by Sasha Riess | 30.08.26. | Wellbeing
Frequent inflammation and impaction of anal glands are among the most uncomfortable and common health issues dog owners face. Many people take their dogs for manual expression at the veterinarian for years, yet the problem keeps returning. However, when we begin to view the body as a whole, it becomes clear that healthy anal glands in dogs require a complete shift in nutrition.
Instead of relying on aggressive treatments, the first step must be regulating stool quality and strengthening the intestinal microbiome. Consequently, proper stool consistency allows the glands to empty naturally and painlessly during each bowel movement.
A Homemade Fiber Recipe That Naturally Supports Anal Gland Emptying
If you feed your dog cooked meals, you need to introduce plant fibers that add proper volume to the stool. The first key addition includes probiotics, which restore gut flora and improve digestion. Simultaneously, psyllium husk, available in health food stores, provides highly effective support for anal glands in dogs.
Add one-quarter teaspoon of psyllium per five kilograms of your dog’s body weight. Apply the same dosage when using homemade dried beetroot powder. Therefore, this combination of natural fibers has a powerful and beneficial effect on the entire digestive system.
How to Make Homemade Beetroot Powder for Digestive Health
Preparing this natural remedy at home is simple and accessible. First, wash fresh beetroot thoroughly under running water. Then slice it into very thin rounds, similar to homemade chips. Place the slices in the oven overnight and dry them at a low temperature of 70°C.
In the morning, place the fully dried pieces into a coffee grinder and grind them into a fine powder. Owners should mix this natural supplement daily with food, psyllium, and probiotics to achieve optimal stool quality and support healthy anal glands in dogs.
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Hidden Triggers and the Microbiome: How Does Deadly Pancreatitis Develop in Dogs?
Why Does Aggression Appear in Dogs and How Does the Airplane Metaphor Explain It?
The Emotional Cause: Why Fear and Insecurity Block Natural Gland Emptying
However, an important truth is that physical factors and diet alone will not fully resolve the issue if the dog has emotional blockages. The release of gland secretions acts as a natural way for a dog to mark its territory. If your dog feels fearful or lacks confidence, it may consciously avoid leaving its scent.
As a result, anal glands in dogs often remain full due to ongoing stress and internal insecurity. Ultimately, solving this issue requires building a stable relationship and creating a sense of safety, which our comprehensive guide explains in detail.
Thank you for reading.
To discover more about how emotional alignment, balanced lifestyle, and authentic energy restore internal balance, read ourcanine wellbeing guidelines.
See you next time.
At Sasha Riess, we look past commercial labels to honor the unique biological blueprint of your companion. True health requires addressing the subtle internal patterns that create lasting vitality and pureloveandharmony. Discover the customized path to your dog’s longevity: Linktree Sasha Riess
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by Sasha Riess | 28.08.26. | Wellbeing
Modern pet nutrition often includes mistakes we make without realizing the potential consequences. Certain foods from our own table, especially fatty leftovers, can place enormous stress on a dog’s body. Feeding fatty pork trimmings, pork fat, greasy skin, or processed cheeses may severely challenge the digestive system.
As a result, veterinarians increasingly encounter cases of acute pancreatitis in dogs, a sudden and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. In severe cases, immediate veterinary care is essential, as this condition can rapidly become fatal.
Why Do the Liver and Pancreas Become Overwhelmed?
To understand why pancreatitis in dogs happens, we need to look at the deeper biological picture. One important piece of the puzzle is the health of the gut microbiome. When the balance of beneficial intestinal bacteria drops, digestion and nutrient processing may also become impaired.
Consequently, the body can struggle to efficiently process certain foods, particularly those that are extremely rich in fat. This places additional demands on organs such as the liver and pancreas, which must produce digestive secretions to break down those nutrients.
When the Gut Microbiome Falls Out of Balance
The intestinal microbiome plays an essential role in maintaining digestive health and preventing pancreatitis in dogs. Without a healthy population of beneficial microorganisms, digestion becomes less efficient, and the body may have greater difficulty maintaining normal gastrointestinal function.
