The Synergy Blog

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH According to Cornell University, in 2025, it’s estimated that 40% of cats over the age of 10 and 80% of cats over the age of 15 years will develop chronic kidney disease. So what’s driving these concerning numbers? Keep reading to find out! Cats are still defined as a semi-domesticated species. [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH In their native environment, horses are resilient &amp; self-sufficient. So why are they struggling so much in modern barn settings? Digestive &amp; metabolic diseases remain the number causes of death in domestic horses. Modern feed &amp; care programs are direct obstacles to equine health. The most scientific way to approach domestic [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH As an animal guardian, witnessing your beloved companion face health challenges can be an emotionally turbulent experience. In my practice, I see a wide array of feelings come to the surface as an illness develops in a pet or a horse. Guilt, confusion and fear are common as you try to [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH It’s been particularly cold this week where we live in BC. Since I have a senior dog, I thought I’d take the time to share my favorite winter support tools for her. Winter can pose unique challenges for our canine companions, from joint stiffness to a weakened immune system to environmental [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH Winter can be a challenging season for horses, with colder weather and reduced access to fresh forage. This can put them at risk for colic, especially with consistently low temperatures. Cold weather can slow down your horse’s digestive system so it’s important to keep them warm with lots of forage, fibre, [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH For the past several years, I have been immersed in the science of why so many horses are suffering from gastrointestinal diseases like ulcers and colic. Paired with my personal and clinical work with horses, I’ve made some discoveries that I can’t unsee. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be part [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH Over the past 15-20 years, scientists have started down the rabbit hole of trying to create a roadmap of the infinite roles the microbiome has on each body system. We still have a long way to go but many important connections have already been established. From immune-mediated diseases to cancer prevention, [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH In 2024, the term organic has become synonymous with healthy eating and environmentally friendly practices. Unfortunately, when it comes to assessing the healthiness of our food and its impact on the planet, the organic label is losing its significance. It has also become unobtainable for many lower income households

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH In the field of modern equine nutrition, the term & digestibility has been hailed as a hallmark of quality feed. Yet, the pursuit of easily digestible processed feeds and grains, a critical aspect of the horse's digestive function is being overlooked. This oversight has profound negative implications on the delicate balance of [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH In recent years, the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine has come under scrutiny due to their potential long-term effects on pet and human health. Among these antibiotics, metronidazole (also known as Flagyl) has gained attention for its association with disrupting the gut microbiome, leading to adverse consequences that may persist [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH In the modern food landscape, consumers are increasingly mindful of the origins of their meat products, considering factors such as nutritional quality, environmental impact, and animal welfare standards. Three primary methods of meat production dominate the market: factory farming, certified organic farming, and pasture-raised farming. Each approach carries distinct characteristics, implications, [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH In the realm of healthcare, the journey toward recovery can be hindered by various obstacles. These impediments, whether recognized or unnoticed, can significantly impact the effectiveness of integrative healing tools. One such concept, deeply ingrained in homeopathic philosophy, is that of obstacles to recovery. Coined by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founding [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH In the vast expanse of equine evolution, one of the most fascinating tales lies within the hind gut – a vital aspect of the horse&#8217;s digestive system. From the expansive cecum to the intricate microbiome within, the evolutionary journey of the equine hind gut unveils secrets crucial for understanding the dietary [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH Have you ever considered how horses came to be in our lives? From an evolutionary point of view, they are a fascinating species. Humans have only been in the picture for a tiny fraction of the time that they have been walking the earth. So what were they doing before we [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH I get a lot of questions about homeopathy: what it is, how it works and what to expect. I thought I&#8217;d take a minute to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about homeopathy in the hope that you might be inspired to add it to your animal&#8217;s wellness plan. [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH I was recently reviewing some statistics on the age at which a cat is considered a senior and I began to get emotional. Cats are such a misunderstood species. I have studied and worked with them and their wild counterparts for over 20 years. I also hold CE credits in caring [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH The old sentiment that horses eat hay is not entirely accurate. We all know that forage quality is an important aspect of equine nutrition but today’s methods for analyzing the meaning of a “healthy diet”  for equines has gotten…. confused. An oversimplification has manifested in modern day equine nutrition programs resulting [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH Ok – time to drop a bomb. I’ve been following the latest on what’s been happening in the ultra-processed pet feed space and it’s getting to me. My frustration lies in the level of shock being expressed online and the apparent misunderstanding of how the pet feed industry works. While these [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH Hello, everyone. I have been a bit quiet amidst the ongoing online reporting of illness and deaths in pets that is allegedly in relation to specific processed pet food companies.This incident began unfolding in December of 2023. It is now becoming clear that there is a significant issue that is in [&hellip;]</p>

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH This week’s reflection is the result of some extensive research I’ve been working on to accurately explain the origin of the equine digestive system, why they evolved cecal (hindgut) fermentation and what horses are really designed to eat. After several months of digging into the science on foraging habits of feral [&hellip;]</p>