From Control to Connection: A Positive Approach for High-Drive Dogs

By Simone Mueller & Charlotte Garner

When you first bring your dog home, you imagine them accompanying you on relaxed countryside strolls through picturesque landscapes. You picture them walking with you along bush tracks, through the scrub or on the beach, and you both enjoying every moment you share together. However, this isn’t your reality right now.

Instead, you are scared every time your dog is off the lead, that they will pick up a wildlife scent and be gone before you can even think about getting their attention. They disappear, leaving you shouting frantically after them as they move farther into the distance, ignoring your every word. Each walk becomes a battle that you dread, leaving you feeling stressed, embarrassed, and disconnected from your dog.

But this isn’t because your dog is disobedient. Nor are you a bad guardian; you haven’t done anything wrong to make your dog behave this way. You are fighting against your dog’s genetics and natural instincts, and the solution is to learn to work with them rather than against them. That shift, from control to connection, is what Predation Substitute Training is about.

Why Suppression Fails: The Science Every Guardian and Trainer Should Know

Predatory behaviour in dogs is not a sign that your dog is disobedient; it is a genetically hardwired motor pattern consisting of orienting, eyeing, stalking, chasing, grabbing, killing, dissecting, and consuming prey. Centuries of selective breeding have shaped these hunting instincts into highly refined skills. While they are often no longer required for the dog’s survival, they remain strongly present in domesticated dogs. And, when dogs engage in this natural sequence, it is self-reinforcing as it releases rewarding neurochemicals such as dopamine, which means the more a dog practises chasing, the more efficient and motivated they become.

It's important for guardians to understand that a strong bond with their dog does not override biology. So, if your dog ignores you during a chase, this is not a sign of a poor relationship; in that heightened state of arousal, instinct takes over, and you effectively ‘disappear’ from your dog's awareness, no matter how strong your relationship is.

The Predatory Motor Pattern is the natural sequence of behaviours a dog performs during hunting, from searching and stalking to chasing, grabbing, and dissecting prey.
Illustration: Päivi Kokko (Supplied)

Many trainers may suggest suppressing these natural drives with punishment-based tools such as e-collars, prong collars, or spray devices, which often increase your dog’s frustration and erode their trust in you. Alongside this, the fallout from these aversive tools can actually increase predatory behaviour, serving as a default form of escapism as the dog resorts to something that makes them feel good, like hunting.

The goal should never be to eliminate a dog's prey drive entirely, but rather to acknowledge it and provide safe, structured outlets that satisfy these natural instincts in appropriate, controlled ways.

Predation Substitute Training allows you to stop being the spoilsport who constantly nags, threatens, or bribes your dog, and instead become the reliable hunting partner who brings some joy and excitement back to your dog’s walks.

This approach is guided by the idea of a ‘triple win’ scenario: your dog gets to express their natural hunting instincts safely, wildlife and other animals remain protected, and you gain your dog's willing cooperation.

This is something of great importance, where so much of Australia’s native wildlife, from ground-nesting birds to small marsupials, is especially vulnerable to uncontrolled dogs. So, rather than viewing your dog’s prey drive as a behavioural flaw that needs to be fixed, recognise it as a powerful, innate strength that can be channelled into appropriate activities and used to your advantage. When you work with your dog's instincts instead of against them, a perceived problem becomes an opportunity for trust, teamwork, and success.

The Four Pieces of the PST Puzzle

There are four main aspects of Predation Substitute Training, all of which are equally important. By working on them all holistically, you can achieve effective and sustainable results.

1. Management & Prevention

The more frequently a dog is allowed to practise predatory behaviours, the more they will refine their skills and the more likely they are to choose these behaviours as a default option in similar situations. This is why management and prevention techniques are so crucial, particularly during your dog's learning stages. This can be achieved by attaching a secure long line to the dog’s harness, timing your walks to parts of the day where there is less likely to be as much wildlife activity, changing your walking route to areas with fewer wildlife distractions, and being more aware of your surroundings so you can respond faster. This also gives you a better opportunity to teach your dog that staying in touch with you is worthwhile, even in arousing situations, by giving them a chance to self-regulate when they would otherwise react impulsively.

