Mystic Dog Mama

Part of the Mystic Dog Mama Revisited summer series – conversations that continue to shape the way I think about dogs, nourishment and what it means to be human.

This was the very first interview I ever recorded for the Mystic Dog Mama podcast, and looking back, I couldn't have chosen a better place to begin.

Before we can talk about nutrition, behaviour, training or holistic health, we first have to ask a more fundamental question:

What is a dog?

In this fascinating conversation, archaeologist and anthropologist David Ian Howe invites us to step back in time and explore the extraordinary relationship between humans and dogs. Together, we discuss co-evolution, ancient mythologies, and what archaeology can teach us about one of humanity's oldest and most enduring partnerships.

Listening back nearly three years later, I'm struck by how many of the ideas that now sit at the heart of Mystic Dog Mama were already quietly present in this conversation. It reminds us that understanding our dogs isn't just about learning more about them - it’s also about learning more about ourselves.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why the story of dogs is also the story of humans
• What archaeology and anthropology reveal about our relationship with dogs
• How dogs have appeared in myths and cultures throughout history
• Why understanding what a dog is changes how we care for them
• What our relationship with dogs can teach us about being human

Continue your journey

Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

Download the free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter KitA gentle introduction to the five foundations of whole-dog nourishment and holistic care.
https://mysticdogmama.kit.com/nourishmentkit

Join The Nourished PackA free community for curious dog guardians exploring a more thoughtful, relationship-led approach to caring for their dogs.
https://facebook.com/groups/thenourishedpack

Connect with David

Follow David Ian Howe on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ethnocynology

If this conversation resonates with you, I'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, or shared the episode with someone who sees dogs as so much more than pets.

Because sometimes the oldest stories still have the most to teach us.

Check out our sponsor, Aspirationery’s shadow work journals and workbooks: https://instagram.com/aspirationery

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

Where do flea and tick treatments really go?

For many of us, protecting our dogs from fleas and ticks has become part of responsible care. But what happens when the products we use to protect our dogs raise wider questions about environmental health, scientific uncertainty and the choices we make every day?

In this thought-provoking conversation, I'm joined by Dr Tilly Collins, Senior Fellow & Deputy Director of Imperial College London's Centre for Environmental Policy, whose research is transforming our understanding of how flea and tick pesticides move beyond the animals they're applied to.

Together, we explore what happens after these products are used, how residues have been found not only in rivers and waterways but within our homes, and why this is opening up important new conversations about parasite management, environmental responsibility and the need for further research.

Rather than offering simple answers, this episode invites us to ask better questions.

Because perhaps the future of parasite management isn't about eliminating every risk—it's about understanding risk more deeply and making thoughtful, evidence-informed decisions for the individual dog in front of us.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why flea and tick control is far more complex than many of us realise
• How modern flea and tick pesticides work
• What Dr Collins' research has revealed about pesticide residues in homes, including household dust, mop water and dog bedding
• Whether fleas may be developing resistance to some commonly used products
• What we really mean when we talk about "risk"
• How to move towards a more personalised, risk-based approach to parasite management
• The need for further independent research into the long-term impacts on animals, people and the environment
• How we can begin shifting from routine intervention towards thoughtful stewardship

Resources

🐾 Download my free Mystic Dog Mama Low-Tox Parasite Prevention Toolkit

Learn how to assess your dog's individual parasite risk and explore practical strategies for creating a balanced, integrated approach to parasite management.

👉 https://mysticdogmama.com/the-81-percent

🌿 Join The Nourished Pack

Come and continue the conversation with a community of thoughtful dog guardians exploring holistic canine care together.

👉 https://facebook.com/groups/thenourishedpack

Connect with me on Instagram https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

Connect with Dr Tilly Collins

Senior Fellow & Deputy DirectorImperial College London's Centre for Environmental Policy

https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/t.collins/about

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this conversation valuable, please consider:

⭐ Leaving a review

🎙️ Following the Mystic Dog Mama Podcast

📤 Sharing this episode with another dog lover

The more we can create space for thoughtful, evidence-informed conversations, the better equipped we'll all be to care for our dogs—and the wider living world they're part of.

