Pet health isn’t always an inside job—genetic makeup matters, but so do environmental factors like lifestyle and diet. In this episode of Barking Mad, we’re cracking the genetic code to explore how dogs’ DNA influences their heath—sometimes in unexpected ways. Join us as we discuss groundbreaking insights from veterinary experts and researchers who shed light on the genetic complexity of mixed-breed dogs and how genetic testing could revolutionize preventive pet care.

Helpful Links

BSM Partners’ Incidence paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2022.846227/full

Genetic testing for dogs can help identify diseases and enable preventive care (from the Waltham Pet Care Institute): https://www.waltham.com/news-events/human-animal-interaction/genetic-testing-for-dogs-can-help-identify-diseases-and-enable-preventive-care

Learn more about EpiPaws: https://epipaws.com/

Tune in to our Pawing Through the Research episode here: https://bsmpartners.net/the-pet-industry-podcast/pawing-through-the-research-uncovering-the-fatal-flaws-of-dcm

Watch the full NBC News report on Flint, Michigan, 10 years after the community’s lead poisoning crisis first began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8LaMa7ZLIQ

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

01:49 – How Genes Influence Health

05:27 – DNA, Diet, and DCM

07:20 – A One Health Approach

09:00 – Decoding DNA for Mixed Breeds

10:53 – The Vast Genetic Variance in the Canine Genome

12:15 – The Truth About Mixed Breeds’ Genes

15:40 – Genetic Testing: A Key Opportunity

17:19 – Genetics and Breeding Practices

20:09 – Understanding Epigenetics

20:47 – Where Do Our Genes Come From?

22:08 – What Other Factors Affect our Genes?

24:40 – Environmental Factors Impacting Gene Expression

28:38 – Using This Knowledge to Advance Pet Health

29:44 – Conclusion and Farewell