2. PST Tools For Wildlife Encounters

Lowering your dog’s arousal levels is the gateway skill that everything else is built upon. When your dog is in an over-aroused state, they simply cannot focus on you or respond to your cues. Their brain has switched into ‘hunting mode’, and nothing else can reach them at that moment. This is where PST Tools are crucial, as they encourage your dog to notice wildlife around them and stay in contact with you instead of immediately exploding into an uncontrollable chase. Capturing these moments of shared observation—where both you and your dog can calmly notice wildlife around you while your dog remains in a calm, thinking state—is much preferable to being dragged behind them as they attempt to chase yet another creature! By creating new habits and rituals like this one, you help both the dog and the guardian manage real-life wildlife encounters without the human panicking and the dog barking, lunging, or chasing.

This is especially valuable in Australia, where much of the local wildlife is best appreciated from a safe distance. Snakes, goannas, kangaroos and other native animals can pose a real risk to a dog that gets too close, so teaching your dog to observe rather than approach or interact helps keep everyone safe, including your dog.

Calmly observing wildlife together teaches your dog that seeing game doesn't always have to lead to chasing.

3. Predation Substitute Games

PST Games are the heart of this force-free training approach, as they provide safe, need-oriented outlets for natural predatory behaviour by recreating safe parts of the predatory sequence in a controlled manner. These games can also be better matched to each individual dog’s needs and preferences.

For example, whether they prefer chasing, sniffing, grabbing, tracking or dissecting, there are different games to suit their favourite aspects. In doing so, the dog still gets the sought-after dopamine hit that they would get with ‘real’ hunting, but this time, it's in a safely controlled way, with you as their hunting partner.

A great starting point would be the Jump ‘n’ Run Game, which any dog can play, even if they are totally new to PST. You can find this game and how to play for FREE here: https://predation-substitute-training.com/jumpnrun/

Predation Substitute Games give dogs safe, structured outlets for their hunting instincts while strengthening connection, focus and cooperation with their humans.
Photo: Alexandra Dusin Fotografien (Supplied)

4. Emergency Cues/The Reliable Recall

The combination of an effective emergency cue and reliable recall creates a strong safety net built on motivation, which will be effective even when the dog faces the strongest wildlife distractions. This can be utilised when you encounter wildlife in real-life situations, where you need to create space between your dog and their perceived prey quickly to help keep everyone safe. In Australia, this can be genuinely life-saving: a solid recall lets you call your dog away from a snake or other potentially dangerous animal before a curious sniff turns into a bite. This is the last piece of the PST puzzle, which will only hold its own when the other three foundational pieces are in place.

Management and prevention sets you up for success and buys you time, the PST Tools keep your dog in a thinking state and able to respond to your cues, the PST Games provide outlets for your dog’s predatory urges, and the recall and emergency cues help to keep everyone safe. When you combine these aspects, you create a dog you can trust with more freedom while strengthening the bond you share.

The 4 Aspects of Holistic Predation Substitute Training work together as an interconnected system to build focus and safety.
Illustration: Päivi Kokko (Supplied)

A Real Life Success Story

Nellie is a Small Münsterländer with a very high prey drive! Her owner described her as "untrainable," and she couldn't take food or focus outdoors because she was in full hunting mode the second she stepped outside.

After starting PST, she was able to willingly eat food outside, regularly checking in with her owner, and can now be trusted off-lead in low-distraction settings, as she has a recall that holds around real wildlife. While Nellie is not ‘perfect’, this was never the goal! Instead, we were aiming for connection, cooperation and a way for her owner and her to move forward together - which is exactly what they continue to achieve!

Nellie and her guardian enjoying a connected, relaxed walk on lead.
Photo: Alexandra Dusin Fotografien (Supplied)

4 Big Prey Drive Myths—Busted

• ✔"Dogs grow out of chasing." False! It's genetic, and practise makes them better, more determined hunters.
• ✔"Ignore it, and it'll stop." False! Predation is self-rewarding; ignoring it strengthens it by allowing the dog to practise more and more.
• ✔"You just need a tastier treat." False! Hunger doesn't drive predation. Food alone won't compete with the hunt; you need a functional reinforcer that meets the same need.
• ✔"High prey drive needs a firm hand." False! It needs a proven, effective approach. Kindness and clarity aren't opposites; you don't have to use harsh methods to train a dog well.

To debunk more harmful myths about predation and to learn what really works - check out Simone’s FREE Mythbuster webinar here: https://www.predation-substitute-training.com/mythbuster

PST is more than just teaching your dog a reliable recall; it shows you that you can be kind to your dog and still maintain structure; you don't have to dominate or threaten them for them to be trusted. The main goal is to go from frustration to fulfilment, by turning the uncontrolled chase into calmness, connection and trust.

