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Why Add Nutritional Supplements

12 September 2025
Annette Clark
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Categories: Blogs

I think the right mindset for this topic is…..Why add a Nutritional Supplement to your pets’ diet?  The why is much more important than the how.

Let’s start with putting the aging per year of your pet’s life into perspective. They age 7 years to our 1 year of life. That of course, is an approximate time, that has been given over decades. Using this timeline will help you understand their digestive tract and absorption. Everything in your pet’s life moves faster that in your life. They age faster, digest faster, heal faster.  They lose weight faster due to health issues and gain weight faster when overfed.

Let’s investigate further!

When your dog eats, their stomach breaks down the food to move it along to the small intestine. The stomach flora has to be in good shape in order to properly break down the food for digestion. The flora is made up of digestive enzymes and good yeast, also found in probiotics.

The food then moves into the small intestine for absorption.  The small intestine moves the broken-down food throughout the long journey of nutrient absorption.  The digestive enzymes and probiotics in the stomach help the absorption of nutrients, such as, protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.  The entire process of eating, digestion, and the elimination of waste can take from 6 to 12 hours compared to our 24 to 48 hours. Again, let’s compare the 7 years to 1 year theory and apply it to this digestion process.  If everything moves faster for your pet than it does for you, your pet needs the perfect gut health to ensure proper absorption.

As the food is being absorbed the waste then moves into the large intestine.  Stool is formed, as is the waste in liquid form, that will have gone to the kidneys.  At this point, the digestion process is pretty much over.  The job now is to eliminate the waste and make room for another meal.

Now that we understand the jobs within the GI tract, let’s move on to how important supplements are to your pet and why.

In a perfect world, your pet should eat a premium pet food that consists of human grade ingredients, low or no grain, and contain all of the vitamins, minerals and amino acids needed.  Supplements for proper digestion should be given daily, in the form of a granulated, organic or human grade probiotic with digestive enhancers.  This is an insurance policy for your pet to absorb all of the nutrients along this fast journey.  It also is protection for the gut during times of stress, travel, antibiotics and wormers. All of these conditions eliminate the good flora in the gut which then prohibits proper digestion.

Additional supplements that we recommend are for bone and joint health.  We like to give puppies a balanced joint supplement as they grow to ensure both glucosamine, and chondroitin are properly broken down and absorbed.  This is especially important in larger breed dogs.  Their joints will take a beating as they grow and mature.  Arthritis is almost always found in larger breed dogs by age 7.  Joint supplements can be given a pet’s entire life or you can do it for the first two years and again at age 7.  At 7 years old they are considered a senior and should be on an added bone and joint supplement.   Many people think that because the food they are feeding list glucosamine and chondroitin on the label, that supplements are not needed.  Remember, kibble is baked and during that baking process the added supplements lose their effectiveness.   Why then do they add them?  I honestly think for two reasons: First, something is better than nothing.  Secondly, it helps sell the product.  Adding a granulated form of a bone and joint supplement eliminates the stomach having to break it down.  It also speeds up absorption.  As we have already established, absorption is the key to good nutrition and supplementation.

Another everyday supplement is coconut oil or salmon oil.  Either can provide much needed omega for the skin, coat, joints and more. Omegas are the lubricate for the body! We have a separate blog that explains more in-depth the differences. Definitely worth the read!

In addition to the everyday supplements, many dogs need supplements for health issues.  Heart, kidney, liver, allergy, bowel issues all have holistic supplements that help with maintaining and healing your pet.

Every pet has different health needs just as we do.  Keeping yourself in mind as you examine your pet’s diet will help you find the areas that need additional supplements.  Remember, our pets’ needs are very much like ours.  They just have a shorter life span and speedy digestive tract that needs to be taken into consideration.

Recap: Why add a Nutritional Supplement to your pets’ diet?

  • Gut flora is the most important aspect to your pets’ nutritional needs.
  • Although a premium food will provide a foundation. This foundation alone cannot supply all the nutrients necessary to fill your pets’ individual requirements.
  • Nutritional requirements are determined by age, activity level, environment, genetics, breed, and health needs.
  • A deficiency of one or more nutrients can leave your pet susceptible to disease
  • Nutrients that support your pet’s immune system are crucial to good health.
  • Last but not least, remember the 7:1 ratio of your dog’s life in all that you do for them

 

To assure that your pet maintains the best possible health, consider dietary supplements.  To tailor a plan that is specific to your pet’s needs, please request a private 1 on 1 consultation.  We are happy to help with the right plan for your pet as well as give recommendations of products and brands.

