Zest&Bark Canine Wellbeing

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Zest&Bark Canine Wellbeing

True health comes from supporting the whole dog physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Canine Holistic Health Practitioner
Animal Aromatherapist
Animal Reiki Practitioner
Canine Nutritionist
Insured, DBS checked, Canine First Aid Qualified Canine Holistic Health Practitioner, Zoopharmacognosist and Animal Reiki Practitioner. Qualified also in Homeopathy, Canine Herbalism and Canine Nutrition.

07/09/2026

🐺From Wolf Self-Selection to Today's Canine Holistic Approach🐺

🐾Long before dogs shared our homes, wild animals were observed seeking out different plants, grasses and natural substances at certain times.
🐾This instinctive behaviour is often referred to as self-selection or zoopharmacognosy: the idea that animals may choose natural resources to support their own wellbeing.

🫐As dogs evolved alongside humans, some of these natural instincts remained. Today, canine holistic care aims to look at the whole dog, including nutrition, movement, emotional wellbeing, environment and individual needs.

🌱A holistic approach may include carefully considered natural support, enrichment, appropriate exercise and observation of your dog's behaviour. It is not about replacing veterinary care, but about working alongside it and supporting your dog as an individual.

🌱Every dog is different. What suits one may not suit another, so natural remedies should always be chosen carefully and checked with a qualified professional, especially if your dog is unwell or taking medication.

Have you ever noticed your dog naturally choosing grass, plants or other natural resources?

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

P.S. blackberries were delicious but quite dry so a helping hand was handy 😉

26/08/2026

A little giggle to make the day brighter 😁🐶

24/08/2026

I love it when a day starts like this 🥰

11/08/2026

🌱Vaccination Considerations🌱
& 🐾Natural Immune Support for Canines🐾

Many guardians continue to use routine vaccinations as part of conventional canine care, while holistic approach recognises that timing, frequency, and suitability may not always align with the best interests of every individual dog. It also looks at the whole dog: age, lifestyle, environment, health history, immune resilience, stress levels, and individual risk.

💉Key vaccination considerations💉

🐾 Age and life stage
🐾 Previous vaccine history
🐾 Lifestyle and exposure risk
🐾 Travel, boarding, daycare, or training class requirements
🐾 Local disease risk
🐾 Current health status
🐾 History of sensitivity or reactions
🐾 Autoimmune, allergy, gut, skin, or chronic health concerns
🐾Timing around illness, surgery, stress, or major life changes

Helpful discussion points for veterinary appointments

🐾 Core vs non-core vaccines
🐾 Individual risk assessment
🐾Titre testing where appropriate
🐾 Spacing vaccines when possible
🐾 Avoiding vaccination during illness or high stress
🐾 Recording any previous reactions
🐾 Post-vaccine monitoring plan

🌼Natural immune support before and after vaccination🌼

A strong foundation can help support their body's natural immune response and overall health.

Food-based support

🌱 Fresh, species-appropriate nutrition
🌱 Quality protein
🌱 Omega-3-rich foods or oils
🌱 Blueberries for antioxidants
🌱 Leafy greens in suitable amounts
🌱 Bone broth for nourishment and hydration
🌱 Pumpkin or fibre-rich foods for gut support

🐶 Gut health support 🐶

🥥 Dog-safe probiotics
🌼 Prebiotic fibre
🥥 Plain kefir or fermented foods when tolerated
🌼 Slippery elm for digestive comfort
🥥 Consistent, gentle meals
🌼 Herbal and holistic support
🥥 Medicinal mushrooms suitable for dogs
🌼 Nettle for mineral support
🥥 Calendula for skin and lymphatic support
🌼 Chamomile for calm
🥥 Milk thistle under professional guidance for liver support
🌼 Flower essences for emotional balance

🐶Lifestyle support🐶

🐾 Restful sleep
🐾 Calm routine
🐾 Gentle movement
🐾 Sniff walks
🐾 Fresh water
🐾 Reduced stress before and after appointments
🐾 Avoiding intense exercise immediately after vaccination
🐾 Post-vaccine observation

🫐Common areas to monitor🫐

• Energy levels
• Appetite
• Stool changes
• Skin changes
• Soreness at injection site
• Behaviour changes
• Digestive upset
• Facial swelling, hives, or breathing changes requiring urgent veterinary care

🌱Holistic reminder🌱
Vaccination planning does not have to be one-size-fits-all. A thoughtful approach combines veterinary guidance, individual risk assessment, immune support, gut health, calm routines, and careful observation.