So, think of the image of serene walks with your dog that we started with and take the first steps towards making this a reality with PST. This time next year, you could be enjoying lighter walks with a calmer dog and have a bond with them that's stronger than ever before, as you work together as partners instead of battling each other as opponents.

About The Authors

Simone with Isla

Simone Mueller (MA) is a certified dog trainer and behaviour consultant, the developer of Predation Substitute Training (PST), and the author of the four-book PST series: Hunting Together, Rocket Recall, Don't Eat That! and Walking Together (all Amazon bestsellers).

A former secondary school teacher for 10 years, she specialises in force-free anti-predation training. She helps guardians of high-prey-drive dogs and the professionals who work with them swap the daily fight for control for calmer, more connected walks.

She is an Associate Trainer at Lothlorien Dog Training Club (Scotland) and a member of the Pet Professional Guild, the Initiative of Force-Free Dog Training, and Pet Dog Trainers of Europe. She teaches dog owners and trainers worldwide, including through the PST Instructor Course.

Website: https://predation-substitute-training.com/
Free Mythbuster Webinar: https://www.predation-substitute-training.com/mythbuster
Instagram: @predation_substitute_training

Charlotte Garner

Charlotte Garner is a canine author, content creator and copywriter based in the UK. She specialises in science-based, force-free dog training and develops course content, educational resources, and written materials for several respected educators and course providers within the canine profession.

Alongside this work, Charlotte is also an accomplished author. She wrote the Help Your Dog Be Happier series, including Canine Contentment and Essential Enrichment, and is the co-author of Don't Eat That! and Walking Together with Simone Mueller.

Instagram: @charlottegarnercanineauthor
Facebook: @charlottegarnercanineauthor

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Mouse Surge Alert: How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Home Without Poisoning Your Dog

Households across Australia are being urged to prepare as plague-level mouse populations begin moving from agricultural paddocks into homes, sheds, and garages. But for dog owners, managing a mouse invasion comes with an even bigger threat: the hidden danger of traditional rodent poisons.

With CSIRO forecasts continuing to identify elevated mouse activity across key grain-growing regions, rodents are officially on the march in search of warmth and food. As suburban and rural homes brace for increased pest activity, pet health experts are issuing renewed warnings about the catastrophic risks rat and mouse poisons pose to domestic dogs.

The Hidden Danger: Direct & Secondary Poisoning in Dogs

During Australia's last major mouse plague in 2021, pet insurance providers recorded a sharp spike in rodenticide toxicity claims. Today, the Australia Animal Poisons Helpline reports that rat and mouse bait remains the single most common poison it receives frantic calls about, assisting thousands of pet owners and dogs every year.

Many dog owners assume poison is only a hazard if their pet physically eats the bait block out of a cupboard or garden shed. However, secondary poisoning poses an equally devastating risk.

Pets can be exposed by eating bait directly, but they can also be poisoned after catching rodents that have already consumed it, warns Craig Bond, founder of pest control company Goodnature. One of the biggest challenges is that animals often appear perfectly healthy for several days, while internal bleeding is already developing.

Because second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides work by stopping blood from clotting, a dog can ingest a toxic dose and show zero symptoms for up to 3 to 5 days. Treating rodenticide toxicity is not only dangerous for your pet, but it can also be devastatingly expensive—with single veterinary treatment claims reaching upwards of $17,000+ according to Pet Insurance Australia’s rodent bait toxicity report.

2026 Regulatory Shift: Why Chemical Baits Are Being Restricted

The warning comes as Australian authorities take strict action against chemical poisons. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) declared second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) as restricted chemical products.

Because SGARs persist in animal tissues for extended periods, they pose severe secondary-poisoning risks not only to domestic dogs and cats, but also to native predatory wildlife such as owls, eagles, and quolls.

Cats and hunting dog breeds face severe secondary toxicity risks when preying on mice that have consumed chemical baits.

New sales restrictions are being rolled out nationwide across state and territory licensing arrangements to limit consumer access to these heavy chemical toxins.

Why Mice Move Indoors (And Early Signs to Watch For)

As seasonal temperatures drop across regional and suburban areas, mice naturally leave drying crop paddocks.

“Lower mouse numbers in paddocks don’t mean they’ve disappeared — it actually means they're now looking elsewhere for food and shelter,” explains Goodnature CEO, Adam Cording.

“As temperatures drop and food resources dry up, homes, sheds and garages become much more attractive, so that's when many people start noticing a problem.”

Cording notes that homeowners frequently underestimate how rapidly a minor mouse presence can turn into a full-scale infestation. While mice typically stay within a tiny half-metre radius when abundant food is present, they travel fast when seeking new sources. People think they've only got one mouse, but mice breed incredibly quickly, and by the time you've seen one, there are usually many more, he adds.