As digestive balance deteriorates, other organs work harder to compensate. Over time, this increased physiological demand may contribute to broader disturbances throughout the body.
LONG-TERM HEALTH AND INTERNAL BALANCE ARE BUILT GRADUALLY THROUGH THOUGHTFUL DAILY CHOICES.
The Body Functions as One Integrated System
A dog’s body functions as an interconnected biological system. When one part begins to struggle, other organs and glands attempt to compensate in order to maintain internal balance.
Unfortunately, many digestive disturbances remain unnoticed until more obvious symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs appear. For that reason, overall health can never depend on a single food, one supplement, or one individual meal. Therefore, it depends on the body’s ability to efficiently digest, absorb, and utilize nutrients while maintaining internal balance.
Building Your Dog’s Health One Day at a Time
Supporting your dog’s health involves more than simply reading ingredient labels. It also requires understanding how your dog’s body digests and uses the nutrients provided every day.
Long-term health never develops overnight, nor do we achieve it through quick fixes. Ultimately, owners build it gradually through thoughtful daily choices made with patience and care.
Supporting a healthy gut microbiome with an appropriate diet and, where appropriate, fermented foods recommended by your veterinarian or a qualified nutrition professional can become one important part of maintaining digestive health. Simultaneously, these actions protect your companion from acute conditions like pancreatitis in dogs while supporting overall wellbeing.
Thank you for reading.
To discover more about how emotional alignment, balanced lifestyle, and authentic energy restore internal balance, read our canine wellbeing guidelines.
See you next time.
At Sasha Riess, we look past commercial labels to honor the unique biological blueprint of your companion. True health requires addressing the subtle internal patterns that create lasting vitality and pureloveandharmony. Discover the customized path to your dog’s longevity: Linktree Sasha Riess
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by Sasha Riess | 24.08.26. | Wellbeing
Sometimes an owner looks inside their dog’s mouth and notices something unusual. The teeth no longer look the way they used to. They seem smaller, almost as if they are slowly disappearing beneath the gums. In some dogs, this process develops gradually and almost unnoticed, while in others the gum tissue suddenly appears thickened, swollen, lumpy, or has grown so much that it partially covers the teeth.
This condition is called gingival hyperplasia, or excessive overgrowth of the gum tissue. Although it may appear to be only a local problem inside the mouth, it can have much broader consequences for a dog’s overall health.
What Is Gingival Hyperplasia?
Gingival hyperplasia occurs when the gum tissue begins to grow excessively. The gums become larger, thicker, firmer, sometimes red and inflamed, while in other cases they may initially appear relatively normal, there is simply too much tissue. As the tissue enlarges, it may partially or completely cover the teeth. Owners often feel as though the teeth are „shrinking,“ „receding,“ or „disappearing,“ when in reality the gums are growing over them.
The problem is not only cosmetic. Excess gum tissue creates pockets around the teeth where food particles, plaque, tartar, and bacteria accumulate. Over time, this can lead to severe dental disease, inflammation, pain, damage to the tissues supporting the teeth, and eventually tooth loss.
Why Isn’t This Just a Cosmetic Issue?
When the gums grow over the teeth, they create spaces that owners cannot properly clean at home. Even regular tooth brushing is often insufficient because the toothbrush cannot reach beneath the excess tissue. Inside these hidden pockets, bacteria multiply, food debris accumulates, and inflammation continues.
Dogs may develop bad breath, bleeding gums, pain while chewing, excessive drooling, or changes in their eating habits. Consequently, some begin chewing on only one side of the mouth. Others drop food while eating. Some refuse hard food altogether and seek softer meals. Others simply become quieter, more withdrawn, or irritable, leaving owners unaware that their dog is actually experiencing chronic oral pain.
ROUTINE VETERINARY EXAMINATIONS HELP DETECT EXCESS GUM TISSUE BEFORE DEEP POCKETS FORM.
