I am a certified dog nutritionist with over 5 years of experience helping dogs thrive through wholesome diets. Whether you are wondering what to feed your pup, managing diseases, how to manage allergies, or just want to improve your dogs overall diet or health, you are in the right place.
This blog is dedicated to answering your most asked questions through years of experience and science.
Lets dive into some questions you have sent in and get those tails wagging with the right answers!
My dog keeps eating grass on our walks and sometimes in the garden, is this normal?
Yes, eating grass can be normal for many dogs! In fact, one type of grass, called cough grass, is often chosen by dogs because it supports the dog in specific needs they have.
Grass can stimulate the digestive system, and dogs may eat it for different reasons. Some are seeking extra fiber to help digest food better, while others might eat it when they feel nauseous and need to vomit. Dogs that are lethargic or not getting the nutrients they need may instinctively eat grass to help support digestion which requires a vet visit especially if its a new behaviour or constant
Grass also contains chlorophyll, which is great for the immune system. However, if grass-eating becomes excessive or obsessive, I recommend a vet visit and some basic blood tests to rule out nutrient deficiencies.
Important: Never let your dog eat grass that may have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides — always know where it’s coming from.
Are there any natural supplements or foods that can help with anxiety or stress in dogs?
Absolutely, but before we go straight to supplements, it’s important to ask: Is your dog’s gut healthy? Anxiety often starts in the gut, especially if there’s dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria), early spaying/neutering, or exposure to toxins like chemical wormers, spot-ons, or over-vaccination.
Once we address the gut and lifestyle, we can look at calming herbs:
- Valerian root and passionflower are great natural calming herbs — especially useful during stressful times like fireworks or car rides. I dont like using these everyday, and only in very stressful events.
- Melatonin is helpful in lower-stress situations, as it supports hormone balance and calms the nervous system
- Every dog is different, so working with a holistic nutritionist (like myself!) is the best way to choose the right options. If you answered “yes” to gut issues, the next step is switching to a more healing diet and adding probiotics to support the gut.
Also, consider the impact of early neutering: ideally, females are spayed after their first heat, and males a few months after they reach adult weight — sometimes as late as 18–24 months. Ovary-sparing spays and vasectomies are great alternatives that preserve hormones as these play a big role in anxiety and stress in dogs
Instead of frequent chemical dewormers or flea treatments, there are natural products like Holistic Hound’s “Don’t Bug Me” or wormwood blends that deter pests without harming your dog’s system.
Why does my own dog eat poop?
Poop eating (also called coprophagia) can have several causes, and it’s important to look at your dog’s lifestyle and diet.
It starts as a natural behavior — mother dogs clean up after their pups, and some puppies mimic this. But if the behavior continues into adulthood, it may signal something else:
- Nutrient deficiencies: If your dog isn’t getting what they need from their diet, they may start eating poop to seek out the missing nutrients that they need
- Gut imbalances or parasites may also drive this behavior.
- Underlying health issues, like early diabetes or thyroid problems, can sometimes cause this to start suddenly.
Here’s what you can do:
- Run blood or hair analysis tests to check for nutritional deficiencies.
- Add a high-quality multivitamin if your dog eats fresh food, i dont suggest using a multivitamin with kibble as you can over do a specific vitamin especially fat soluble ones
- Some owners see results by adding pineapple (bromelain can alter stool taste), though it doesn’t work for all dogs.
- Use a wide muzzle on walks (one that allows panting but prevents eating things).
- Clean up stools immediately in your garden or yard.
This is a solvable issue — it just takes a bit of detective work and maybe a dog nutritionists help
I have heard raw feeding can be beneficial, what do I need to know before switching to raw?
Raw feeding has many benefits when done correctly. At Dublin Dog Care Nutrition, we offer a full raw feeding course (1-on-1 or group classes which you can check dates on instagram) to guide you.
Why go raw?
- You control exactly what your dog eats.
- Raw food retains natural nutrients, which are often lost through cooking.
- You can tailor meals to your dog’s needs — especially helpful for dogs with allergies or chronic issues.
Here are a few basics: - A common starting blend is 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% other secreting organs.
- This mix lacks fiber and omega-3s, so add fruits, vegetables, fur, and oily fish like sardines for balance.
- Always clean surfaces and bowls after raw feeding and avoid letting kids touch the bowl as kids are more at risk for sicknesses
Raw feeding is powerful — and we’re here to help visit your dog’s current diet and make any changes. Feeding full raw or alongside kibble is great!
Are there gentle detox options or foods that can help my dog eliminate toxins from their system naturally ?
Yes, there are several safe ways to support your dog’s immune system in detoxing
- Milk thistle supports the liver, which is the main detox organ. Use for 5 days/month for general detox, 3–6 weeks for dogs with liver issues or after any chemicals entering your dog’s body such as antibiotics, steroids, vaccines or wormers.
- Fasting once a week (only for healthy dogs! not recommended for immune compromised dogs) gives the digestive system a break. Offer bone broth during the fast to keep them hydrated.
- Kidney detox teas (great for dogs that ingested some bad water or alongside liver detox) made from parsley, thyme, and dandelion greens are great (you don’t have to make the tea from the 3 herbs at once). I suggest them after breakfast as dandelion is a diuretic and will make your dog pee more. Dandelion helps flush toxins through urination.