4 Early Warning Signs of Mice in Your Home:

✔ Droppings: Small, dark, spindle-shaped droppings along walls, behind appliances, or in food pantries.

✔ Scratching Sounds: Sounds of scurrying or scratching in wall cavities, ceilings, or under floorboards at night.

✔ Gnaw Marks: Chewed cardboard boxes, wire insulation, or damaged food packaging.

✔ Pet Behaviour: Dogs barking, sniffing intensely, or staring at baseboards, appliances, or wall corners where pests are hiding.

6 Dog-Safe Steps to Protect Your Home from Rodents

To keep your dogs safe from secondary poisoning while effectively stopping pests, pest control experts recommend acting before mice become established indoors.

1. Switch to Toxin-Free Trapping Systems: Choose enclosed, mechanical, or self-resetting trapping systems that eliminate the need for dangerous chemical baits.
2. Ensure Physical Safety: Use enclosed traps designed to keep internal kill mechanisms completely away from curious dog noses, paws, and children.
3. Seal Entry Points: Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a pencil! Seal gaps around external doors, pipes, vents, and subfloor access points.
4. Secure Pet Food & Grain: Store all dog kibble, treats, chicken feed, and household grains in heavy-duty, airtight plastic or glass containers. Never leave dog food bowls sitting out overnight.
5. Clear Outdoor Food Sources: Remove fallen fruit, bird seed feeders, and unsecured compost bins from around your dog's yard.
6. Eliminate Nesting Clutter: Clear stacked cardboard, firewood piles, and dense clutter from garages and sheds where mice like to set up nests.

Mice only need the tiniest food source to survive, adds Cording. If you make food and shelter difficult to find, you're far less likely to end up with a major infestation, and the tragic consequences that come from accidental poisoning of beloved pets.

Modern Toxin-Free Solutions: The Goodnature Alternative

For dog owners seeking a completely poison-free way to protect their homes, modern smart trapping technology provides a reliable alternative to traditional snap traps or chemical baits.

Established in 2005, Goodnature is a world leader in toxin-free pest control and the first B Corp-certified pest control company in the world.

Trusted globally by conservation organisations like The Nature Conservancy, Predator Free 2050, and the United Nations Development Program, Goodnature manufactures humane, self-resetting traps used in over 60 countries.

Their home-focused Goodnature Mouse Trap uses a toxin-free lure and an automated strike mechanism. Because it uses zero chemical poisons, any mouse dispatched by the trap poses zero secondary-poisoning risk to your dogs or local wildlife.

Goodnature self-resetting, toxin-free traps and starter kits are available at Bunnings stores across Australia and online at goodnature.co.nz/au-en.

🚨 Emergency First Aid: What to Do If Your Dog Ingests Bait

If you suspect your dog has eaten rat bait or a poisoned rodent:

• Act immediately: Do not wait for symptoms (pale gums, weakness, bleeding) to appear.
• Call for advice: Contact your vet or call the Australia Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
• Identify the product: Take a photo of the bait package or chemical active ingredient so your vet can immediately administer the correct antidote (such as Vitamin K1).

Game-Changing Pet Safety: Tavo’s Crash-Tested Car Seats and Strollers Launch at Petbarn

If you’ve ever found yourself steering with one hand while holding off an overly enthusiastic pup with the other, you’re far from alone. Road trips, weekend getaways, and quick errands to the local vet are central to everyday life for Australian pet parents. Yet, keeping four-legged passengers properly secured behind the wheel remains one of the most overlooked safety challenges on Australian roads today.

Enter Tavo Pets, the premium pet travel brand redefining how we transport our cherished family members. Created by the expert engineering team behind the world-renowned nursery brand Nuna, Tavo brings juvenile-grade crash testing, European safety engineering, and luxury design directly into the pet travel market.

The best news for Australian dog lovers? Tavo’s flagship collection has officially landed at Petbarn, making its high-performance travel gear accessible online and across selected retail stores nationwide.

The Hidden Danger of Distracted Pet Driving

Behind Tavo’s refined aesthetic lies an urgent commitment to road safety. According to a 2025 Australian pet travel safety report commissioned by Tavo, more than 50% of Australian drivers reported experiencing a pet-related distraction while driving in the past 12 months.

