It often feels like our beloved dogs are plagued with more health conditions than ever before. We’re seeing more canine cancers, skin allergies, arthritis, metabolic and diet-related illnesses, as well as recurring ear, kidney, and urinary tract infections. On top of this, the rising vet bills can be overwhelming for many families.
At McDowells, we see these concerns every day with clients and their pets. The good news is, there’s a lot we can do to improve resilience, reduce risk, and support long-term health naturally.
1. Diet: The Foundation of Good Health
The first and simplest place to start is diet. Dogs evolved as hunters and scavengers, eating not just meat, but bones, offal, skin, glands, and even the stomach contents of herbivores. In the wild, almost every part of a prey animal was consumed, giving them a complete and balanced source of nutrition.
Modern dogs, just like their ancestors, are designed to thrive on raw, living foods. Unfortunately, many commercial diets rely heavily on fillers, grains, or heavily processed proteins that don’t provide the variety or vitality a dog’s body truly needs.
A few key points to remember:
- Offer variety – feeding only one type of meat (such as chicken breast) is not nutritionally adequate. Rotate through different protein sources.
- Include raw meaty bones and offal for calcium, minerals, and essential nutrients.
- Add roughage and scraps – dogs can digest more than just muscle meat and benefit from fibrous plant material.
- Avoid heavily processed, artificial diets.
A healthy, balanced raw diet supports digestion, immune health, skin and coat quality, and even behaviour.
2. Exercise and mental stimulation
Like us, dogs need movement and stimulation every day to stay well. Regular exercise not only strengthens muscles and joints but also supports the cardiovascular system, digestive health, and even behaviour.
Most dogs need between one to two hours of activity per day, depending on breed, age, and overall health. This doesn’t have to be intense - it might be a walk, free play, or scent work that engages their natural instincts.
Tips for safe exercise:
- Start slowly if your dog has been inactive, building up fitness gradually.
- Watch for signs of fatigue such as panting, slowing, or lying down mid-walk.
Avoid heavy exercise in extreme heat.
Always ensure access to cool, fresh water.
Just as importantly, mental enrichment—exploring new scents, solving puzzles, learning new tricks—keeps a dog’s brain engaged and reduces boredom-related issues.
3. Genetics and Breed Predispositions
Some dogs are simply more prone to certain illnesses due to their genetics. Breeding practices have unfortunately amplified many health issues in domestic dogs, from hip dysplasia and bladder stones to epilepsy, heart disease, brachycephalic airway syndrome, and degenerative myelopathy (DM).
While we cannot change a dog’s genetics, we can focus on:
Supporting resilience with a nutrient-rich diet.
Using herbal and natural remedies to strengthen weak systems (e.g., cardiac herbs, joint tonics).
Preventing secondary stressors such as poor diet, over-medication, or lack of exercise.
4. Over-Worming and the Toxic Load
One growing concern we see often is the overuse of anti-parasitic treatments. Shelves at vet clinics, pet shops, and supermarkets are filled with “tasty chews” and spot-on treatments, marketed as essential monthly preventatives. While parasites can certainly be harmful, continual chemical exposure carries its own risks.
These medications contain potent chemicals that contribute to the toxic load in your pet’s body. Over time, this can impact liver function, immune balance, and gut health.
Natural strategies for parasite management include:
Keeping your dog’s immune system strong through diet and herbs.
Regular grooming and checking for fleas/ticks.
Using herbal parasite repellents or tonics as a first step before reaching for chemical treatments.
Only using pharmaceuticals when truly necessary—not as a default.
A Holistic Path Forward
When we look at the rise in chronic illnesses in dogs, it’s clear that lifestyle, diet, and environmental pressures all play a role. Supporting your dog’s long-term health isn’t about one quick fix—it’s about building resilience through:
A fresh, raw-based diet with variety
Daily movement and mental enrichment
Supporting genetic weaknesses with herbs and nutrition
Reducing unnecessary toxic exposures (chemicals, over-worming, poor diet)
At McDowells, we believe in treating the whole animal—body, mind, and spirit. With the right combination of nutrition, herbal medicine, and mindful management, we can give our dogs the best chance of living long, healthy, and happy lives.
