Petopia International

☆ LONGEVITY TIP ✼ 🧬 WHAT DOGS EAT MAY CHANGE HOW THEIR SKIN PROTECTS ITSELF... AT THE GENETIC LEVEL 🐶 ☆

ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ post shared with permission from pet nutrition blogger

A p*er-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, a well-respected international veterinary journal, suggests that a dog’s diet can influence much more than the appearance of their coat; it can also affect how their skin functions from the inside out.

Researchers at DogRisk Research Group compared dogs eating a minimally processed raw diet with dogs eating an ultra-processed kibble and found that the raw-fed dogs showed greater activity of genes linked to healthy skin, natural immune defenses, and the body’s own antioxidant system, including glutathione.

They also found that dogs with allergies had changes in hundreds of genes involved in skin barrier function, inflammation, and skin cell repair, highlighting how important a healthy skin barrier is for protecting against allergens and environmental irritants.

One possible reason is the food matrix — the natural structure of whole foods, where nutrients, fats, proteins, fibre, and thousands of naturally occurring compounds work together in ways that isolated nutrients or highly processed foods may not fully replicate.

While this study was not designed to determine why these gene changes occurred, the food matrix is one of several factors researchers believe deserves further investigation.

This study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that nutrition can influence health all the way down to gene activity.

That’s one reason Dr. Karen Becker recommends feeding a balanced, fresh, minimally processed diet whenever possible. Whole foods provide nutrients in their natural form and may help support healthy skin, immune function, and overall well-being as part of a healthy lifestyle.

And remember, it does not have to be all or nothing.

⚠️ If you’re currently feeding kibble, simply starting with a teaspoon of fresh, whole food added to the bowl is a great first step. Small changes can be a simple way to start adding more fresh food to your dog’s diet. 🙌

Habib Pet Health Media - Pet Nutrition Blogger

"An educated, informed and well-researched community of pet owners can only put more pressure on the pet food industry to be better! When pet owners know better, they will only do better!"

☆彡 DOGGIE MEME / At Puppy School - Drinking Lesson 🤪😂

✍🏻 Credit : Off the Leash

❈ ❈ ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ PlayCare™️ Excursion CXIII @ Petopia! ❈ ❈

As part of our PlayCare™️ Excursion Series, Team Petopia embarked on our 113rd adventure with a select group of our canine VIPs for a City Walk ~ Linear Greens & Shifting Skylines © on 11 Aug ’25 Mon 🐾💦

Every PlayCare™️ excursion is thoughtfully curated to offer our guests enriching experiences beyond the familiar daycare environment.

From scenic nature walks and invigorating Sniffari Experience©️ explorations to refreshing Paws & Splashes©️ Poolventure sessions, Paws & Tides©️ Southern Islands-hopping adventures, and Paws & Pedals©️ Bikeventure excursions where our guests travel comfortably aboard customised trailer wagons between sniffing points, every excursion is thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration, nurture confidence and create lasting memories.

Every outing takes place at carefully selected locations chosen for their safety, comfort and suitability.

Throughout each adventure, our guests enjoy regular hydration breaks and, before heading home, are treated to a specially prepared picnic snack or a puppucino @ Starbucks — a well-deserved reward after a morning of exploration, play and discovery. 🧺💚

To preserve these precious moments, every PlayCare™️ excursion includes a professionally edited highlight video, a gallery of candid photographs, and a commemorative photo memento presented in a specially prepared keepsake leather journal. 📸✨

Every excursion becomes another chapter in the PlayCare™️ story — celebrating not only the places we’ve explored together, but also the confidence gained, friendships forged and cherished memories created along the way. 🐾💚

❈ ❈ ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ PlayCare™️ Excursion CLVIII @ Petopia! ❈ ❈

As part of our PlayCare™️ Excursion Series, Team Petopia embarked on our 158th adventure with a select group of our canine VIPs for a Sniffari Experience© excursion at Mandai Wildlife East & West on 23 Jun ’26 Tues 🐾💦

Every PlayCare™️ excursion is thoughtfully curated to offer our guests enriching experiences beyond the familiar daycare environment.

From scenic nature walks and invigorating Sniffari Experience©️ explorations to refreshing Paws & Splashes©️ Poolventure sessions, Paws & Tides©️ Southern Islands-hopping adventures, and Paws & Pedals©️ Bikeventure excursions where our guests travel comfortably aboard customised trailer wagons between sniffing points, every excursion is thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration, nurture confidence and create lasting memories.