Disclaimer

This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Decisions about parasite prevention should always be made in consultation with your veterinary professional, taking into account your dog's individual health, lifestyle and level of risk.

How do you know if your dog is living with arthritis?

The truth is, many dogs show signs of arthritis long before they're diagnosed. What we often dismiss as "slowing down with age" can actually be subtle signs of chronic pain—changes in behaviour, movement, sleep, or the way they engage with the world around them.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Hannah Capon, veterinary surgeon and founder of Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), to explore how we can better recognise arthritis in dogs, support dogs living with chronic pain, and help them continue to live full, meaningful lives.

Together, we discuss the early signs of arthritis in dogs, why arthritis isn't simply an "old dog" disease, the importance of maintaining a healthy body condition, and why there is no single supplement, medication, or therapy that can manage arthritis on its own. Instead, Hannah shares why the best arthritis care is always multi-modal - bringing together veterinary medicine, rehabilitation, nutrition, movement, environmental adaptations, and compassionate day-to-day support.

But this conversation goes far beyond canine arthritis.

We talk about caregiver fatigue, grief, kindness, and why supporting ourselves is an important part of supporting our dogs.

This episode is a reminder that arthritis doesn't have to mean the end of adventure, connection, or joy.

As Hannah says so beautifully:

"Arthritis isn't the end of the road—it's a new direction."

In this episode, you'll learn:

🐾 The early signs and symptoms of arthritis in dogs

🐾 How body condition, breeding, sport and previous injuries influence joint health

🐾 What a multi-modal arthritis management plan looks like

🐾 How movement and appropriate exercise support dogs with arthritis

🐾 Why protecting your own wellbeing is part of caring for a dog with chronic pain

About Dr Hannah Capon

Dr Hannah Capon is a veterinary surgeon and the founder of Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), an award-winning organisation dedicated to improving the lives of dogs living with arthritis through education, evidence-based resources, and practical support for both veterinary professionals and dog guardians.

Content note

This episode includes a brief discussion about the impact of chronic pain on mental health, including a mention of suicide.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your reflections. Share it with someone navigating an arthritis diagnosis, leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts, or come and continue the conversation with me on Instagram.

Because living well isn't about avoiding life's challenges.

It's about learning how to walk through them - together.

Connect with Hannah and her team

Canine Arthritis Management (CAM): https://caninearthritis.co.uk/

Instagram https://instagram.com/canine_arthritis

FREE RESOURCE

Download my free Nourishment Starter Kit where you'll find practical guidance to help you evaluate your dog's diet and supplements, identify potential gaps, and focus on what truly matters without falling into overwhelm.

https://mysticdogmama.com

JOIN THE NOURISHED PACK

If you're looking for a supportive community of thoughtful dog guardians who want to nourish their dogs with greater confidence, curiosity, and intention, I'd love to welcome you into The Nourished Pack.

It's my free Facebook community where we continue conversations like this one, explore canine nutrition and holistic health, and support one another in navigating the often overwhelming world of conscious dog care.

Join here: https://facebook.com/groups/thenourishedpack

Check out our sponsor, Aspirationery’s shadow work journals and workbooks: https://instagram.com/aspirationery

Connect with me on Instagram @mysticdogmama or visit mysticdogmama.com.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

It's 4th of July weekend and the start of fireworks season in the US, so I'm revisiting this beautiful interview with Lisa Spector of Canine Classical, to give you some tips on how to use music and sound to support your dog. Enjoy!

