gluten-free: it's gone to the dogs

June 26, 2015 Kristen Carr

Have you gone gluten-free? These days, it seems like nearly everyone has, and I'm still not entirely sure why. Gluten seems to be the new devil, and people are eliminating it from their diets regardless of whether they are intolerant. This trend is now trickling down to our dogs, so I thought we'd take a closer look at whether or not going gluten-free is a good thing for our pups.

First of all, do we know what gluten is? The Jimmy Kimmel Show (bomb!) hit the streets and asked health enthusiasts about it in his "pedestrian question" segment.

If asked this question, would you have been able to answer correctly?

I would have flubbed it. Though I know the definition, I feel like it's sort-of morphed into this diet-craze thing that has become ultra confusing. While gluten can be a real problem for people with celiac disease, we're only just now learning about "gluten intolerance," something I would guess would be more of a "processed food issue," but perhaps it's simpler to peg it on gluten.

So what is gluten? You still don't know? Me either. I'm confused.

Let's clarify.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and some grains, including barley and rye. It provides elasticity to dough, giving it a chewy texture.

Bam.

And then I did some research.

is gluten all that bad for us or for our dogs?

Unless one has a sensitivity to gluten, it is neither particularly good (except for the fact that it is a source of protein) or bad for you. In humans, gluten sensitivity manifests in the digestive tract, causing stomach upset or bowel irregularity. The same holds true for dogs, but the most common and outward sign in the canine variety is poor skin condition. If your dog has itchy, dry skin, or maybe even a few bald spots, it could be due to a number of things, but gluten may be the culprit.

That being said, have you considered your climate or checked for fleas? Poor food quality (whether or not the food includes gluten) is the most common reason for these issues.

how common is canine gluten sensitivity?

True gluten intolerance is actually pretty rare in both humans and dogs. PetMD states that "in a study of 278 cases of food allergy in dogs where the problem ingredient was clearly identified, beef, dairy, chicken, egg, lamb, soy, pork, and fish (none of which contain gluten) were responsible for 231 combined cases. Wheat, which contains a lot of gluten, was only involved in 42 cases."

Hmmmm.

The scoop on gluten-free dog food.

As people become more interested in a gluten-free diet, the trend has trickled down to our dogs. Gluten is commonly in dog food as a binding agent. If your dog is experiencing tummy trouble or poor skin quality, it certainly doesn't hurt to try a gluten-free dog food and see if symptoms improve. If they do–great! Gluten-free dog food is readily available and becoming even more-so, so it's fairly easy to give it a try.

Gluten-free dog food is often a higher-quality food with meat being the only source of protein. For this reason, gluten-free dog food is usually more expensive. Very inexpensive, poor-quality dog foods will typically contain a lot of grain as a filler since grain is much less expensive than meat. As with the foods we feed our human family members, it's important to read the ingredient list on your dog's food. If your dog is truly gluten-intolerant, you'll probably be saving money on veterinary bills by putting him on a gluten-free food, but, if not, you may be spending extra unnecessarily.

is "grain-free" and "gluten-free" the same thing?

Grain-free dog foods are just that–free of any grain. Gluten-free dog food may or may not contain grain. Since gluten is only present in some grains (the most common being wheat, barley, and rye), a gluten-free dog food will be free of those grains, but may contain other grains that do not contain gluten. In summary, a gluten-free dog food might be grain free, while a grain-free dog food will definitely be gluten-free.

Is your head spinning? Mine, too. Just remember:

GRAIN-FREE = GLUTEN-FREE

GLUTEN-FREE may or may not = GRAIN FREE

how to make the transition.

Any time you switch your dog's food, it's important to make the transition slowly for two reasons.

1. Your dog will likely be more accepting of the new food.

2. Your dog's digestive system will have time to ease into the new situation, which is especially important for dogs with sensitive tummies.

I suggest a 1/4 over 4 days formula, which will gradually transition your pet over the course of 12 days. You'll switch 1/4 of your dog's food to the new food for four days, then increase the amount of new food by 1/4 every four days. It looks like this:

the bottom line.

If your dog experiences tummy upset or suffers from poor skin quality, it certainly can't hurt to try a gluten-free dog food. Regardless of whether your dog is gluten-free or not, it is important to research the ingredients in your pet's food and choose a high-quality option.

