How to Truly Care for Your Dogs: Water, Food, Stress & Longevity

In this solo episode, Darin shares everything he’s learned over nearly a decade of caring for his beloved German Shepherds, Chugga and Ella. From water quality to food choices, stress management, natural therapies, and even stem cells, Darin reveals the daily practices and integrative care strategies that keep his dogs thriving.

With inspiration from Forever Dog authors Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker, this episode is packed with actionable steps and powerful reminders about what it means to be a true steward for our animal companions.

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode

[00:00] Welcome and introduction – why this episode is dedicated to dogs and animal care
[00:40] The bond with Chugga and Ella and why stewardship matters
[01:16] Inspiration from The Forever Dog and leading longevity experts
[01:38] Clean water: why filtration is critical for pets and how Darin prepares it
[03:01] How much water your dog really needs and the danger of dehydration
[03:38] A scary heatstroke story with Ella and the importance of paying attention
[04:11] Daily care tips: washing bowls, using stainless steel, and avoiding bacteria buildup
[04:43] Electrolytes, minerals, and using natural supplementation for dogs’ hydration
[05:35] Food choices: balancing plant-based with raw diets using Bramble and Viva Raw
[07:01] The Dog Aging Project: why feeding once a day may extend longevity
[08:12] Transitioning from kibble to raw: microbiome, gut diversity, and safety tips
[09:47] Adding veggies, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and berries for diversity and antioxidants
[11:40] The importance of walks, exercise, and letting dogs sniff for cognitive health
[12:27] Training, discipline, and running with Chugga on the mountain bike
[13:32] How dogs mirror our stress and why managing your own health impacts theirs
[14:01] Working with the endocannabinoid system, CBD, and reducing nervous tension
[15:03] Natural therapies: PEMF mats, AmpCoil, red light, and energy balancing
[16:08] Conventional vs naturopathic care—when to use both for acute and long-term health
[17:00] Chugga’s autoimmune challenges and the integrative approach to healing
[18:20] Modalities used: stem cells, acupuncture, microbiome testing, ozone baths, and more
[20:34] How pets reflect back our stress and why healing ourselves heals them too
[22:07] Building a holistic health protocol: food, supplements, exercise, trauma release
[23:05] Why meal timing and fasting windows can boost detox and longevity in dogs
[25:11] Daily practices: washing bowls, diversifying food, hydration, and routines
[26:29] The role of th