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

28/07/2026

☀️ We protect our own skin from the sun - dogs deserve the same care. Our dog can't tell us when the sun is too much. Here's how to protect them naturally ☀️

🐾 Light-coloured coats: White, cream, and pale dogs are more prone to sunburn, especially around the nose, ears, belly, and thin-fur areas.
🐾 Dark coats: Black and dark-coated dogs absorb more heat, so shade breaks, cooling mats, and early morning or evening walks help prevent overheating.
🐾 Short coats: Less natural coverage means extra protection is needed with dog-safe natural sunscreen, lightweight UV shirts, and shaded rest.
🐾 Long or thick coats: Fur offers some protection but can trap heat. Regular brushing helps airflow and support natural cooling.

☀️ DIY Natural Sun Protection Ingredients ☀️

🥥 Coconut oil - SPF 4-6, moisturising and antimicrobial
🧈 Shea butter - SPF 3-4, rich in vitamins A,E
🥕 Carrot seed oil - SPF 38-40, skin-healing properties

Physical Protection Products

🐾 Ruffwear Sun Shower Rain Jacket - UPF 50+
protection
🐾 Cooling Coat - Reflects heat and provides coverage
🐾 Cooling Vest - Light-colored, reflective material
🐾 UV-protective dog goggles/sunglasses 🐾 Paw protection bo**ies - For hot pavement

Internal Sun Protection Support/Supplements

🐟 Omega-3 fish oil - Reduces inflammation from sun exposure
🐾Vitamin E - Protects skin cells from UV damage
🥕 Beta-carotene - Natural antioxidant found in carrots and sweet potatoes

Cooling & Protective Foods

🥥 Coconut water - Hydration and electrolytes (in small amounts)
🫐 Blueberries - High in antioxidants
🍉 Watermelon - Hydrating and contains lycopene (without seeds or rinds)
🥒 Cucumber - Cooling and hydrating
🍠 Sweet potato - Beta-carotene for skin health (small amounts)

Natural After-Sun Care Products

🌱 Pure aloe vera gel (no additives)
🌼 Calendula balm
🥥 Coconut oil - Organic, cold-pressed
🐾 Witch hazel spray - Alcohol-Free
🐾 Oatmeal bath

⚠️ AVOID ⚠️

Human sunscreen, zinc oxide, PABA, artificial fragrance, and products not labelled as pet- safe.

Application Tips

🐶 Apply to nose, ear tips, belly, groin, and any areas with thin fur
🐶 Reapply every 2-3 hours, especially after swimming
🐶 Test on a small area first to check for sensitivity
🐶 Use products specifically formulated for dogs or verified safe ingredients

☀️Best protection comes from a mix of shade, early morning or evening walks, fresh water, protective clothing, and dogs - safe sun care for exposed areas ☀️

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

20/07/2026

🚘 Boosting Dogs Immunity Before Travel 🚘

Travel can be exciting-but it can also stress a dog's immune system. Strengthen their natural defenses holistically before the journey with these gentle, effective tips:

🌿Nutrient-Rich Diet 🌿
Add fresh, whole foods like blueberries, spinach, and pumpkin for antioxidants and vitamins.

🍄‍🟫 Immune-Boosting Herbs 🍄‍🟫
Incorporate medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shiitake) to support immune balance.

💦 Hydration & Gut Health 💦
Keep water intake high and add probiotics or fermented foods (goat's milk kefir) to maintain digestive strength.

🪴 Stress Support 🪴
Use calming herbs like chamomile, valerian, vetiver to reduce travel anxiety and protect immune function.

🌼 Pre-Trip Detox 🌼
Support the liver with milk thistle or dandelion root to help the body process new environmental exposures.

🐾 Routine & Rest 🐾
Maintain consistent feeding and sleep schedules before and during travel to keep the immune system steady.

A strong immune system means a happier, healthier traveller - naturally 🌏🐶

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

01/07/2026

Safe Swimming & Water Safety for Dogs

☀️ Summer adventures are better with a splash!
Before diving in, here's how to keep every swim safe, natural, and fun ☀️

💦 Choose Safe Waters 💦

🐶 Pick clean, calm lakes, rivers, or dog-friendly beaches
🐶 Avoid stagnant ponds or algae blooms (especially blue-green algae)
🐶 Rinse after swimming to remove bacteria, salt, or chlorine

🌿 Natural Protection🌿

🥥 Apply a light coat of coconut oil before before swimming to protect skin and coat
🌼 Use herbal ear drops (chamomile or calendula) after swimming to prevent ear infections
💦 Offer fresh water before and after to prevent drinking from unsafe sources

🐕 Safety First 🐕

🐾 Always supervise swimming-especially in deep or fast-moving water
🐾 Rest often to avoid fatigue and overheating

☀️ Holistic Aftercare ☀️

🍎 Rinse with diluted apple c***r vinegar to balance skin pH
🐾 Dry ears gently and check paws for cuts
🧊 Offer a cooling herbal treat like frozen
chamomile tea cubes

Keep every dip safe, refreshing, and in harmony with nature 💦🌿🐕💚

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🥰🐾

25/06/2026

A well deserved rest after our early morning walk 🙌💚
Please keep them 🐕 safe in this heat.

