Noëlle's Animal Care

04/08/2026

From a canine rehabilitation point of view, waiting for the full musculoskeletal frame growth to be completed reduce the risk of joints issues, with appropriate diet and specific exercises to support this too.

This is another element to add to the discussion from a recent scientific study

DOES SPAYING OR NEUTERING REALLY MAKE DOGS CALMER?

For decades, many people have been told that spaying or neutering helps reduce unwanted behaviors. But a new 2026 peer-reviewed review published in Animal Reproduction suggests the science is more complicated.

After reviewing decades of research, the authors concluded there’s not enough consistent evidence to recommend spaying or neutering solely to change behavior. In fact, several studies included in the review found some dogs showed more fear, anxiety, or certain forms of aggression after being spayed or neutered.

Why? The review explains that reproductive hormones don’t just influence reproduction. They also play important roles in brain function, learning, memory, stress responses, and emotional regulation. Removing those hormones may affect dogs differently depending on their genetics, age, s*x, breed, and individual temperament.

One of the most interesting parts of the review is that the authors discuss hormone-preserving alternatives that prevent breeding while allowing the body to continue producing its natural hormones. These include:

🐕 Vasectomy – prevents male dogs from reproducing while leaving the testicles in place, so testosterone production continues.

🐕 Ovary-sparing spay – removes the uterus but leaves one or both ovaries intact, preventing pregnancy while preserving ovarian hormone production.

The authors suggest they deserve more attention because they can help preserve some of the health and behavioral benefits associated with natural hormones while still preventing unwanted litters.

The review doesn’t argue that dogs should or shouldn’t be spayed or neutered. Instead, it encourages veterinarians and pet owners to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and make decisions based on each dog’s individual health, lifestyle, behavior, and risk of reproduction.

04/08/2026

Worth looking what we have in Australia as dog-derived probiotics.

Would you know where to find them.

Maybe your local holistic/integrative vet could help.

Any you have used with your dog ?

(Even for humans, it has been recommended to find out what are the specific strains of probiotics for a specific individual that will be most effective rather than the generic ones for a targeted and more effective supplementation)

🦠 DOGS BENEFIT FROM DOG-DERIVED PROBIOTICS.

A new peer-reviewed review published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science highlights something you may not know: most pet probiotics🐾 still use bacterial strains originally isolated from humans.🧍But growing research suggests dog-derived probiotic strains can be a better fit for a dog’s unique digestive system.

Researchers found that probiotics isolated from healthy dogs attached to a dog’s intestinal lining much better than strains from other species. Why does that matter? The longer beneficial bacteria can remain where they’re needed, the more opportunity they have to support the gut barrier, communicate with the immune system, and help maintain a healthy microbiome. The review also explains that probiotics have evolved alongside their host species, making dog-derived strains naturally better suited to life inside a dog’s gut.

This is important because roughly 70% of your dog’s immune system is associated with the gut, and growing evidence links the microbiome not only to digestion, but also to allergies, skin health, metabolism, kidney health, and even the gut-brain axis. Supporting the right bacteria may be one of the most important things we can do for long-term health.

That’s one reason Dr. Karen Becker formulated Primitive Probiotics™ with multiple canine-derived probiotic strains, alongside Saccharomyces boulardii, beneficial soil-based bacteria, and the clinically studied LP815™ strain to support digestive, immune, and microbiome health. While no probiotic is a cure-all, this review reinforces the growing idea that matching probiotics to the species they’re designed for matters.

If you want to explore a science-backed, species-specific probiotic for your dog, comment BETTERBELLY and we’ll DM you the link.

Have you noticed a difference after switching your dog to a dog-specific probiotic?

03/08/2026

We can each do something.

Each of us as an impact.

A great reminder from the late Jane Goodall, especially if you are feeling powerless and helpless about what you can do.

In the description of that video, you have where you can go to get practical suggestions on what you can do

Take the action(s) that you know you can do and empower yourself and be part of the solution.

I am about to have a look myself to see if I can add to what I already do.

