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What if everything you’ve been told about fiber, probiotics, and gut health in dogs is only part of the story?

In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms Podcast, we sit down with canine nutrition researcher and author Dr. Conor Brady to break down the difference between meat fiber and plant fiber and why it matters more than most dog parents realize.

We explore what “fiber” really means in a dog’s diet and how meat-based fiber (like connective tissue, cartilage, fur, and feathers) interacts with the gut microbiome differently than plant fiber. From there, we dive into probiotics, pathogens, and gut bacteria, including why Dr. Brady questions the need for routine probiotic supplementation.

We also tackle the big question: are dogs carnivores or omnivores? Along with a few entertaining detours, this conversation challenges common feeding beliefs and encourages a more nuanced view of canine nutrition.

CHAPTERS:

• Introducing Dr. Conor Brady and the topic of meat fiber vs plant fiber (0:54)
• Probiotics, pathogens, and bacteria: how these relate to meat fiber (3:38)
• Dr. Brady on whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores plus cow farts and private planes (10:32)
•  What Dr. Brady recommends instead of probiotics and why (20:04)
• 5 potential downsides of plant fiber (32:06)
• Will there be a Feeding Dogs 2.0 book? Plus blueberries & antioxidants and meat fiber for cats (43:04)
•  Dr. Brady’s honest reflections on sharing science in a marketing-driven industry (49:00)
• What Dr. Brady is feeding his dog during a busy season of life (55:37)

FIND DR. BRADY:

• Website: https://www.dcbholistic.com/
• DogsFirst: https://dogsfirstshop.ie/
• Book: Feeding Dogs (https://amzn.to/4sioZiX)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogsfirstireland
• RawPetMedics: https://www.facebook.com/rawpetmedics
• Dr. Brady's Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-187500789?_bhlid=1d63f7f4c7b619863dd9f78e09403d82a6f04d1f
• Study: The feline carnivore and their prey: how important is animal fibre and its structure in their diet?  (https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/the-feline-carnivore-and-their-prey-how-important-is-animal-fibre/)
• Chimp Empire on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81311783?source=35&fromWatch=true

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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Can red light therapy improve your dog’s health?

In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms, we talk with Jackie from AnimaSol about how red light therapy works, how to choose a safe device, and what pet parents should know before using it with their dogs.

We explore the science behind red light therapy, the debate around sun exposure, and the key terms to understand when comparing devices. Jackie also explains why AnimaSol created a full-body red light therapy blanket for dogs and how their products differ from others on the market.

Plus, we discuss whether red light therapy may help with common concerns like mobility issues, skin lumps, and inflammation, along with real stories from pets who have benefited from these devices.

If you’re curious about adding red light therapy to your dog’s wellness routine, this episode breaks down the research, myths, and practical tips every dog parent should know.

CHAPTERS:

• Jackie's personal red light therapy origin story (0:55)
• A rabbit hole on the conflicting research and opinions around sun exposure — is it beneficial, harmful or both? (5:24)
• Decoding the vocabulary of red light therapy (17:54)
• Safety and usage tips when choosing a red light device (21:30)
• Why AnimaSol designed a dog blanket and how their products are different from others on the market (27:30)  
• Will AnimaSol's products help with skin issues such as lipomas or tumors? (30:40)
• How exactly does red light therapy work?  and learning about AnimaSol's product line and the research behind it (32:44)
• Personal experiences with red light products, understanding the ROI on the pricing and what to look for when comparing between different brands (41:25)
• Myth-busting a common - but incorrect - assumption about red light therapy (53:35)
• Can you use red light therapy with cancer? (56:15)
• Favorite stories about pets that AnimaSol has helped (57:49)

LINKS:

• Website: https://www.animasol.life/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anima__sol/

SOCIAL MEDIA: 

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms Podcast, Dr. Richter shares his journey into integrative veterinary medicine, a common-sense approach to dog nutrition, cannabis for pets, acupressure you can do at home, and what really matters most for canine longevity.