While a pup curling up on a driver’s lap or resting its head on the window frame might seem harmless, road safety studies reveal a stark reality: in a collision at just 50 km/h, an unrestrained pet can be thrown forward with an impact force equal to 30 to 60 times its own body weight. An unsecured dog becomes an immediate danger not only to itself, but to every human occupant inside the vehicle.

"As pet ownership continues to evolve, expectations around quality, design, and functionality in pet travel are rising," explains Peter Leysen, Managing Director at Tavo Pets Australia.

"Every Tavo product is engineered to the same rigorous standards used for children's travel products, incorporating the trusted safety technology behind Nuna's award-winning baby strollers and car seats."

Touch, Try, and Test In-Store at Petbarn

While the convenience of online shopping is hard to beat, finding the right fit for your dog is infinitely easier in person. Having Tavo’s range on display in selected Petbarn stores allows pet owners to bring their dogs in, test internal dimensions, evaluate frame weights, and experience the tactile luxury of the materials firsthand.

In-store displays give owners the confidence to practice clicking the carriers into ISOFIX vehicle bases and test-driving the smooth manoeuvrability of the stroller frames.

"Having our products available in-store and online gives more pet owners the opportunity to experience the exceptional safety, functionality, and thoughtful design behind every product first-hand," says Britt Wainwright, Brand Manager at Tavo Pets Australia.

The Launch Collection: Built for Every Journey

Every product in the Tavo collection is evaluated against stringent United Nations ECE child restraint safety standards. To ensure maximum safety and comfort, Tavo incorporates energy-absorbing Tailor tech™ memory foam, high-density EPP foam surrounds, GREENGUARD Gold Certified fabrics, and naturally flame-resistant materials that are completely free from harsh chemical flame retardants.

1. Maeve™ 3-in-1 Pet Protection System (RRP $749)

The flagship Maeve is a complete, multi-functional travel ecosystem designed to function as a crash-tested car seat, cosy home-away-from-home bed, and luxury stroller pod.

It snaps into an included True Lock™ ISOFIX vehicle base complete with an energy-absorbing floor stability leg that minimises rotational force during sudden stops. When you reach your destination, a single button releases the carrier to attach seamlessly to the lightweight Roscoe Stroller frame (RRP $499).

✔ Sizing & Weight Limits: Small Flex (up to 9kg), Medium Flex (up to 11kg), and Medium Rigid (up to 13.6kg).

✔ Standout Details: Structural UPF 50+ canopy with MagneTech secure snap™ buckles, side impact protection (SIP) guards, two interior safety leashes, and dual machine-washable mattress pads featuring an eco-friendly antimicrobial comfort liner.

2. Crispin™ Impact-Tested Pet Crate (RRP $749)

For dog breeds needing extra headroom, longer laying room, or higher weight allowances, the Crispin Pet Crate offers a spacious "VIP lounge" experience.

Rather than relying on a separate base, the Crispin utilises integrated push-on lower anchor connectors and a top tether that lock directly into your car's seat anchors, preventing pets from roaming while driving.

✔ Sizing & Weight Limits: Small (up to 22.7kg), Medium (up to 24.9kg), and Large (up to 27.2kg).

✔ Standout Details: Engineered with a collapsible frame for space-saving boot storage, hidden zipper pockets for anchor straps when carried by hand, ventilated mesh windows, and an included travel carry bag and dust cover.

3. Dupree™ II Airline Carry-On Pet Car Seat (RRP $449)

Designed specifically for frequent flyers and jet-setting pups, the Dupree II bridges the gap between road and sky.

Built to comply with major airline cabin carry-on dimensions, it transitions smoothly from an ISOFIX-secured car seat to an under-seat plane carrier.

✔ Sizing & Weight Limits: Compact carry-on profile with a 9kg weight capacity.

✔ Standout Details: Equipped with built-in rigid ISOFIX latches for quick car installation, magnetic roll-down privacy panels, locking security zippers, a rear trolley sleeve to slide over rolling luggage handles, and an integrated tracking device holder.

Where to Find Tavo in Australia

The complete Tavo Pets launch collection is available now to explore online at Petbarn Online and at selected Petbarn retail stores across Australia.

FURTHER READING: Pet Car Travel Safety Worries in Australia

Celebrating 30 Years of Life-Changing Impact Across Australia

As International Assistance Dog Week (2–8 August) approaches, Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) is celebrating 30 years of pairing highly skilled, accredited assistance dogs with Australians in need. To mark the milestone, the national charity is highlighting the far-reaching impact of these extraordinary canines while calling on the public to help support the next generation as demand continues to rise.