Is your dog gluten-free? Please share your story!

there's a better way: factory vs. farm at #ChipotleCultivate

April 30, 2015 Kristen Carr

I recently attended Chipotle Cultivate in Phoenix, the first stop in the 2015 event schedule for Chipotle. This family-friendly, dog-friendly event is full of awesome music, to-die-for food, and interactive educational exhibits. Since I didn't bring my family or my pooch, I enjoyed the company of one of my best gal-pals and stalked strangers with dogs for my canine fix.

Some of the strangers I stalked at Chipotle Cultivate.

We enjoyed delicious local food and beverage, watched demos from world-renowned chefs, and listened to killer bands.

To me, one of the most impactful elements of the festival was the Factory vs. Farm exhibit. I've talked before about Chipotle's stellar ethics when it comes to the way their food is humanely raised, most recently highlighting the absence of carnitas in their restaurants. The Factory vs. Farm exhibit illustrated exactly why Chipotle has such high standards for their pork.

It's eye-opening to see such a warning when you are walking into an exhibit that will tell you the difference between factory-raised pork and farm-raised pork. Where does your food come from?

As we filed into the cramped quarters of the exhibit, we saw the conditions in which factory-raised pigs are forced to live. We not only learned about their deplorable environments, but about their health. For example the amount of antibiotics used in pork farming quadruples human antibiotic use in the U.S. When we eat conventionally-raised pork, that is passed on to us.

We viewed the conditions that factory-raised pigs face and learned some shocking facts. — We viewed the conditions that factory-raised pigs face and learned some shocking facts.

The exhibit housed some intense visuals and films and literature addressing how bad things are for factory-raised pigs. There's just nothing good about supporting that industry. From the mistreatment of the animals to the amount of stress hormones and antibiotics that are passed on to us in the meat, conventionally-raised pork is not something we should consume.

Thankfully, Chipotle has found a better way.

Upon exiting the Factory vs. Farm exhibit, we had the opportunity to discuss the industry with one of Chipotle's own pork suppliers. He answered questions about raising pigs responsibly and spoke to people one-on-one about the importance of sustainable farming practices.

I'm not quite sure where other than Chipotle Cultivate you could have such a full day. Learning and fun, all rolled into one, not to mention, you can bring your pooch! I've heard from Chipotle that the Phoenix Cultivate Festival was such a success, that it will be returning in 2016. I can't wait!

Chipotle Cultivate will be in Kansas City on July 18th and in Minneapolis on August 22nd.

Did you attend Chipotle Cultivate in Phoenix? Will you attend on Kansas City or Minneapolis? What are your thoughts on factory-raised vs. farm-raised pork?

factory vs. farm with Chipotle #chipotlecultivate

April 8, 2015 Kristen Carr

Factory vs. Farm with Chipotle. We believe in being sustainably raised!

I recently wrote about Chipotle's Cultivate Festival, which is coming to our city on April 18th. The free festival is all about bringing together food, ideas, and music. Chipotle promises to provide us with an education on some hot topics concerning our food, not the least of which is this factory vs. farm debate. We hear about factory-raised meats and we hear about farm-raised meats. We may or may not listen to the political, ethical, and health debates that surround the topic of factory vs. farm. Sometimes it's easier to plug our ears, shut our eyes, and sing "la la la la la..." We may think we know the difference between factory- and farm-raised meats, but do we? What does factory vs. farm really mean?

Chipotle's main tagline is "food with integrity." A huge part of this concept is the fact that, unlike many quick-serve and fast-casual restaurants, Chipotle uses "responsibly raised" meats, meaning that the process is respectful to the animals and to the environment. Chipotle offers their customers pork, beef, and chicken (among some equally-stellar vegetarian options) as well as dairy. Let's take a look at what factory vs. farm means with regard to these three meats and dairy.

pork

Factory raised pigs are confined to small pens and do not have the ability to move freely. They have very limited opportunity to express their natural behaviors. Because these conditions are so unhealthy for them, they are given large amounts of antibiotics to keep them from getting sick. Chipotle states that "according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, American pork producers use over ten million pounds of antibiotics per year to keep their confinement-raised pigs from getting sick. That's more than three times the estimated amount used to treat all human illness." Whoa!

By contrast, Chipotle sources it's pork responsibly. The pigs are raised outside or in large pens with ample roaming room. They are antibiotic-free, and fed an entirely vegetarian diet. Since 2001, Chipotle has sourced 100% of its pork from producers who follow these guidelines. Chipotle talks about going "back to the start," which is what they have done with their pork supply–obtaining it the way it was done before gigantic factory farms changed the entire industry. Check out their powerful video, Back to the Start:

You may have seen this sign at Chipotle recently. Good for them for refusing to lower standards!