 

Annette Clark

Certified Pet Nutritionist, Pet Allergy Specialist, Groomer

 

 

 

 

DCM and Grain-Free Diets for Dogs

4 August 2025
Annette Clark
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Categories: Blogs

DCM, and grain-free diet has been a discussion since 2018 that was blown up causing mass hysteria nationwide.  The FDA was doing research on the 325 dogs reported to them having DCM in 2018.  That is 325 dogs out of the 27.8 million dogs in the United States of America.

So, how did such a low number of cases turn into a nationwide frenzy?

Without naming names, there are many dog food companies that sell prescription type diets that had lower sales due to other grain-free brands having better nutrition.  We all know quality ingredience means better absorption and much better nutrition.  These companies have been linked to “leaking” the FDA’s studies.

Why would they do this?

The leak of these unfinished studies caused a nationwide panic of both dog owners and the veterinary board.  People ran away from the grain-free foods that were actually helping their dog allergies, medical conditions and grain sensitivities, out of fear the media had spread.  The veterinary board had no choice than to instruct veterinarians to advise clients of the study and recommend switching foods at least until the study was completed. The problem is, the study is completed yet still ongoing.  The last findings stated legumes have been in dog foods for many years without issues.  They believe legumes are now being put into foods at a higher level and causing an issue.  Legumes are also in grained dog food.  Again, no real findings at this point on the 325 dogs first put into this study.

I am not a veterinarian. I do have over 55 years’ experience in the dog world including breed health studies, and certifications in dog and cat nutrition.  I have been successfully advising people, including veterinarians in my area, on proper nutrition for their pets for over 25 years.  I specialize in allergies, skin and coat issues and helping people find better nutrition that meets their veterinarians’ recommendations.  I always recommend to notify your veterinarian of any diet changes.  My advice is my opinion and is meant to be used for your education, for discussion, and to form your own opinion.

Now that we have covered all of the reasons I am writing and you are reading, lets move on.

What is DCM?

Dr. Dana Brown DVM wrote: “Dilated Cardiomyopathy in dogs, or DCM, is one type of heart diseases that affects a dog’s heart muscle. The heart muscle becomes weak and decreases its ability to effectively oxygenate and pump blood through the dog’s body. Additionally, the heart muscle enlarges and causes fluid buildup in the lungs.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a subgroup of cardiovascular disease, which is the 4th most common cause of death in dogs. DCM in itself is the 2nd most common form of heart disease in dogs, which makes up about 10% of cardiac diagnoses”.

DCM is a genetic disease.  There are years of studies to prove dog are geneticly predisposed to having DCM. Large breed dogs such as, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Wolf Hounds, Boxers, Labs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Dalmatians, Poodles, and any mix with these breeds, have higher risk of DCM due to their genetics.  Reputable breeders do not breed dogs that knowingly have DCM.  Some dogs get DCM because their body does not naturally metabolize the Taurine due to genetic defect.  Breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retrievers fall into this category as well.  Small poodles, Pomeranians, Cocker Spaniels and King Charles Cavilers are also dogs geneticly predisposed for DCM and other heart diseases.

So how is diet now such an issue for these 325 dogs?

Let’s first look at the percentages of seniors (who already fall into heart disease/murmur category), Breeds genetically predisposed for DCM, food quality for many in the study, and last but not least the “unknown” breeds listed.  Out of the many pages of dogs, listed with details, in the FDA study in 2019, many were unfounded DCM, rather heart murmurs and other heart disease.  Approximately 70% of the dog breeds listed are breeds genetically predisposed to DCM, 65% are seniors, 70% are eating diets of brands that are known for using cheap “fillers” in excess to make up for lack of meat protein, and lastly, 20% are listed as unknown breeds meaning they could be a Doodle.  Doodles are usually not geneticly tested before breeding even though Poodles, Goldens, Bernese and many other dogs used to make this mix breed, are on the list of genetic DCM  dogs.

Could legumes, including Peas and Pea proteins be an issue for absorption of Taurine?

If so, why now and not 10 years prior when grain-free dog food was booming?  It seems we should have seen an increase in DCM cases a year or two into the rise in grain-free feeding since some dogs mentioned in the study were recently changed to grain-free within a two-year time period of being diagnosed.