CHAPTERS:

• Dr. Richter's veterinary origin story and how integrative modalities became a part of his practice (0:55)
• Why aren't more veterinarians curious about integrative healing modalities? (5:50)
• Dr. Richter's common-sense approach to dog food that meets pet parents where they're at (8:16)
• Longevity science - and drugs - for dogs. And the health factors that matter more than any drug or biohacking (16:27)
• Cannabis medicine for pets (27:30)
• Acupressure: The at-home healing modality pet parents can do while bonding with their pets (35:33)
• The future of veterinary care and the modalities Dr. Richter is most excited about (38:16)

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• Website: https://drgaryrichter.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petvetexpert
• Pet Metrics App: https://petmetrics.com/
• Ultimate Pet Nutrition: https://ultimatepetnutrition.com/
• Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gary-Richter-DVM/author/B018YNHUC0
• Veterinary Cannabis Society: https://veterinarycannabissociety.org/

SOCIAL MEDIA: 

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms, holistic veterinarian Dr. Nick Thompson, President of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society, the voice behind @HolisticVetUK, and co-host of the Raw Pet Medics podcast, joins us to talk about why nutrition is often the missing link in canine health.

Dr. Nick shares his journey from conventional practice to holistic veterinary medicine and explains why nutrition is frequently overlooked as a root cause of chronic disease in dogs. We discuss why some veterinarians remain resistant to nutrition-based approaches, how pet parents can work collaboratively with conventional vets they may disagree with, and the cultural differences between raw feeders in the UK and the USA.

You’ll also learn what Dr. Nick feeds his own dogs and how dog parents can confidently feed fresh food without relying on spreadsheets or complex formulation software.

Whether you're new to raw feeding or a more advanced fresh feeder, this episode will help you better understand how nutrition impacts long-term canine health and how to advocate for your dog while maintaining a positive relationship with your veterinary team.

CHAPTERS:

• Introducing Dr. Nick Thompson and why he shares the content he does on social media (0:56)
• Origin story to becoming a holistic veterinarian (8:38)
• Why do "conventional" veterinarians have such opposition to understanding that nutrition is often the root of disease (18:07)
• Working with conventional veterinarians who you may fundamentally disagree with (25:13)
• UK vs USA pet parents who embrace raw feeding (32:50)
• About Dr. Nick Thompson's dogs (41:41)
• What does the President of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society feed his own dogs? (44:51)
• Feeding your dog without spreadsheets (55:04)

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• Raw Feeding Veterinary Society
  • Website: https://rfvs.info/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RawFeedingVets
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfvs.info/
• Dr. Nick Thompson
  • Website: https://holisticvet.co.uk/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Holisticvet.Ltd
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticvetuk/?hl=en
• RawPetMedics
  • Website: https://rawpetmedics.com/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rawpetmedics
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rpmvet/
• Courses with the Billinghurst Institute (https://www.billinghurst.institute/)

SOCIAL MEDIA: 

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode, we dive into Dog Mom Winter, kibble contamination concerns, and why many homemade dog food recipes online are nutritionally deficient. We also break down a fascinating study on bloat (GDV) and the markers researchers are investigating, unpack heated online debates about medicinal mushrooms for dogs, and explain how to critically examine pet nutrition studies—without fear or fluff. We wrap things up with a little TV talk to keep it fun.

Chapters:

• Dog Mom Winter (0:56)
• Kibble contamination and deficient homemade recipes online (8:23)
• Are you concerned about bloat?  What a study reveals about markers for this condition (33:43)
• Online mushroom debates and how we examine studies (43:19)
• TV Talk (1:03:29)

Links Discussed:

• Study out of Greece showing 95% of kibble has mycotoxins and 72% showed pesticide 
  • Dr. Becker link:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17sPNRaQ37/
  • Link to study: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/18/1/22
• Study re: dogs that are prone to bloat have genetic and microbiome markers
  • Dr. Becker link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aXwExQoqR/
  • Link to study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29889838/
• Mushroom debate
  • Host Defense claims Lion's Mane mycelium more beneficial than fruiting body: https://nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com/new-study-lion-mane-mycelium-immune-fruiting-body
  • Critique that marketing claims aren't science: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/critique-claims-regarding-lions-mane-mycelium-philip-rebensburg-wmvne/
• Facebook Recipe Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3811403639186117/
• ADM Episode 12: Breaking down the 2013 study that 95% of homemade diets are deficient (https://alternativedogmoms.buzzsprout.com/1955775/episodes/10779166-alternative-dog-moms-ep-13-homemade-diets-satc-ajlt-cbd-oil-and-fireworks)