I must have watched it a hundred times, and, still, it makes me cry every time.

But how do they know for sure that the pork they are getting is responsibly raised? They check. You may have noticed that Chipotle has recently been out of carnitas in many areas of the country. Chipotle checked, and when they discovered that their main pork supplier was not up to standards, they pulled carnitas from their stores until they can find one that meets their standards. Talk about responsible! Click here to read my post about why Chipotle is out of carnitas.

beef

Factory-raised beef suffers conditions similar to factory-raised pork. The cattle are crammed into small pens with little, if any, opportunity to move and are pumped full of antibiotics to keep them from getting sick from the abysmal conditions. They are not allowed to exhibit any of their natural behaviors.

Since 1999, Chipotle has purchased naturally raised beef. They admit that it has been an uphill battle to find suppliers to meet their standards. Typically these places are the mom-and-pop types, usually too small to handle the demands of an international chain. As time goes on, more and more suppliers are meeting Chipotle's high standards, but it has taken a lot of work. The good news? As the demand for naturally raised beef goes up, the supply goes up. Can you imagine how great it would be if all restaurants would make the same demands? Today, Chipotle sources 100% of their beef from ranches that meet or exceed their standards of being naturally raised. And if there is a shortage (which there occasionally is), they let their customers know.

chicken

Factory-raised chicken is an equally, if not more frightening, food source. Though by law, all chicken produced in the United States may not be raised with added growth hormones, factory-raised chickens are still given high levels of antibiotics. In order to get around the pesky growth-hormone ban, large suppliers have been using additives in their feed. One of these additives is arsenic, which makes the chickens grow faster. Do you want arsenic in your chicken?

Instead, Chipotle sources their chicken from suppliers who do not use antibiotics or feed additives. They say "we think arsenic sounds like poison."

Me, too!

When they do, on occasion, experience a supply shortage of naturally raised chicken, Chipotle notifies their customers.

dairy

You've heard about rBGH, right? A ton of dairy products now boast that they are "rBGH-free." But do we know what rBGH is? rBGH is short for "Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone," and you'll find its widespread usage in conventionally-raised dairy cows. rBGH is used to increase milk production. It's all about quantity, not quality. And it's not natural.

Of the dairy ingredients that are offered at Chipotle, none have been sourced from cows treated with rBGH. Their cheese, for example, comes from pasture-raised cows that have daily access to the great outdoors. The cows are fed an all-vegetarian, plant-based diet.

All of this is a lot to take in, but Chipotle hopes to illustrate and simplify this information in their Factory vs. Farm Exhibit at the Cultivate Festival. They hope that by educating restaurant-goers, people will demand food with integrity, and Chipotle won't be on it's own in this noble quest for higher standards for animals, the environment, and human health. Chipotle has an awesome Food With Integrity section on their web site that goes into even greater detail. There's even a FWI Facts page that showcases easy-to-Tweet and share facts about the industry. Here are a few FWI Facts they share:

Sustainable Farming: This method of farming uses techniques such as crop rotation, soil conservation, natural fertilization and polyculture planting. In livestock production, they use pasture-based systems, feed animals what their bodies are designed to digest, and treat their animals humanely. Sustainable farms produce foods that are tastier and more nutritions than foods produced on factory farms, while also preserving the long-term health of our environment.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) does state that organic meat must come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. But organic meat or dairy products can often be produced on large factory farms where the animals can spend their entire life in confinement. Many people see organic food as natural, and in many ways this is true. But we've found that in some cases organic methods do not go far enough. That's why we are careful in selecting the farms we work with and deciding when working with an organic producer is appropriate for our needs.

Pigs raised naturally are more expensive than factory-farm raised pigs. In 1999, Steve Ells, or founder, chairman and co-CEO, started buying naturally raised pork and with that, kicked off our Food with Integrity philosophy.

There is so much to know, and so much to learn about Food with Integrity. I look forward to learning more about Factory vs. Farm at the Cultivate Festival and hope you'll join me!

What do you think is the most alarming thing about factory-raised meats?

come have a blast with me at #ChipotleCultivate and enter our #giveaway

March 21, 2015 Kristen Carr

When my husband, who works for Chipotle, told me that the Chipotle Cultivate Festival was coming to the Phoenix area, I immediately called a couple of my closest gal pals and told them to mark their calendars. To make matters more exciting, a few weeks later I was invited to attend the local media preview event so that I could learn more about and help spread the word about the food, chefs, and artisans who would anchor the festival. What an opportunity!