You are in for a TREAT! Today, my guest is Lisa Spector of My Zen Pet. Lisa has such an incredible story. From graduating from the world renowned Julliard School, to pursuing a concert career, opening up a music school, and even raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Lisa has been on an incredible journey that has shown her the power that music holds - for dogs and humans alike.In this episode, Lisa talks about her journey into canine sound therapy, and she shares with us some really useful ways we can use music to calm our dogs’ nervous systems to both prevent and treat all kinds of anxiety. And she also shares why just putting any ol’ classical music on for your dog when you go out during the day, or during fireworks, might not actually be a helpful thing! Don’t worry, Lisa shares exactly what IS helpful to your dog’s nervous system, too.AND you’ll be treated to a mini concert you can share with your dog, as Lisa plays for us some of her calming music. It’s so beautiful, and you’re going to feel just as relaxed as your dog, so get comfy!Check out Lisa’s website https://myzenpet.com to learn more about her Dog Gone Calm Training Program and to stream her Dog Gone Calm album for your dog! You can also follow Lisa on Instagram https://instagram.com/my_zen_pet.Visit https://mysticdogmama.com for more information on booking a holistic nutrition and wellness consultation, and to get your copy of my ebook The N.E.W. Approach to feeding your dog!Finally, can I please ask you for a favour? If you are enjoying the podcast, a simple and really meaningful way you can support me is by rating the podcast and leaving a review on Apple podcasts. I know, I wish Spotify allowed reviews, too! Alas! But seriously, it really helps me to know what you are enjoying, and it is SO HELPFUL for helping others to find the podcast, and find this beautiful community we are creating together. I am so grateful for each an every one of you!OK, until next time!

Connect with Lisa on Instagram at https://instagram.com/canineclassical or visit her website https://https://canineclassical.com/

Connect with me on Instagram https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama or visit https://mysticdogmama.com.

Download your free copy of my Nourishment Starter Kit! https://mysticdogmama.kit.com/nourishmentkit

JOIN THE NOURISHED PACK

If you're looking for a supportive community of thoughtful dog guardians who want to nourish their dogs with greater confidence, curiosity, and intention, I'd love to welcome you into The Nourished Pack. It's my free Facebook community where we continue conversations like this one, explore canine nutrition and holistic health, and support one another in navigating the often overwhelming world of conscious dog care. Join here: https://facebook.com/groups/thenourishedpack

Check out our sponsor, Aspirationery’s shadow work journals and workbooks: https://instagram.com/aspirationery

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

We live in a time where it can feel like there's a supplement for everything.

One for the gut. One for the joints. One for calm. One for detox. One for immunity. And somewhere along the way, many dog guardians find themselves managing an ever-growing collection of powders, capsules, tinctures, and "just-in-case" products—all in the name of doing the best for their dogs.

But when does supplementation become supportive, and when does it become too much?

In this episode, I'm joined by Alison Daniel of My Pet Nutritionist to explore the role supplements actually play in canine health. We discuss what supplements are designed to do, when they're genuinely needed, and why they should never be seen as a replacement for good nutrition.

Together, we unpack:

• The difference between supporting health and chasing the latest trend
• Why food should always be the foundation
• How to identify when a supplement may actually be beneficial
• The common mistakes guardians make when supplementing
• How to prioritise supplements when budgets are limited
• The rise of all-in-one supplements and "just-in-case" supplementation
• What to look for in a high-quality supplement
• Red flags and misleading marketing claims to watch out for
• The risks of over-supplementation and why more isn't always better

Whether your dog takes no supplements at all or has an entire cupboard dedicated to them, this conversation will help you approach supplementation with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.

FREE RESOURCE

If today's episode has you questioning what's in your dog's bowl—or supplement cupboard—download my free Nourishment Starter Kit. Inside you'll find practical guidance to help you evaluate your dog's diet and supplements, identify potential gaps, and focus on what truly matters without falling into overwhelm.

Download your free copy at https://mysticdogmama.com.

JOIN THE NOURISHED PACK

If you're looking for a supportive community of thoughtful dog guardians who want to nourish their dogs with greater confidence, curiosity, and intention, I'd love to welcome you into The Nourished Pack.

It's my free Facebook community where we continue conversations like this one, explore canine nutrition and holistic health, and support one another in navigating the often overwhelming world of conscious dog care.

Join here: https://facebook.com/groups/thenourishedpack

Check out our sponsor, Aspirationery’s shadow work journals and workbooks: https://instagram.com/aspirationery

CONNECT

Find Alison at https://mypetnutritionist.com or on Instagram https://instagram.com/mypetnutritionist

Connect with me on Instagram https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama or visit https://mysticdogmama.com

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

As the solstice approaches, I wanted to offer something a little different.

