Blog posts
Superfoods
When it comes to pet nutrition, buzzwords are everywhere—“all-natural,” “holistic,” “hypoallergenic,” and perhaps the most overused and meaningless of them all: superfood. At Harper & Friends, we take canine health seriously,...
Why the Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio Is Misleading in Dog Nutrition—and What Really Matters Instead
In the world of dog food and influencer marketing, the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is often used as a quick, supposedly scientific measure of how “healthy” a food is—especially when...
Vegan And Vegetarian Dog And Cat Foods?
The Rise of Sustainable Pet Food: Are Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Safe? As sustainability becomes a growing priority in the pet food industry, companies are introducing more plant-based, insect-based, and...
Weight Loss and Nutritional Deficiencies
Canine Obesity: Why Calories (and Nutrients) Matter Canine obesity is a growing problem, with an estimated 30–56% of dogs classified as overweight or obese. While lack of exercise plays a...
The Fallacy of Genetic Testing in Dogs: Balancing Science and Sustainability
In the world of dog breeding, genetic testing has become a tool for identifying potential health risks. Many pet owners now expect genetic testing as a standard part of purchasing...
The Canine Ancestral Diet: Evolution, Genetics, and Breed-Specific Nutrition
Dogs Are Not Wolves: Understanding the Evolutionary and Dietary Differences When discussing the Canine Ancestral Diet, a critical starting point is recognizing that dogs are not wolves. While modern dogs...
Overnutrition and Excess Iodine: An Often Overlooked Concern
One topic that often goes underdiscussed in pet nutrition is overnutrition—particularly the risk of exceeding safe nutrient levels. This is largely because nutritional maximums are limited in current guidelines. The NRC...
The Real Story Behind Sulforaphane in Broccoli Sprouts
It’s a popular claim among companies and influencers that broccoli sprouts contain 100 times more sulforaphane than mature broccoli. While this assertion is shared with the best intentions, the original...