason: sensitivities. Many dogs cannot tolerate hot proteins like chicken, turkey, or beef, so guardians intentionally seek out fish formulas hoping to improve digestion, reduce itching, and calm chronic skin issues. That’s why, when I took a closer look at Voyager’s Wholesome Ocean Pollock recipe, I was genuinely disappointed. At first glance, this food appears to be a solid option for dogs needing an alternat

Alright, you guys asked for it… here it is. The Farmer’s Dog review you wanted after my last post. And before anyone gets defensive, let me just say this: I am not here to food shame. A fed dog is a happy dog, period. If your dog is thriving on The Farmer’s Dog, fantastic! I’ve just gotten a lot of requests to talk about it, and as someone who has certifications, is working toward a bachelor’s degree in Animal Health, and has pretty much dedicated my life to studying canine n

I’m not here to judge what you feed your dog. A fed dog is a happy dog, especially in this economy. That said… I do have thoughts. Particularly now that Royal Canin has decided to hop on the “fresh food” train. For context: I’ve spent over eight years studying animal nutrition in one form or another. I’m in the final stretch of my bachelor’s in Animal Health & Behavior and hold several animal nutrition certifications. Degrees and certifications aren’t everything, but they do