Are grained foods better”?

Many grained dog foods use grain as a protein source to save money on meat protein. Even if meat is the first ingredient, the next 4 or so ingredients can be grain and equal a larger percentage than the actually meat. Protein from grain is not a soluble protein for dogs as a carnivore.  Taurine is made by the conversion of meat.  Diets low in amino acids such as Methionine and Cystenine can cause low taurine in dogs since they can not convert the meat proteins into taurine without these amino acids.

The FDA says in their 2019 article, “Most of the diets associated with the reports of non-hereditary DCM have legume seed ingredients, also called “pulses” (e.g., peas, lentils, etc.), high in their ingredient lists (although soy is a legume, we did not see a signal associated with this ingredient). These include both “grain-free” and grain-containing formulations. Legumes, including pulse ingredients, have been used in pet foods for many years, with no evidence to indicate they are inherently dangerous, but analysis of data reported to CVM indicates that pulse ingredients are used in many “grain-free” diets in greater proportion than in most grain-containing formulas. FDA has asked pet food manufacturers to provide diet formulations so we can further understand the proportions of ingredients in commercially-available diets and possible relationships with non-hereditary DCM”.

This statement backs up my theory of “Cheap” grain-free foods that use fillers such as legumes as a protein source to save money.  It also states legumes are found in grained dog foods.

What do I think is the real issue here?

DCM is a genetic disease.  Has DCM been “provoked” by diet? Possibly.  Are genetics behind almost every dog in this study?

Yes! and here is why.  As time goes on, people are breeding dogs to make a second income.  They are mixing breeds without concern for genetic outcome.  Even the mixed hound/lab from the shelter has a chance of genetic issues.  We have more dogs in the USA currently than we should have due to the lack of proper funding for spay/neuter programs and licensing of dogs.  Unethical breeders of pure-bred dogs are not doing genetic testing.  Breeding two dogs that are geneticly known to have health issues in their blood lines enhances the chance of the disease. Our world wants instant gratification. We are now seeing the effects of this in our dog’s health issues as well as the quality of some of our pet foods.

All grain-free and grained dog food are not created equally.  Meat protein inclusion is very important as is the amount of grains, potatoes and legumes.  Though, Acana and Zignature are at the top of the list of the FDA foods fed, they are two of the better-quality foods out there.  They are also two of the most popular quality grain free foods on the market.  They both list the percentage of meat inclusion.  This is a very important statistic when choosing a dog food.  Price will reflect quality.  Buying the cheapest dog food is equivalent to eating McDonalds or Snickers for your main diet.

Closing arguments…

The FDA has not reached a conclusion on this matter.  They continue to study it rather blindly.  If they would take into consideration the above-mentioned facts, I think they could conclude the following:

We are allowing dogs to be bred without genetic testing which magnifies all genetic issues.  We are falling prey to the false advertising done by many dog food companies that are not using the proper meat inclusion and using too many legumes or grains.  Sadly, people with older dogs being diagnosed with heart murmurs are being told it’s the grain-free diet rather than an age-related issue.  Quality grain-free dog food is irreplaceable for dogs that can not eat grain or potatoes due to skin, coat, or ear infections.  When in doubt, supplement with a vet recommended taurine or feed raw beef or lamb hearts as an addition to each meal.

I hope this somewhat explains the controversy surrounding the FDA grain-free debate.

#DCM, #Aminoacids, #DietrelatedDCM, #Taurinedeficiency, #Dog, #DogFood, #Grainfree, #Heartdisease,

Annette Clark- Owner

All Is Well Pets

Summerville, SC

 

FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy | FDA

DCM in Dogs: Signs, Prognosis, Survival Times and Treatments

Cat Urinary Issues

25 May 2025
Annette Clark
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Categories: Blogs

Why do cats have more urinary issues than dogs do?  Diet and water consumption are the two biggest reasons.

Let’s take a look into what causes a cats urinary system to have issues.

First and foremost, cats do not drink enough water.  Some just don’t like water and others only want it moving, like in a fountain.

So, how do we get our cat to drink more water?

You will need to add water to their food.  Starting with a tablespoon and increasing it to 3-4 tablespoons in each meal. As we all know, cats are picky, so starting slowly gives the cat a better chance of accepting the water this way.  Cats should eat twice a day.  Those with urinary issues need to get water mid-day as well.  You can offer them some goats milk or bone broth mixed half and half with water.  Again, about 4 tablespoons is enough.

