Common Health Concerns

Good health starts in the gut - and it goes far beyond digestion. The gut–brain axis links gut health with mood, behaviour, and cognitive function, making it just as important for our pets as it is for us.

Environmental chemicals, allergens, toxins and stressors can all play a part in ours and our pet’s health so it’s worth considering all exposures including medications and interventions.

Helpful visual charts to determine if your pet's body condition is ideal, under ideal or over ideal.

We see many cats and dogs who have been diagnosed with food & environmental allergies. Dogs and cats should be able to tolerate pollens, grasses, fleas & dust mites. At Raw Essentials, we rebalance the immune system by switching off the pet’s tendency to overreact.

The gut is our first line of defence against the outside world. The bulk of our immune system resides there and a healthy gut is required for good health. There are two major conditions negatively affecting the gut health of people and pets: leaky gut and dysbiosis.

Dental health is important for many reasons - as well as causing infection, inflammation & pain, bacterial build up in the oral cavity can disseminate and affect other parts of the body, including the heart and kidneys.

We see many dogs and cats with a long history of steroid and antibiotic use. Suppressing the immune system with prednisone, cortisone or an ‘allergy shot’ gives the dog or cat some much needed relief.

Raw feeders sometime find that results on some blood tests are slightly elevated. Here's some information, including research findings, explaining why this happens.

Offer food that is easy to digest for mild vomiting & diarrhoea. But call your vet if pet is obviously unwell or the vomiting & diarrhoea is severe.

Successful vaccination will immunize your pet against some potentially serious diseases - but did you know that by individualizing your pet's vaccination programme, you can also reduce the risks of your pet experiencing vaccination side-effects?

Like us humans, dogs can experience stress or anxiety in many different environments and circumstances. Some dogs readily show this while others worry more on the inside.

Changing to a raw diet can make a huge positive difference to arthritic joints. In some cases, supplements may be beneficial too. Some pets can come off conventional pain medication, which can then be held in reserve for when they really need them.

If your pet is having a procedure, it may affect their digestion. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

Fleas can be a hassle but getting your pet's diet right helps. Many pet owners find their pets are less prone to fleas when they change to a species-appropriate diet. A healthy gut is less prone to harbouring a significant worm burden.

The health and function of the anal glands, gut health and nutrition is linked. A raw food diet can help dogs experiencing anal gland issues

Dogs with exaggerated brachycephalic features (‘short nose’ breeds) may experience various health challenges. We recommend a slower approach
in transitioning to raw for these breeds.

Simple and natural steps to creating a cat-friendly, stress-free home.

Wandering Jew (Tradescantia Species) is a common cause of allergic skin reactions in dogs and other animals.

Paws are sweaty, moist, and pick up environmental contaminants. Keeping them clean is the key to stopping licking & irritation, and foot soaks are a great way to disinfect your pet’s paws.

The complexities of weight management and what it means for your pet.

Chronic dehydration caused by feeding dry food to a carnivore with a low thirst drive plays a role in the development of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Our thoughts on the potential for diets with a high content of raw necks to cause hyperthyroidism in dogs.

The best diet for cancer prevention is a diet that provides the nutritional components required to maintain healthy cells and repair unhealthy ones.