We're Nuts About Mutts
TINLEY PARK, ILLINOIS · EST. 1988
A NOTE FROM CYNTHIA
What I See at the Salon Every Day Changed Everything About How I Feed My Dogs
This isn't about selling anything. It's about one dog mom sharing what she found — because every dog deserves a complete, balanced bowl.
Cynthia Rarrat
Founder / Co-Owner, We're Nuts About Mutts · Grooming Since 1988
I have been grooming dogs since 1988. Day after day, I see conditions walk through our salon door that break my heart a little — dull coats, itchy skin, hot spots, low energy. And so often, when I ask about diet, the answer is the same bag of food from the same shelf at the same store. I started asking myself: what if food was the missing piece?
Then it got personal. One of my own dogs, Bella, was diagnosed with diabetes. Suddenly I wasn't just asking that question for the dogs at the salon — I was asking it for her. And that search led me somewhere I wish I had found years ago.
Bella, fresh from a bath after finding every mud puddle on her walk.
THE DOG WHO LED ME HERE
Meet Bella
When Bella was diagnosed with diabetes, everything changed. Managing diabetes in dogs means being very specific — how many calories she consumes, what she's eating, how it affects her blood sugar. The key for Bella was that she needed to eat consistently, twice a day, every single day, for her insulin to work the way it should.
I knew if I put dry kibble in front of her, there was a real chance she just wouldn't eat it — and for a diabetic dog, that's not an option. So at first I turned to canned food because I knew she'd actually eat it. That need — finding food she would reliably eat, twice a day, every day — is what led me to home cooking and to Balance IT. I couldn't just pour food from a bag and hope for the best anymore. I needed to know exactly what was going into her body, down to the nutrient.
This is Bella's story, and I'm sharing it because I know someone out there needs to hear it.
What We See at Our Salon Every Single Day
I don't just groom dogs. I observe them. And after all these years, I see food-related conditions constantly coming through our doors. These are real things we notice on real dogs — and so many of them can be connected to what's in the bowl.
Dull, lifeless coat
Chronic itchy skin
Hot spots
Excessive shedding
Flaky, dry skin
Low energy
Recurring ear issues
Digestive problems
Paw licking
Weight issues
Coat thinning
Inflammation
These aren't always food-related — always see your vet. But in my experience, when nutrition improves, so does so much else. A truly well-nourished dog looks and feels like a completely different animal.
So What Is Home Cooking for Dogs, Really?
It's exactly what it sounds like — you cook real food for your dog. Real protein. Real carbohydrates. Real ingredients you can see and recognize. No mystery fillers, no preservatives, nothing you can't pronounce.
But here's the thing most people don't know: you can cook the most beautiful, fresh, loving meal for your dog — chicken, rice, sweet potato — and it can still leave them nutritionally incomplete. Whole foods alone almost never hit the precise balance of vitamins and minerals dogs need to truly thrive.
That's the gap. And that's exactly what Balance IT was built to close.
"I needed to know exactly how many calories Bella was eating and what she was consuming each day. With diabetes, that precision matters."
CYNTHIA RARRAT, FOUNDER / CO-OWNER
What Is Balance IT?
Balance IT is a vitamin, mineral, and amino acid supplement powder that you mix into home-cooked dog food. It was developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and is used and trusted by over 30,000 veterinarians. Their free recipe builder at balance.it creates a custom recipe for your specific dog — based on their weight, age, breed, and any health conditions — and evaluates approximately 40 nutrients to make sure everything is in balance before giving you the green light.
It's not just for sick dogs. It's for any pet parent who wants to know — truly know — what is going into their dog's body every single day.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
This is one of the things I love most about Balance IT — they don't just hand you a product and send you on your way. They have pet nutritionists available to help you build the right plan for your dog. And if your dog has a medical condition, you can work directly with your veterinarian alongside the Balance IT system — it's not one or the other, it's both, working together for your dog.
i.
Pet Nutritionists
Balance IT has nutritionists available to help you navigate their system, understand your dog's recipe, and make sure you're on the right track — especially helpful when you're just starting out.
ii.
Your Veterinarian
For dogs with medical conditions, bring Balance IT into the conversation with your vet. They can use the platform alongside your dog's treatment plan to build a diet that supports their health.
Balance IT is for every dog
- The perfectly healthy dog whose owner just wants real, fresh food
- The picky eater who finally gets excited about mealtime
- The dog with allergies, sensitivities, or skin conditions
- The senior dog who needs gentler, more tailored nutrition
- The dog managing diabetes, kidney issues, or weight
- Any pet parent who simply wants to know every single ingredient
Why Balance IT is different
- Developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist — not a marketing team
- Trusted by over 30,000 veterinarians worldwide
- Free recipe builder evaluates approximately 40 nutrients per recipe
- FDA & AAFCO compliant — the same standard commercial dog food must meet
- Will not generate a recipe if any nutrient level is off — built-in safety guardrails
- No animal origin ingredients — works with any protein source
- Purchased directly and safely from their official store at shop.balance.it
How to Get Started
1
Talk to your vet
Before changing your dog's diet — especially if they have a health condition like diabetes — loop your vet in. Diet changes can directly affect things like insulin levels and medication needs.
2
Build your free custom recipe at balance.it
Enter your dog's details — weight, age, breed, health conditions. The recipe builder creates a meal plan specific to your dog and checks roughly 40 nutrients before giving you the go-ahead.
3
Cook real food from the grocery store
The recipe tells you exactly what to buy and in what amounts. Batch cook for the week, portion into containers, refrigerate or freeze. Simple Sunday meal prep for your pup.
4
Stir in the Balance IT powder at mealtime
A teaspoon or so mixed right into their bowl. This is what takes a good home-cooked meal to a truly complete and balanced one — and this step is everything.
ONE IMPORTANT THING
Balance IT is formulated to work specifically with recipes built on their platform at balance.it. Don't combine it with random recipes you find online — the nutritional math only works when the recipe and the supplement are designed together.
And for dogs managing a condition like diabetes — please work closely with your vet throughout the process. Dietary changes can shift insulin needs, so monitoring is essential.
I'm Sharing This Because I Care
I'm not being paid to share this. Balance IT doesn't have an affiliate program and I'm not looking for one. I'm sharing it because Bella needed me to find it — and because I see dogs every single day at our salon that I wish their owners knew about this too.
If your dog is healthy and you simply want to feed them the very best — this is for you. If your dog is struggling with a condition and you want to take back control of what goes in their bowl — this is especially for you.
Every dog deserves a complete, balanced meal. This is how you make that happen.
WE'RE NUTS ABOUT MUTTS · TINLEY PARK, IL
And When It Comes to Grooming — We've Got You Covered Too
As founder and co-owner of We're Nuts About Mutts, I believe caring for your dog is a full picture — what they eat, how they feel, and how they look and smell coming out of the salon.
Full-Service Grooming
Bath & Brush
Nail Trims
Pawfect Ozone Spa Soak
Breed-Specific Styling
Senior & Special Needs Dogs
17210 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL
Ready to Learn More?
Visit Balance IT's official store and free recipe builder. Build your dog's custom recipe for free — no purchase required to start.
Build your free custom recipe at balance.it/recipes
© 2026 We're Nuts About Mutts · 17210 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL · werenutsaboutmutts.com