If you're leaning toward a more holistic approach to your dog’s health and wellness, here are a few practices I personally incorporate into my own routine.
To be clear, I am not a veterinarian, and I always recommend consulting with a trusted (ideally holistic) vet when making decisions about your dog’s care. What follows is simply a reflection of the choices I’ve made for my own dogs—choices that have supported their health and well-being in ways that feel aligned for me and my fur-family.
Nourishment: Feeding a Raw Diet
One of the most impactful changes I’ve made is feeding a raw diet. There’s something grounding about knowing exactly what my dogs are eating—real, whole foods in their natural state. Many people are surprised by the shift they see: cleaner teeth, shinier coats, healthier ears, more consistent digestion (often eliminating the need for anal gland expression), reduced odor, and fresher breath.
I source locally whenever possible, and much of what my dogs eat might otherwise go to waste—things like feet, tripe, skin, organs, and bone. If you’re curious about getting started, Perfectly Rawsome is a great introductory resource. You can also consult with a CSAN (Certified Small Animal Naturopath): Joy Eriksen.
Reducing Chemical Load
Another priority for me is minimizing exposure to unnecessary chemicals. For flea prevention, I use food-grade diatomaceous earth rather than conventional treatments. I’ve also used it as part of a natural deworming approach for puppies and include it periodically in my adult dogs’ diets as a preventative.
If you want to learn more about how to use it safely and effectively, Dogs Naturally offers helpful guidance.
A Thoughtful Approach to Vaccination
Vaccination is a nuanced topic, and I approach it with intention.
This isn’t about rejecting veterinary care—it’s about being mindful of how much is truly needed. I won’t suggest a specific protocol here, but I will say that, in my experience, most dogs receive many more vaccinations than may be necessary. This is a great podcast episode to start your studies on this topic: The Vaccine Conversation.
Finding the Right Veterinarian
Having a veterinarian who aligns with your philosophy makes a significant difference. If you’re exploring raw feeding or titer testing, it can feel challenging to navigate those conversations with someone who doesn’t share your same perspective.
It took me time—and several different practices—before I found a homeopathic vet who supports raw feeding, recommends titers, and approaches care from a more holistic lens. That alignment has been invaluable.
Somatic Dog Training
As many of you know, my work is rooted in somatic dog training. This approach recognizes dogs as emotional beings who are constantly responding to the present moment. Behavioral challenges are often rooted in fear or past experiences that disrupted their ability to stay in a calm, balanced state.
Rather than focusing solely on behavior modification, this method looks at the whole dog—emotional, physical, and environmental—to support true, lasting change.
A Continuum of Care
There are many additional layers to holistic care—spaying and neutering, social environments like daycare or dog parks, and more. This is simply a starting point, a gentle introduction rather than an exhaustive guide.
At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Care exists on a spectrum, and each decision should reflect the unique needs of your dog—and your own values and beliefs as their caretaker.