What exactly does all this water do?

Water flushes the urinary system getting rid of the sludge that can build up.  It also lowers the PH levels in the urine by diluting it.  Keeping the PH in a neutral zone reduces the ability for infection or crystals to form.

The best diet is……..?

Cats are carnivores and require more meat and taurine that dogs do. All cats need to eat grain free food.  They eat mice and any other moving thing small enough for them to catch.  Cats do not eat veggies, fruit, or grains as a general rule.   Some degree of veggies and fruits are acceptable in grain free diets and do serve a purpose.  It is not a form of protein and should not be listed as a second, third or fourth ingredient.

Why no grain?

Grain acts like a sponge during digestion.  It will absorb all of the moisture needed for digestion.  That leaves no water to really flush the urinary tract.  We all need water to digest.  Cats, being carnivores, need more moisture to digest kibble because it is baked. Their body is designed to eat raw or canned food as their primary food.

Kibble vs Can?

Can by far is a better choice for cats due to the urinary issues that these guys are prone to.  Again, grain free is the best option for overall health and especially urinary health.  Adding water to can is always a good idea to flush the system.  Kibble, as we said, is baked and dry.  Offering some kibble with water mid-day to snack on is fine if using can as your primary two meals.

 

Raw vs Freeze Dried?

Raw is by far the best choice for your cat.  It is more like eating in the wild and will give your cat the sense of being a big cat in their natural habitat.  The health benefits are amazing.  It will help keep your kitty lean and muscled, as well as helping to ensure a healthy urinary system.  I also add water to help flush toxins from the body and balance the urinary system.

Freeze dried is raw food dehydrated or dried.  You must rehydrate it well with water before feeding it to your cat.  Otherwise, it will pull all of the moisture from your cat’s digestive tract to digest it leaving nothing to flush the system.

What is the best for my cat?

Only your cat can tell you!  They are the pickiest fur babies on earth.  They each have their favorite type of food, flavor or protein, texture and temperature.  It is trial and error for sure.

Best advice?

Try each type of food for your cat by asking for samples from your neighborhood pet store.  Also, purchase one can of pate’ and one can of shredded and see which texture is the favorite.  If you have a cat that is already having urinary issues, I would highly recommend trying raw.  Add a small amount of a complete and balance raw cat food on top of the current food.  It can take a few weeks for some cats to begin to like it.  Others dive right in and never look back.

Any of the above methods will work to prevent urinary issues and help clear up those that already have problems.   When looking for a brand of food, always look to your local small business pet store for a quality grain free food.  Most have frequent buyer programs that are far superior to online sales, or big box type store.

Remember, flushing their system and providing the best grain free choices will help keep your kitty’s urinary system at its best!

Why Does My Dog Smell?

19 March 2025
Advyon Summerville
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Categories: Blogs

Canine Candida – Yeast

Does your dog suffer from persistent skin infections and itching? Maybe even right after a bath he smells like a bag of moldy Fritos? Many dogs suffer from canine candida, an organism classified as both a yeast and a fungus. It is often misdiagnosed as allergies or rashes. It looks like inflammation and redness on the feet, face, underarm, underbelly, or sometimes all over the body. Yeast infections can also appear as recurring hot spots or infections of the ears, eyes, bladder, or urinary tract.

So how do you know if it is yeast?

Many veterinarians overlook the symptoms of a yeast infection vs a bacterial infection. Yeast has an odor. Many say their dog smells like Fritos in the beginning. The smell then turns more pungent and will not go away even with a bath. You may see scabs and scales on the skin. Often there are black spots on the belly and can be accompanied by pustules. The feet can be swollen, red and warm. There will be hair loss as well in areas of the body that are affected. They are not treated the same yet many are and result in reinfection every time. As with any diagnosis for your fur baby, you have to treat it with diet and supplements to prevent the reoccurring symptoms.

The cold, hard facts about diet and Candida.

Candid lives on sugars and carbohydrates, which are present in most commercial pet foods. Carbohydrates feed the yeast causing it to grow or “combust” especially in the warm weather. This will kill the beneficial bacteria in the stomach. Treating with antibiotics, will kill some of the candida, but also destroys the beneficial bacteria needed for proper digestion and body absorption. After the antibiotic treatment is complete, the overgrowth resumes, causing a cycle that is difficult to reverse.

