Nutrients

Flour for function This is part of the eternal quest for the perfect functional training treat: a no-crumble, easy-to-eat-without-losing-concentration, super-palatable bite that doesn't cause energy spikes. Not all flours play the same role[1]. Commercial white flours (some with raising agents) [...]

Celeriac and parsnip duo Some nutrients perform better with the right partners, and the way ingredients meet can shape digestibility and nutritional value. This Duo is a simple example of that principle in action — see Friendly Foods for more [...]

Seb's get well beef stew Our friend Seb was in the wars for a while this year. Fortunately, a diagnosis was eventually reached, he went under the knife and now the whole episode is in the rear view mirror. But [...]

Digestibility or bioavailability? Digestibility is the body’s ability to break food down into smaller molecules whereas bioavailability is the fraction of those molecules that are absorbed and utilised by the body. In other words, digestibility indicates the quantity of material [...]

Seed potential: unlocked Seeds are frequently recommended for their health benefits in human nutrition - and they have a role in canine nutrition too. But whole seeds mixed in toppings or sprinkled over our dog’s food (or even our own) [...]

Buckwheat Cultivated for thousands of years across Asia and Eastern Europe, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is naturally gluten-free and highly digestible compared with many cereals. Rich in complex carbohydrates, protein and dietary fibre, this pseudograin offers steady energy release and provides [...]

Carrot tops Oft-discarded carrot tops – the leafy greens of the carrot – are actually an exceptionally nutrient-rich part of the plant. Their mild bitterness reflects their high concentration of chlorophyll and minerals, while their vibrant green colour signals the [...]

Bioavailability – what is most bio-efficacious? We might assume when we feed our dogs that every ingredient on the label has a role to play. But we’d be wrong: not all of those ingredients are absorbed or utilised (bio-efficacious). Everything [...]

Pumpkin Seeds Known for their distinctive shape and rich, nutty flavour, pumpkin seeds are a nutrient-dense food with a long history. They have been a dietary staple in many cultures for centuries and are celebrated not only for their taste [...]

Scum or yum? Another no-waste day in the kitchen. This week I was making a batch of broth from beef knuckles.  And apple vinegar. That’s all. I noticed after it came to the boil that there was a lot of [...]

Chicken livers  Chicken liver has been valued for centuries as a highly nutritious food and is still considered a delicacy in some cultures. In canine nutrition,  liver remains one of the most nutrient-dense animal ingredients, providing concentrated amounts of protein, [...]

Amaranth in the kitchen Amaranth is one of those ancient grains that feels both timeless and fresh. It stands out as a complete plant-based protein, which is relatively unusual in the plant world. It’s also naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for dogs [...]

Nutrient Synergies and Antagonisms When a meal is greater than a sum of its parts As I've been studying nutrition and creating my own recipes, I've become increasingly interested in the concept of food synergy. Understanding how nutrients work together [...]

Amaranth - God's own grain Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is one of the ancient grains like quinoa, kamut and spelt that finds itself among the numerous forgotten ingredients now experiencing a revival, although technically it’s not a grain but a pseudocereal [...]

What are osmolytes? Osmolytes are small organic molecules that help a dog's body manage water at a cellular level, especially under stress. The primary role of osmolytes, or chemical chaperones, is to help stabilize proteins and enzymes. When a dog's cells [...]

Chattering bacteria: quorum sensing The more I study nutrition and gut health, the more I marvel at how cleverly we are designed, and how much we depend on the living world within us – or should I say the world [...]

Soaking mushrooms? Don't throw the water away! Have you been soaking dried mushrooms, shiitake maybe? Don’t throw the soaking water away – it’s golden! In recipes, I have always advocated keeping the soaking water after reconstituting dried mushrooms. Over a [...]

What’s in a Mushroom? The lesser-known compounds (and their effects) Many cultures, from traditional Chinese medicine to Japanese culinary heritage, have long recognised mushrooms for their medicinal qualities -  modern science is now revealing why those traditions were so effective. [...]

Restorative drinks This week, one of my dogs seemed a little under the weather. She has an autoimmune disorder which we try to manage through diet, in consultation with our vet. Perhaps unusually, we opted for a dietary plan over [...]

“The owner of a sporting dog should realize that proper nutrition is one of the most important factors influencing a dog's athletic performance.” Dog owners feed treats for different reasons. A 2023 study of treat motivations and behaviours[1] found that [...]

The puppy gut microbiome When we bring a new puppy home, our aim is to help them become confident, happy dogs. But there’s a hidden community inside every puppy that quietly shapes how they feel and learn to cope with [...]

Asparagus Asparagus was prized in ancient civilizations for its medicinal value, with references to its use as a spring tonic or digestive remedy spanning the centuries. Today, asparagus is just as relevant: we’re rediscovering the range of benefits offered by [...]

Mushrooms Renowned for their flavour and medicinal properties, mushrooms have been long been prized not just for their versatility but also for their exceptional nutritional and therapeutic value. High-fibre, low lipid, low-fat fungi have consequently been recognised both as a [...]

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a root from the ginger family that is used as a spice and food colouring and has long been one of the most popular herbs in traditional medicine because of its potential health benefits. This is [...]

Joint health is critical for maintaining mobility, comfort, and quality of life in our dogs. That’s not limited to ageing dogs with conditions like osteoarthritis (OA). Liigament injuries, joint instability, cartilage issues and inflammation can also impact younger and otherwise [...]

Food and mood We know that diet affects mood and behaviour in humans and animals – and it may reduce unwanted behaviour in dogs. Foods demonstrated to influence behaviour include beet pulp as a source of fibre, or salmon oil [...]

Functional Foods In my “Functional Foods” post, I promised a list of studies showing how food has been used to a dog health. Studies I will keep updating this list as I discover more studies or as new studies emerge. [...]

What is functional food? For hundreds of years, herbs have been used as a medicinal remedy. Many of our medicines today originate from natural remedies, with the best-known example probably being aspirin, derived from the white willow tree[1]. Functional food [...]

Lutein for eyes and brains Lutein is thought of as the eye vitamin. And the brain vitamin. It is a xanthophyll carotenoid, renowned for its role in eye health, especially in filtering blue light and supporting macular pigment. Lutein is [...]

Kefir Kefir is a traditional dairy product, a fermented beverage originating from the Caucasus Mountains. The name "kefir" is derived from the Turkish word "keif," meaning "good feeling." It has been consumed by humans for centuries and more recently kefir [...]

Collagen In recent years, the role of collagen has garnered increasing attention due to its potential health benefits. Whilst much of the research on collagen has focused on human health, there is growing evidence suggesting similar benefits for our canine [...]

Although the FEDIAF[1] doesn’t (yet) recognise fibre as an essential nutrient for dogs, studies have shown that the use of fibre in the canine diet can provide benefits[2]. Dietary fibre has been established as nutritionally important in humans and is [...]

Sprouting: what is it? “Sprouts” (Regulation (EC) No 208/2013) are “the product obtained from the germination of seeds and their development in water or another medium, harvested before the development of true leaves and which is intended to be eaten [...]

Sorghum, often referred to as "the forgotten grain," is a cereal grain that has been cultivated for thousands of years and is gaining renewed attention for its nutritional benefits and versatility. A great addition to the dry pantry, sorghum flour [...]