Hidden Dangers In the Dog’s Bowl
I recently participated in a live webinar with Dr. Ruth Roberts. The topic was on “Hidden Dangers In the Dog Food Bowl” — we took a turn into essential oils, but I wanted to share the summary of the the original topic
Hidden Dangers in Your Dog’s Bowl
Pet parents are led to believe their dog's food is healthy, balanced, and "vet-approved"—but what’s really in that bag of kibble or supplement bottle? Clever marketing, buzzwords like "natural" and "grain-free," and flashy packaging disguise the truth. Many products contain toxic, inflammatory, and low-quality ingredients that slowly damage your dog’s health.
🐾 Think your dog’s food is safe? Read the label. If you don’t recognize an ingredient or can’t pronounce it, your dog’s body probably won’t recognize it either.
🚨 What’s Really in Your Dog’s Bowl?
Plastic Bowls & Biofilm – A Hidden Health Threat
🛑 Marketed as "easy-to-clean" and "affordable"—but plastic bowls leach BPA, phthalates, and microplastics into food and water. They also develop biofilm, a sticky layer of bacteria that is nearly impossible to remove.
🔥 Risks: Hormone disruption, gut imbalances, chronic skin issues, and long-term inflammation.
✅ Switch to: 304 or 316-grade stainless steel, glass, or high-quality ceramic bowls.
Water Contaminants – It’s More Than Just Tap Water
💧 Bottled water isn’t always safer, and tap water is full of hidden toxins. Even "safe" drinking water can contain:
Fluoride & Chlorine – Disrupt thyroid and gut health.
Heavy Metals (Lead, Arsenic, Mercury) – Build up in organs and weaken immunity.
Pesticides & Pharmaceuticals – Runoff from farms and human medications contaminates water.
🔥 Risks: Kidney disease, cancer, neurological issues, and immune suppression.
✅ Switch to: Filtered, spring, or structured water sources.
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) – The Hidden Risk in Cooked & Processed Foods
🛑 AGEs are harmful compounds that form when proteins or fats combine with sugars in the bloodstream through glycation. They also occur in foods cooked at high temperatures, such as kibble, canned food, and grilled meats.
🔥 How AGEs Affect Your Dog’s Health:
Diabetes: Impairs insulin function, increasing the risk of complications.
Heart Disease: Damages blood vessels, contributing to atherosclerosis.
Cognitive Decline: Linked to Alzheimer’s-like changes in the brain.
Joint & Skin Aging: Leads to stiffness, wrinkles, and reduced tissue elasticity.
🔥 How Dogs Get AGEs:
Processed Dog Foods: Kibble and canned foods contain high levels of AGEs due to extreme heat processing.
Overcooked Meats: While fresh food is better than kibble, grilling, roasting, or frying increases AGE formation.
High-Sugar Diets: Sugary treats and high-carb foods promote AGE formation in the body.
✅ How to Reduce AGEs in Your Dog’s Diet:
Feed Fresh, Minimally Processed Foods: Raw or lightly cooked meals have significantly lower AGEs.
Use Gentle Cooking Methods: Steaming or boiling preserves nutrients and reduces AGE formation.
Include Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Blueberries, leafy greens, and turmeric combat oxidative stress.
Support Detox Pathways: Bone broth, medicinal mushrooms, and fulvic/humic minerals help remove harmful compounds.
Detox: How to Do It Right
🛑 Many pet parents start a detox but don’t manage the process correctly. Detoxing isn’t just about pulling toxins out—it’s about ensuring they are safely expelled from the body. Otherwise, they can recirculate and cause more harm.
✅ What’s Needed for Proper Detox Support:
Liver Support: The liver must be able to process and eliminate toxins efficiently. Use milk thistle, dandelion root, and fulvic/humic minerals to support detox pathways.
Kidney & Lymphatic Drainage: Hydration is key. Structured or filtered water with minerals ensures toxins are flushed properly.
Gut & Bowel Movements: If your dog isn’t eliminating waste regularly, toxins will be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Add fiber from fresh food, pumpkin, or small amounts of chia/flaxseed.
Binders (Only When Needed): Certain toxins (like heavy metals and mold) require binders such as bentonite clay, zeolite, or chlorella to safely escort them out. These should be cycled and not overused.
Slow & Steady Detox Schedule: Overloading the system with too many detoxifiers at once can cause detox reactions (vomiting, lethargy, skin flare-ups, diarrhea).
Start with one detox support at a time and watch for signs of toxin overload.
Rotate detoxifiers based on your dog’s individual needs rather than using everything at once.
🔥 Risks of Poorly Managed Detox: Reabsorbed toxins, skin reactions, gut issues, and unnecessary stress on the liver and kidneys.
✅ Solution: Detox should be carefully planned, with hydration and elimination pathways open before starting.
Poorly Crafted Homemade Diets – A Growing Concern
🛑 Many pet parents turn to homemade diets for better nutrition, but most shared recipes online are dangerously unbalanced. Studies show that over 90% of homemade dog food recipes are deficient in at least one critical nutrient—some missing several.
🔥 Risks of Unbalanced Homemade Diets:
Calcium & Phosphorus Imbalances – Leads to weak bones, fractures, and developmental issues in puppies.
Taurine Deficiency – Linked to heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM).
Lack of Essential Fatty Acids – Causes poor skin, coat health, and immune dysfunction.
Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies – Missing essential nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and iodine impacts metabolism, thyroid function, and immunity.
Excesses can also be problematic!
✅ How to Ensure a Balanced Homemade Diet:
Follow recipes formulated by a qualified canine nutritionist. Have your recipe reviewed. I do them often in my Facebook group.
Use a complete and balanced supplement if feeding homemade meals.
Rotate proteins, organs, and nutrient-dense foods to prevent deficiencies.
Test your dog’s bloodwork periodically to check for imbalances.
📌 Homemade diets can be incredibly beneficial, but only when properly balanced!
🚨 Now What?
✔️ Read the labels – Know what’s really in your dog’s food. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t feed it.
✔️ Ditch the plastic – Biofilm and microplastics don’t belong in your dog’s bowl.
✔️ Upgrade & filter your water source – Tap water contains hidden toxins.
✔️ Reduce AGEs in Food – Avoid highly processed, overcooked, and high-sugar diets.
✔️ Support Detox Pathways – Ensure elimination routes are clear before starting detox.
✔️ Choose whole food nutrition – Fresh food beats processed kibble every time.
✔️ Be smart about supplements – Only use what your dog truly needs.
✔️ Use essential oils safely – Only pure, properly diluted oils should be used.
🐶 Your dog relies on YOU to make the best choices. Stop trusting marketing hype—start feeding for real health.
🔥 Want help choosing the best diet for your dog? Join my client forum for expert guidance and real solutions.
Here’s the link to the video we did (essential oils are discussed too)
https://fb.watch/yaL32CO8R_/