Purrs McBarkin'

09/29/2026

Good news. Our boy Tony is home!

The paper towel made its way through his system, and he is doing well.

Thank you to everyone who checked on him, sent kind messages, and said a prayer for our boy. Tracy and I truly appreciate it.

And a little lesson from my mistake. It only takes a few seconds for a pet to grab something they shouldn't. I knew better, and it still happened.

Keep things picked up, trash secured, and never assume they won't grab something just because they never have before.

Sometimes the best lessons are the ones we learn the hard way.

We're just happy to have our boy back home.

Vinny is happy as well! ❤️

09/28/2026

This one is a little more personal for me today.

Our dog Tony got hold of some paper towels that should have been kept out of reach. I know better, and I still made the mistake.

He is being kept overnight at the animal hospital for hydration and observation, and hopefully everything passes without any further problems.

Pets can get into something in seconds. Paper towels, socks, wrappers, trash, string, medications, and all kinds of things we may not think twice about can become a serious problem if swallowed.

So today, take a quick look around your house and move anything your pets might be tempted to grab.

Sometimes the best reminders are the ones we learn the hard way.

And if your pet does swallow something they should not, call your veterinarian rather than trying to handle it yourself at home.

I’ll keep everyone updated. In the meantime, if you have a little extra prayer to spare, please send one Tony’s way today.

He’s our boy and he is loved.

-Dave

09/25/2026

09/22/2026

Turn the package over.

The front catches your eye.
The ingredient list tells you what you’re giving your dog.

Take 10 seconds. Read it.

Then ask yourself:

Is this what I want to give my dog?

09/22/2026

Today is an incredibly sad day as I learned of Jacob’s passing. When I was searching for a home for Purrs McBarkin’, Jacob and his mother showed faith in me, entrusting me with their building and giving me a chance. Without their kindness and trust, none of this may have been. Jacob was a truly fair and kind man. My deepest condolences to Carol Ann, Meghan, and their family. I will always hold gratitude for what they did.
-Dave Zanoni
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FiFXGEDWw/

Share Memories and Support the Family.

09/20/2026

Are You Feeding Your Dog Too Much? The Feeding Guide Is Only a Starting Point

How much should you actually feed your dog?A lot of people turn t...

09/18/2026

Sometimes when I ask someone, “Could your dog have fleas?” they get a little offended.

I understand why, but there is no judgment behind the question.

Fleas do not mean you have a dirty dog or a dirty house.

Especially around here, many of us live in the country. My dogs live in the country too. We have yards, wildlife, other animals, and plenty of opportunities for fleas to be present.

Here is something important to understand:

Flea prevention does not always prevent a flea from getting onto your dog or biting your dog.

Flea-control products work in different ways. Some have repellent activity. Some contain insecticidal active ingredients that kill fleas after they bite your pet. So, depending on the product, a flea may still bite before it dies.

That matters because some dogs have flea allergy dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to flea saliva.

In a sensitive dog, even limited flea exposure can cause significant itching, chewing, redness, scabbing, and hair loss.

And you may never actually see the flea.

That is why I ask.

When a dog is itchy, food often gets blamed first. Sometimes food absolutely can be involved. But fleas, environmental allergies, mites, and skin infections can cause very similar symptoms.

I would rather ask one uncomfortable question than change a dog's food three times and still miss the real problem.

Not every itch starts in the bowl.

Sometimes good nutrition work means knowing when to look somewhere else.

Science over guesswork. That is the kind of business I want Purrs McBarkin’ to be.

-Dave

09/17/2026

At Purrs McBarkin’, I offer both grain-inclusive and grain-free foods. I feed my own dogs grain-free, and as a certified pet nutritionist, I’m upfront about that. As your local pet nutritionist, I consider it my duty to constantly read and evaluate scientific studies. But transparency doesn’t mean claiming one approach fits every dog. It means applying the same rigorous standards at home that I apply to my shelves.

A study published September 16, 2026, looked at over 47,000 dogs and found no overall link between owner-reported grain-free diets and heart diagnoses. But I’m a facts guy, and that alone doesn’t settle the issue. The study was observational, not a controlled clinical trial, and it didn't specifically isolate diet-associated DCM. It’s one valuable piece of information, not a final verdict. Fear and single anecdotes shouldn't drive dietary choices; science should.

That's why I don't think in terms of "grain vs. grain-free." Nope. I think about the full formulation. What actually matters is the entire nutrient profile, overall digestibility, and the quality control standards backing the brand. I’m here to dig into those scientific details, not follow trends or emotion. My role is to give you honest facts so you can make the absolute best choice for your pet.

-Dave

Read the study:

Grain‐free diets have been potentially linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in several studies in dogs, although the underlying mechanisms for this potential link, if present, are unclear. Additionally, some studies have found no association ...

09/17/2026

Sometimes people are unsure about what I do, so I want to explain it clearly.

I am not a veterinarian, and I have never claimed to be one.

I am a Certified Canine and Feline Nutritionist. My work focuses on nutrition. The bowl. What your dog or cat is eating. Why they are eating it. The ingredients. The nutrients. The calories. And whether that food makes nutritional sense for that particular pet.

That is what I studied. That is what I continue to study, because nutrition science does not stand still. Research evolves, we learn more, and I believe it is my responsibility to keep learning along with it. That is what I do every day at Purrs McBarkin’.

I believe nutrition is one of the foundations of good health. What we put in the bowl every single day matters. Good nutrition cannot prevent every disease, but it can support a healthy body, help maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of certain nutrition-related problems over time.

Veterinary medicine has a different and equally important role. Veterinarians diagnose disease, prescribe medications, perform procedures, and provide medical treatment. I have great respect for that role. When something falls outside the scope of nutrition, I will always direct someone to their veterinarian.

To me, this is never nutrition versus veterinary medicine. It is nutrition and veterinary medicine working together.

My lane is nutrition. Understanding the science behind the bowl. Helping pet owners make informed, thoughtful decisions about what they feed and why. It is a lane I take seriously.

Different roles. Same goal.

Helping our dogs and cats live the healthiest lives we can give them.

Dave Zanoni
Owner, Purrs McBarkin’, LLC
Certified Canine and Feline Nutritionist
Southern Illinois University

09/16/2026

New at Purrs McBarkin' DogginStix Braided Lamb Collagen Barbell Dog Chew Treat, Approx 12-Inch