Every accredited assistance dog changes far more than just one life. While providing greater independence, confidence, and community inclusion for their handler, each dog transforms a wide network of lives—including their families, volunteer puppy raisers, trainers, donors, and supporters.

"Life Changers": More Than Just One Impacted Life

Assistance Dogs Australia CEO Tim Taylor emphasises that every assistance dog represents thousands of hours of training and unwavering community support:

"An assistance dog doesn't just change one life – it changes many," says Mr Taylor. "Over the last 30 years, ADA has given hundreds of people newfound independence through their dog. An assistance dog can mean greater freedom, confidence, and connection with the world around them. For the volunteers who raise them, the donors who fund them, and the trainers who prepare them, there is an incredible sense of purpose in knowing they've helped create something truly life-changing. That's why we call them Life Changers."

Decades of Freedom: Tim McCallum’s Story

One client celebrating ADA's 30-year milestone is Brisbane resident Tim McCallum, who became a quadriplegic at age 18 following a spinal cord injury. Over the years, Tim has had three assistance dogs, with each one giving him something priceless: total independence and the confidence to live life on his own terms.

"Each assistance dog has changed my life in different ways, but together they have given me decades of freedom and the courage to say yes to opportunities I never thought were possible," Tim shares.

Inside the Journey: From Puppy Kindergarten to Accreditation

ADA breeds, trains, and places internationally accredited assistance dogs for Australians living with physical disabilities, complex autism, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The process to create a fully qualified assistance dog requires significant resources and dedication. Each dog costs more than $60,000 to breed, raise, train, and accredit, with the entire journey taking around two years from birth to placement.

Training begins in ADA's Puppy Kindergarten before puppies move into family homes with volunteer puppy raisers to build core socialisation skills and basic obedience. At around 14 months of age, they return to ADA for advanced, specialised training before being individually matched with a client for final accreditation.

Public Access Rights & Accreditation Standards

International Assistance Dog Week also highlights the vital role of international accreditation and high training standards.

Assistance dogs in training Dilys (front) and Misty (back) learning to navigate public transport.

These rigorous standards ensure assistance dog teams can confidently and safely navigate public spaces under Federal law (such as shops, public transport, and restaurants) while protecting the welfare and safety of both the dogs and the public.

These rigorous standards ensure assistance dog teams can confidently and safely navigate public spaces under Federal law (such as shops, public transport, and restaurants) while protecting the welfare and safety of both the dogs and the public.

How You Can Support Assistance Dogs Australia

With the exception of competitive grants, Assistance Dogs Australia receives no ongoing government funding and relies entirely on public generosity to provide these life-changing dogs completely free of charge to clients.

Demand consistently outstrips available dogs, with applications opening only as trained dogs become available. To meet this need, ADA aims to increase the number of Australians it supports by 50 per cent by 2028.

Australians can support ADA's mission in a few key ways:

• ✓ Donate: Make a one-off donation or join the Puppy Academy regular giving program.
• ✓ Raffle & Legacy: Purchase a Play For Purpose raffle ticket or leave a bequest in your will.
• ✓ Volunteer: Sign up as a local puppy raiser to foster a pup during their early training.

For more information, stories, or to support their vital work, visit Assistance Dogs Australia.

Pancreatitis in Dogs: Rethinking Raw Feeding & Fresh Diets

By Narelle Cooke | Naturopath, Nutritionist, Herbalist and Animal Nutritionist; Founder of CanineCeuticals

Few diagnoses create more anxiety for fresh-food feeders than pancreatitis. One day your dog is eating a carefully chosen raw whole-food diet; the next, they’re in pain, nauseous, off their food, and you’re being told to stop raw immediately and move to a prescription kibble. For many owners, it can feel as though raw feeding has been blamed by default, rather than considered as one part of a much bigger clinical picture.

What Causes Canine Pancreatitis? Asking the Right Questions

Dietary indiscretion—such as counter-surfing for high-fat, cured table scraps—is a classic trigger for acute pancreatitis flares.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. When inflamed, digestive enzymes can become activated too early, damaging pancreatic tissue and contributing to vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lethargy, inappetence and dehydration.¹

Severe cases can be life-threatening, making prompt diagnosis essential—much like recognising acute gastroenteritis in dogs and knowing when to seek urgent care. While understanding the underlying causes and signs of pancreatitis in dogs is critical, when it comes to long-term nutrition, the conversation often becomes too simplistic.

Rather than taking a black-and-white stance of “raw or kibble”, the more useful question is: what does this dog need right now to reduce pancreatic stress, support recovery, and minimise the risk of another flare?