Every outing takes place at carefully selected locations chosen for their safety, comfort and suitability.

Throughout each adventure, our guests enjoy regular hydration breaks and, before heading home, are treated to a specially prepared picnic snack or a puppucino @ Starbucks — a well-deserved reward after a morning of exploration, play and discovery. 🧺💚

To preserve these precious moments, every PlayCare™️ excursion includes a professionally edited highlight video, a gallery of candid photographs, and a commemorative photo memento presented in a specially prepared keepsake leather journal. 📸✨

Every excursion becomes another chapter in the PlayCare™️ story — celebrating not only the places we’ve explored together, but also the confidence gained, friendships forged and cherished memories created along the way. 🐾💚
Besides activity photos and edited video documenting the excursion, all guests partaking in PlayCare™️ excursions will get to receive a photo momentum in a special folder! 📸

♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️

★ ✰ S’pore Special Missing After Slipping Out Of Harness On 25 Aug, Last Seen Near Orchid Country Club ✰ ★

☆ Black Singapore Special missing in Yishun during walk on 25 Aug ☆

A walk with her potential adopters took a worrying turn when Nori, a black Singapore Special, was spooked and slipped out of her harness and collar.

She dashed off into the night, leaving behind the AirTag attached to her collar and, consequently, no way for her whereabouts to be tracked.

Since Nori went missing, volunteers and those from dog shelter Mercylight have been searching tirelessly for her, sharing several missing-dog posters on Instagram and Facebook.

A Telegram group has also been set up for those who want to help with the search, while a TikTok page is being used to spread awareness about Nori.

☆ Medium-sized dog with full black coat and pointy ears ☆

Nori is a one-year-old female Singapore Special with a medium-sized, lean build, a full black coat, and pointy ears. She also has a long, mostly straight tail.

As she slipped out of both her harness and collar, Nori is currently not wearing either of them or her AirTag.

According to Mercylight, Nori is generally very shy and reserved, particularly around unfamiliar people. Those who spot her are therefore advised not to chase her, approach her, or call her name.

Instead, they should try to take a photo, note the location and time of the sighting, as well as the direction Nori is heading in, and send the information to the phone numbers shown on the poster.

☆ Missing since 25 Aug, last seen along Yishun Ave 1 ☆

Nori went missing at around 11pm on 25 Aug while on a walk with her potential adopters. She was last seen along Yishun Avenue 1, near Orchid Country Club, after being spooked and running off.

Given the park connectors in the area and the possibility that Nori has continued moving, the search has since extended beyond her last-seen location.

Possible areas include Yishun, Seletar, Punggol, Springleaf, and Ang Mo Kio, although Mercylight has not ruled out other parts of Singapore.

As of 30 Aug at around 7.33am, there had also been several unconfirmed sightings of Nori.

☆ Does not have much experience surviving on the streets ☆

At just a year old, Nori does not have much experience surviving on the streets.

Speaking to MS News, Mercylight shared that Nori has been with the shelter since 22 Dec 2025, after being rescued at around eight months old.

While she is shy and unlikely to approach strangers, she has a very different side around those she trusts. In the company of her fur friends and humans she is familiar with, she is friendly and playful.

☆ May be mistaken for similar-looking stray dog ☆

Mercylight has also highlighted another stray dog around Yishun Dam that could potentially be mistaken for Nori.

Known as Yvette, the dog has a similar appearance, but there are several ways to tell the two apart. Yvette has a clipped ear tip, white patches on her fur, and a thicker, fluffier tail.

She is also less fearful of humans than Nori and is often seen trotting along paths near people.

☆ Volunteers searching into the wee hours ☆

Since Nori went missing, volunteers have been searching for her into the quieter wee hours each night. They have also been putting up posters and following up on possible sightings in hopes of bringing her safely back to the shelter.

Those who would like to help with the search can join the Telegram group.

If you spot Nori, take a photo if possible and note the location, time, and direction she is heading in before contacting the phone numbers listed on the poster. Do not chase or call out to her.

Those who would like to support other dogs at Mercylight can also donate or volunteer with the shelter. More information is available on its website.❣️

S'pore Special missing after slipping out of harness on 25 Aug, last seen near Orchid Country Club On 25 Aug 2026, a black Singapore Special went missing after being spooked during a walk with her potential adopters along Yishun Ave 1.