Take care & love your dogs 🐾🥰

19/06/2026

💚🐾How to support your dog when one of the nail falls off💚🐾

🩹Immediate Care🩹

🩸Stop Bleeding:🩸
• Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or cloth for 5-10 minutes
• Use cornstarch, or flour if bleeding persists
• Keep your dog calm to prevent further injury

🚰Clean the Area:🚰
• Gently rinse with lukewarm water or diluted chlorhexidine solution
• Pat dry with clean gauze

🍯Holistic Treatment Plan🍯

• Manuka honey: Apply a thin layer for antibacterial protection and healing
• Calendula salve or spray: Promotes tissue repair and reduces inflammation
• Colloidal silver: Natural antimicrobial to prevent infection
• Aloe vera gel (pure, no additives): Soothes and accelerates healing

🧦Protection:🧦
• Use a clean sock or bo**ie to keep the paw clean during walks
• Change bandaging daily, allowing air exposure when indoors and supervised
• Prevent licking with a cone or inflatable collar when necessary

🌿Pain and Inflammation Relief:🌿
• Arnica montana (homeopathic): Reduces pain and bruising
• C*D oil or Copaiba essential oil: Natural pain relief (consult dosage for your dog's weight)
• Cold compress: Apply for 10 minutes to reduce swelling (first 24 hours)

🦴Immune and Healing Support:🦴
• Vitamin C: Supports collagen formation and wound healing
• Vitamin E oil: Can be applied topically once initial healing begins
• Bone broth: Provides minerals and amino acids
Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduces inflammation systemically

🌿Herbal Support:🌿
• Echinacea: Boosts immune response during healing
• Plantain leaf (topical): Natural wound healer
• Comfrey salve: Promotes cell regeneration (use externally only, once wound is closed)

💚Ongoing Care💚

🐕Monitor for:🐕
• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge, odor, heat)
• Excessive licking or chewing
• Limping or reluctance to bear weight
• Fever or lethargy

🦮Activity Modification:🦮
• Limit walks to short, gentle outings on soft surfaces
• Avoid rough play, running, or jumping for 7-10 days
• Keep paws dry and clean

🧽Environmental Support:🧽
• Keep floors clean to prevent contamination
• Use natural, non-toxic cleaning products
• Provide a comfortable resting area

🩺When to Seek Veterinary Care🩺

🩸Contact your vet if you notice:🩸
• Bleeding that won't stop after 15 minutes
• Signs of infection
• Exposed quick or bone
• Severe pain or distress😥
• No improvement after 3-4 days

🐶Long-term Nail Health🐶

❤️‍🩹Once healed:❤️‍🩹
• Regular nail trims to prevent overgrowth
• Biotin supplements for stronger nail growth
• Omega-3s for overall paw health
• Paw balm to keep pads and nail beds moisturised

Most nail injuries heal within 2-3 weeks with proper care. The nail will typically grow back over several months. Keep the area clean, support healing naturally, and monitor closely for any complications.

Would you like to know how to implement these steps? Get in touch, happy to guide you through the process.

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🥰🐾

02/06/2026

❓Did you know that deworming your dog right before surgery can cause potential issues?❓

This is an important question that requires careful consideration, as timing medications around surgery can impact your dog's safety and recovery.

Main concern with dewormers right before surgery:

❌ Gl upset and dehydration risk
❌ Increased liver stress
❌ Potential drug interactions
❌ Compromised immune system
❌ Complicated post-surgical monitoring
❌ Toxin release during vulnerable time
❌ Electrolyte imbalances

Best Practice:

✅ Deworm 2-4 weeks BEFORE surgery
✅ Allow body to recover and stabilise
✅ Ensure dog is in optimal health for surgery ✅ Resume parasite prevention after full recovery

Please, remember: Your vet should always be informed of ANY medications, supplements, or treatments given before surgery. When in doubt, ask! It's better to delay routine deworming than to compromise surgical safety.

Holistic Perspective

From a holistic viewpoint, we want to:

🌿 Minimise stress on all body systems
🌿 Support natural healing
🌿 Avoid overwhelming the body with multiple challenges
🌿 Time interventions for optimal outcomes
🌿 Prioritise when necessary (surgery success)

Your dog's body can only handle so much at once.
Give it the best chance by spacing out stressors and supporting overall wellness.

❓Have you got a surgery scheduled for your dog?
Feel free to share your concerns-I'm here to help!

Take care & love your dogs, Erika 🐾🥰

Address

Hockley

Telephone

+447872174499

Website

http://zestandbark.co.uk/

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