Added all up each of these actions can make a difference

29/07/2026

I like how Dr Ian Dunbar does make his talks and classes so alive, very easily understandable and practical.

Worth to add to your "dog library"

18/07/2026

Generalisation for any behaviour you want practiced by your dog is essential.

Remember also that your appearance and behaviour is part of the setting they remember.

Put a hat on and for your dog it is a different situation.

You practicing outside but for got that your hair are now flowing in the wind, this is a different scenario for your dog.

So when you are frustrated or annoyed because you "know your dog can do the behaviour because we've done it hundreds of time at home", for your dog it isn't the same if it is a different environment, you changed your appearance, the situation is different ...

Being aware of this will save you some stress, frustration and misunderstanding.

What I would suggest is to learn more about dog psychology or simply about your dog's body language so that you can be more onto it when your dog tells you that they need more context, more repetitions, more generalisation or simply to stop.

13/05/2026

Has someone tried spirulina for their dog ?
Did they take it easily ?
Did they like it ?

A new peer-reviewed study published in BMC Veterinary Research found that daily Spirulina supplementation supported multiple areas of health in working dogs, especially at the higher dose of 0.08 g/kg body weight per day over 7 weeks. Researchers tested two doses, 0.04 g/kg and 0.08 g/kg, and observed improvements in cholesterol, inflammation, antioxidant status, gut health, immune defenses, and liver related markers. Dogs receiving Spirulina had up to 31% lower “bad” cholesterol, 39% lower oxidative stress, 47% more beneficial gut bacteria, and a 65% increase in a key gut immune defender. Researchers also found signs of a stronger gut lining and lower inflammatory markers. Some benefits appeared within 3 weeks, with the biggest improvements seen by week 7.

13/05/2026

PEMF, NMES ( neuro muscular stimulation) phototherapy and ultrasound with aqua therapy were the treatments of choice with devices when I was a canine rehabilitation assistant.
And the results were there to show how well they work.

A new peer-reviewed veterinary study found dogs🐶 with arthritis receiving PEMF⚡ (a non-invasive electromagnetic therapy) improved faster in pain, limping, muscle strength, and mobility compared to standard NSAID💊 pain meds. PEMF dogs also gained about 15% more muscle mass during the study, with no reported side effects.

One challenge? PEMF can still be difficult to access locally for many pet parents. For families who can’t access PEMF therapy, or are looking for a long-term daily option, research suggests ingredients like UC-II® collagen, creatine, and eggshell membrane may provide powerful support for joint comfort, mobility, and muscle health.

That’s exactly why created MOBILITY MATRIX™ — a comprehensive formula designed to support not just joints, but muscles, cartilage, connective tissue, recovery, and long-term mobility.

✔️ UC-II® collagen helps regulate joint inflammation
✔️ Glucosamine sulfate supports cartilage repair
✔️ MSM helps reduce oxidative stress
✔️ Eggshell membrane provides natural collagen compounds
✔️ Hyaluronic acid supports joint lubrication
✔️ Creatine helps maintain muscle strength and stability

Whether your pet is slowing down, recovering from injury, or you simply want to stay ahead of decline, early proactive support can make a huge difference.

Comment “MATRIX” and we’ll send the link.

13/05/2026

Some mushroom have health benefits others are toxic, being mindful on walks and knowing more about mushroom and dogs will make such a difference.

Checkout your local pet poison helpline

11/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all dog mums !

What did you do to celebrate ?

30/03/2026

Do you soak your dog's feet ?

If your dog is constantly licking or chewing their paws, it’s not just a quirky habit, it’s a signal. In many cases, it’s your dog’s way of telling you their immune system is reacting to something in their environment. Grass, pollen, lawn chemicals, and everyday irritants can build up on their paws with every step outside. The good news is that something as simple as a daily paw soak can dramatically reduce that exposure and bring real relief, often without the need for medications.
My blog walks you through a gentle, effective at-home routine that helps remove allergens, calm inflammation, and support healing from the outside in. It also covers when to look deeper, including yeast overgrowth, food sensitivities, or parasites, so you can address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Link to my article, in the comments ⬇️🐾