We’re closing out the season with something truly special.

In this final episode of The Natural Animal for 2025, I’m joined by bestselling illustrator, author and gardener Jessica Roux — the creative force behind the Woodland Wardens oracle deck, Floriography, and a whole world of nature-inspired art that celebrates the wisdom of animals and plants.

Jessica’s work feels like a love letter to the natural world. Her illustrations are rich with symbolism, story, and spirit — inviting us to see animals not just as beings, but as messengers.

This conversation is soft, soulful, and deeply rooted in reverence — for creativity, intuition, and the magic of the wild. We cover:

• The inspiration behind the Woodland Wardens oracle deck

• How animals and plants guide Jessica’s creative process

• The link between intuitive art and animal connection

• The symbolism woven into her animal–plant pairings

• How she balances soulful creativity with the practical side of being an artist

• What it means to honour animals as sacred beings through illustration

• Gentle ways to reconnect with nature and tune into animal wisdom

Whether you’re an animal lover, a card reader, a creative — or all of the above — this is a beautiful note to end the season on.

✨ Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming in 2026.

Resources & Next Steps:

→ Follow Jessica Roux on Insta @jessicasroux

→ Visit Jessica Roux's website

→ For gentle, practical and connected ways to care for your animals naturally, join Ruth’s Animal Lovers Tribe and receive the Low Tox Starter Kit for Pets plus lots more.

What actually creates real change for animals — outrage or strategy?

In this episode, I sit down with Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst to unpack the journey from animal activism to animal welfare reform.

We explore how the psychology of behaviour change plays a critical role in advocacy, the three levers that drive reform (individual, corporate, political), and why strategy — not outrage — is what moves the needle for animals.

From recent wins in NSW animal law — like banning the forced swim test — to the push for an independent Minister for Animal Protection, this conversation is a grounded, hopeful look at how compassion becomes policy.

Resources & Next Steps
→ Follow ⁠Emma Hurst on Instagram⁠ (@Emma.Hurst) for ongoing campaign updates.

→ Visit Emma's website to explore her latest work and legislative campaigns.

→ Want to help? Contact the Animal Justice Party to volunteer, become a member, or consider standing as a candidate.

→ For gentle, practical ways to care for your animals naturally, join Ruth’s Animal Lovers Tribe and receive the Low Tox Starter Kit for Pets.

If you loved this episode…
 Please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a fellow animal lover. Every listen and share helps grow our ripple of compassion, connection, and care — for all animals, companion, farm, and wild.

Big Thanks To:⭐️ Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork⭐️ Michael Barry – for the divine theme music

Community isn’t just a social buzzword — it’s essential for life on Earth. In this episode of The Natural Animal podcast, I explore why we humans need to belong as much as we need oxygen and how animals — from wolves and elephants to dolphins, birds, and honeybees — form complex societies of their own.

I share stories of the deep relationships I’ve built with clients, the science behind our drive for connection, and why big platforms like Facebook groups often feel too noisy for real depth. I also talk about the Animal Lovers Tribe, the quiet, heart-centered space I created for people who love animals and want to care for them naturally.

Join me as I look at the psychology and biology of community and reflect on how humans and animals alike thrive when we come together.

Additional Links & Resources:

Join the Animal Lovers Tribe – a heart-centered community for people who love animals and want to care for them naturally. Connect with like-minded pet parents, enjoy Tribe Diaries, live online gatherings, and first access to my newest resources.

Follow Ruth on Instagram
 for daily inspiration, holistic tips, and behind-the-scenes updates 👉 @ruth.animalnaturopath

Got a question, topic idea, or feedback? 
Ruth would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ask a question, or suggest a future guest/topic here.

Big Thanks To:

⭐️ Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork

⭐️ Michael Barry – for the divine theme music

If you loved this episode… 
Please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a fellow animal lover. Every listen and share helps grow our ripple of greater understanding, respect, compassion and love — for all animals, companion, farm, and wild.

