How I began applying a lifetime of human-health knowledge to the dogs in my life.
I’m Alex, one half of the Truffle Hound team. I’ve worked as an osteopath and naturopath for the past 23 years, so natural health and wellbeing have been woven into everyday life in our house for many years.
I’m passionate about gut diversity. You’ll usually find sauerkraut, kefir and natural yoghurt in our fridge. We try to eat the rainbow, exercise in nature and use as few unnecessary chemicals around the house as possible.
And yet, for years, I never applied the same thinking to my dog.
I had grown up believing that dogs were completely different from us. I fed mine the kind of standard food found in most supermarkets. I chose one of the more expensive options and assumed that meant I was doing everything right.
When I met Claire six years ago and we began talking about the similarities between our work, the penny finally dropped. Claire had understood this for years, but perhaps, like me, this is new territory for you too.
Dogs have their own nutritional needs, of course, but their health isn’t entirely mysterious. Like us, they need variety, movement, mental stimulation and thoughtful care. Their gut microbiome matters. They can develop arthritis—sometimes earlier than we realise—and changes in their joints, skin, digestion or cognition may also be influenced by their lifestyle and diet.
Honestly, I was shocked. I felt a little ashamed too.
I had spent my career building a toolbox of knowledge about human health, but it had never occurred to me that the underlying principles would help me create a healthier life for my dog. I had bought into the idea that I needed special permission to think differently about canine wellbeing.
A great deal has changed in our house since then. We’ve added another member to the pack, and both boys are now treated as fully paid-up members of the family.
That doesn’t mean assuming dogs can eat everything we do—they can’t. It means thinking about their wellbeing with the same care and intention. If I’m having plain natural yoghurt, they’ll get some too. If I’m making bone broth, they’ll get their own dog-friendly batch.
I see our walks differently now as well. I used to think of them as my walks, with the dogs coming along for the ride. Now I understand that a walk belongs to them too.
As dogs grow older, I know they won’t always be as active as they once were. Now I think about keeping them moving and their brains healthy with sniffy walks and company. We’ve also added extra padding to their beds because, like us, they aren’t as young as they used to be.
Claire regularly treats the boys with hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. They’re getting a little creaky around the edges. Their inherited hip and knee problems are starting to catch up with them, and we know now that they need a little extra care.
That same philosophy shaped the creation of our supplements.
I began with a wish list inspired by ingredients I had encountered through my work in human health. Claire had her wish list from her years working in canine health. We then collaborated with a holistic vet to look at the crossover and find the dream formula for dogs. Together, we refined that list into supplements created specifically for canine needs.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve made—not only because of the products themselves, but because of the journey that led to them.
My hope is that sharing that path encourages you to look at your dog’s life with fresh eyes. You don’t need to feel guilty about what you didn’t know yesterday. You can simply begin making more thoughtful choices today.
Sometimes, a small change in perspective can help make the world a healthier, more comfortable place for the dogs we love.
Best wishes,
Alex