Holistic Pet Parent Community

14/11/2025

The cooler months in Dubai are perfect to enjoy warm and nourishing food, herbs, and spices.

It’s that time of the year where I warm up the dogs meals with nourishing bone broth, Raven enjoys hearty home cooked meals, I’ll infuse garlic with honey, and will enjoy some fermented food as well. Remember it’s all about balance and moderation and lots and lots of variety.

It’s also a season to slow down , reflect and give thanks to everything that has happened this year- the good and the not so good.

We’ve also got a massive piece of venison from a South African 🇿🇦store here, which I will slice up and dehydrate over the weekend!

It’s funny though because while the dogs do better on everything warm, I’m the complete opposite — I love cold foods and drinks. And yes, I’ll be back experimenting with cocktails, cold ones of course, this season.

What will you be enjoying this season?

14/11/2025

Some dogs have health conditions that prevent them from doing high intensity, exercise such as injuries, obesity, respiratory issues, or arthritis. ⚕️Other dogs may not have the physical space or opportunity to run outdoors.

👍However, we can explore alternatives to support dogs getting the right amount of high intensity exercise daily.

Here’s what I would do :

I would look to creating more opportunities to move, but I would also adapt activities to your dog’s abilities - this is so so important and very often overlooked !!

Get guidance when needed, and always introduce intensity slowly.

❤️Every dog, every age, every body can thrive with the right support.

You just need to understand what is best for your unique pet & make it happen!

I have dogs predisposed to joint issues contributed by genetics, early sterilization etc but we are able to get in “controlled” high intensity exercises.

Obviously with the food, supplementation strengthening support and other lifestyle modifications that I offer : all contributes to fluid mobility, so we’re able to get in high intensity in a very controlled manner- if that makes sense!

🙌When it comes to joint health there is no super food or super supplement. It is about a multimodal approach and the sooner we realize this the better quality of lives we can offer our pets.

13/11/2025

But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Some even say I just find an excuse to surround myself with my favorite people aka veterinarians in the UAE. and very soon they will be tired of me because I plan to ramp it up in 2026. 🙈

❗️But here’s the thing, blood work isn’t the whole picture. It’s just one small piece of the puzzle.
Everyone thinks blood tests are ‘it,’ but they only show a snapshot in time.

💊Preventative medicine as I like to call it is about understanding patterns, tracking changes, supporting detox pathways, gut health, diet, movement, hormones, nervous system etc …. It may seem like a lot, but when you understand the whole dog, it becomes second nature

🙌 I’d rather spend money on preventative medicine than spend money on sickness.

So my advice to you is to get your baselines, learn your dog’s normal, and support their body consistently.

I’m working on a Preventative Care Checklist that breaks this down for pet parents - what to test, what to look for, and how to build true wellness, not just chase symptoms. I’m trying to get it up on my website, but it’s taking longer than anticipated.

12/11/2025

We are all guilty of paying attention to p**p 💩
Dogs p**p 💩🤗

12/11/2025

Feeding real food does not have to be complicated! & it’s one of the best things we can do to support the whole dog ! 🐕

IBD. Leaky gut. Food sensitivities. Chronic diarrhea.

They’re more common than ever, especially in dogs recovering from stress, antibiotics, or years of processed food.

Your dog’s gut is the root of everything: digestion, immunity, mood, and resilience. When it’s out of balance, the whole body feels it.

That’s why I use functional mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs, like Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Ashwagandha, to restore balance naturally. These powerful allies:

🍄 Rebuild the gut lining
🌿 Soothe inflammation
💩 Support healthy digestion
🧠 Strengthen the gut-brain axis

No synthetics. No fillers. Just real, natural medicine that works with the body.

💚 Want to learn how to use mushrooms to support your dog’s gut health?
Check out my blog: https://angelaardolino.com/gut-health-for-dogs-mushrooms/

12/11/2025

I had so much to say here, but I had to cut the video short 🫣 Tried to capture as much as I could in the caption but if you want to continue learning more- then you’re at the right place 😘

Let’s flip the script on “human grade” especially here in the UAE 🇦🇪

Just because something is human grade doesn’t automatically make it better for your dog. Pet food companies in Dubai lovvvvvveeee using that label to sell, but what really matters is:

✨ Is it species-appropriate? There’s no way my dogs will miss out on a species appropriate high-quality diet.
✨ Is the sourcing transparent? I would love to see a local company come forward and say to people that they are using grain fed protein, however they have upgraded to organic veggies for example. But if they do this, they lose sales , right ?
✨ Is it free from unnecessary additives and preservatives?

Here’s the reality in the UAE 👇

A lot of “human grade” meats from local grocery or Korean markets are soaked in preservatives to extend shelf life! And while butcher-sourced meat can be a great option, always check: is it grass-fed? If not, it’s not a deal-breaker but make sure the veggies and other ingredients are organic to balance it out.

So instead of chasing fancy labels, focus on feeding your dog what’s biologically appropriate.

Because a species-appropriate, clean diet is going to beat “human grade” marketing every time. 🐾

Now, if you’re living outside the UAE perhaps human grade may mean something! But remember here all our food is imported & all the animals are factory farmed so if you are feeding local, make sure that your veggies are organic. Make sure that your supplements are of the highest quality. If you’re feeding, omega 3s in the form of salmon oil - choose high-quality. The local brand in the silver bottle, that is being marketed by veterinarians is poor quality. Look for third-party certifications.

And with me, I always find a way to make sure that I’m bringing in the best quality food and supplements for my dogs. ‘n boer maak ‘n plan😉🇿🇦

09/11/2025

09/11/2025

Meet Ricky - our darling, beautiful boy 🐾

Ricky is one of Gucho’s very first friends and even though they’ve moved away from the Neighbourhood we still keep in touch.

It fills my heart with immense joy when Pet parents reach out and share how my recommendations have helped their dogs. I can’t tell you how happy I am when I get this feedback. It’s small moments like these that. Remind me why I do what I do.

Everything I share, every piece of advice, every plan and protocol that I put together, is always made with the pet at the center of it all. Our pets are our family members, and if you’ve met me, then you know I’m that annoying person that will push and encourage you to constantly do better for your pets.

No hidden agenda or motive, just pure love with an intention to help animals live better quality of life while they are with us earth side. And somewhere along the lines, these neighborly connections turn into beautiful lifelong genuine relationships, I value.

Not everyone takes the time share gratitude - I’m thankful for those that do. You keep motivating me to do better & I am grateful for you.