That question shifts the focus away from blaming a feeding style and back to the factors that actually matter - fat content, digestibility, food quality, formulation, consistency and the dog’s broader health status.

Comparing Raw Pet Food Quality & Low-Fat Options

“Raw” is not one diet - and that distinction matters. Fatty mince, meat off-cuts, chicken skin, butcher’s blends or marrow bones are not the same as a carefully formulated, complete and balanced commercial low-fat raw patty, for example. As Australia’s raw dog food revolution continues to grow, understanding the difference between unformulated meat scraps and balanced fresh options is essential for safety.

One reason vets often recommend prescription diets is not necessarily because kibble is inherently superior, but because they need a diet that’s predictable - known fat content, complete and balanced formulation, consistent feeding guidelines and clear quality control.

Prescription diets provide that peace of mind. But that same logic can also apply to reputable commercial raw or lightly cooked diets. If the fat percentage is clearly stated, it becomes possible to assess whether that product is appropriate.

Is Dietary Fat the Only Trigger for Pancreatitis Flares?

For decades, dietary fat has been treated as the main nutritional villain in canine pancreatitis. This is understandable: very high-fat meals, table scraps, the ingestion of garbage and rich foods have long been associated with flare-ups. However, recent veterinary reviews show that the evidence linking dietary fat alone to naturally occurring pancreatitis is not as strong or straightforward as many assume.²

Instead, pancreatitis is multifactorial, with possible contributors including obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia, endocrine disease, breed predisposition, medications, dietary indiscretion and individual susceptibility.

A 2024 JAVMA review states that nutrition is important in pancreatitis management but also notes that clinical studies are limited.² While low-fat diets are frequently used initially, many dogs can transition back to their previous diet or another maintenance diet when clinically appropriate.

This matters because long-term fat restriction should not be applied automatically. Overly restrictive low-fat feeding may compromise essential fatty acid intake and the fat-soluble nutrients needed for normal immune function, inflammatory balance, skin barrier health and tissue repair.³ Such a restrictive diet is generally best reserved for dogs with recurrent pancreatitis or another clear clinical indication.

Fresh Food vs. Prescription Kibble Digestibility

Another common assumption is that prescription kibble is automatically more digestible than raw or fresh food. However, the evidence doesn’t support that as a blanket statement. Extrusion can improve the digestibility of raw starches, grains and legumes⁴ - ingredients dogs would not digest well in their raw state - but that’s not the same as proving kibble is more digestible overall than a meat-based raw or gently cooked diet.

Studies comparing extruded, mildly cooked and raw diets have found that raw and lightly cooked diets were more highly digestible and well tolerated in healthy dogs than extruded diets.⁵

And a 2024 study comparing frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, fresh and extruded dry-food diets also found that the extruded diet generally had the lowest digestibility values, while frozen raw and freeze-dried raw diets had the highest.⁶

Raw Food Safety & Pathogen Risk in Context

Raw foods can contain bacteria and must be handled hygienically, particularly in households with vulnerable people. But it’s misleading to imply that raw food is uniquely risky while dry food is risk-free. Studies and recall data clearly show that dry pet foods and treats can also be contaminated with pathogens, and Salmonella can survive for extended periods in dry food.⁷⁻¹¹

One international survey of raw-feeding households found possible transmission from raw pet food to a human family member was reported in only 0.2% of cases¹², and another study comparing faecal pathogens in raw-fed and kibble-fed dogs found that differences were not statistically significant.¹³

The conclusion is not “raw has no risk” - it’s that all food has risk, and risk is managed through quality control, storage, hygiene, ingredient sourcing and appropriate product choice.

Ultra-Processed Dog Food & Inflammatory AGEs

High-temperature extrusion used to manufacture commercial kibble produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Kibble is typically made through high-temperature extrusion. When proteins and certain sugars, or carbohydrates, are heated together, Maillard reaction products and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can form. These compounds can interact with immune receptors and are known to contribute to oxidative stress, chronic inflammatory signalling and disease development in both humans and animals.¹⁴, ¹⁵

The direct role of dietary AGEs in canine pancreatitis has not been fully established. However, for a disease involving inflammation and oxidative stress, it’s reasonable to question whether a highly processed diet should be the default long-term answer.

A Balanced Middle Ground for Pancreatitis Recovery

For owners who value raw or fresh food feeding, the most evidence-informed approach is individualised. During an acute flare, work with your vet to control pain, nausea, hydration and inflammation. Once food is reintroduced, use small, frequent meals based on lean, low-fat, highly digestible ingredients.

