Sadly, we all know or have known a human or pet with cancer. It is estimated by research published in The Veterinary Journal in 2016 that 1 in 3 dogs will develop cancer. Dr. Ekstein wrote in an article published on WebMD that it's the leading cause of death in cats over the age of 10.

Cancer is a genetic miscommunication during the growth of new cells whereby uncontrolled tumor or overgrowth of abnormal cells is created. These overgrowths can be benign or malignant and can affect numerous parts of the body. Cancer happens for a variety of reasons including genetic predisposition, environmental factors, diet, stress levels, and more.

Kidney and urinary tract diseases are prevalent among companion animals. There are a number of contributing factors and diet plays a major role. How does diet affect the diagnosis of kidney dysfunction? And the prognosis for your pet?

There are some things you need to know first! It matters whether you feed commercial pet food or raw food. Why? Because the two types of feeding create two different scenarios if we examine it in clinical terms, mainly through blood work and clinical symptoms.

Did you know that your small breed dog is genetically predisposed to dental/periodontal disease? The major reason for this is that small dogs have smaller jaws and the teeth are more crowded, leaving tighter spaces for food particles to hide. Genetics, diet, age, and health status also play a role.

The type of diet chosen for small breed dogs is crucial to their periodontal health. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a dry food diet that promotes dental health. Chewing kibbles does not keep teeth clean. In fact, it does the opposite when tiny dry food particles get caught between the tooth and the gum. Saying that kibble cleans teeth is like saying that a hard cookie would clean your own teeth when we know this couldn't possibly be the case!

Many of you know that we’ve recently started offering locally farmed certified organic coho salmon. Yum! This salmon is also Ocean Wise certified. So what does that mean?

Ocean Wise is a part of the Vancouver Aquarium ocean conservation program. It's a certification given to participating businesses that meet the criteria. The certification is based on the latest scientific research to recommend sustainable seafood choices to companies that partner with them.

An incredibly valuable protein source that pet owners often miss is fish. Did you know that fish is packed with omega 3 fatty acids? It's a low-fat, high-protein food with a great polyunsaturated fat profile (the good fats). Most animals, including humans, are not getting enough omega 3 in their diet.

The two most commonly known and important omega 3’s are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). For starters, DHA makes up approximately 25% of the mammalian brain. So if your pet isn't getting enough, it could affect behavior, nervous system function, and an array of other systems including the digestive, reproductive and endocrine systems.

Kale munching pooches? Really? YES, really! From an ancestral perspective, dogs have been scavenging for meats and vegetables for hundreds of years. Digestive-wise, their intestinal tracts have not evolved away from their wolf counterparts, which are considered omnivorous, and eater of plants and animals. Taking the Ian Billinghurst stance, feeding your dog vegetables is a must.

Is your pet experiencing a dry, dusty coat? Or maybe they aren’t looking their best? As pet owners, we take pride in seeing our dogs and cats as healthy as possible, and the best determinant is a shiny coat and healthy skin.

How to determine if my pet isn’t looking his/her best?

1. Dull coat

2. Dry flaky skin

3. Hair loss  or breakage

4. Red inflamed skin

5. Chronic hot spots and ear infections