Empowered Pet - Nutrition & Holistic Care

03/09/2026

Hey friends,
Ticks are out in full force right now. I took Scooby and Bella to a new park yesterday, and when we got home, I found six ticks on Scooby using a lint roller and flea/tick comb (caught them before they attached).😬

Tools like lint rollers and flea/tick combs can really help, but I always recommend using a layered approach for prevention. Yesterday is proof that it is time for me to start implementing those layers back into my routine to keep those nasty bugs at bay.

If you want to learn more, I cover exactly how to do this and what I personally use in my Natural Flea & Tick Prevention Guide. The guide also includes:
• What to do if you find a tick attached. I use an herbal/homeopathic formula if I find a tick attached to help avoid complications (I would use this on myself too if needed).
• What steps to take if you run into a flea issue
• The reasoning behind each recommendation, not just what to use

Even the harsh chemical preventatives aren’t foolproof, and they come with a high risk of adverse reactions.

Stay vigilant, tick season is definitely here. 🐕🌿
https://pay.empoweredpet.com/FleaTickGuide

03/01/2026

🌱 Wheatgrass for Dogs & Cats
Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, antioxidants, and enzymes that can support digestion, detox pathways, fresh breath, and overall immune health in both dogs and cats.

There are also many studies that show Wheatgrass can help to prevent cancer.

🐶🐱 How to give it:
You can juice fresh, buy it in powdered form or allow your pets to graze on the grass itself.

Always start slow...I like to begin at about ¼ of the recommended amount and work up while observing your pets stools, appetite, and energy.
General daily guideline for juice:
• Cats: ⅛–¼ tsp
• Small dogs: ¼ tsp
• Medium dogs: ½ tsp
• Large dogs: 1 tsp

Your pet probably won’t love the taste at first so mix it into food. Freeze-dried food works great because it absorbs moisture, so you can pour it right over.

🌱 Grazing
It is important to note when both cats and dogs eat grass sometimes they will regurgitate, that’s often normal. It’s a natural way they help clear hairballs or soothe their stomach.

Repeated vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea = not normal.

Offer the grass for brief periods of time to prevent them from over doing it.

02/28/2026

This is great news. If we can get one state to allow titers then that paves the way for others. I am looking into how we can possibly get the ball rolling here in PA. If anyone has information or connections here in PA that may be able to help educate me on this proceas let me know.

See link in comments.

02/18/2026

I think its pretty clear my gran-kitty Meeko loves her hand made Chakra Kitty. It's so adorable and so well made. Thank you

02/16/2026

✨ 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸✨
***** Accepting Applications for March*****

I’m offering 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 each and every month to a pet parent in genuine financial need in Pittsburgh & surrounding areas. This offer is also open to holistically minded rescue organizations. This is my way of giving back. 💙

Note: I give preference to those local to the Pittsburgh because it is easier to gift samples. However, if I dont receive any local applications, I will consider others.

Friends: Please share this post within your networks so it can reach someone who truly needs it. 💙

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (or rescues) 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞:
✨ 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 — those who respect and value holistic care, believe in the power of nature, but may be unsure where to begin and could use some guidance.
✨ 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 — including the possibility that a change in food may be recommended. I will explore options to keep costs the same or very close to your current budget whenever possible.
✨ 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 approximately $50-$100 in basic herbs and/or supplements (if needed). In some cases, I may be able to provide samples to help you get started and offer certain items at cost to keep your investment as low as possible. Consider this an investment in your pet’s long-term health, which may help reduce future expenses.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
• Application is required
• For pets with health challenges, applicants should already have a veterinary diagnosis, and vet records will need to be provided.
• This offering is intended for those who are genuinely committed to receiving support.

If this feels like the right fit for you, please send me a message and I will provide the link to the application form and agreement.

💡To learn more about my services please visit my website empoweredpet.com

02/16/2026

✨ 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸✨
***** Accepting Applications for March*****

Just a reminder, if you or anyone you know could benefit please share. I give preference ro those local to the Pittsburgh because it is easier for me to gift samples. However, if I dont receive any local applications, I will consider others.

I am excited to share that starting this year, I’m offering 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 each and every month to a pet parent in genuine financial need in Pittsburgh & surrounding areas. This offer is also open to holistically minded rescue organizations. This is my way of giving back. 💙

Friends: Please share this post within your networks so it can reach someone who truly needs it. 💙

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (or rescues) 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞:
✨ 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 — those who respect and value holistic care, believe in the power of nature, but may be unsure where to begin and could use some guidance.
✨ 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 — including the possibility that a change in food may be recommended. I will explore options to keep costs the same or very close to your current budget whenever possible.
✨ 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 approximately $50-$100 in basic herbs and/or supplements (if needed). In some cases, I may be able to provide samples to help you get started and offer certain items at cost to keep your investment as low as possible. Consider this an investment in your pet’s long-term health, which may help reduce future expenses.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
• Application is required
• For pets with health challenges, applicants should already have a veterinary diagnosis, and vet records will need to be provided.
• This offering is intended for those who are genuinely committed to receiving support.

If this feels like the right fit for you, please send me a message and I will provide the link to the application form and agreement.

💡To learn more about my services please visit my website: http://empoweredpet.com

02/13/2026

O***y sparing spay VS tubal ligation?!!

Did you know that with tubal ligation, 25% of dogs can still develop pyometra (the same statistic as females left intact!

However, in an o***y-sparing hysterectomy (o***y sparing spay/OSS), all uterine tissue and the entire cervix are removed, so pyometra CANNOT occur, making it the safest hormone-sparing option for female dogs.