For some dogs, this may mean a prescription therapeutic diet, especially in the short term. For others, it may mean a lightly cooked fresh-food diet using lean proteins such as kangaroo, turkey breast, chicken breast or white fish.

A balanced low-fat fresh food prep featuring lean kangaroo and turkey breast. Image credit: Narelle Cooke / CanineCeuticals.

And for other dogs, a complete and balanced commercial low-fat raw diet with a clear nutritional analysis may also be appropriate.

Pancreatitis deserves respect. It can be painful, serious and recurrent. But a prescription kibble is not the only possible answer. The evidence supports a thoughtful middle ground: control fat where needed, prioritise digestibility and nutrient density, use standardised and complete diets, avoid dietary indiscretion, and choose the least processed suitable option for the dog in front of you.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not replace veterinary assessment or treatment.

About the Author

Narelle Cooke is a qualified naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, and the founder of CanineCeuticals. With a background in research science, she specialises in evidence-informed, integrative approaches to canine health, with a focus on nutrition, gut health, mobility, and healthy ageing.

Through her clinical work, education, and product development, Narelle helps pet owners and practitioners better understand how targeted nutrition and supplementation can support long-term health, comfort, and quality of life in dogs.

You can follow her latest updates and canine wellness tips on Facebook and Instagram.

Scientific References

1. Brooks, W. (2023). Pancreatitis in Dogs. Veterinary Partner, Available from: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952412.
2. Cridge, H., Parker, V.J., et al. (2024). Nutritional management of pancreatitis and concurrent disease in dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 262(6): p. 834-840. DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.11.0641.
3. Dalimunthe, A., Tan, M.W., et al. (2026). Immunonutrients as modulators of inflammation, barrier integrity, and immune regulation: Toward precision nutrition. Journal of Functional Foods. 136. DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107119.
4. Singh, S., Gamlath, S., et al. (2007). Nutritional aspects of food extrusion: a review. International Journal of Food Science & Technology. 42(8): p. 916-929. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01309.x.
5. Algya, K.M., Cross, T.L., et al. (2018). Apparent total-tract macronutrient digestibility, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and faecal characteristics, metabolites and microbiota of adult dogs fed extruded, mildly cooked, and raw diets. J Anim Sci. 96(9): p. 3670-3683. DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky235.
6. Geary, E.L., Oba, P.M., et al. (2024). Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility of frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, fresh, and extruded dog foods and their effects on serum metabolites and faecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs. Transl Anim Sci. 8: p. txae163. DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae163.
7. Lambertini, E., Mishra, A., et al. (2016). Modeling the long-term kinetics of Salmonella survival on dry pet food. Food Microbiology. 58. DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2016.02.003.
8. Nemser, S.M., Doran, T., et al. (2014). Investigation of Listeria, Salmonella, and toxigenic Escherichia coli in various pet foods. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 11(9): p. 706-709. DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2014.1748.
9. Behravesh, C.B., Ferraro, A., et al. (2010). Human Salmonella infections linked to contaminated dry dog and cat food, 2006-2008. Pediatrics. 126(3): p. 477-483. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-3273.
10. Imanishi, M., Rotstein, D.S., et al. (2014). Outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis infection in humans linked to dry dog food in the United States and Canada, 2012. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 244(5): p. 545-553. DOI: 10.2460/javma.244.5.545.
11. Selmi, M., Stefanelli, S., et al. (2011). Contaminated commercial dehydrated food as source of multiple Salmonella serotypes outbreak in a municipal kennel in Tuscany. Veterinaria Italiana. 47(2): p. 183-190.
12. Anturaniemi, J., Barrouin-Melo, S.M., et al. (2019). Owners’ perception of acquiring infections through raw pet food: a comprehensive internet-based survey. Veterinary Record. p. 1-9. DOI: 10.1136/vetrec-2018-105122.
13. Fredriksson-Ahomaa, M., Heikkila, T., et al. (2017). Raw Meat-Based Diets in Dogs and Cats. Vet Sci. 4(3). DOI: 10.3390/vetsci4030033.
14. Reddy, V.P., Aryal, P., et al. (2022). Advanced Glycation End Products in Health and Disease. Microorganisms. 10(9). DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091848.
15. van Rooijen, C., Bosch, G., et al. (2013). The Maillard reaction and pet food processing: effects on nutritive value and pet health. Nutrition research reviews. 26(2): p. 130-148. DOI: 10.1017/S0954422413000103.

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