Blog

WHAT IS ROOIBOS? Rooibos is a member of the legume family of plants and grows only in South Africa. The scrub is red coloured, with stems that contain many dark green needle shaped leaves. Only the leaves and twigs are used. Rooibos leaves are harvested in summer, cut or chopped and are left to ferment – although unfermented Rooibos is also produced. During the fermentation of the Rooibos leaves, some chemicals are oxidized by enzymes resulting in the typical red colour and distinct flavour. The plant is mostly used to make a herbal tea which has been popular in Southern...

Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called “The Tree of Life.” Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a “functional food” because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among around the world. In traditional medicine coconut is...

Adult Dogs Most dogs transition from kibble/pellets to raw dog food without any issues.  Some dogs, however, may have an upset tummy (vomiting and/or diarrhoea) during the transition. This is due to the change in diet and does not mean there’s something wrong with the food. The trick is to make the transition as easy as possible on the GI system. Here’s how we recommend you approach the change: If you’re currently leaving dry food out for your dog/s all day, remove this 24/7 pellet buffet and start introducing mealtimes. Feed the raw food on its own, not mixed with pellets or...

We believe that raw, meaty bones play an important role in providing our dogs with balanced nutrition, mental stimulation and pure happiness. Ripping and chewing raw meaty bones is a great muscle-building activity for a dog – it builds a strong neck and spine. Bones also act as a fantastic toothbrush – especially a meaty one with cartilage and soft tissue still attached, as the teeth get the equivalent of a good brushing and flossing. This helps to break down tartar and reduces the risk of gum disease But any old bone won’t do. In fact, the type of bone you give your...

The ‘raw food’ debate is one that has been on my radar ever since I started my studies as a veterinarian in the United Kingdom, over 8 years ago. Since moving to South Africa in 2017, I have become increasingly aware of the rising number of clients opting out of feeding their pets conventional wet or dry food diets. Instead, many people are looking to feed their pets a raw diet, and more often than not, these clients look to vets as a source of information and guidance. In my experience, while it’s fantastic for some, raw feeding is not for...