Social media:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Francis Cabana to talk pet nutrition myths, unbalanced homemade recipes online, microbiome health, probiotics, and what it’s really like working in the pet food industry. We also cover whether dogs are true carnivores, zoo kibble, affordable ways to improve your dog’s bowl, and how to confidently choose evidence-based nutrition over internet noise.

Timestamps:

0:56 – Dr. Francis’s origin story: from zookeeper to PhD animal nutritionist
8:06 – Why she started sharing about pet food on social media
13:13 – Life for dogs, cats, and pet parents in Singapore
17:16 – Unbalanced homemade recipes and misinformation online
25:31 – Encouraging pet parents (and our own parents) to try something new
32:00 – PhD in Animal Nutrition vs online nutrition certificates
40:11 – Are dogs carnivores? And what’s the deal with zoo kibble
45:10 – The microbiome, probiotics, and gut health
51:11 – Working as a nutritionist for a pet food brand
57:38 – What Dr. Francis feeds + affordable ways to improve your dog’s bowl

Links Discussed:

• https://www.instagram.com/fuelledfurlife/
• https://www.fuelledfurlife.com/
• Dr. Francis's published studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=francis%20cabana&sort=date&sort_order=desc

Social media:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms Podcast, Kimberly responds to unexpected criticism of raw feeding and tackles a common question: if cows and horses eat carbs, should dogs too?

We also share a helpful listener resource, discuss herbs that may help reduce histamines in bone broth, and give behind-the-scenes updates, including Kimberly and Zoey joining a Jope product study and testing a new product for anxious dogs.

Plus, Daisy Girl’s playday, a blood test Erin is geeking out over, Apollo’s birthday, and a conversation about why dogs form different relationships with different people.

Episode timestamps:

• 00:55 – Responding to criticism of raw feeding
• 10:58 – Should dogs eat carbs because cows and horses do?
• 16:25 – Listener resources, Woof Creek Wellness, and cutting the cord on cable
• 26:01 – Herbs for reducing histamines in bone broth
• 33:23 – Kimberly & Zoey join a Jope product study
• 35:55 – Trying a new product for anxious dogs
• 42:55 – Daisy Girl’s playday + a blood test Erin loves
• 46:45 – Apollo’s birthday and dogs’ unique relationships with people

If you love thoughtful conversations about fresh food, holistic care, and learning alongside your dogs, this episode is for you.

Links discussed:

• Study re: Dogs in Laos eating rice (Geographically diverse canid sampling provides novel insights into pre-industrial microbiomes)
• Kimberly's article: Is Raw Dog Food a Scam? What Science Really Says About Grains, Carbs, and the Gut Microbiome
• Kimberly's post: Should dogs eat carbs because cows and horses do?
• Helpful link: http://petdiseasealerts.org/
• Mid-Atlantic friends:  See Erin & Woof Creek's co-founder Lisa Monk at the World of Pets Expo
• The blood test you might want to ask your vet to check: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16pYwy6TKV/

Social media:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode, Erin and Kimberly catch up on life, dogs, and the pet industry — starting with Erin’s big news and why activated charcoal is always on hand. Kimberly shares updates from home, including more human cooking, Buffy’s recent vet visit, and navigating the lepto vaccine conversation.

They break down a confusing article on rising veterinary costs, reflect on lessons learned in 2025, and talk New Year’s Eve plans. The conversation then turns to growing concerns about trust in the pet and veterinary industries, including the mainstream recognition of a veterinarian whose work has been debunked.

The episode wraps with updates on their dogs and what they’re looking forward to in 2026 — with honesty, curiosity, and plenty of real-world dog-mom perspective.