Proper nutrition is most important in treating your pet. The first step is to eliminate carbohydrates and sugars from your animal’s diet. We recommend a raw diet, which is the purest form of nutrition for your dog. We also recommend another option: Grain free, potato free, canned and kibble foods. Quality is important and all grain free pet foods are not the same. You want grain free, potato free, food that uses free range, quality meats. The same goes for all treats. We offer a consultation that can help you find the right food for your pet and help monitor the progress.

Proper nutrition is the first step. Step two involves destroying the candida organism. Your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics and shampoo to treat the infection and help kill the yeast. The shampoo will dry the yeast but also dry the rest of the skin. We recommend that once the yeast is gone to stop using the shampoo prescribed. Over drying the skin causes itchy skin and makes it susceptible to bacterial infections. Step three is to add supplements to help kill the yeast and regrow the gut health of your pet. Adding coconut oil to your dog’s food helps kill yeast, as well as adds the important omegas to the skin. Unrefined coconut oil is the best due to its medicinal properties. Begin with a small amount and gradually increase to the proper dose: one teaspoon for every 15 pounds of body weight, capping the dose at 4 teaspoons for larger dogs. Too much coconut oil too quickly can cause greasy stools, or diarrhea. It is important to provide plenty of drinking water during this time to help flush out the toxins.

About two weeks into this treatment, it is important to start rebuilding the beneficial stomach bacteria. This is achieved by adding probiotics to their food. As with the coconut oil, start slowly and build up to the desired amount (as recommended by the manufacturer). We always recommend Nature’s Farmacy, Probiotic Max. They use the purest ingredients and combine them to have proper absorption. Many, including what the vets recommend, are synthetic and do not absorb properly.

Is this working?

You bet it’s working! As the good flora in the digestive tracts corrects itself and the body rids itself of the toxins from the yeast and the antibiotics, symptoms will begin to subside. There may be some remaining itching and skin breakouts. You can treat individual areas with the prescribed shampoo to help. Reach out to us for more recommendations on shampoos, grooming and nutrition that will keep the yeast away. Remember it will take time to reset the flora in the gut and to kill off the yeast by not feeding it the carbs and sugars that it craves.

The holistic approach is working and your pet will be healthier for it!

 

Annette Clark

Certified Pet Nutritionist, Pet Allergy Specialist, Master Groomer

Senior Dogs

19 March 2025
Advyon Summerville
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Categories: Blogs

As a dog reaches 7 years old, they are now in the senior years of dog life. These years mean changes in metabolism, muscle tone, joints, eye sight and hearing, as well as the skin and coat. Many of you are familiar with some of these issues. I would like to explain how nutrition and supplements can help prevent these issues in the senior years.

How can diet help?

I recommend feeding your senior dog a grain free diet that is lower in protein, higher in fiber and has less Kcals per cup. Grain free means less grain to wick away moisture from the digestive tract, kidneys and less empty calories. There are some that target the senior dog, but using common sense and reading labels can be just as good. All grain free foods are not the same. Many claim to be grain free yet are full of starch which turns into sugar just as grain can to feed yeast on the skin. It also becomes an empty calorie since protein from anything other than meat is not a soluble protein for a dog.

The senior dog needs less protein because they do not have the same muscle building ability that they had. This means the kidneys will work harder to filter the protein not used by the body. Keeping your protein under 32% will keep things more in balance for seniors. Higher fiber plays an important role in keeping the bowels consistent and keeping down over production of the anal glands. For the senior dog that is less active, rather in “retirement”, a food with protein levels of 25% or so should be a perfect match. Keeping the Kcal per cup down, helps keep excessive weight off of the senior, less active dog.

Adding glucosamine and chondroitin to your dog’s diet will help ensure the mobility of the joints. I recommend feeding this from puppy to senior. It helps play an important part in the building and strength of the joint as well as maintaining the over used joints. Senior dog foods do not have an adequate amount nor are they absorbed well. You will see a much better success rate using a high-quality supplement that is well absorbed and not relying on a baked into the kibble supplement to do the job. We recommend a natural, granulated supplement verses a pill or capsule form also. This allows the supplement to be absorbed immediately and not wasted. Anything synthetically altered does not absorb well.