Which Dogs Are More Predisposed?
Gingival hyperplasia in dogs can occur in any breed, but certain dogs appear to have a higher predisposition. It is most commonly reported in Boxers, Bulldogs, brachycephalic breeds, and several others. This does not mean every dog of these breeds will develop the condition, nor does it mean that other breeds are immune. Genetics may play an important role, but it is certainly not the only factor involved.
Why Do the Gums Begin Growing Excessively?
The exact cause of gingival hyperplasia in dogs is not always completely understood. Some dogs have a genetic predisposition, meaning their bodies respond differently to gum inflammation than others.
In many dogs, periodontal disease causes the gums to recede. In dogs with gingival hyperplasia, however, the opposite occurs: instead of shrinking, the gums enlarge, thicken, and gradually cover the teeth.
Several factors may contribute, including plaque, tartar buildup, poor oral hygiene, chronic inflammation, gum trauma, abnormal bite alignment, foreign material lodged beneath the gums, chewing sticks or hard objects, and certain medications. Some medications, such as cyclosporine (commonly prescribed for allergies and autoimmune diseases) or certain cardiovascular drugs like amlodipine, have been associated with gum overgrowth in some dogs. For this reason, veterinarians should always be informed about the dog’s complete medical history, including every medication currently being used.
How Can Owners Recognize the Problem?
The most common sign of gingival hyperplasia in dogs is excessive tissue along the gumline. The gums may appear thickened, swollen, uneven, or may visibly extend over the teeth. In some dogs, the changes remain limited to one area of the mouth, while in others much larger portions of the jaw suffer.
Owners may also notice:
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Bad breath
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Red or inflamed gums
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Bleeding after chewing or eating
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Blood on chew toys
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Excessive drooling
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Frequent lip licking
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Refusal to eat hard food
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Dropping food from the mouth
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Chewing only on one side
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Pain when the muzzle is touched
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Heavy tartar accumulation
It is important to understand that dogs do not always display every symptom. Many dogs tolerate significant dental pain for long periods without obvious signs, making regular oral examinations extremely important.
Can This Be Treated at Home?
This is one of the first questions many owners ask, and the answer must be honest: not completely. At home, we can help with prevention, oral hygiene maintenance, and reducing the risk of recurrence. We can support immunity, digestive health, nutrition, and the microbiome.
However, if the gum tissue has already grown over the teeth and formed deep periodontal pockets, this cannot be safely corrected with home remedies. There is no tea, supplement, powder, probiotic, or natural product capable of safely removing excessive gum tissue that has already covered the teeth.
Even more importantly, there is no home technique capable of thoroughly cleaning deep pockets already filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar. For these reasons, managing gingival hyperplasia in dogs requires proper veterinary evaluation.
How Is the Diagnosis Made?
The veterinarian begins with a thorough examination of the dog’s mouth, teeth, gums, and surrounding oral structures. In some dogs, this can be performed during a routine examination, but if the dog is painful, fearful, reactive, or unwilling to allow oral handling, a complete examination is often performed under sedation or anesthesia.
It is essential to distinguish gingival hyperplasia in dogs from other oral conditions. Not every gum growth is the same. Some masses may represent tumors, epulis, advanced periodontal disease, or other pathological conditions. For this reason, a biopsy may sometimes be recommended, especially if the tissue appears unusual, grows rapidly, bleeds, or has an irregular appearance.
How Is Gingival Hyperplasia Treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition, but most cases involve professional dental cleaning under anesthesia combined with removal of the excessive gum tissue. During the procedure, the veterinarian may obtain dental radiographs to evaluate the tooth roots, jaw bone, abscesses, fractures, bone loss, and the extent of periodontal disease.
Plaque, tartar, and debris are then carefully removed from around the teeth. If some teeth are severely damaged, loose, painful, or infected, extraction may be recommended.
