PAWZ Enrichment Center

04/02/2026

If your dog is licking their paws, start thinking about their exposures. Every time they walk across grass, sidewalks, or treated lawns, their paws are collecting a mixture of chemicals, allergens, and environmental toxins. Those irritants don’t just stay on the surface; they’re absorbed through the skin and ingested when they lick, creating a daily cycle that quietly drives irritation and inflammation.

One simple and effective tool I recommend is a daily paw soak. An oral daily detox regimen also reduces their body’s internal chemical burden, supporting their body’s ability to clear environmental chemicals. When you make this a daily priority, you’re actively lowering your dog’s toxic exposure and calming inflammatory triggers inside and out, in a world that’s increasingly chemical-heavy. Check out my latest article for a DIY paw soak recipe, link in comments ⬇️ 🐾.

03/25/2026

Why are my supplements packaged in glass?

Because research shows your pet’s supplement bottle can be working against them:

Most pet supplements are packaged in plastic (including PET, HDPE, and polypropylene), which can shed micro- and nanoplastics, especially over time and with repeated opening.

These particles don’t just pass through the body, they’re absorbed. A recent Veterinary Journal study shows nanoplastics can enter vascular cells, accumulate, increase oxidative stress, and impair normal cellular defenses, changes linked to cardiovascular risk.

Plastic packaging can also leach chemicals, including many endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), over time, increasing your pet’s risk for thyroid and adrenal imbalances.

Bottom line: your pet’s supplement container may be adding more than what’s on the label. Tips to reduce exposure:

📌If your pet’s supplements come in plastic jars, transfer to a dark glass jar after opening, to reduce ongoing exposure.
📌Keep scoops out of the powder between uses to limit contact

(Thankfully, lids don’t come into direct contact with the supplement, so plastic lids don’t increase EDC exposure).

03/05/2026

Dogs with gut problems may struggle with more than digestion.💩 A new peer reviewed study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found dogs with chronic digestive disease (chronic enteropathy) showed significantly more stress, anxiety, and emotional reactivity than healthy dogs. They were also almost twice as likely to show distress when their owners prepared to leave the house.

Even dogs with mild digestive symptoms showed signs of emotional strain, supporting what scientists call the gut brain axis, the close connection between the digestive system and the brain.

Researchers suggest treatment should support the whole dog, including:
• gut health and inflammation
• microbiome balance (diet, prebiotics, probiotics, microbiome therapies)
• stress and emotional wellbeing

Supporting emotional health may also help improve digestive health.

Certain probiotic strains studied in dogs may help support both the gut and nervous system, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP815 (a GABA producing strain linked to calming effects), Optibiome® BS50 Bacillus subtilis (shown to improve stool quality and digestion), and Lactobacillus fermentum K9-2 (supports gut barrier health and helps reduce inflammation).

These strains are included in PRIMITIVE PROBIOTICS™, developed by Dr. Karen Becker, the most followed veterinarian in the world, to help rebuild and support the canine microbiome.

👉Comment BETTERBELLY and we’ll DM you the link.

02/19/2026

Agility Level 2 done!

02/16/2026

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/antiquated-risk-levels-extremely-high-levels-of-lead-mercury-arsenic-and-cadmium/

Recent testing shows high levels of contamination in pet food.

02/05/2026

The difference between educating our dogs they can make good choices, compared to using the traditional "leave it".

02/03/2026

🔗Why does my dog ignore me when I call? 🐶

If you’ve ever asked that question while watching your dog happily run the other way, you’re not alone 👀

In my newest blog, I’m sharing why recalls can feel inconsistent as distractions and environments change and how those moments can guide us toward clearer, more supportive training.

When we understand how recall is built over time, missed responses become information, not failures ✨

➡️ Read the full blog through the link in the comments! 🔗

02/03/2026

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/pet-food-price-changes-in-a-year/

Some products increased in price, some decreased.

01/29/2026

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/and-be-truthfully-labeled/

Federal and State pet food authorities allow pet food labels to mislead pet owners.

01/29/2026

Wondering about titers or my current vaccine protocol? Link in first comment. Please share so anyone interested can download a copy of the free protocol.

01/27/2026

Join Kirby and his friends to help 4 local causes! The BPS Foundation, along with the BPS Fine Arts Department, BAGA, and the Central Dakota Humane Society have partnered together again to bring you Paw Art!
Simply submit your pet’s photo online or by mail and a BPS student artist will draw a rendition of your pet. These pieces of art will be sent back to you and be Featured in the Paw Art Parade online and the Paw Art Showcase at Bismarck Art and Galleries Association.
Go to https://bpsfoundation.com/partners/2026-paw-art/ for more information or to sign up today!