Empowered Pet - Nutrition & Holistic Care

06/16/2026

Yesterday my talented friend S. Dodds gifted me this drawing of Scooby. She drew Bella awhile back. Now I can have both of my baby's hanging in my office. She did such a great job. The hearts in his eyes 😍 because he may be a crazy nut but he is truly a love bug. I love it so much, thank you Shawnelle!
Caricatures-Drawn by S. Dodds

06/14/2026

USA wins. The neighborhood erupts. Fireworks. For 30 minutes.

What happens in those 30 minutes:
Nesting birds — flee in panic. Eggs and chicks left exposed. Predators find them. Hypothermia kills them. An entire clutch — gone.
Deer — bolt blindly. Into roads. Into fences. Injuries, collisions, death.
Dogs — firework anxiety affects 40-50% of dogs. Running away, destructive behavior, injury, sometimes death from panic.
Horses and livestock — can injure themselves running into fences and structures.
Aquatic life — firework debris (perchlorates, heavy metals, plastic) falls into water. Toxic to fish, frogs, and invertebrates.
Frogs and toads — go silent for days after firework events. Disrupted mating.

Fireworks aren't just noise. They're explosions of heavy metals, perchlorates (thyroid toxin), and plastic — scattered across your neighborhood.

Alternatives for your World Cup celebration:
Laser light shows (no noise, no debris).
Noise-makers and music (contained, temporary).
Just... cheering. Loudly. Together. Like they do at the stadium.

Celebrate the goal.

Don't kill the neighborhood doing it.

06/13/2026

Fireworks season is upon us. I’ll be completely honest...the more I learn about the impact fireworks have on our environment, wildlife, pets, our homes (fires) and of course veterans living with PTSD, the more I despise this silly tradition. Humans do crazy things for "entertainment" 😢

Please before you celebrate with fireworks, I encourage you to educate yourself. I may do a blog post on this topic since I am so passionate about it and it will be a good outlet for some of the frustration this time of year causes me.

06/12/2026

🐾 My Dog's Emergency Kit – Top 5 🐾

Having an emergency kit ready for your pets is so important. You never know when you'll need it. Here are 5 things I always keep on hand!

1️⃣ CBD – can be used to help with anxiety, stress, and calming during emergencies, as well as ease aches and pains.
2️⃣ Slippery Elm – can help soothe occasional digestive upset or diarrhea
3️⃣ Manuka Honey – commonly used topically for minor wounds and hotspots. Used internally to sooth coughs.
4️⃣ Colloidal Silver – used for minor wound care
5️⃣ Homeopathic Remedies – used for various ailments. I like the Pet kit by Helios. This is great for those new to homeopathy. Comes with a guide and 24 of the most commonly used remedies.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This is for educational/informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary care.

06/11/2026

I'm not saying I am a hero, but the geese may think I am 🤣 I saw these poor geese trying to get through the fence to reunite with their crew so I gave them a helping hand with three crazy dogs in tow.

☀️

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

Arnica is one of the most widely known, and useful of all homeopathic remedies. Arnica is good for general pain, stiffness due to overexertion, soreness and musculoskeletal injuries.

Click to learn more: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-healing-power-of-arnica-montana-leopards-bane/

05/30/2026

My gran-kitty Meeko is the cutest 🐾💙 I am cat sitting this week and decided to get her this catio, and I think she’s definitely enjoying it 🌞

It’s not always safe to let kitties roam freely, especially in big cities with lots of traffic. But there are ways to safely give them outdoor time and exposure to nature. Meeko wears a tracker while spending time in her catio, just in case she ever gets loose. I personally don’t believe in wearing something like that all the time due to the negative effects of radiofrequency exposure (especially around the sensitive neck area).

Safe supervised outdoor time can provide a lot of benefits:

🌞Sunshine and fresh air help regulate circadian rhythms.

🌱Exposure to grass and soil microbes supports a healthy immune system.

🐈 Encourages movement, which builds strength and confidence

🧠 Provides mental stimulation that may help reduce behavioral issues.

I purchased this catio from . The brand is , and I’m really happy with the design and quality.

What are your favorite safe ways to give indoor kitties enrichment and exposure to nature? Let me know in the comments 💙

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05/25/2026

I attended one of these classes and I highly recommend! Massage is a great way to calm and relax your pet and its also just a great way slow down, strengthen your bond and spend quality time together.

I am looking forward to sharing lots of tips to help your dog relax at this seminar at North Pittsburgh Animal Behavior.

Come join us this Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30.

Sign up at: https://northpittsburghanimalbehavior.com/start-training/. Scroll down and you'll find it under "Events."

03/01/2026

🌱 Wheatgrass for Dogs & Cats
Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, antioxidants, and enzymes that can support digestion, detox pathways, fresh breath, and overall immune health in both dogs and cats.

There are also many studies that show Wheatgrass can help to prevent cancer.

🐶🐱 How to give it:
You can juice fresh, buy it in powdered form or allow your pets to graze on the grass itself.

Always start slow...I like to begin at about ¼ of the recommended amount and work up while observing your pets stools, appetite, and energy.
General daily guideline for juice:
• Cats: ⅛–¼ tsp
• Small dogs: ¼ tsp
• Medium dogs: ½ tsp
• Large dogs: 1 tsp

Your pet probably won’t love the taste at first so mix it into food. Freeze-dried food works great because it absorbs moisture, so you can pour it right over.

🌱 Grazing
It is important to note when both cats and dogs eat grass sometimes they will regurgitate, that’s often normal. It’s a natural way they help clear hairballs or soothe their stomach.

Repeated vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea = not normal.

Offer the grass for brief periods of time to prevent them from over doing it.