- Daily detox options: blueberries or even better, wild blueberries have high antioxidants that fight free radicals, coriander, parsley, and sprouts (like broccoli sprouts) help eliminate heavy metals, toxins and free radicals.
Are there any specific superfoods or ingredients that every dog should be eating regularly?
Definitely! Superfoods help prevent disease and support your dog’s overall wellness. Some of my top picks:
- Wild blueberries – high in antioxidants to fight free radicals.
- Bone broth – supports joints, digestion, and immunity.
- Garlic – at safe doses (¼ tsp per 7 kg, 3x/week) can detox and naturally deworm.
- Broccoli sprouts or any sprouts are better than its vegetable, like broccoli – contain compounds that fight oxidative stress and can even shrink cancer cells!.
- Ginger and turmeric – reduce inflammation, but be cautious with dogs who dislike heat or always seek shade (they may be sensitive to warming herbs). These herbs can be used as a paste or in home made bone broth
Is there a natural way to help with my dog’s bad breath?
Bad breath can come from many issues such as:
- Gut imbalances (dysbiosis)
- Dental disease
- Poor hygiene or diet
If you think your dog’s gut is unhealthy, start with a diet and gut reset — we can help you with this with a diet change specific to your dog’s needs and gentle herbs that support gut healing.. If gums are swollen or there’s tartar buildup, see a vet for a cleaning or extractions as dental disease is no joke and it can lead to more health issues such as a compromised immune system.
If your dog doesnt have issues with their gut or dental disease than start fresh with:
- Herbs like parsley and mint sprinkled on their food
- Seaweed in food (helps reduce plaque)
- Raw meaty chews (tendons, feet, necks, raw bones) — these clean teeth and strengthen gums naturally. The grinding of the body naturally loosens plaque and saliva production breaks down plaque buildup
- A natural toothpaste with regular brushing can give you and your dog a great dental routine that supports their gums
Avoid commercial “dental chews” full of grains — they often do more harm than good!
What does a dog nutritionist offer that differs from a vet?
This is such an important question! As a holistic dog nutritionist, I take a holistic approach to your dog’s health, focusing on the whole dog — from diet and digestion to behavior and environment. I’ve spent years studying canine nutrition, herbal medicine, and natural wellness, rather than the conventional medical training vets receive, which emphasizes pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and surgical interventions.
Here’s the key difference:
- A vet may treat a symptom — for example, prescribing steroids or antibiotics for liver disease.
- A dog nutritionist looks at why the liver is struggling, then supports healing through diet changes, herbal support, and natural foods that nourish the body and immune system.
If your dog has allergies, a vet may prescribe a commercial “prescription” diet and medications. These diets are standardized and not tailored to your dog’s unique needs — and they often don’t address the root cause. I would work to identify what your dog is reacting to, create a custom diet plan, and add herbs and nutrients to repair the immune system and detox any damage caused by medication or poor nutrition.
We don’t replace vets, but we offer something very different: natural support, long-term wellness, and individualized care rooted in food and nature.
Can my dog really get a balanced diet if I make the food myself ?
Yes — absolutely! A homemade diet, when done with variety and the right balance, can be even more nutritious than commercial food.
Most commercial kibble and wet food are made with synthetic vitamins and high-heat processing, which strip away natural nutrients. When you make your dog’s food yourself, you have full control over protein sources, fiber, fats, and nutrient-rich extras like herbs, bone broth, eggs, and organ meats.
Dogs in the past often lived up to 20 years on fresh food and scraps. Today, with the rise of ultra-processed dog foods, it’s rare to see dogs live past 14 years — that says a lot about what diet can do.
With proper guidance, yes, your dog can absolutely thrive on homemade food!
Are grain free diets bad ? My vet says my dog needs grain to prevent heart disease.
This is a common myth, and the short answer is: no, dogs do not need grains to be healthy.
Dogs are natural protein-eaters, and they thrive on diets rich in quality meats and healthy fats. The concern about grain-free diets and heart issues (specifically dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM) came from a limited study where only grain-free dogs were observed — dogs on grain-filled diets were not included for comparison.
The bigger issue in that study wasn’t the lack of grains — it was the overuse of legumes (like peas, lentils, and chickpeas) used as cheap fillers instead of meat. When ingredient lists look like this:
chicken, beef liver, peas, red lentils, green lentils, pea fiber, pea flour —
…it may seem protein-rich, when you add the ingredients together the majority of the food is legumes, not meat. This can lead to taurine deficiency, which is essential for heart health.
A properly balanced grain-free diet, rich in meat and real ingredients, is not only safe — it’s often the healthiest option. What your dog doesn’t need are excessive fillers, whether they come from grains or legumes.
These are all your questions answered in our blog! and I hope these answers made you feel more confident about making the right choices for your pet or simply gave you more knowledge!
If you have more questions or simply would like to set up an appointment with us, feel free to reach out at any point! I am here to help your dog live their healthiest, happy life
Until next time,
Klaudia
Certified Dog Nutritionist | Dublin Dog Care Nutrition
Dublindogcare2016@gmail.com | 083 070 2739