Functional Canine

Functional Canine Led by Jackie Gowland, Animal Scientist and Certified Canine Nutritionist, Functional Canine integrates modern nutritional science with holistic principles.
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Our NRC Diet Formulation services are provided to both pet owners and commercial business. There is a huge gap in current canine wellness services, products and community knowledge. Few products cater for dogs with allergies, particularly with allergies to factory farmed meats like beef and chicken. So few pet food companies understand the importance of removing chemicals, hormones, preservatives and additives from their products to prevent allergies, gastrointestinal issues and nutritional disease, and to ensure the health and longevity of consumer's pets. Few pet owners are aware of how a truely healthy pet should look, should smell and should act because in today's society as there are so many unhealthy animals that 'unhealthy' has become the norm. This is why the Functional Canine was formed here in Adelaide. We want to change the norm. We want to change the way pet food is made. We want to change the way you think. We want your dog to the best dog it can be. WE CHALLENGE YOU TO BECOME A PART OF THE CANINE WELLNESS REVOLUTION

19/12/2025

Mental health starts with movement.

The research backs this up: regular exercise isn’t just good for your dog’s body, it directly improves mental health, stress regulation, memory and emotional stability.

Studies show movement helps reduce anxiety, destructive behaviors, and reactivity by giving the nervous system an actual outlet. Adequately exercised dogs are more regulated. In addition to this, exercise assists dogs battling dementia and cognitive decline.

Medication has its place.
But movement is foundational and is a biological need.

So before we ask, “Does my dog need medication?” for behavioural issues, anxiety and CCD, instead question, “Is this dog actually moving enough?”

Credit to the original post from our friends at reminding us of the importance of movement 👏

holisticdog movementovermedication

Dogs are stoic creatures. They seldom complain and rarely do they tell you when something hurts. Often they just adapt a...
19/12/2025

Dogs are stoic creatures. They seldom complain and rarely do they tell you when something hurts. Often they just adapt and stay quiet.

Pain often shows up in small ways first:
* Hesitating to jump on the couch or into the car
* Slowing down on walks
* Unexplained or excessive panting
* Flinching, regions of tension or heat when you gently run your hands along their body
* Licking and biting joints

Regular, gentle palpation helps you notice changes early. Tight muscles, sensitivity, swelling, or reactions that weren’t there before. Knowing your dog’s body and detecting subtle signs enables you to take immidiate action.

Follow for science-backed insights that help you spot the things your dog can’t say out loud.

CanineScience DogParents HealthyDogs

⚠️ Xylitol has a New Name ‼️ A new sweetener called Bocha Sweet is showing up in desserts, baked goods, snacks and peanu...
18/12/2025

⚠️ Xylitol has a New Name ‼️

A new sweetener called Bocha Sweet is showing up in desserts, baked goods, snacks and peanut butter this season.

While kabocha squash (Japanese pumpkin) as a whole food is safe, Bocha Sweet is a refined extract and is classified as xylitol — which is not safe for dogs and cats.

Xylitol can also be listed under names like birch sugar, wood sugar, or plant-based sweetener, making it easy to miss on labels.

Before sharing any human food with your pets, take a moment to read the ingredients. One quick check can prevent a serious emergency.

Feel this is valuable information? Save this and share with other pet owners.

Want to know more? Watch the recent reel from 🐾

17/12/2025

Always use discernment when deciding between various qualities of meat.

“Human-grade” sounds premium, but depending on the region you’re located in, it may not necessarily be higher quality than pet grade. As an example, pet-grade kangaroo in Australia is made from whole animal premium cuts, while human-grade kangaroo being sold for pets is trimmings and offcuts unfit for the human market.

The standard of quality for pet grade will differ between countries and what their laws allow to be sold for animal consumption. For example, pet grade meats in the US used in processed food include dead, dying or diseased animals. These can be contaminated with euthanasia drugs pet food lines have been recalled because of this.

Use discernment, ask questions and build a relationship with your pet food supplier.

Follow for practical, evidence-based canine nutrition.

One question changed everything for me. “If I’m doing everything right, why is my puppy so dull?”Despite being wormed an...
17/12/2025

One question changed everything for me.

“If I’m doing everything right, why is my puppy so dull?”

Despite being wormed and fleaed, vaccinated and on the most expensive dry food, 3 month old, Sheidow was chronically itchy, dull in appearance and energy. I was doing everything my parents didn’t do for our dog growing up. I was committing to regular vet visits, giving monthly spot on treatments for parasites and only feeding dry dog food purchased from boutique pet food retailers. On paper, I was doing everything right. Everything better than what my childhood dog received. But my puppy was not healthy.

I had to change my whole perspective on what I was taught was responsible pet parenting. And when I done that, the health of my puppy changed. Becoming “that” dog parent wasn’t planned, but it changed everything.

A few holiday treat no-no’s. Keep your pup safe with simple, appropriate swaps, and save this post so you’re not panic-G...
17/12/2025

A few holiday treat no-no’s.

Keep your pup safe with simple, appropriate swaps, and save this post so you’re not panic-Googling on Christmas Eve.

Follow Functional Canine for more science-backed dog nutrition tips and easy explanations from an animal scientist + canine nutritionist.

…or that kangaroo ear with fur, I’m a little offended Sheidow didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought she would 😅
11/12/2025

…or that kangaroo ear with fur, I’m a little offended Sheidow didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought she would 😅

06/12/2025

Dr Ian Billinghurst’s philosophy. Ultra-processed pet food isn’t doing our pets any favors. Simpler, real ingredients make a real difference.

Repost from our friends at 🐾

Most dogs are aging faster than they should, not because of genetics, but because their food forgot the essentials.Omega...
05/12/2025

Most dogs are aging faster than they should, not because of genetics, but because their food forgot the essentials.
Omega-3s are cellular medicine for the joints, brain, skin and more.

Not all Omega-3s are created equal.
Purity matters. Freshness matters. Real sourcing matters.
Oxidized fish oil (the kind sitting on most shelves) delivers zero benefits and potentially causes harm. If it smells fishy or rancid, your dog’s body can’t use it.

The solution? Be selective with your fish oil supplement… or…
Feed the real thing!
🐟 Wild-caught mackerel
🐟 Sardines
🐟 Green-lipped mussels
🐟 Wild salmon

Swipe through to learn:
→ Why Omega-3s are essential for every cell
→ The 5 body systems they support
→ How to spot oxidized (useless) fish oil
→ The best fresh food sources
→ How to get started today

💬 Drop a comment: What’s your dog’s favorite fresh source of Omega-3s? Have you noticed changes after adding them to their bowl?

Want more science-based canine nutrition + wellness breakdowns?
Follow for daily guidance your dog’s body will thank you for.

You wouldn’t feed your child a highly processed, fortified cereal every day for every meal. So why is this the standard ...
04/12/2025

You wouldn’t feed your child a highly processed, fortified cereal every day for every meal. So why is this the standard for our dogs?

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Adelaide, SA
5000

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 10pm
Tuesday 8am - 10pm
Wednesday 8am - 10pm
Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

0449542844

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