WEEKEND: A Natural Path to Pet Health: Dr. Dennis Black on Real Food, Daily Routines & the Benefits of RuffGreens® (Ep 563)

Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson explores the importance of meal plans, daily routines, hydration tactics for your pets. 

A Natural Path to Pet Health: Dr. Dennis Black’s Blueprint (and Why We Use RuffGreens®)

Intro

If you want your dog or cat to live longer, feel better, and thrive on real food—not marketing hype—Dr. Dennis Black’s new book, A Natural Path to Pet Health, is a gift. In it, the founder of RuffGreens® lays out a no-nonsense, low-cost plan any family can follow: what to feed, what to avoid, how to spot dehydration early, daily routines that extend quality of life, and when it’s time to call the vet. Below are the biggest takeaways from our conversation—and how a real-food topper like RuffGreens® VitaSmart can help support skin, digestion, and energy.

Who Is Dr. Dennis Black?

A veteran of natural health and the creator behind RuffGreens®, Dr. Black has spent decades helping people and pets build durable wellness habits: clean inputs, smart routines, and targeted supplementation. His mission is simple—make pet health practical, affordable, and natural.

The #1 Pet-Health Myth

Myth: “If the bag says ‘complete & balanced,’ I’m done.” Even with AAFCO standards, highly processed foods can be calorie-dense but nutrient-light after high-heat processing. Dr. Black’s guidance: feed real food, upgrade with living nutrients, and watch your pet—not the package—for results (coat, stools, energy, weight).

“Read the Bowl, Not the Label”: Red Flags to Avoid

When you do read labels, scan for these three instant dealbreakers:

1. Chemical preservatives & dyes (e.g., BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, artificial colors)

2. Vague proteins (“meat meal,” “animal digest”) instead of named sources (chicken, salmon)

3. Added sugars & heavy fillers (corn syrup, sugar, wheat/corn as the first ingredients)

One ‘gotcha’ word: “Digest.” It often means ultra-processed flavoring from unspecified sources.

Why We Like RuffGreens® (and What It Does)

RuffGreens® VitaSmart is a real-food topper designed to add back living nutrition lost to high-heat processing:

• Live probiotics & digestive enzymes to support gut health and nutrient absorption

• Omega fatty acids to support skin/coat and normal inflammatory response

• Vitamins, minerals & phytonutrients from a variety of whole-food ingredients

• Easy compliance for picky eaters—sprinkle over current food

Plain-English benefit: You don’t have to overhaul your pet’s diet overnight. Keep the base food you trust and upgrade it with living nutrients.

(Always follow label directions and your veterinarian’s advice.)

Weight Management for Food-Motivated Dogs

• Ditch free-feeding. Pre-measure meals.

• Add warm water or low-sodium bone broth (no onion/garlic) to increase food volume and hydration.

• Move daily: 30–60 minutes of age-appropriate activity (walks, fetch, nose work).

• Use a real-food topper (like RuffGreens®) for micronutrients without overfeeding treats.

Budget-Friendly, Vet-Aware Starter Recipe

Always balance home-prepped meals with a complete vitamin/mineral source per your vet’s guidance.

Simple Turkey & Veggie Bowl (Dogs)

• 1 cup cooked lean ground turkey, drained

• ½ cup cooked brown rice

• ¼ cup steamed carrots, chopped

• ¼ cup steamed green beans, chopped

• 1 tsp fish/sardine oil (EPA/DHA)

• Add a complete canine multivitamin/mineral topper (e.g., RuffGreens® per weight)

Never add: onions, garlic, grapes/raisins, xylitol, chocolate, alcohol, macadamias, excess salt.

Hydration: The Hidden Lifesaver

Early signs of low hydration: tacky/dry gums, dark urine, low skin elasticity, lethargy, constipation, panting at rest.

One easy hack (today): Float kibble in warm water or no-onion/garlic bone broth. Consider a pet water fountain for cats/small dogs.

Daily “Longevity” Habits That Stack the Odds

• Movement: 30–60 minutes/day adjusted to age & breed

• Teeth: daily brushing or dental chew; schedule cleanings

• Grooming & ear checks: reduce skin/ear issues early

• Sun + sniff time: enrich the brain, reduce stress

• Sleep window: consistent bedtime/wake time for hormone balance

On a tight budget? If you can only choose one add-on, Dr. Black says a complete, real-food nutrient topper offers the best per-dollar impact.

When to DIY vs. Call the Vet (Don’t Wait)

See a professional now if you notice: repeated vomiting/diarrhea >24 hours (or blood), bloated/tense abdomen with unproductive retching, pale/blue gums, trouble breathing, sei