I invented a new breed 🐶🔬

So Labradors and Golden Retrievers were the most popular dog breeds in the US for the longest time 🐕🐕‍🦺🦮

I used to see so many of them in my clinic. They’re such sweet, loyal souls.

They’re just the perfect family dogs, so no surprise there.

Then Frenchies took the number one spot, and honestly, if doodles were officially recognized (I know, I know, they totally should be), they’d be way up there too.

I mean… tiny round bulldogs and big cuddly teddy bears? Just way too cute 🥹

But here’s the thing, as much as we love these breeds, I have a little feeling about what the next top “breed” might be.

Wanna guess?

A dog or cat with a healthy microbiome 💫

Okay, okay… not technically a breed 😆

But seriously, what would we even call them? A microbiota dog? Sounds kinda like a superhero, right? 😂

Dun dun dun…Microbiota Super Dog saves the day! 🦸‍♂️

All jokes aside, I truly believe that as more pet parents learn how much the microbiome impacts their fur babies’ health that’s going to become more of a focus. 

I really think one day it’s going to be the thing people pay attention to when choosing a little one. 

Just think about it. When we go to a breeder to welcome a new puppy or kitten into our lives, these are the deeper, more meaningful questions we should be asking:

✨ What was the mom eating during pregnancy and afterwards while she was breastfeeding her babies? (That plays a big role in shaping a baby’s microbiome!)

✨ Were the babies born naturally? (The microbiome they get from the birth canal is so important.)

✨ Do they get to touch real earth and play in soil? (Because soil microbes = magic.)

✨ Were they breastfed or bottle-fed? (Breast milk is truly liquid gold for building gut health.)

✨ Are they still intact? (Delaying spay and neuter gives their endocrine system time to develop which can support their microbiome, too.) 

And we can’t forget about vaccines. I really think more and more new pet parents are going to want to choose when to begin them, and how they’d like to space them out.

Because all of these things play a huge role in shaping the microbiome that supports every aspect of their health.

Now, if you’ve ever had a pet with chronic allergies, itchy skin, or recurring tummy issues, I know your heart feels this. You get it. 

The immune system lives in the gut, and when the gut’s out of balance, our animals can really struggle for a long time until we heal their microbiome.

And if you’ve already got your puppy or kitten, please don’t worry 💕 It’s never too late.

There is so, so much we can do to support them now and give them the healthiest, happiest life.

The first step? A fresh, whole-food diet that supports their unique body.

Then, titer testing to make sure we’re not over-vaccinating.

And since our little ones can be extra sensitive to parasites, regular checks and gentle detoxing when needed can be such a game-changer.

(At the Integrative Pet Wellness Center, we offer holistic detox support for pet parents who want to go that route, because deworming can come with some side effects, and we love to support the whole being 💖)

And the truth is, those early months? They’re so important. This is when we’re laying the foundation for a lifetime of thriving.

I always say cancer prevention starts on Day 1. And honestly? That goes for pretty much any disease we’re trying to prevent.

It just feels so much better to be proactive—rather than waiting until our pets aren’t feeling their best.

And this is exactly why we’re working on something really special for our puppy and kitten families 💕

Eeeee I’m so excited about this!!

Keep an eye on your inbox 👀

We’ll be sharing more very soon.

With all our love,
🦄 Dr. Lily + The Unicorn Team

P.S. If you’re a Concierge Pet Parent with a puppy or kitten, you’ll get instant access to this new offer at no extra charge 💖

P.P.S. What’s your favorite dog or cat breed? I’d love to know, hit reply and tell me! 🐾

Starlight Stories

🌸 Starlight’s April Whisper 🌸
By your sparkly unicorn friend

April tiptoes in on a soft sunrise breeze,
Waking up flowers and painting the trees.
Raindrops like lullabies fall from the sky,
Then rainbows peek out as the clouds float by.

The air smells like promise, like something brand new,
Like dreams that are blooming in every hue.
So take a deep breath and look all around—
April is magic just touching the ground. 🌈