Omega 3, 6, and 9 are important for the joints, eyes, skin and coat. Organic Coconut Oil or pure liquid salmon oil are two of the best sources for this. It helps to put back in to the skin what the outdoors, and indoor heaters can take out. Dry skin allows bacteria to invade the skin causing infection. Dry coat becomes brittle and sparse. Both lead to an itchy dog. There are no products that can completely repair dry skin and coat from the outside. This has to be done from the inside out. Using non detergent shampoo and a silk protein conditioner can help maintain the healthy skin and coat that the omegas have made.

Well balanced nutrition that targets the senior’s issues can prolong the senior years. Starting your dog on a granulated joint supplement as a puppy can build healthier joints. Adding a granulated joint supplement to the senior dog’s diet can help maintain healthy joints and alleviated pain from those already feeling the golden years.

Stop by for free nutritional counseling and let us show you some natural alternatives that can help your senior dogs live happy and healthy in their golden years!

Probiotics and Your Pet

19 March 2025
Advyon Summerville
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Categories: Blogs

It has been reported that 90% of chronic diseases are caused by an unhealthy intestinal system.

Has your pet recently been on antibiotics? Does your pet have digestion problems, diarrhea, skin problems, food intolerances, or other chronic health problems? There is a connection between imbalance in the intestines and the following: Arthritis, Candida/yeasty ears and skin, runny eyes, food allergies, skin issues, low immune system, excessive gas, loose stool and over active intestinal tract.

Many things can destroy the intestinal bacterial balance in a pet’s gut. Overuse of antibiotics destroys good bacteria as well as bad. Also, stress, poor diet, pollutants, environmental changes, and prescription drugs can deplete beneficial bacteria.

Other killers of good bacteria include chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and soil sterilizers in agriculture which damage the soil ecosystem and the natural flow of bacteria found in the food chain. These chemicals, as well as chemicals in the water supply, reduce the good bacteria in the gut. This allows harmful bacteria to multiply and produce large amounts of toxins and carcinogenic agents. These toxins inhibit the normal function of the digestive system and increase the demands placed on the liver and kidneys and digestion problems.

Supplement with a high quality pet probiotic to restore his/her healthy gut, and chances are you will improve your pet’s over-all health.

Pets with large amounts of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of unhealthy organisms. So, if pets are to maintain a healthy body, they need large quantities of friendly bacteria.

Probiotic Max by Nature’s Farmacy is effective in helping the canine body rid itself of invading pathogens, calm the digestive tract, and help sooth an overactive immune system. Built to support the dog’s body during hard work, stress, illness, growth, compromised immune systems, old age difficulties, pregnancy, and more. We suggest this both as a daily supplement and a “fix” to many problems areas for dogs.

Our Promise To You

19 March 2025
Advyon Summerville
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Categories: Blogs

As we near our 10-year mark in this store front, I wanted to take the time to let our clients know that we still stand for what we stood for 10 years ago.

Our mission at All Is Well in Summerville SC, is to inform pet owners of the benefits of holistic pet care. Holistic pet care is attention to the overall health of your pet in mind, body and spirit. Pet food, pet grooming supplies, lifestyle, and emotional well-being all play a part in your pet’s complete health and wellness.

The staff at All Is Well has over 30 years of experience in the pet industry. As certified pet nutritionists, we can help you make informed decisions regarding your pet’s dietary needs. We offer free skin and coat evaluations to help determine the best nutritional products for your pet. We’re here to help educate you on pet products that will enhance the lives of both you and your pet.

Unlike other pet stores that carry natural products, we carry only human grade, corn and wheat free, no dye, nothing artificial products from trusted companies with extremely high standards of quality control. We research each company to ensure what we recommend for your pet is the best, truly natural product using human grade ingredients. So many franchises are claiming to be “natural” pet stores. Some even use it in their name. As an independent, mom and pop pet store with over 30 years’ experience in the pet industry, we pride ourselves on standing up for what we believe in and only carrying products from trusted likeminded companies.

Our promise to you is to continue to help pets with their nutritional needs, help solve allergy issues and work hand in hand with your veterinarian to ensure we meet your dog’s medical needs naturally.

Customer service is the backbone of our business because our clients are family to us!

How Weather and How It Really Affects Your Dog

19 March 2025
Advyon Summerville
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Categories: Blogs

We all know summer. The outdoor activities are endless! We carry a water bottle, wear shorts and light weight clothes; Accompanied by sandals or tennis shoes to protect our feet from the warm ground. We usually grab a leash and take our furry friends along for the fun day of family activities.

