Why We Choose Natural

Why We Feed a Raw Carnivore Diet

At Maple Ridge Snorkies, we believe that how a puppy is nourished is the foundation of their lifelong health. Because we are committed to natural rearing, all of our dogs are raised on a species-appropriate raw carnivore diet—never kibble, fillers, or synthetic “fortifications.”

Dogs Are Carnivores by Design

Anatomy tells the story:

• Teeth & jaws – built for tearing and crushing meat and bone, not grinding plant matter.

• Digestive system – a short, acidic tract designed to digest animal proteins quickly and safely.

• Enzymes – dogs lack salivary amylase, which omnivores and herbivores use to break down starches.

Pioneers in natural rearing such as Dr. Jeannie Thomason, VND and Paula V. (VanderVroot, NR Breeders Assoc.)emphasize that when we feed dogs as carnivores, we honor both their biology and their Creator’s design. They consistently show that removing processed foods, fruits, and vegetables from a dog’s daily diet results in better digestion, stronger immunity, healthier joints, and greater longevity.

Why Raw?

Raw feeding—sometimes called the “prey model” or “80/10/10” (80% meat, 10% bone, 10% organ)—most closely mirrors what wild canines thrive on. This provides:

• Complete nutrition directly from whole prey parts.

• Live enzymes that aren't destroyed by cooking.

• Moisture-rich meals that support kidneys, liver, and joints.

• Natural dental care through raw meaty bones that clean teeth.

Why Not Fruits & Vegetables?

Though well-meaning, adding plant matter every day ignores the fact that dogs cannot properly digest cellulose. Most fruits and vegetables pass through without offering true bioavailable nutrients. More importantly, they can displace the essential animal fats and proteins dogs need for growth, reproduction, and tissue repair. Occasional berries or seasonal scraps may not harm, but they are not—and should not be—core to a dog’s daily diet.

Evidence You Can See

Naturally reared, raw-fed dogs consistently show:

• Shiny coats and healthy skin.

• Clean teeth with minimal tartar.

• Lean muscle and strong bone density.

• Smaller, less odorous stools.

• Robust immune systems that resist disease.

As Jeannie Thomason often teaches, “When we give the body what it is designed to use, it knows how to heal and maintain itself.” Paula V. and other long-time breeders echo this truth: a raw carnivore diet is not a fad—it is a return to what has always worked.

Dogs are carnivores and cats are OBLIGATE carnivores,  and pumpkin is not something a carnivore would  ever seek out on its own to eat. The dog and cat's digestive system is not  designed or equipped to eat vegetables; they do not produce amylase in  their salivary glands like omnivores or herbivores do.

Amylase  is a specialized enzyme most herbivores and omnivores produce in their  saliva to break down starches found in grasses, corn rice, potatoes,  pumpkin, etc. into simple sugars so they can be absorbed into the blood  stream and turned into energy. However, carnivores are not designed to  eat or require starch in their diet. They meet their blood glucose requirements from gluconeogenesis which  is a metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from  non-carbohydrate carbon substrates using protein, rather than from the  breakdown of carbohydrates in their diet.

Pumpkin  actually ranks quite high on the glycemic index, or GI, which suggests  that the carbohydrates in this vegetable could cause a marked increase  in your pet's blood sugar and sugar as you may know is known to feed  yeast and cancer.

Plant  matter, grains (and seeds) and vegetables stress the animal's digestive  system, especially the pancreas since it is forced to produce enzymes  such as amylase in order to digest a vegetable that the body was never  intended to have to digest.  Is pumpkin safe?  Yes.  Is it appropriate to give?  No. Other than on rare occasions for constipation. 

In order to take a holistic, naturopathic approach the next time your pet has digestive issues.  Explore bone for loose stools, more water, or bone broth for constipation.  Slippery elm is my go to for all issues.  

I know not everyone will agree with me, but I thought instead of someone saying give pumpkin, I thought I would share some reasons on why you shouldn’t.  I love learning, and I’m just sharing 

Our Commitment to You

When you bring home a Maple Ridge Snorkie, you are not only receiving a puppy—you are receiving the gift of a strong start on the very best nutrition possible. We will guide you in sourcing quality raw foods, understanding the simple ratios, and feeling confident that your puppy will grow on a foundation that supports lifelong health.

Why We Don’t Vaccinate or Use Chemicals
Maple Ridge Snorkies – Natural Rearing

• Vaccines:

• Small dogs are at highest risk of reactions when given multiple shots at once (JAVMA studies).


• All dogs get the same dose—whether 2 lbs or 120 lbs—which raises risk for toy breeds.


• Case reports link vaccines to autoimmune disease, seizures, and thyroid issues (Jean Dodds, DVM).

• Over-Vaccination:


• Core vaccines protect for 3+ years, often life (R.D. Schultz, PhD/DVM).


• Extra shots = more risk, no added immunity.


• Annual boosters = outdated practice.

• Titers First:


• A blood test shows if protection is still present.


• AAHA + WSAVA recognize titers for core vaccines.


• Rabies is the only legal exception.

• Chemicals (fleas, ticks, worms):


• These are pesticides/neurotoxins.


• Burden the liver, kidneys, and immune system.


• Safer alternatives: homeopathy, herbs, nutrition.

Our Philosophy:
We don’t vaccinate or use chemicals because true health comes from nutrition, natural immunity, and toxin-free living.

Why We Choose a Chemical-Free Home & Yard

We believe the environment puppies grow up in matters. From the very beginning, their developing bodies are constantly interacting with the world around them—through the grass beneath their paws, the air they breathe, and the spaces where they play, rest, and explore.