When excessive gum tissue is present, a procedure known as a gingivectomy or gingivoplasty is performed. During this procedure, the excess gum tissue is removed and the gumline is reshaped. Ultimately, the goal goes beyond simple cosmetic improvement; it eliminates deep bacterial pockets and restores a healthy environment that allows the dog to eat comfortably and live free from chronic inflammation.
Recovery After Surgery
Following the procedure, dogs typically receive pain medication and, depending on the condition of the mouth and the veterinarian’s assessment, sometimes antibiotics. Soft food is often recommended during recovery, as hard food may irritate the healing tissues.
Hard bones, antlers, hard chew toys, sticks, and anything capable of traumatizing the gums should be avoided. Even tooth brushing is usually paused temporarily until the veterinarian confirms it is safe to resume.
This is a period during which the body needs rest, soft nutrition, adequate pain control, and careful monitoring. Therefore, if the dog refuses food, appears extremely painful, develops worsening swelling, persistent bleeding, foul odor, or any unusual symptoms, the veterinarian should be contacted immediately.
DAILY ORAL HYGIENE AND BRUSHING HELP REDUCE PLAQUE AND PREVENT GUM INFLAMMATION.
What Can Be Done at Home After Recovery?
Once healing is complete and your veterinarian confirms the gums have recovered, home care becomes essential. Regular tooth brushing with a toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs can significantly reduce plaque accumulation and inflammation. Human toothpaste should never be used.
Safe dental chews, carefully selected chew toys, and products designed to reduce plaque and tartar may also be beneficial. Simultaneously, sticks, excessively hard bones, antlers, and objects capable of damaging the gums or fracturing teeth should be avoided. Routine dental examinations are especially important in breeds predisposed to gingival hyperplasia in dogs. Addressing small problems early is far easier than waiting until the gums once again cover the teeth.
The Role of Nutrition, Gut Health, and the Microbiome
From a holistic perspective, the mouth is not separate from the rest of the body. The oral cavity is the beginning of the digestive tract. Everything occurring in the mouth influences the rest of the body, while the condition of the digestive and immune systems may also affect the skin, mucous membranes, and gums.
A dog living with chronic oral inflammation continuously swallows bacteria and inflammatory by-products, placing additional stress on digestion and immunity. Likewise, dogs with poor nutrition, an imbalanced microbiome, chronic inflammation, allergies, or digestive disorders may have a reduced ability to regulate inflammatory processes within the mouth.
Supporting the body through improved nutrition, reducing highly processed foods, limiting excessive starches and sugars, providing high-quality protein, using probiotics when appropriate, and feeding foods that do not continuously promote inflammation may all be beneficial. Bone broth, when well tolerated, may provide additional digestive support, but it is not a substitute for professional dental treatment.
It is important to remain realistic. Probiotics, dietary improvements, bone broth, and natural supportive care may help strengthen the body, but they cannot remove excessive gum tissue that has already grown over the teeth. Once the condition becomes advanced, it rarely resolves on its own. While owners experiment with various supplements, bacteria may continue accumulating beneath the gums, progressively damaging the teeth.
The best approach is a combined one: the veterinarian addresses what requires professional treatment using standard procedures, while the owner supports long-term oral health through healthier daily habits at home.
If you notice that your dog’s gums appear to be growing uncontrollably, there is no need to panic, but the problem should never be ignored. Gingival hyperplasia in dogs represents a treatable condition, and many dogs experience remarkable improvement after proper dental treatment. Only after treatment do many owners realize how long their dog had quietly been living with oral discomfort.
The mouth is far more than a collection of teeth. It marks the beginning of the digestive system, reflects immune health, and serves as an important mirror of the dog’s overall well-being. When we care for the gums, we are not simply protecting a smile; we are protecting our dog’s ability to eat, digest, rest, and live free from silent, chronic pain.
Thank you for reading.
To discover more about how emotional alignment, balanced lifestyle, and authentic energy restore internal balance, read our canine wellbeing guidelines.
See you next time.