So what exactly is the Chipotle Cultivate Festival? It's all about food, ideas, and music. Chipotle describes it as "a celebration of food that is responsibly raised, skillfully prepared, and delightfully enjoyed." They ask that we join them on their "journey toward a world of more sustainable, wholesome, and delicious food." And to sweeten the deal? It's completely FREE to attend. The whole idea is to get people thinking and talking about food and food issues and how to create a more sustainable future.

Check out the recap of last year's festival:

Since I focus on family wellness as it relates to animals, the fact that Chipotle serves sustainably raised meats, vegetarian and vegan options, and sources their produce locally whenever possible is very important to me. The knowledge to be gained at the Cultivate Festival is invaluable. Plus, it looks like one hell of a party.

At the media preview event, I had the opportunity to listen to Scott Robinson, Chipotle's National Events Manager, talk about the Cultivate Festival. This is the festival's fifth year and Phoenix is the seventh city to house the festival. Just like they didn't know how the first Chipotle in Denver, CO, would do, they had no idea how successful the festival would be. We're super lucky that Phoenix is in the lineup this year.

What can we expect to do at the phoenix cultivate?

ROCK OUT. Check out the killer music lineup at the music stage, composed of local and national acts: Jared & The Mill, Magic Man, MS MR, Bleachers, Twenty One Pilots, and DJ Christoper Golub, the DJ of Chipotle.

LEARN. We'll be able to explore five exhibits throughout the festival, which will focus on sustainable food practices, including an exhibit explaining how to make Chipotle's guacamole, the reality of processed foods, and an experience showing the conditions of factory-raised pigs compared to those that are responsibly raised. Each exhibit will give you a stamp for attending, and if you check out at least four exhibits, you'll earn a card for a free burrito, bowl, tacos, or salad + IZZE™ at any Chipotle. Sweet!

PLAY. Cultivate is a family-friendly event. Take the kiddos to the Kids' Zone that has snacks and fun activities.

CHEF DEMOS. Live and in person? Yes, please. Chipotle says "superior ingredients deserve excellent preparation. Watch as these expert chefs and stars of the culinary world prepare a variety of dishes in our on-site kitchens. They'll demonstrate different cooking techniques as well as share their knowledge and love of working with local farms and suppliers." These superstar chefs include Joshua Herbert, Owner/Executive Chef of Posh, Chris Schlattman, Executive Chef of The Upton, Charleen Badman, Owner/Chef at FNB, Richard Blais, Restaurateur/Chef/Author and winner of Top Chef: All Stars, and Amanda Freitag, Owner/Chef at Empire Diner.

I was excited to have the opportunity to meet local Executive Chef Chris Schlattman of The Upton in Scottsdale, where the preview event was held. We tasted his cuisine, which was divine and beautiful, yet casual and completely approachable. He said that Chipotle and The Upton are alike because they are "fuss free" and use "great, simple ingredients." I would have to agree.

GRUB. Whether you want to sample food and beverage or indulge in a full meal (or both), there is something for everyone. Since I plan on being there for the duration of the festival, my goal is to do it all. The Artisans' Hall will be a highlight. We'll get to try delicious samplings from an amazing collection of artisanal Arizona food. The Food Tents will be manned by Chipotle's chefs and top team members. The chefs have developed new recipes just for Cultivate. Along with the Chipotle-inspired dishes, select items from ShopHouse, Chipotle's new Southeast Asian concept, will be served. To wash it down, you'll find the Tasting Hall, where you can sample some of the best craft brews in the region or taste some top-quality sustainable wines, or go for a full glass, which are all reasonably priced.

At the preview event, I had the privilege of meeting some of the local artisans who will be set up at the Artisans' Hall and the Tasting Hall during Cultivate, and I had the chance to try their food and beverages. I didn't meet a person or sample I didn't like. Here are the highlights:

CARTEL COFFEE LAB Never in my life have I known such intricacies. I tried the recommended "cold brew, " which Jules described accurately as "fruit-forward." Amazing. Like no cup of Joe I've ever had. All of their coffee is carefully sourced, and they also have local beers on tap.

SONORAN BREWING COMPANY They partnered with Chipotle to create a traditional Saison called "Cultivate Farmhouse Ale," brewed with local Arizona Honey, Lemons, and Limes. And, yes, it was just as yummy as it sounds.