Because of this, we choose to maintain a chemical-free home and yard, avoiding synthetic pesticides, herbicides, lawn treatments, and unnecessary environmental toxins whenever possible. Our goal isn’t perfection, but creating the cleanest, most naturally supportive environment we can.

This approach reflects our commitment to natural rearing principles: supporting healthy development, respecting the body’s natural processes, nurturing immune resilience, and allowing puppies to grow in an environment as close to nature as possible.

For us, raising puppies is about more than meeting physical needs—it’s about thoughtfully caring for the whole dog from the very beginning. We believe those early foundations matter, and we strive to give each puppy the healthiest start we can provide.

Or a softer, more heartfelt version:

A Natural Beginning

We believe puppies deserve the gentlest, healthiest start possible. That’s why our home and yard are kept chemical-free whenever possible, avoiding common lawn treatments, pesticides, and unnecessary toxins.

Growing puppies experience the world with their whole bodies—rolling in the grass, exploring with curious noses, and spending their earliest days building the foundations for lifelong health. We choose a more natural environment because we believe those early experiences matter.

Our commitment to natural rearing is rooted in the belief that supporting health begins not only with nutrition and care, but with the environment our dogs live in every day. We strive to raise our puppies surrounded by fresh air, natural spaces, and thoughtful choices that honor their development from the very beginning.

For us, this is simply part of raising dogs with intention, respect, and deep care.

Our Approach to Holistic Care

At Maple Ridge, we believe true wellness is more than the absence of illness—it is nurtured through the daily choices that build a healthy foundation over time. Nutrition, environment, emotional wellbeing, movement, species-appropriate living, and thoughtful care all play a role in supporting lifelong health.

As natural rearing-minded breeders, we strive to raise and care for our dogs in ways that honor nature’s design whenever possible. We believe supporting health begins long before illness appears, through creating strong foundations and respecting the body’s innate ability to maintain balance and resilience.

Because of this, we prioritize holistic and homeopathic approaches whenever appropriate, focusing on prevention, whole-body wellness, and supporting the body’s natural processes rather than simply responding to symptoms after they arise. Outside of clear emergency situations or circumstances requiring immediate intervention, we will thoughtfully consider holistic and homeopathic protocols first whenever possible.

Our philosophy does not come from rejecting conventional veterinary medicine, but from a desire to choose the least invasive and most supportive options first while always keeping the wellbeing of the individual dog at the center of every decision. We believe thoughtful care means remaining open, informed, and willing to consider what best serves each animal in a given situation.

At Maple Ridge, we work alongside a trusted holistic veterinarian whose approach aligns with our values and commitment to whole-body wellness. Equally important, we value wisdom, humility, and collaboration in care. When situations arise that require diagnostics, emergency intervention, specialized treatment, or conventional medical support, our holistic veterinarian helps guide us toward trusted conventional veterinary professionals when needed.

For us, this is not about choosing one path over another—it is about remaining naturally rearing-minded while honoring the responsibility to provide appropriate care when circumstances call for it. Above all, our commitment is to raise and care for our dogs with intention, respect, and deep appreciation for the body’s innate capacity for health, giving every dog entrusted to us the most thoughtful and supportive care we can provide.

What Are Nosodes?

Nosodes are a form of homeopathic remedy made from the energetic imprint of a disease material (such as saliva, discharge, or tissue from an infected animal) that has been rendered completely safe and sterile through the process of homeopathic preparation. By the time a nosode is made into pellets or liquid, there is no physical trace of the original material — only the energetic “blueprint” remains.

This makes them non-toxic and safe, with no risk of infection.

How Nosodes Differ From Vaccines

• Vaccines contain antigens (or fragments) plus adjuvants (like aluminum, mercury compounds, or other chemical stabilizers) that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. They bypass the body’s natural defenses, and in doing so, often overstimulate or unbalance the immune system.

• Nosodes do not contain chemicals, preservatives, or foreign proteins. Instead, they work on the energetic level, stimulating the body’s natural defenses to recognize and respond to a disease. Rather than “forcing” immunity, nosodes encourage balance and resilience in the immune system.

Benefits of Nosodes in a Natural Rearing Program

1. Safe:

• No toxic additives, preservatives, or chemicals.

• No risk of adverse events like seizures, anaphylaxis, or autoimmune conditions.

2. Gentle & Holistic:

• Support the body’s own defense system rather than overriding it.

• Strengthen overall health instead of introducing immune stress.

3. Individualized:

• Nosodes can be given in a protocol (e.g., for parvo or distemper protection) or used after exposure in a targeted way.

• They can be matched to your dog’s unique needs and environment.

4. Accepted by Many Natural Rearing Veterinarians:

• Pioneers like Dr. Richard Pitcairn, Dr. Christina Chambreau, and Dr. Charles Loops have used nosodes extensively as part of a holistic approach.

• Breeders in the Natural Rearing Breeders Association often use nosodes in place of vaccines for their litters.

What the Studies and Case Reports Show

• Jean Dodds, DVM and others have documented harmful effects of repeated conventional vaccines in small breeds, autoimmune-prone lines, and dogs with chronic illness. Nosodes, by contrast, have been used for decades with no reports of adverse events.

• Parvo nosodes have been used successfully by natural rearing breeders and homeopathic veterinarians to protect litters during outbreaks, with good success rates reported anecdotally in practice.

(Note: While nosodes are recognized in homeopathic and natural rearing circles, conventional veterinary medicine does not accept them as a legal substitute for vaccines, especially for rabies, where vaccination is mandated by law.)

Key Point for Families

Nosodes are not “vaccines” in the conventional sense. They are a safe, natural way to support your dog’s immune system against disease without introducing toxins or overwhelming the body. While laws still require rabies vaccination, many natural rearing families choose nosodes to support their dog’s health and resilience for all other diseases.