At Sasha Riess, we look past commercial labels to honor the unique biological blueprint of your companion. True health requires addressing the subtle internal patterns that create lasting vitality and pureloveandharmony. Discover the customized path to your dog’s longevity: Linktree Sasha Riess
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by Sasha Riess | 19.08.26. | Wellbeing
Why Cancer Is More Than a Local Disease
The appearance of malignant disease is one of the greatest fears shared by dog owners. For cancer to develop, many different biological and environmental factors may come together over time. One important perspective shows that cancer in dogs is a systemic disease rather than a simple problem of a single organ. Consequently, it affects the body as an interconnected system. Every day, the immune system continuously recognizes and eliminates abnormal cells before they have the opportunity to multiply.
When Changes in DNA Alter the Behavior of Cells
Cells with genetic alterations are continuously formed throughout life. Fortunately, the body’s natural defense mechanisms successfully repair or eliminate most of them. Cancer begins when certain cells acquire changes in their DNA that allow them to continue dividing instead of being removed.
As these altered cells multiply, they gradually replace healthy tissue and disrupt normal biological function. Although scientists understand many of the molecular mechanisms involved in this process, the exact combination of events that initiates cancer often differs from one individual to another.
The Mechanism Is Better Understood Than the Original Trigger
Modern medicine has made remarkable progress in understanding how tumors grow and spread. However, the precise causes that trigger cancer remain complex and, in many cases, multifactorial. Genetics, chronic inflammation, environmental exposures, nutrition, aging, and other biological influences may all contribute. Therefore, rather than stemming from a single cause, cancer in dogs is a systemic disease resulting from multiple interacting factors that gradually overwhelm the body’s normal protective mechanisms.
HOLISTIC CARE SUPPORTS THE BODY’S NATURAL RESILIENCE AND OVERALL BALANCE.
A Holistic Perspective on Supporting the Whole Body
Because cancer affects the organism as a whole, many holistic practitioners believe that supporting overall health should accompany any medical treatment. Simultaneously, nutrition, stress reduction, environmental quality, physical wellbeing, and appropriate veterinary care may all play important roles in maintaining the body’s natural resilience.
From this perspective, the goal goes beyond addressing the tumor itself to support the biological systems responsible for maintaining balance throughout the body. Ultimately, true prevention begins long before disease appears; it begins by creating the healthiest possible internal environment for the body to protect itself.
Thank you for reading.
To discover more about how emotional alignment, balanced lifestyle, and authentic energy restore internal balance, read our canine wellbeing guidelines.
See you next time.
At Sasha Riess, we look past commercial labels to honor the unique biological blueprint of your companion. True health requires addressing the subtle internal patterns that create lasting vitality and pureloveandharmony. Discover the customized path to your dog’s longevity: Linktree Sasha Riess
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by Sasha Riess | 16.08.26. | Wellbeing
As modern scientific understanding of how organisms interact with their environment continues to evolve, perhaps cynology—the study of dogs—must reconsider one of its oldest assumptions. The concept of breed has proven highly effective in describing how a dog looks. However, it has been far less successful in explaining how a dog behaves. By turning breeds into psychological categories, we have created generations of owners who see labels instead of living systems. When it comes to canine behavior and biology, the time has come to stop explaining behavior through pedigrees and start understanding it through the science of life itself.
Before we continue our exploration of how the senses shape a dog’s relationship with the world, we must first establish an important foundation. Originally, the plan aimed to begin with vision and then move through hearing, smell, taste, touch, and emotions. However, before taking that journey, we must pause and examine a question that sits at the very center of modern canine behavior science: What is behavior?
What Is Behavior?
At first glance, the answer appears simple. Yet the deeper we explore the subject, the clearer it becomes that misunderstanding behavior lies at the heart of many misconceptions in the dog world. For decades, experts attempted to explain behavior through breed, genetics, training, or temperament while often overlooking a much more important question: Is behavior a trait of the dog, or does it simply represent the way the nervous system attempts to maintain balance within its environment? This question sits at the center of the relationship connecting breed and dog behavior to biology.