SUPER CHUNK Small-batch handcrafted sweets & treats with a modernized, unique twist. They use botanical sugars and essential oils. They sent me home with some crazy fun cookies and taffy pulled right there in house (shame I had to share with the littles) and this insane bag of white cheddar truffle popcorn (which–thank goodness–was a bit strong for the children, and my hubby never knew it was in the house). If I ever encounter it again, all bets are off. Plus, owners Sergio and Country were super fun to talk to. Sergio told me they are known for their black licorice. When I made a face, he said, it's well-known as "black licorice for people who don't like black licorice." I trust him enough to try it.

SWEET REPUBLIC The perfect definition of simplicity, I had the opportunity to taste their salted butter caramel ice cream, which was so perfectly balanced. Their ice cream is handcrafted in small batches, and their shop menu features artisan ice cream, insane-sounding sundaes and simple, yet unique milkshakes.

TRACY DEMPSEY ORIGINALS Tracy was as much of a delight as her deserts. As I was devouring her creation, my brain checked out, so I asked her more than a handful of times what all I was consuming. She was totally cool about it. Her beautiful and delicious creation was lemon creme with coconut tapioca, roasted pineapple compote, berries, and basil syrup.

what now?

If you haven't gathered, I'm super pumped to enjoy even more at the Chipotle Cultivate Festival. I can't wait to share the time and experience with friends, visit my hubby as he heads-up the ever-popular taco tent, and basically gorge my mind and body on everything. All this, and we can be sure that the consumables are sourced responsibly, which is the one takeaway I want you to know. It is possible to have a carefree blast and be responsible at the same time.

I can't wait.

Is the Cultivate Festival coming to your 'hood?

PHOENIX APRIL 18 AT WESTWORLD SCOTTSDALE

KANSAS CITY JULY 18 AT PENN VALLEY PARK

MINNEAPOLIS AUGUST 22 AT LORING PARK

So please join me and my pals on April 18 from 11 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Westworld of Scottsdale. I can't wait to see you there! Which part of the festival are you most pumped for?

Are you pumped for this giveaway? Please enter for your chance to win 10 Chipotle Burrito Bucks, each one of which will get you a burrito, burrito bowl, salad, or order of tacos.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

chipotle is is out of carnitas for good reason: blog the change for animals #foodwithintegrity

the lesson in chipotle's "the scarecrow"

how turmeric can benefit your pooch

March 12, 2015 Kristen Carr

A holistic approach to health is centered around natural sources of preventative care. By taking care of our bodies and being mindful about what we put into them, we become healthier, avoiding and minimizing ailments. This practice of living a holistic lifestyle can be extended to our pets. One of our family's daily staples is turmeric. It's as good for our dogs as it is for us.

what is turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. It is native to southeast India and is used in powder form as a spice in Indian food and curries. It is a natural dye (you'll find it in mustard), and it's flavor is earthy and bitter. The active agent in turmeric is called "curcumin," and is a natural pain reliever.

what's the big whoop about turmeric?

Turmeric has been used for healing in Indian cultures for centuries but is only relatively recently getting a lot of buzz in western cultures as a preventative and healing substance, mainly when consumed as a supplement. Clinical trials have recently begun, but turmeric is widely thought to have many preventative and natural medicinal properties. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and antiviral, and is even thought to aid in cancer prevention and treatment. Wikipedia states that:

As of December 2013, turmeric is being evaluated for its potential efficacy against several human diseases in clinical trials, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, several types of cancer, and irritable bowel disease. Turmeric is also being investigated for potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and other clinical disorders."

I'm not waiting for the "official" FDA approval. Since there are no negative side effects to supplementing with turmeric (unless you are allergic or have a blood-clotting disorder), it can't do me any harm, so why not? I have been using turmeric powder in my morning drink for nearly two years and have recently started my dog, N.A.S.H.A. on a small amount. As with any preventative treatment, results can't really be pinpointed with regard to what I may have been subjected to had I not been supplementing, but I can attest to it's healing properties.

I have suffered for years from joint issues in my hand as a result of broken bones that occurred in 2007. My knuckles would be painful and difficult to bend and utilize, especially in the cold winter months. Since supplementing with turmeric, my hand has not been a source of pain. I also feel that as my workout schedule has intensified over the last year, turmeric has helped my body heal and repair itself, which is something that took much longer before I began using it. I prefer using turmeric to synthetic workout supplements. I have also noticed a drastic reduction in my environmental allergies, including hay-fever and non-lethal food allergies.

is turmeric safe for my dog?