CHAPTERS:

• Erin's big news and why we keep Activated Charcoal on-hand (0:55)
• Kimberly is doing more cooking [for humans], Buffy had a recent vet visit and lepto vaccines (8:30)
• A recent article about rising vet costs was rather confusing (20:08)
• New Year's Eve plans, what we learned in 2025, and other stories of the year (29:47)
• How the mainstream vet industry is honoring a veterinarian whose work has been debunked (51:37)
• Lack of trust in the pet & vet industries (56:54)
• Catching up with Kimberly's & Erin's dogs plus what we're looking forward to in 2026 (1:09:15)

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• NOW Activated Charcoal (https://amzn.to/49iWNWl)
• Justice Dept calls for affordable vet care (https://san.com/cc/justice-department-calls-for-affordable-vet-care/)
• AKC's Honoring Dr. Lisa Freeman (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1QRTuUAy3A/)
• Who Killed JFK podcast (https://pod.link/1714611578)

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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Many pet parents focus on diet, exercise, and supplements to support their dogs’ health—but physical care is only part of the picture. In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms Podcast, we sit down with dog trainer and educator Tori Mistick to explore the critical role of canine enrichment and engagement in raising emotionally balanced, fulfilled dogs.

This conversation helps dog parents understand why unmet mental and emotional needs often show up as “behavior problems,” and how small, thoughtful changes to daily routines can dramatically improve a dog’s quality of life.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:16 About Tori Mistick's 
• 03:38 Limited podcast series about engagement
• 06:37 Engagement in a multi-dog home
• 09:24 Definition of enrichment
• 10:26 Variety is important to dogs
• 11:35 Food-based enrichment - treat trail mix
• 14:11 Sound/music + engagement
• 18:15 Enrichment + senior dogs
• 20:41 Novel enrichment - The Bubble Machine
• 26:34 Social engagement
• 32:12 Understanding limits/boundaries
• 35:05 It's not about trying them out / bonding+togetherness
• 37:35 Enrichment is good for pet parents too
• 39:40 Fetching a toy by name
• 41:44 The importance of choice
• 45:00 Dogs pay attention and learn from us all the time
• 49:02 Hemangiosarcoma (another commonality)
• 52:27 Wear Wag Repeat Society

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• Dog Enrichment with Tori Mistick Podcast: https://wearwagrepeat.com/dog-enrichment-podcast/
• Tori's website: https://wearwagrepeat.com/
• Tori's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToriMistick
• Get Tori's Dog Enrichment Activity Pack: https://wearwagrepeat.com/dog-enrichment-mental-activity-pack/
• Tori's Wear Wag Repeat Society for Petpreneurs: https://wearwagrepeat.com/society/
• Hemangiosarcoma Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1A3h25H92G/

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms, Erin and Kimberly sit down with Dr. Steve Marsden — renowned holistic veterinarian and founder of Gold Standard Herbs — to talk about what it really means to raise dogs naturally. Dr. Marsden blends Eastern and Western veterinary medicine, and his integrative approach has helped countless dogs thrive through herbs, nutrition, and a deeper understanding of how the body heals.

We dive into how herbs can support digestion, immunity, inflammation, skin health, and emotional balance — and why traditional formulas still have a place in modern pet care. Dr. Marsden also shares how Gold Standard Herbs came to be, why sourcing and energetics matter, and how pet parents can confidently use herbs alongside conventional care.

CHAPTERS:

• When did Dr. Marsden know he wanted to become a veterinarian? (2:00)
• The experiences that led Dr. Marden to learn homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (4:23)
• What led Dr. Marsden to create the first direct-to-consumer line of Chinese pet herbal formulas? (17:13)
• Should Pet Parents be concerned about Chinese herbs interacting with medications or other treatments? (27:13)
• How long does it take for Chinese herbs to start working and make an improvement? (32:02)
• How important is our dog's diet compared to other treatments? (33:08)
• Why does the veterinary profession have such a bias against feeding fresh food? (38:14)
• What can Pet Parents incorporate from Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in caring for our dogs? (46:21)
• How to search the Ask Dr. Steve DVM Facebook Group (1:01:04)

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Ask Dr. Steve DVM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1158575954706282

OUR BLOG/PODCASTS...

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com

INSTAGRAM...

• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.