When most people talk about canine behavior, they usually discuss expectations. A dog that comes when called displays “good behavior.” A dog that barks has a “behavior problem.” A dog that sits quietly acts “obedient.” A dog that pulls on the leash acts “disobedient.” Consequently, over time, we have developed entire systems of labels without asking what actually happens inside the organism we observe.
Biology offers a completely different perspective. From a scientific standpoint, behavior is not a personality trait. It does not represent a moral category, nor does it prove that a dog is good or bad. Behavior represents a collection of responses through which an organism reacts to internal and external changes to increase its chances of survival and maintain homeostasis. In other words, behavior functions as a tool. It is the exact way the nervous system attempts to solve a problem.
Homeostasis: The Driving Force Behind Behavior
In the previous article, we discussed homeostasis as one of the fundamental principles of life. Homeostasis represents the organism’s ability to maintain internal stability despite constant changes in the outside world. Body temperature, hormones, blood pressure, breathing, and energy regulation continuously adapt to keep the organism balanced. However, homeostasis does not act merely as a physiological process. It serves as one of the primary goals of the nervous system.
The organism is not simply trying to survive; it tries to survive efficiently, with as little unnecessary energy expenditure and uncertainty as possible. This is why we cannot separate behavior from homeostasis. Behavior functions as one of the key mechanisms through which the organism attempts to maintain equilibrium. Once we understand that, we begin to recognize one of the greatest misconceptions in modern dog culture: the belief that breed and dog behavior share an inseparable, rigid bond.
Breed Differences and Biological Reality
Of course, breeds differ from one another. It would be absurd to claim otherwise. Selective breeding has created enormous differences in body size, coat type, structure, movement, and certain functional predispositions. Consequently, some breeds show stronger tendencies toward tracking. Others excel at retrieving. Some display greater interest in herding livestock. However, several hundred years of selective breeding represent only a tiny moment compared to the thousands of years during which canine biology evolved.
No breed has altered the fundamental principles governing the canine nervous system. No breed has removed the dog’s need for safety. No breed has changed the need for predictability. Furthermore, no breed has changed the organism’s drive to maintain homeostasis. A dog is still a dog. Whether we observe a Chihuahua, a Great Dane, a Maltese, or a Belgian Shepherd, the nervous system attempts to solve the exact same challenge: understanding the world and maintaining balance within it. Therefore, assuming that breed and dog behavior are identical misses the underlying biological reality.
Neuroplasticity: How Environment Changes Everything
Perhaps one of the most remarkable characteristics shaped through thousands of years of coexistence with humans is neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity represents the ability of the nervous system to adapt through experience. The greater the neuroplasticity, the greater the capacity to learn, adapt, and develop new behavioral patterns. Modern neuroscience demonstrates that mammalian brains continuously change in response to their environment.
Over thousands of years living alongside humans, dogs did not evolve simply to live near us. They evolved to adapt to us. Consequently, the same dog can appear completely different under different life circumstances. The same genetics, the same breed, and the same organism can display completely different behavior.
The World of Human Beliefs
Perhaps the most fascinating part of this discussion lies in the fact that dogs do not live primarily in an objective world. They live in a world shaped by humans. More specifically, they live in a world shaped by human beliefs. One owner believes dogs belong on the bed. Another believes dogs should never enter the house. One believes social interaction with other dogs remains essential. Another avoids it completely. One uses food as a primary communication tool. Another rejects food rewards entirely.
THE DOG AS A REFLECTION OF ITS WORLD.
The dog adapts to whichever reality it inhabits. Its environment is shaped not only by physical space but also by the ideas, routines, expectations, and assumptions of the people around it. This is why we cannot fully understand breed and dog behavior without understanding the humans who share the dog’s life. Studying behavior without examining the environment is like trying to understand a fish while ignoring the water in which it swims.
