Your dog deserves more than just managing symptoms.

 

Hi, I'm Kat, a certified canine nutritionist based in New Zealand, and I started The Healthy Hound in 2024 because I got tired of watching dogs get patched up instead of actually healed.

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My spaniel Alfie was the turning point.

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Despite being on a fresh food diet most of his life, Alfie struggled with constant ear infections and atopic dermatitis driven by environmental allergens. Every summer, he'd flare up after running the bush tracks, and every vet visit ended the same way: steroids, antibiotics, and a recommendation for Apoquel or Cytopoint.

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I tried those options. But I couldn't get comfortable with the idea of him being on immune-suppressing drugs long term. So instead of continuing to treat the symptoms, I decided to find the root cause.

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What I found changed everything.

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Alfie's gut integrity and microbiome balance were at the core of his reactivity. Once I addressed that, his whole system responded. He's still a spaniel who loves bolting through the bush in summer, but we've got his condition to a place where it's easily managed with the right nutritional support and targeted supplements. No steroids. No Apoquel.

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That deep dive into finding real solutions taught me more than I could have imagined, and it lit a fire in me that hasn't gone out since.

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My other motivation: Minnie

Minnie is my 13-year-old border collie, and she is absolute proof that quality nutrition and the right supplements can shape how a dog ages. I've been supporting her through her senior years with a targeted approach to mobility and overall vitality.

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She's doing great. And she keeps reminding me why this work matters.

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What I bring to the table

I've been fascinated by nutrition since I was young, and I eventually turned that passion into proper study. My qualifications include:

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• Zoology Degree

• Advanced Certificate in Canine Nutrition

• Certificate in Natural Animal Nutrition

• Diploma in Canine Behaviour

 

I specialise in fresh food and raw feeding, and I work with dogs dealing with everything from skin and gut issues to joint problems, chronic conditions, and the general wear of getting older.

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I'm not anti-vet. I work alongside veterinary care. But I do believe that what goes in the bowl is one of the most powerful tools we have, and most dogs aren't getting anywhere near enough credit for what their bodies can do when they're fed properly.

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My approach

Every dog I work with gets a plan built around them specifically. No templates, no guesswork.

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I start with the gut, because in my experience that's where most problems begin and where the most profound changes happen. From there we look at diet foundations, targeted supplements, and simple lifestyle adjustments that support long-term health.

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My goal is to make sure you feel genuinely confident about what you're feeding your dog, and to see real, measurable improvements that last.

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Ready to get to the bottom of what's going on with your dog?