02/03/2026

This post may ruffle a few feathers… but challenging the status quo is kind of my divine assignment 😉

There’s a huge group of incredible pet owners that rescues are overlooking: holistic caregivers.

These owners titer test instead of over-vaccinating, use natural flea & tick prevention, provide high-quality nutrition, and invest in modalities like chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, or ozone therapy when needed.

They’re also far more likely to train or hire a trainer because they’re informed, proactive, and deeply invested.

Denying someone for titer testing is absurd. A titer costs more than a vaccine... showing both financial ability and commitment to care.

Yet these educated, intentional, and capable owners are routinely denied as fosters or adopters, while rescues struggle to find homes and animals are euthanized daily.

Many people turn to breeders because navigating these outdated policies is exhausting.

Going to the vet for every vaccine does not automatically make someone a good pet owner.

True care is about education, prevention, nutrition, training, emotional well-being, and advocating for an animal when standard approaches don’t fit.

Rescues: change your policies. Publicize it. Then report back how adoptions have increased… and returns have decreased.

These owners aren’t “irresponsible.”
They’re exactly who animals need.

🐾 Share if you believe rescues should evolve and stop excluding dedicated, informed pet guardians.

02/02/2026

Bella may be a tiny, fragile wittle baby, but she’s still a dog... and ALL dogs have species-specific needs, including gnawing, chewing, and tearing things apart.

I say this all the time: if you’re not comfortable feeding raw meaty bones, there are plenty of great dehydrated options, like this dehydrated lamb trachea from Raw Feeding Miami.

Some reasons I love buying from Raw Feeding Miami:

✅️Hormone- and antibiotic-free
✅️Sourced from 100% grass-fed, humanely raised lamb in the USA

Trachea is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which support cartilage health and joint lubrication.

Little dogs are still dogs, and they have species-specific needs too. If you’d like to learn more about feeding species-appropriate diets, feel free to reach out, this is something I help my clients with.

02/01/2026

Interesting 🤔

Dogs that develop bloat (GDV) don’t just eat differently…their guts function differently.🦠

A peer-reviewed study found dogs with GDV had a distinct gut microbiome compared to healthy dogs, showing risk is tied to internal biology, not just diet or feeding style. High-risk dogs showed greater an unhealthy imbalance - a pattern linked to excess fermentation and inflammation.

One inflammatory microbe, Collinsella, was significantly elevated in dogs that developed GDV and is known in other species to increase gut permeability and inflammatory signaling.

Researchers also found GDV risk strongly correlated with immune-related genetic variants that affect how the body senses bacteria and maintains balance in the gut. Together, these factors may impair fermentation control, weaken the gut barrier, and increase gas buildup, while diet alone did not explain the differences.

📌The takeaway: GDV appears to be a gut–immune interaction issue, not simply a feeding mistake, and feeding low fermentation diets can reduce risk.

Today at 12pm EST on Inside Scoop, we’re breaking down this study and the low-fermentation foods and ingredients to avoid to help support gut stability and reduce bloat risk.

👉Comment SCOOPERS and we’ll send you the link to join our subscription group and watch today’s episode Live on Facebook. And when you subscribe to our community website, you’ll also get access to the entire 6+ years of past episodes, expert interviews, ebooks, and more.

01/31/2026

I bought a bag of frozen smelt for Bella and Scooby. The plan was to feed them raw but they didn't care for them.

💡I decided to dehydrate them. This turned out to be a pleasant mistake. I purchased them dehydrated/freeze dried before as treats and you get a tiny bag for $10+ . The frozen bag was $9 for a full 1lb (about 3xs more fish).

💙 Scooby loves them dehydrated. Bella still wasn't thrilled about them lol. She will eat sardines though 🤷‍♀️

I try to incorporate small oily fish like sardines, anchovies, or smelt a few times a week and here's why:
✔ Natural source of omega-3s (EPA & DHA)
✔ Also provides protein, calcium, minerals, and vitamins
✔ More nutrient dense option than fish oil.
✔ They are a fun treat.

🛢️ Fish oil has its place, but…
• Only provides isolated omega-3s
• No protein or minerals
• Can oxidize quick, especially if not stored properly

✅️ Bottom line:
Whole fish = more nutrition per dollar
Fish oil = convenient supplement that's not nearly as fun for your pet.

Feeding small oily fish is one of the simplest, most cost-effective upgrades you can make to your pets diet 🐟💙

01/30/2026

Here are some of the areas I focus on in my consultations.

If any of this resonates with you and feels like the kind of support you and your pet need, I’d love to connect. Reach out to schedule a consultation.

🥩 Nutrition & Feeding Guidance
Support with food choices, including raw, gently cooked, or store-bought options to meet your lifestyle and budget.

🌿 Gut Health Support
Guidance around gut health, food sensitivities, elimination diets, and dietary strategies that support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.

🐾 Skin, Coat & Immune Balance
Guidance centered on nutrition to address skin, coat, ear, and seasonal patterns, with attention to immune balance and the body’s natural detox processes.

🧠Stress & Emotional Balance
Wellness-based guidance exploring how nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle factors can influence separation anxiety, stress, focus, and overall emotional balance.

🐕 Senior Pet Wellness & Quality of Life
Support for aging pets, including nutrition adjustments, mobility and cognitive support, and lifestyle changes that promote comfort and vitality.

🌱 Natural Wellness Education & Preventative Care
Education on how to use supplements, herbs, and homeopathy thoughtfully to support balance and wellness, plus guidance on dental care, enrichment, and natural approaches to flea, tick, and parasite prevention.