Generally speaking, we should avoid giving spices to dogs. Turmeric is one rare exception. If proper dosage is followed, turmeric is safe for dogs.

what can turmeric do for my dog?

We've talked about the main benefits of turmeric that apply to humans and dogs alike. After looking at several sources, including healthydogclub.com and dogsnaturallymagazine.com, I've compiled what I think is a fairly decent list of the benefits turmeric brings to the canine variety (and to us):

• anticarcinogenic

• anti-inflamatory

• antioxidant

• antimicrobial

• antibiotic

• anti-inflamatory

• supports heart health (lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels)

• supports liver health and function

• aids in weight management

• helps with stomach issues and digestion

• prevention and control of ear infections

• prevention and control of sinus infections

• kills parasites

* prevents cararacts

• heals damage from diabetes

• aids in the treatment of epilepsy

• provides allergy relief

• treats depression

• treats diarrhea (is a binding agent)

• excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals

WHEW! That's a whole lotta good, if you ask me!

Turmeric's role in cancer prevention and treatment in humans and animals has been receiving a lot of attention lately. I won't go into detail about my political views regarding medicine, but suffice it to say that I'm anxious and eager to know what the results of recent studies are. Dogsnaturallymagazine.com cites a UCLA study that indicates that "curcumin (active in turmeric) can inhibit tumor growth and may even shrink existing tumors...(and) antioxidant properties are also helpful in reducing the negative side effects of chemotherapy."

It might be a good long wait to hear that turmeric is a preventative therapy or cure for cancer, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a try in the meantime.

Dogsnaturallymagazine.com also reports that "turmeric boosts the liver's ability to metabolize fat and remove waste from the body," so it can aid in weight management. Although I have been working my butt off for the last year by working out intensely and consistently, I'm sure my use of turmeric supported my efforts at the very least. Through hard work and natural, healthy living, I've been able to shed thirty pounds. That's like three N.A.S.H.A.s! If you have an overweight pooch, this might be another benefit to consider.

how much turmeric should I give my dog?

Turmeric is available in pill and powder form, and the root can also be purchased fresh (best used in cooking). I just add it to my morning drink, which also includes apple cider vinegar, and I sprinkle it on my dog's food, so our favored form is powder. Some people and dogs don't like the taste of turmeric, so a capsule (pill) may be a better choice.

When adding it to your dog's food, it's best to start gradually, mainly so your pooch can get used to the distinct flavor. What you start with and your ideal amount will depend on the size of your dog. The amount you'll want to work up to is approximately a quarter teaspoon for every ten pounds of body weight. Start with one-eighth to one-quarter teaspoon and increase in the same increment each day until the ideal amount is achieved, then maintain that amount daily.

For example, my 11-pound dog's ideal supplement amount would be a one-quarter teaspoon. We started her out on one-eighth teaspoon and it went like this:

day one: 1/8 tsp.

day two: 1/4 tsp. Now we'll maintain that. Our pooch is pretty adaptable to my supplement shenanigans, but if your pooch is more picky, feel free to stay with 1/8 for several days.

If you have an 80-pound dog, it would go like this:

day one: 1/4 tsp.

day two: 1/2 tsp.

day three: 3/4 tsp.

day four: 1 tsp.

day five: 1 1/4 tsp.

day six: 1 1/2 tsp.

day seven: 1 3/4 tsp.

day eight: 2 tsp. (Provide daily moving forward)

FINAL DOSE: 1/4 tsp for every ten pounds of body weight.

are there any other considerations?

Eating a quality diet is the key to any holistic health plan. If you are feeding your dog a low-quality kibble, chances are the turmeric won't be able to compensate for the toxins entering the body. If you feed your dog quality kibble, homemade, raw food, or any combination thereof, the turmeric will be much more effective. The same goes for you (though I'm assuming you're not eating kibble)!

It's best to purchase high-quality, organic turmeric in order to avoid pesticides and herbicides and reap the maximum benefit.

Turmeric can stain. It does stain. Be careful of counters, kitchen towels, and the like. If you notice your white doggy has a yellow mustache, turmeric is probably to blame. I've been told on a couple of occasions to wipe my turmeric mustache (by friends whom I've turned onto the stuff...we look out for each other).

As with any new endeavor, please consult your veterinarian.

Just get started! You and your dog can do it together. And please come back and let me know your results!

Apple Cider Vinegar as a Supplement for your Pets

This article, written by me, originally appeared on Hybrid Rasta Mama.