What do our four legged friends need?

I am sure we all remember a water bowl and extra bottle of water for our pets. If not, it is easy to stop by a store and grab one. There is more…. What about the proper safety accommodations for our pets needs during a summer walk?

Let’s go over a few important things to bring along and why.

First and foremost, water! Bring a gallon and preferably a cooler to keep it cool. I don’t like to drink hot water, do you? A bowl or your hand work for them to drink from. Of course there are many cute carry along, water bottles for dogs that work well also.

A cooling collar, or hand towels are important if your dog over heats. Wetting them with the cool water from your cooler, placing them on their neck and back will help cool them down quickly.

How do you avoid your furry friend getting over heated?

Take frequent breaks in the shade, offer water and have them lay down to rest. This will help bring their body temperature back down more into the normal range. If you have ice cubes with you, let them snack on a few. I have a back pack cooler that is great for summer walks.

How do you know if your pet is getting overheated?

Signs of stress from the heat include simple signs such as trying to find shade, preferring sitting or lying down, restlessness, excessive panting, drooling or even throwing up. These symptoms need immediate attention. Seek air conditioning if close by or a shaded area. Offer cool water, cooling collar or wet towel on neck and back, and keep them still to help lower body temperature. If you have a larger towel or cooling mat, wet it with cool water and have them lay on that as well. These steps, if taken quickly, will prevent Heat Stoke. Watch for confusion, excessive drooling, red, blue or purple gums, or seizures. If your pet exhibits any of these signs, seek veterinarian care immediately.

What about shoes?

I am not a fan of boots or shoes for dogs unless you properly educate yourself with the pros and cons. The pros are obvious…. Dogs’ feet are not on hot pavement. Cons…. Paws sweat and this causes blisters due to friction, as well as yeast due to moist heat. Wearing the boots while walking on pavement is fine if you take breaks, remove the shoes so that the paw can breathe. Remember, dogs sweat through their pads.

Best lines of defense?

Your best line of defense is conditioning. Start walking during the cooler months. Short walks on mixed terrains such as dirt, grass and pavement. This helps toughen the pads slowly. You can also use a paw wax. I recommend applying the paw wax after your walk so it conditions and softens more thoroughly. Applying before the walk is almost useless due to friction and the chance of it heating up on warm surfaces.

How Hot is Too Hot?

When considering a summer walk, the outdoor air temperatures are your guide. At 85 degrees for several hours, the pavement is too hot. It can be up to 135 degrees on the pavement. The simple test is to place your hand or barefoot on the pavement for 10 seconds or so. If you walked barefoot at this temperature would you be comfortable? Would your feet blister or become red and irritated?

How to manage summer fun and safety for our Fur Kids?

Short walks that include dirt, grass and some pavement can be managed during summer heat. Keep in mind walking in the early morning or late afternoon is best for both you and your pet. No shirts or clothes… they hold in heat on their already fur covered body. Cooling collars, such as those made by BayDog are wonderful. You can submerge them in your cooler before your walk. Place them in a zip lock bag and carry along until you are taking a break to cool down. No snacks……yep, don’t feed them while taking longer walks or those in the heat. Once their body temperature goes up, so will the snacks. The last thing you need is for your pup to throw up all the water in their already over heated body.

Closing arguments?

I have only positive things to say about time spent with your dog if proper safety precautions are taken. There is nothing your dog loves more than to please you and spend time making you happy. They will literally walk on fire for you. Please don’t allow that to happen on your fun summer walks. Be the dog parent that your dog deserves by following the advice in this blog to ensure everyone stays happy and healthy!

 

Annette Clark

Certified Pet Nutritionist, Pet Allergy Specialist, Master Groomer

How Diet Affects the Immune System of Your Pet

19 March 2025
Advyon Summerville
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Categories: Blogs

What is the immune system and how is my pet’s immune system different from my own?

The body of your dog or cat is filled with a natural defense called the immune system. They get sick or have allergy issues when the immune system is compromised as do we as humans. There really is no difference in theory.
A strong immune system protects dogs and cats from everything from allergens to cancer cells. Veterinarians believe that a weak immune system plays a key role in causing disease. Antibiotics fight infection, but they don’t affect whatever weakens the immune system in the first place. Therefore you must find the cause of what is affecting the body’s defenses. Repeated antibiotics or steroids weaken the immune system, which in turn causes the dog or cat to be more susceptible to other allergens.

