Oh, pets! Essential to any happy home or homestead, dogs and cats are part of the family. As such, here at RealSelfSufficiency, we believe they should be treated as such, given good, nutritious, natural food, the right health care, and the right preventative care. And, of course, they deserve to be loved.
Our pet writers all have years of experience caring for their four-legged companions naturally and many also have related certifications. Katy, for example, is a Master Herbalist and canine nutritionist specializing in raw feeding. Rebecca is also a certified canine nutritionist.
And we’ve been raising pets naturally for over 30 years, so we’ve got plenty of experience. We want to share these expertise and experiences with you to help you do the very best for your pets.
As with everything else here at RealSelfSufficiency, our focus is on naturalism and self-reliance, and that extends to feeding and caring for our pets wherever possible.
We’ll cover parasite control, pet nutrition and recipes, and more.
However, do note that none of us are veterinarians, so none of our content is meant to diagnose or treat any ailment and our content is no substitute for veterinary advice. If your pet is ill or you’re concerned about anything, I strongly urge you to seek immediate veterinary care.
Here are a few of our hooligans…
Phoebe
Oscar
Instant Pot bone broth for dogs is insanely easy and only takes a few hours to cook. Unlike human bone broth recipes, there’s no need to roast the bones off first. But, if you use human-grade animal bones, this dog bone broth is perfect for humans (and cats) too. You can make this bone broth […]
As a canine nutritionist, there are few commercial dog treats I’ll risk feeding my dogs. The ingredients are often hideous, synthetic, or mysterious. The gimmicky “festive” treats around this time of year are even worse. The few brands I am willing to feed my dogs are outrageously priced. So, I make my own dog snacks.
7 Expert Tips For Making Healthy, Cheap, Festive Dog Treats Read More »
Make easy fish dog treats for you pooches! You pets will thank you and they are healthy too!
Easy Fish Dog Treat Recipe: Homemade Training Treats | Salmon and White Fish Read More »
By January, a lot of dogs are climbing the walls and a lot of humans are… over it.Short days, icy sidewalks, wet boots everywhere, and a dog staring at you like, “So. Enrichment?” Your dog doesn’t need a full-on mountain expedition to have a great winter. Short, low-effort adventures count. In dog-brain world, “we did
11 low-effort winter adventures your dog will love Read More »
Fireworks nights have a habit of sneaking up on you. You think, “Oh, it’s only one display,” and then the bangs keep going all weekend and your dog is shaking under the table while the cat threatens to move out. If you’ve not had time to slowly desensitise them or do a big training plan,
15 last-minute firework safety tips for pets Read More »
You probably look at your dog’s tail a dozen times a day without really thinking about it. I love my dogs’ tails. They are so different and they both use them and communicate with them so differently. And their tails tell me a lot about how they’re feeling in any particular moment. And I adore
12 astonishing facts about your dog’s tail every owner should know Read More »
Big family Christmases are loud, bright, busy… and full of grabby hands and dropped food. For a lot of dogs, that’s not “festive.” That’s a lot. The goal isn’t to force your dog to “be social.” It’s to set things up so your dog feels safe, has choices, and doesn’t get pushed past their limit. I’m
Quick safety note before we start This is friendly, research-backed advice, and I’m an experienced pet parent and a certified canine nutritionist. And I feed my dogs a balanced, natural, home-cooked wholefoods diet. But I’m not your vet. Different dogs have different health issues, so if your pup has pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes, allergies, or
18 Human Foods Dogs Can Safely Eat at Christmas Read More »
If you live with a cat, you already know this: you think you’re in charge. I do. I have two feline maniacs as well as my two dogs. And the cats are … interesting, for sure. Sneaky, super weird, moody… you know, your typical pain-in-the-butt cats. I love them, of course. But yeah. They have
14 surprisingly smart ways cats train their humans Read More »
If you live with a dog, you already know they have a lot to say. I have a feisty little terrier mix in his (very) senior years and he L.O.V.E.S the sound of his own voice. I also have a youngish whippet, and boy-howdy does that girl like to sing her whippety song! But they
12 adorable ways dogs “talk” without barking Read More »
You’re plating up holiday food, your dog is giving you the eyes, and your brain is doing that dance: “It’s just a little bit… what’s the harm?” Sometimes the harm is a very expensive emergency vet visit. Holiday food is a perfect storm for dogs: rich, salty, boozy, sugary, studded with nuts and dried fruit,
21 Holiday Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs Read More »
Learn how to make bone broth for dogs, cats, and humans with this easy bone broth recipe. Find out more about this valuable dietary addition.
How to Make Bone Broth for Dogs (Easy, Cheap, and Healthy Recipe) Read More »
Gingerbread dog treats might sound a little crazy, but they’re actually full of goodness and really easy to make. Hint: You can eat them, too! And they’re really delicious. Now, because we’re baking homemade dog biscuits, these aren’t going to be exactly like traditional Holiday gingerbread cookies. I designed this recipe for flavor and healthfulness.
Delicious, Easy Ginger Dog Treats Recipe (with blueberries and coconut) Read More »
As a certified canine nutritionist who has been feeding my dogs a healthy, balanced raw diet for over ten years, I’m still alarmed, bemused, and astounded by the strange myths that persist about raw feeding. A Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet is safe, healthy, and uncomplicated when done correctly. Addressing these misconceptions with factual,
Canine Nutritionist Debunks Common Raw-Feeding Myths Read More »
You can give your dog up to 1 ounce of bone broth per 10 pounds of body weight twice per day, once they’ve grown accustomed to it. In metric units, that’s 30 mls per 5 kilos of bodyweight twice per day. Bone broth is gelatinous, intensely flavorful, and most dogs adore it. It’s also great
How Much Bone Broth Can I Give My Dog? Read More »
The best kind of bone broth for dogs is, in my opinion, homemade, with fresh ingredients and using proteins your dog can tolerate. Yes, there are some good store-bought bone broth products that are okay to use in a pinch or if you really can’t make your own, and we’ll cover my top picks for
What Kind of Bone Broth is Best for Dogs? Read More »
Learn how to make healthy, tasty pumpkin and peanut butter balls with out natural dog treat recipes.
Natural Dog Treat Recipes: Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Treats Read More »
Make beef jerky for your dog! Easy to make and great for your pets teeth!
How to Make Beef Jerky for Dogs – Natural Homemade Dental Chews Read More »
Find out how to teach your dog how to leave on command. It may be a basic command but it is incredibly useful especially when it comes to food lying around.
Teaching Your Dog To Leave Read More »
Read how to stop destructive behavior in your dogs. Encourange positive behavior in your dog and teach him to chew the right things.
How to Stop Destructive Behavior in Dogs Read More »
Use this homemade natural dog spray to stop your dog from suffering! Whether they have allergies or food sensitivities, this will help relieve them.
The Best Homemade Anti-Itch Spray for Dogs Read More »
Learn how to soothe the itchy skin of your of your poor pooch naturally with no need for nasty chemicals.
Does Your Dog Itch? Find Out How to Soothe Your Dog’s Itchy Skin Naturally Read More »
