Cider Ash Goldens

09/25/2026

09/18/2026

🚨 A HUGE NEW STUDY IS CHALLENGING WHAT PET PARENTS HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT GRAIN-FREE DOG FOOD.

A 2026 Veterinary Medicine and Science study analyzed Dog Aging Project data from 47,000+ dogs and found grain-free diets were NOT associated with increased odds of developing new heart problems.

🤯 More than HALF of owners who reported feeding grain-free were WRONG when researchers checked the ingredients. Foods that sounded grain-free actually contained rice, corn, wheat, barley or oats.

Researchers also followed 7,113 dogs for two years. Dogs that switched to grain-free had FEWER newly reported heart diagnoses than dogs that never ate grain-free, while dogs consistently eating grain-free showed no significant difference.

Both grain-free AND grain-containing foods can contribute to nutritional DCM. So can poorly formulated raw and homemade diets.

Peas, lentils and potatoes aren’t inherently “bad,” and adding grains does NOT magically make food cardioprotective—there’s ZERO taurine in grains!

The bigger question is whether the finished food provides enough bioavailable protein and essential amino acids for the dog eating it.

And here’s the overlooked problem: AAFCO “all life stages” foods meet nutrient requirements for growth and reproduction, but adult dogs often need far fewer calories than growing puppies.

So owners feed less to prevent obesity. But when you cut food, you don’t just cut calories—you cut protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals too.

A food can meet AAFCO requirements on paper, yet a lower-calorie dog eating less receives less of EVERY nutrient, not to mention some dogs genetically don’t make enough taurine for heart health.

🐕 The question isn’t “grain-free or grain-inclusive?”

It’s: Is THIS dog getting enough protein, essential amino acids and other critical nutrients for the calories they actually consume? That’s the nutritional DCM conversation we should be having.

Calories change. Nutrient needs don’t.

07/21/2026

🍉 WHY I’M FEEDING MY DOG WATERMELON THIS SUMMER

Watermelon isn’t just a refreshing summer treat—it’s packed with nutrients that can benefit your dog’s health. 🐶❤️

Here are a few reasons it’s one of my favorite seasonal snacks:

🍉 💦 It’s about 92% water.
Perfect for helping your pup stay hydrated during hot summer days.

❤️ 🫀 One of nature’s richest sources of L-citrulline.
Dogs use citrulline to help support healthy circulation, heart health, and mobility. Canine studies have found this pathway is altered in certain heart diseases, highlighting its importance for cardiovascular health.

💧 🩺 Can help reduce bladder stone–forming crystals.
A small peer-reviewed canine study found that dogs given a watermelon extract beverage had fewer calcium oxalate and struvite urine crystals after 3 months. These crystals are the building blocks of many bladder stones.

🛡️ 🍅 Rich in lycopene.
Watermelon is one of the richest fruit sources of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage.
👀 🥕 Packed with beta carotene:
This Vitamin A precursor supports healthy vision, skin, and immune function.

🍉 🤯 Here’s a fun fact:
The white rind (just beneath the green skin) actually contains more L-citrulline than the pink flesh. While most dogs won’t enjoy chewing the rind, it’s where much of this unique amino acid is naturally concentrated.

🐶 How much watermelon can dogs eat?

Watermelon should be an occasional treat. A good rule is to keep treats under 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

A practical serving guide:

🐾 Under 10 lb (4.5 kg): 1–2 small cubes
🐾 10–25 lb (4.5–11 kg): 2–4 cubes
🐾 25–50 lb (11–23 kg): ½–1 cup
🐾 Over 50 lb (23+ kg): 1–2 cups

✅ remove seeds and the tough green rind, which can be difficult to digest.

07/02/2026

🐟 THE LONGEVITY FOOD YOUR DOG & CAT SHOULD BE EATING

One of the world’s largest nutrition studies found that women who regularly ate small fish had a 32% lower risk of dying from any cause and a 28% lower risk of dying from cancer over 9 years. Sardines may be small, but they’re one of the most nutrient-dense whole foods you can share with your dog or cat.

Every sardine provides:

• 🧠 Omega-3s (EPA & DHA) to support brain health, heart health, joints, kidneys, skin, and a healthy inflammatory response in dogs and cats.

• ⚡ CoQ10 to help fuel your pet’s mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses that produce energy inside every cell.

• 💪 High-quality protein + leucine to help dogs and cats maintain muscle as they age.

• 🦴 Vitamin D + calcium (especially from the edible bones) to support strong bones and healthy muscles.

• 🛡️ Selenium to support antioxidant defenses and immune health.

🧩 Nutrition researchers also talk about the “food matrix effect”—the idea that whole foods often provide greater benefits than isolated supplements because their nutrients work together naturally.

Serving guide: Feed 1 fresh sardine or 2 canned sardines (packed in water) for every 20 lb (9 kg) of body weight, 2–3 times per week. For cats and small dogs, simply feed a proportionally smaller amount.

🌿 Longevity hack: Top your pet’s sardines with a pinch of fresh parsley, dill, basil, or cilantro. These herbs are rich in polyphenols, natural plant compounds that complement omega-3s and add a wider variety of antioxidants to your pet’s bowl.

Tip: If you choose canned sardines, look for BPA-free cans. BPA is commonly used in can linings to help prevent corrosion, but it can also act as an endocrine disruptor.

07/01/2026

Heat & cold may still seep through & will need to groom feet.

07/01/2026

🐾💡 Wise Wednesday!

Did you know? A Golden Retriever's beautiful double coat is designed to protect them year-round! ☀️❄️

While shaving may seem like a way to help them stay cool, their coat actually helps regulate temperature, provides protection from the sun and acts as a barrier against insects and debris.

Instead of shaving, focus on regular brushing, proper grooming, fresh water and plenty of shade during warm weather. 💛

🐾✨

06/30/2026

☀️🐾 As temperatures rise, it’s important to remember that our pets feel the heat too. Heat stroke can happen quickly — especially in brachycephalic breeds, senior pets, puppies, and dogs with thick coats.

Be sure your pets have plenty of water, shade, and time to cool down. If you notice signs of heat stroke, contact us right away. 💙

🐾☀️

06/26/2026

🥦 RESEARCH SUGGESTS BROCCOLI MAY BE ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL LONGEVITY FOODS YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR DOG’S BOWL.🐾

Broccoli is one of nature’s richest sources of sulforaphane, a remarkable plant compound that doesn’t just work as an antioxidant. It helps switch on your dog’s own built-in protective systems, supporting detoxification, cellular repair, healthy inflammation, and defense against oxidative stress.

In a peer-reviewed dog study, a single dose of sulforaphane activated natural anti-cancer defenses within just 24 hours. In longevity research, sulforaphane has also extended lifespan by more than 50% in animal models, making it one of the most exciting plant compounds being studied for healthy aging.

Broccoli is also rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics that nourish the gut microbiome and support long-term health.

🥦 One simple trick: finely chop broccoli and let it sit for up to 90 minutes before serving it raw. This gives broccoli’s natural enzyme time to produce more sulforaphane, helping maximize one of its most valuable protective compounds.

Sometimes the most powerful longevity foods aren’t expensive supplements. They’re already sitting in your refrigerator.