How can we strengthen the immune system?

Diet, stress and exercise play the biggest roles in determining whether pets get sick or stay healthy.

Let’s look deeper into the cause…….

Many pets eat subpar commercial foods which are loaded with artificial dyes, preservatives, and additives. Canines and big cats in the wild only eat natural foods consisting of mainly meat protein, and stomach content (berries, greens etc.) of their prey. This is what their systems are designed for. Domesticated pets in our lives eat most commercially prepared foods that contain corn, wheat and chemicals that their bodies simply aren’t meant to handle. These ingredients can trigger an immune response that can make pets sick. Their digestive track has evolved to digest certain kinds of foods. Certain ingredients that have been added by manufacturers put a strain on the body. It is especially hard on the kidneys and liver because these organs cleanse the body of impurities.

Protein that does not come from a true meat source, is not usable protein for a dog or cat. Many commercial pet foods use corn, wheat, pea protein, rice, or potato for their major source of protein. It is cheaper for them, meaning more profit. It is not a digestible protein therefore, the protein percentage listed on the label is not what your dog or cat is really getting even though meat is listed first on the label. The FDA does not regulate the label in this way. Just because the first ingredient is the highest percentage, does not mean it equals the protein listed on the label. I like to use this example to explain: If the first ingredient is a meat source and is 10% of what is in there, the next three ingredients can be grains or carbohydrates each at 9.8, 9.5 and 9 % thus making your protein consist of an indigestible source. It also sets your dog or cat up for chances of itching, yeast, skin and ear infections from the amount of carbs that their body must find a way to deal with. It also works the organs harder while digesting things not meant to be digested by your pet.
The immune system is designed to attack foreign invaders such as those found in these foods. If the immune system sees them as threats, it will create a defense and release histamines. They can trigger itching, infection, vomiting or diarrhea. The immune system is designed to defend your pet against allergens, bacteria, viruses, toxins and parasites that can invade their body. Long term imbalances of the immune system can lead to things like allergies, diabetes, cancer, kidney problems, tumors, neurological conditions, respiratory illness, skin infections and more.

What are antibodies?

The most important part of immunity are antibodies. Antibodies are germ-fighting proteins. The only time your pet can make enough antibodies is when she is healthy and eating a food her body can digest without ingredients that weaken the immune system.
Holistic minded veterinarians believe that diets consisting of highly processed foods of questionable nutritional quality, are one of the main reasons pets get sick. Holistic care always includes changes in diet, regardless of other treatments your vet may recommend. Sometimes the only change needed is a protein source.

What ingredients should you avoid in your pets’ diet?

Dogs and cats alike should not be eating corn or wheat, dye or artificial flavors. Corn and wheat are equal to cardboard for your pet. It fills them up with no nutritional value. Worse yet, it causes a flare up in the immune system as it tries to digest it.

Meat by products, usually chicken, are the “by the chicken products” such as feet, feathers and beak. Little or no real meat and no digestible protein for your pet.

Excessive grains in dog food also means little digestible protein.

Cats must be grain free. Grain of any kind for a cat compromises their urinary system by absorbing the moisture needed to digest it.

Dogs can eat either good grain, low grain, reputable food company food or grain free of the same quality. The FDA has completed its study on grain free dog foods and has concluded that there is no link to DCM heart issues. This study was prompted by companies such as Purina and Hills Science Diet as they tried to compete with better brands of pet food.

All pet food is not created equally. You want to do your research and find a holistic mom and pop type pet supply store that can help. Quality of ingredients, the percentages of carbs, and the right source of digestible ingredients are key. You never want to see the dye, or artificial flavors. These are immediate hits to the immune system as it fights to figure out what to do with it.

Will this cost me more?

The answer is no. The bag will cost a bit more, the amount you feed is less. The vet bills will be much less, and the over all health, including coat, and energy will be far better. I have never, in 18 years of doing nutritional counseling, met someone that said I wish I had not made the change to better food for my pet.

Working with a certified pet nutritionist who can help you through a complete diet work up and process of elimination is the most effective way to narrow down your pet’s nutritional needs. Proper nutrition will build a strong immune system and ensure the best quality of life for your pet. As always, you can reach out to us for a private consultation for your pet.

 

Annette Clark

Certified Pet Nutritionist, Pet Allergy Specialist, Master Groomer