Reviewer
Justin Shmalberg, DVM, CVA, ACVN, ACVSMR
Board-certified veterinary nutritionist and rehabilitation specialist; Chi University faculty, University of Florida Small Animal Hospital Integrative Medicine; Chi University faculty · Gainesville, Florida
University of Florida integrative medicine service chief focused on nutrition, supplements, integrative medicine, oncology nutrition, rehabilitation, and acupuncture research.
Areas of focus
- integrative canine nutrition
- food therapy
- veterinary acupuncture
- canine sports medicine and rehabilitation
- supplement literacy
Elsewhere
130 guides by Justin
- Is a Dog Treadmill Worth It for Large Dogs?
- 5 Ways to Help a Dog with Down Syndrome Move
- How Does Cold Weather Affect Dog Mobility?
- Which Core Exercises for Dogs Protect Mobility?
- Dog Age Chart: When Should Mobility Care Begin?
- 5 Measures for Extra Large Dog Kennel Indoor Comfort
- 8 Low-Exercise Dog Breeds That Still Need Daily Movement
- How Much Exercise for a Labrador Puppy at 16 Weeks?
- When Is It Too Cold to Walk a Dog Safely?
- Which Indoor Dog Kennel Best Supports Aging Joints?
- Wild vs Farmed Salmon Oil: Which Is the Better Buy for Dogs?
- What Research Says About Social Contact for an Aging Dog's Brain
- The Best Crunchy Vegetables to Use as Dog Treats
- The Best Low-Fat Cheeses to Use as Dog Treats
- Indoor Exercise Ideas for a Dog in Deep Winter
- How to Teach Weight Shifting as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Tell When a Senior Dog Has Had Enough Exercise
- How to Use Curbs and Low Steps to Build Strength on Everyday Walks
- How to Use Fallen Logs to Build Strength on Everyday Walks
- How to Use Soft Sand to Build Strength on Everyday Walks
- Indoor Exercise Ideas for a Dog During a Heatwave
- How to Teach Backing Up as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Teach Cone Weaving as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Teach Cookie Stretches as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Teach Ladder Walking as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Teach Slow Stair Climbing as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Fit a Dog's Exercise Around Short Winter Days
- How to Keep a Senior Giant Breed Active Without Overdoing It
- How to Keep a Senior Toy Breed Active Without Overdoing It
- How to Keep an Older Working Breed Active Without Overdoing It
- How to Build a Long-Term Mobility Plan for an Aging Dog
- How Sweet Potato Fiber Feeds a Dog's Gut Bacteria
- How to Build a Backyard Agility Ramp
- 7 Low-Impact Exercises for Dogs With Stiff Hips
- How Acacia Fiber Feeds a Dog's Gut Bacteria
- How Long Should You Walk an 11-Year-Old Dog?
- How Long to Wait After a Full Meal Before Walking a Dog
- How Many Meals a Day Does a Growing Puppy Need?
- How Much Exercise Does a Vizsla Need?
- Can Dogs Eat Plain Pasta? What That Bowl Actually Adds
- Can Dogs Eat Watermelon Rind?
- Can Puppies Eat Apples? A Vet's Slice-by-Slice Guide
- Can Raw Green Tripe Support a Dog's Gut Bacteria?
- A Four-Week Walking Plan for a Dog Moving to a Hilly Area
- A Four-Week Walking Plan for a Giant-Breed Adult
- A Four-Week Walking Plan for a Senior Dog Getting Back Into Walks
- A Four-Week Walking Plan for an Overweight Small Dog
- An Exercise Plan for a One-Year-Old Labrador
- Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe? What the Sugar, Water, and Fiber Actually Do
- Can Dogs Eat Cranberries? What Plain Berries Do — and Don't Do
- Can Dogs Eat Cucumber? A Vet Nutritionist Weighs the Crunch
- 5 Ways to Keep Low Energy Dogs Moving Safely
- Do Low Maintenance Dogs Still Need Daily Exercise?
- A Cold-Weather Mobility Routine for a Senior Dog
- A Daily Flexibility Routine for an Older Dog
- A Heat and Humidity Guide for Walking a Dog
- How to Tell When a Brachycephalic Dog Has Had Enough Exercise
- How to Tell When a Young Puppy Has Had Enough Exercise
- A Wind-Chill Guide for Walking a Dog
- How Long Should You Walk a Flat-Faced Breed?
- Feeding a Pregnant or Nursing Dog: What Actually Changes, Week by Week
- How to Get a Picky Dog to Eat: A Vet Nutritionist's Approach
- Is Chicken and Rice Enough for a Dog Long Term?
- Does a Dog in Its Senior Years Need a Different Probiotic?
