Creatures' Comfort

04/20/2026

I use essential oil blends, but ticks are getting more plentiful and carrying more diseases. Talk to your vet about what's best for your dog.

Before you reach for a monthly flea and tick pesticide, it’s important to understand the full picture. These products can have unwanted side effects, and the FDA has issued consumer awareness statements about neurologic adverse events (this isn’t fear mongering, it’s reality). Informed consent matters here (especially when you read stories in the comments from pet parents who had no idea these medications could lead to lasting medical conditions in their pets💔).

At the same time, context matters. In high-risk areas where tick-borne diseases are common, protection is necessary. But that awareness should extend to the whole family. If ticks are a risk for your dog, they’re a risk for you too. Use the same level of prevention vigilance for your two- and four-legged family members, and make tick checks a non-negotiable habit after every outdoor, woodsy outing.

This isn’t about choosing extremes, it’s about making smarter, more balanced decisions. Many functional medicine veterinarians use hybrid parasite protocols, rotating and layering chemical products with lower-toxicity options, and supporting the body with targeted detox strategies when pesticides are used.

I’ve outlined non-toxic support strategies and my favorite detox protocols in my latest blog, read it now (link in comments) ⬇️🐾

04/20/2026

The ROC red light is also a staple for comfort with senior arthritic pets ( and their people).

04/20/2026

After an extended vacation, Keera wanted a MagnaWave session. She sat by the machine last night which is her way of asking, but I was too tired and waited until this morning. I usually take my Sol but didn’t this time because it was going to be shorter trip. Good in planning but reality is not!
Thank you to Ellen in Torrington, WY for coming up to give Keera a session during our trip. 💙〽️

04/13/2026

✨ Fun Fact ✨
Electromagnetic fields are all around us—generated by the earth itself and even within our own bodies. These natural fields play a role in many biological processes, which is why technologies like PEMF are designed to interact with the body in a supportive way.

Curious how it all works? Take a closer look at the post below 👇

👉 Visit magnawavepemf.com to learn more.

04/12/2026

I like to start the week with a whole body wellness session for Keera (and me). We are having a fun visit with family this week and have been extra active. We are looking forward to our MagnaWave session when we get back.

04/12/2026

We absolutely live it at our house!

04/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GR8py4bcX/

Ticks Are Back… And They Carry More Risk Than Most Dog Owners Realize

Spring is here.... and so are ticks.
But this isn’t just about a nuisance on a hike.
Ticks are vectors for serious, sometimes life-altering disease in dogs.
And many infections go unnoticed until damage is already done.

🔍 What ticks can transmit to your dog
👇
Ticks are capable of carrying and transmitting pathogens that can lead to:

✔️ Lyme disease
✔️ Ehrlichiosis
✔️ Anaplasmosis
✔️ Babesiosis
✔️ Rocky Mountain spotted fever

These diseases can affect:
▪️Joints
▪️Kidneys
▪️Blood cells
▪️Immune function

Some dogs show symptoms.
Many do not until the disease has progressed.

---
🪲 Why this matters more than ever

Ticks are expanding geographically and seasonally.

Warmer temperatures mean longer exposure periods and increased risk, even in areas that historically had lower tick populations.

PREVENTION: What actually works❓️

There is no single “perfect” solution.
Prevention should be layered and individualized.

🌱 Natural & Holistic Tick Prevention
These approaches can help reduce exposure and support resilience, but they are not foolproof on their own:

✅️ Daily tick checks (this is one of the MOST effective tools)
✅️ Avoiding high-risk environments (tall grass, dense brush)
✅️ Maintaining a healthy skin barrier and immune system
✅️ Use of natural repellents (varies in effectiveness):
▪️Essential oil-based sprays (must be properly diluted and dog-safe)
▪️Herbal blends (ex., cedarwood, neem—evidence is limited but emerging)

⚠️ Important: Natural does not always mean safe or effective.
Improper use of essential oils can be harmful.

⚛️ Veterinary Preventatives (Oral & Topical)
Products such as isoxazoline-class medications (ex., Bravecto, NexGard) are widely used.

Benefits:
✔ Highly effective at killing ticks
✔ Reduce risk of disease transmission
✔ Convenient and long-lasting

Considerations:
⚠️ Work after the tick attaches and begins feeding
⚠️ Have been associated with neurologic side effects in some dogs
⚠️ Represent a chemical exposure that some owners prefer to minimize

So… should you use them❓️
This is where nuance matters.

Your decision should consider:
✅️ Your geographic risk (tick density in your area)
✅️ Your dog’s lifestyle (urban vs hiking, hunting, etc.)
✅️ Your dog’s health status and sensitivity
✅️ Your comfort level with risk vs. exposure

For some dogs, these preventatives are appropriate and protective.
For others, a layered, lower-toxicity approach may be reasonable.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

---
🧪 One of the most overlooked tools: Routine testing

Even with prevention, exposure can happen.
Annual (or biannual in high-risk areas) screening for tick-borne disease is critical.

Early detection allows for:
✔️ Timely treatment
✔️ Reduced long-term complications
✔️ Better outcomes

Ask your veterinarian about routine screening panels.

---
What to do if you find a tick

1️⃣ Remove promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
2️⃣ Grasp close to the skin and pull straight out
3️⃣ Avoid twisting or crushing
4️⃣ Monitor for symptoms (lethargy, lameness, fever, appetite changes)

📌
Ticks are not just seasonal pests...they are vectors of chronic disease.

Prevention should be:
🔹️ Thoughtful
🔹️ Individualized
🔹️ Based in both science and lifestyle

Your dog’s health is shaped by the decisions you make daily

Stay aware.
Stay proactive.
And choose the approach that best supports your dog’s long-term health.

— The Holistic Canine 🐾 theholisticcanine.us

04/01/2026

“Yeah, but where’s the limp?”
Dogs are incredibly good at hiding pain.

It’s a survival instinct to not show pain, so many dogs simply just carry on. They keep walking. Keep eating. Keep wagging their tail.

But those small changes start to appear.

They stop wanting to play as much.
They seem a little bit more distant.
Maybe removing themselves to sleep somewhere different.
Did you notice that little hesitation before jumping up beside you on the couch or into the car?
Is there a growl when touched in a place they never reacted to before?

All of these moments are so easy to dismiss.

“He’s just getting older”
“She’s being a bit cranky today”
“Maybe they’re just tired”

Sometimes those little changes are the only clues a dog gives us that something actually hurts.
And that pain in dogs is often quiet.

It doesn’t always look dramatic. It can look like slowing down, or withdrawing, sleeping more or less and are they just looking uncomfortable? Are they avoiding things they once loved?

If you notice the signs in this graphic and think something’s “just not quite right”, trust that instinct in the back of your mind.

It’s always worth having your vet take a closer look because no one wants their dog to be in pain.

04/01/2026

There are many types of ticks that can bite dogs and spread disease. Where they are found and the diseases they spread depend on tick species.

03/31/2026

12/25/2025

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

12/25/2025

Giving a pet as a Christmas present often comes from a place of love, but it can lead to problems if the decision is made in the moment. 😔 Pets need long-term care, commitment, and a truly ready family.

If you plan to gift a pet this Christmas, remember the commitment lasts for life. Welcome a pet only into a home prepared for daily care, time, and long-term responsibility. 🐶🐱