In this reflective episode, I explore the themes of nourishment, intuition, creativity, and the Wild Woman archetype inspired by Women Who Run With the Wolves. Together, we'll consider what this seasonal threshold might be asking of us, what wants to emerge, and how our dogs can help guide us back to presence, connection, and our own inner knowing.

A gentle invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and remember your light.

This episode is sponsored by Aspirationery, creator of books, notebooks, and stationery to help you become all you aspire to be! If you are looking for a safe space to explore and embrace your Wild Woman self, the moon magic and shadow work journals and workbooks might be a useful support for you. You can take a peek at them on our Aspirationery instagram account https://instagram.com/aspirationery

✨ Free Resource: Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit

If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to gift you a free copy of my Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit. Inside, you'll discover simple ways to begin supporting your dog's wellbeing through the lens of nourishment - exploring the idea that true health is about so much more than what's in the bowl. It's an invitation to bring more curiosity, connection, and intention into life with your dog. https://mysticdogmama.com

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

When people talk about raw feeding, the conversation often begins - and ends - with pathogens.

But what if that's causing us to overlook much bigger questions?

In Part 2 of my conversation with veterinarian and canine nutrition researcher Dr. Anna Hielm-Björkman of the University of Helsinki's independent research group, DogRisk, we explore what researchers are beginning to discover now that raw-fed dogs are finally being studied more closely.

We dive into one of the most controversial topics in canine nutrition: food safety and pathogen risk. But we also look beyond the headlines to examine how risk is assessed, what the evidence actually shows, and whether our focus on acute hazards sometimes prevents us from investigating potential long-term health outcomes.

From there, we explore some of the most fascinating questions emerging from fresh feeding research:

• What benefits are researchers seeing repeatedly in fresh-fed dogs?
• Are the advantages of fresh feeding linked to rawness itself, or simply reduced processing?
• How should we think about the relationship between dogs, wolves, and diet?
• Do dogs actually need plants?
• Why does nutrient form matter as much as nutrient quantity?
• What happens metabolically when dogs consume fresh foods versus ultra-processed diets?
• Why might healthy fresh-fed dogs display different bloodwork values than conventionally fed dogs?

This is a thoughtful, nuanced conversation about evidence, curiosity, and the questions we may not have been asking.

Whether you feed raw, gently cooked, kibble with fresh additions, or are simply curious about canine nutrition, this episode offers a fascinating look at what we're learning as research begins to catch up with practice.

Connect with Dr Anna and the DogRisk team: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/dogrisk-health-via-nutrition-epidemiology-and-disease-detection-dogs

https://instagram.com/dogrisk

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

I'd love to invite you to join my free Facebook community, The Nourished Pack. You may remember it as First Light. The new name reflects a bigger conversation about nourishment - not just food, but all the ways we support the health and wellbeing of our dogs, ourselves, and the world around us. It's a welcoming space for curious dog guardians who want to learn, connect, and explore a more conscious approach to canine care.

https://facebook.com/groups/thenourishedpack

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

What if one of the most important skills for supporting your dog's wellbeing was learning how to observe more closely?

In this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, I sit down with professional classical homeopath Lucy Reynolds to explore the world of homeopathy—for our dogs, ourselves, and the animals in our care.

Whether you're completely new to homeopathy, cautiously curious, or already have remedies in your cupboard, this episode offers a thoughtful introduction to the principles behind this often misunderstood modality.

With a background as an Army officer and helicopter pilot, Lucy brings a uniquely analytical and methodical approach to homeopathy. Together, we explore what it means to "think like a homeopath," how homeopathy differs from herbal medicine, where it can sit alongside conventional veterinary and medical care, and why observation is one of the most powerful tools available to any guardian.

Lucy also shares her experience working with farmers through Homeopathy at Wellie Level (HAWL), helping empower animal caretakers to use homeopathy confidently within their own care protocols.

One of my favourite parts of this conversation is Lucy's practical deep dive into homeopathic remedies. She shares the remedies she recommends keeping on hand for both humans and dogs, how to think about when they might be useful, and practical guidance around dosing and administration.

This episode beautifully complements my recent conversation with Dr Lise Hansen, offering another perspective on what it means to approach health through the lens of the whole individual rather than simply managing symptoms.