The Dog as a Reflection of Its World
Perhaps this explains why we so often misunderstand dogs. We search for answers in breed when we should be looking at relationships. We search in genetics when we should be looking at experience. Consequently, we search inside the dog when we should be examining the world we have created around it.
Behavior is not primarily a story about what breed a dog belongs to. It is a story about how the dog’s nervous system experiences the world in which it lives. Ultimately, sometimes the greatest changes in behavior occur not when we change the dog, but when we change ourselves.
Thank you for reading.
To discover more about how emotional alignment, balanced lifestyle, and authentic energy restore internal balance, read our canine wellbeing guidelines.
See you next time.
At Sasha Riess, we look past commercial labels to honor the unique biological blueprint of your companion. True health requires addressing the subtle internal patterns that create lasting vitality and pureloveandharmony. Discover the customized path to your dog’s longevity: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 13.08.26. | Wellbeing
Why Late Spaying or Neutering in Large Breed Dogs May Affect Thyroid Function
The decision to remove a dog’s reproductive organs is often viewed as a routine surgical procedure. However, spaying and neutering dogs, even in mature or senior individuals, may have significant effects on the body’s hormonal balance.
Integrative veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan has spoken about a concern observed in some adult dogs following sterilization procedures. According to this perspective, thyroid function may decline after the removal of reproductive organs, sometimes becoming noticeable within six to twelve months after surgery.
The resulting changes may not be immediately obvious. Symptoms can appear gradually and may include shifts in behavior, energy levels, skin condition, or overall wellbeing. Consequently, understanding the underlying physiological changes requires looking beyond the symptoms themselves and examining how the endocrine system functions as an interconnected network.
The Chain Reaction Within the Endocrine System
The endocrine system operates as a complex web of glands that communicate through hormones. When owners choose spaying or neutering dogs, other glands within the endocrine network must adapt to the new hormonal environment.
The adrenal glands, in particular, continue producing small amounts of sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. As a result, they may be required to compensate for some of the hormonal functions previously supported by the ovaries or testicles. Supporters of this theory suggest that this additional workload may place greater demands on the adrenal system over time.
Why Are Cushing’s Disease and Addison’s Disease Often Discussed?
Within holistic and integrative veterinary circles, discussions frequently focus on the relationship between adrenal health and endocrine disorders. Two conditions often mentioned are:
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Cushing’s disease, associated with excessive cortisol production.
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Addison’s disease, associated with insufficient adrenal hormone production.
Some practitioners believe that long-term endocrine stress following procedures like neutering dogs may contribute to the development of these conditions in susceptible individuals. However, many factors, including genetics and overall health, also play important roles.
When One Hormonal Source Is Removed
The body constantly works to maintain balance. When one source of hormones disappears, the endocrine system adapts by redistributing responsibilities among its remaining glands. Consequently, from a holistic perspective, this adaptation may influence thyroid activity, metabolism, energy regulation, and overall hormonal harmony.
UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEMIC IMPACT BEYOND INITIAL SYMPTOMS.
For this reason, many integrative practitioners encourage owners to carefully evaluate all potential benefits and risks before making decisions regarding elective sterilization procedures. Simultaneously, understanding these shifts allows guardians to offer better proactive support to their companions.
A Holistic Approach to Decision-Making
Every dog is unique. Age, breed, lifestyle, health history, genetics, and environmental factors should all guide decisions before choosing any major medical intervention. Therefore, a truly holistic approach involves gathering information, consulting trusted professionals, and making decisions based on the individual needs of the dog rather than following a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
Ultimately, the goal is not simply to prevent problems, but to support long-term health, balance, and quality of life for every animal.
Thank you for reading.
To discover more about how emotional alignment, balanced lifestyle, and authentic energy restore internal balance, read our canine wellbeing guidelines.
See you next time.
At Sasha Riess, we look past commercial labels to honor the unique biological blueprint of your companion. True health requires addressing the subtle internal patterns that create lasting vitality and pureloveandharmony. Discover the customized path to your dog’s longevity: Linktree Sasha Riess
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