- How Long to Walk a Labrador at Each Age
- How to Keep a Husky Cool on Summer Walks
- How to Keep a Ten-Year-Old Labrador Active Without Overdoing It
- How to Teach Figure-Eight Walking as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Teach Front-Feet-Up Stands as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Teach Paw Targeting as a Home Mobility Exercise
- How to Use Tall Grass to Build Strength on Everyday Walks
- How to Weigh a Large Dog at Home Without a Vet Visit
- Scent Games That Keep an Older Dog Moving
- A Weekly Exercise Plan Around a Full-Time Office Job
- Dog Park vs Structured Exercise for Your Dog: Which Actually Builds Fitness?
- Home Exercises to Strengthen Weak or Wobbly Back Legs (Vet-Guided)
- How Much Exercise a Dog With Early Arthritis Needs
- How Much Exercise a Flat-Faced Breed in Summer Needs
- How to Build a Snuffle Mat From Household Items
- How to Make Frozen Treat Toys at Home
- Indoor Enrichment When It's Too Cold to Walk
- Indoor Exercise for an Older Dog That Tires Quickly
- Low-Energy Enrichment for Couch-Potato Dogs
- My Dog Solves Puzzles Too Fast — Now What?
- Puzzle Toys for Dogs Who Give Up Easily
- Signs of Exercise Intolerance in Dogs
- Water Games for Dogs Who Love to Splash
- What to Do if a Dog Has Sore Pads After Exercise
- What to Do if a Dog Seems Stiff Getting Up After Exercise
- Why My Dog Gets Zoomies Instead of Tiring Out
- An Enrichment Plan for a Day of Heavy Rain
- An Enrichment Plan for a Senior Dog's Short Day
- Choosing Chew-Safe Enrichment for Power Chewers
- Exercise to Help an Overweight Dog Lose Weight Safely
- An Enrichment Plan for a Dark Winter Evening
- Enrichment Tips for Foster Dog Volunteers
- How to Build Up Exercise for a Senior Dog With Stiff Joints
- How to Build Up Exercise for a Toy Breed in Winter
- How to Set Up Safe Backyard-Pool Exercise for a Dog
- How Much to Feed a Dog During Pregnancy
- How to Read a Dog Food Label for Fat Content
- When Can a Puppy Safely Use Stairs? A Rehab Vet's Age-by-Size Answer
- What to Do When a Dog Vomits After Eating Rich Holiday Food
- What "Complete and Balanced" Actually Means on a Dog Food Label
- How to Read a Dog Treat Label (Without Getting Fooled by the Front of the Bag)
- Is Grain-Free Dog Food Safe? Weighing the DCM Evidence Before You Switch
- Feeding Your Dog While Traveling: What Actually Keeps a Gut Steady on the Road
- How to Feed a Large-Breed Dog: A Life-Stage Feeding Guide
- Feeding a Dog With Few or No Teeth: What Actually Works
- Swimming vs Walking for an Arthritic Dog: Which Actually Helps More?
- Soft Calming Treats vs. Calming Sprays: Which Actually Works for Dogs?
- Can Dogs Eat Eggs? What a Veterinary Nutritionist Actually Prioritizes
- Natural Anti-Aging Ingredients vs. Pharmaceutical Longevity Drugs for Dogs
- Off-Leash Play vs On-Leash Walks for Exercise: What Actually Serves a Dog's Joints
- Low-Fat Feeding for Dogs Prone to Pancreatitis: What the Label Should Actually Say
- Glucosamine vs. MSM for Dog Joint Pain: What Each One Actually Does
- Dog Treadmill vs Outdoor Walking: Which One Actually Serves an Achy Dog Better?
- Benadryl Versus Natural Calming Supplements for Dogs: What Actually Calms an Anxious Dog
- Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? A Vet Nutritionist's Take on Seeds, Rind, and Portions
- Can Dogs Eat Turkey? A Vet's Honest Read on the Plate, the Skin, and the Bones
- Can Dogs Eat Ham? What the Salt and Fat Really Do
- Can Dogs Eat Carrots? What a Veterinary Nutritionist Wants You to Know
- Can Dogs Eat Bread? What That Slice on the Counter Really Costs Your Dog
- Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? A Vet's Honest Read on the Hype
- Can Dogs Eat Bananas? What the Fruit Actually Does Once It Hits the Bowl
- Can Dogs Eat Avocado Safely? What the Flesh, Pit, and Fat Actually Do
- Best Supplements to Support a Senior Dog's Immune System
- Are Raisins Toxic to Dogs? Yes — Here's What Actually Happens After Ingestion
- Are Mushrooms Safe for Dogs? What the Cap on Your Cutting Board and the One in Your Yard Don't Share
- Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato? A Vet's Guide to Prep, Portions, and Who Should Skip It