Connect with Lucy Reynolds

Website: https://www.theclassicalhomeopath.com/about

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theclassicalhomeopath

Article Lucy mentioned: https://www.theclassicalhomeopath.com/post/the-hushed-homeopathic-leptospirosis-outbreak-trial-that-you-didn-t-know-existed

Homeopathic Research Institute: https://www.hri-research.org/

Homeopathy 247 https://homeopathy247.com/

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

Come join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

This episode is supported by Aspirationery, creator of books, notebooks, and stationery to help you become all you aspire to be! If you are looking for a safe space to explore and embrace your wild self, the moon magic and shadow work journals and workbooks might be a useful support for you. https://instagram.com/aspirationery.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

In this revisited episode of the Mystic Dog Mama podcast, I’m bringing back an incredibly important conversation with canine first aid instructor and registered veterinary nurse, Rachel Bean.

When we think about caring for our dogs, we often focus on food, supplements, enrichment, and daily wellbeing — but knowing what to do in an emergency is one of the most empowering skills a dog guardian can have.

Because when something unexpected happens, panic can quickly take over.

This conversation is designed to help you feel calmer, more prepared, and more confident in those moments that matter most.

Rachel shares practical, accessible guidance on:

• what to do if your dog is choking
• handling bleeding and injuries
• canine CPR basics
• paw pad burns and summer safety
• common first aid myths
• what to avoid if you suspect heatstroke
• essential items to keep in your dog’s first aid kit

Whether you’re building your first canine first aid kit or simply want to feel more equipped in an emergency, this episode offers practical knowledge that every dog guardian should have.

This conversation originally aired in December 2024, but it is just as relevant today - especially as we move into warmer weather and more outdoor adventures with our dogs.

Keep a notebook nearby for this one. You’ll likely walk away with a few things you’ll want to remember.

To contact Rachel:

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/RachelBeanVetNurse

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

Come join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

What if one of the biggest problems in canine nutrition is that we’ve barely studied fresh food at all?

In this deep and thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with veterinarian and researcher Dr. Anna Hielm-Björkman from the University of Helsinki’s DogRisk research group - one of the only independent, university-connected teams in the world researching raw feeding and fresh food diets in dogs.

But this episode isn’t about telling you what you should feed your dog.

It’s about asking a much bigger question:

How do we actually know what we know about canine nutrition?

Together, we explore how pet food research is conducted, why so much of it focuses on ultra-processed diets, and what happens when fresh and raw food are finally brought into the scientific conversation.

Dr Anna shares her own journey from conventional veterinary medicine into a more integrative approach to canine health — including acupuncture, nutrition, and preventative care — and why she became passionate about researching the relationship between food and chronic disease.

We also dive into:

• why there is still surprisingly little independent long-term research on canine nutrition,
• how veterinary nutrition education is shaped,
• what “complete and balanced” actually means,
• why the form of a nutrient matters just as much as the nutrient itself,
• how processing changes the way a dog’s body metabolizes and utilizes food,
• and why fresh-fed dogs may require entirely different frameworks for feeding guidelines, lab reference ranges, and health evaluation.

This is a conversation about nuance, evidence, and curiosity beyond fear, marketing, and polarized internet debates.

Whether you feed raw, gently cooked, wet food, kibble, or somewhere in between, this episode invites us to think more deeply about what health really looks like for our dogs - and how science can evolve when we begin asking better questions.

And this is only part one.

In the next episode, Anna and I will dive into one of the most controversial aspects of this conversation: pathogens, risk, food safety, and the myths surrounding raw feeding.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a fellow dog guardian, leave a review, or tag us on Instagram @mysticdogmama with your biggest takeaway. These conversations matter because the future of canine health depends on the questions we’re willing to ask.

More about DogRisk:

https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/dogrisk-health-via-nutrition-epidemiology-and-disease-detection-dogs

Register for the DogRisk Seminar: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/health-via-nutrition-epidemiology-and-disease-detection-dogs/news-and-happenings/save-the-date-the-8th-dogrisk-seminar-2026

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

Come join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.