What does it really take to rescue cats and kittens, and why does it matter? In this episode of The Natural Animal podcast, I sit down with Bethany Swiggs, founder of Big Dollan’s Fur-Rescue, to explore the heart, challenges, and triumphs of cat rescue.

Bethany shares her personal journey into animal rescue, why she’s so devoted to giving cats a second chance, and the realities she sees in the rescue world — from how organisations are run to the stigma and negativity cats sometimes face. We talk about how she’s working to create change, the importance of compassion and leadership, and the lessons cats can teach us about resilience and healing.

You’ll also get practical kitten care tips — what new adopters and foster carers need to know, plus simple ways anyone can support cat rescue work even if they can’t foster or adopt.

If you’ve ever wondered what life inside cat rescue looks like, or how you can make a difference for cats in your community, this conversation is both eye-opening and inspiring.

🐾 Learn more about Big Dollan’s Fur-Rescue: bigdollansfurrescue.org and on Instagram at @bdfurrescue

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Ruth - Learn more about Ruth’s holistic animal care services, products, and teachings 👉 ruthhatten.com

Follow Ruth on Instagram
 for daily inspiration, holistic tips, and behind-the-scenes updates. 👉 @ruth.animalnaturopath

Got a question, topic idea, or feedback?
 Ruth would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ask a question, or suggest a future guest/topic here.

Big Thanks To:


⭐️ Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork


⭐️ Michael Barry – for the divine theme music

If you loved this episode…
 Please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a fellow animal lover. Every listen and share helps grow our ripple of compassion, connection, and care — for all animals, companion, farm, and wild.

Caring for your pet’s health can feel overwhelming — itchy skin, gut upsets, sensitivities, anxiety, even more serious conditions. Where do you start, and how do you know what to focus on first?

In this episode, I share why healing doesn’t happen by trying to “fix it all” at once. Instead, lasting results come from creating a clear, step-by-step plan that works with your animal’s body at the right pace.

You’ll hear a real-life case study of a five-year-old Bordoodle with chronic gut issues, skin flare-ups, and anxiety — and how we’re supporting her with a phased approach that starts in the gut, builds in elimination and emotional support, and gradually moves into probiotics, skin and immune care. This story highlights why slowing down, rather than rushing in, creates the best outcomes.

I also share details about my newly refined programs — Holistic Foundations and Holistic Healing Journey — designed to take the overwhelm out of pet wellness and give you a personalised roadmap for your animal’s healing. Plus, a look at Cellular Compatibility Testing, the unique tool I use to identify which foods truly support your pet’s health at a cellular level.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why gut health is often at the root of skin, anxiety, and immune issues
• How liver and gallbladder function impacts fat digestion and overall wellbeing
• The importance of pacing healing steps rather than doing everything at once
• How my updated programs provide phased roadmaps and symptom tracking so you can see your pet’s progress

Links & Resources

Holistic Foundations (1-Month Program)

Holistic Healing Journey (3-Month Program)

Cellular Compatibility Testing

Gut Soothe Herbal Elixir (Three Rays Animal Apothecary)

Join the Animal Lovers Tribe → Sign up to get those special codes + other offers, resources, and updates emailed directly to you

Read my Substack reflection on managing energy in times of overwhelm.

Follow Ruth on Instagram
 for daily inspiration, holistic tips, and behind-the-scenes updates 👉 @ruth.animalnaturopath

Connect with Ruth to learn more about Ruth’s holistic animal care services, products, and teachings 👉 ruthhatten.com

Got a question, topic idea, or feedback?
 Ruth would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ask a question, or suggest a future guest/topic ⁠here⁠.

✨ A special discount for the Healing Foundations and Healing Journey programs is mentioned in this episode — tune in to grab the details. Offer valid until 9 September ✨

If you’ve ever felt lost in your pet’s healing journey, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a reminder that pet wellness doesn’t have to mean overwhelm.

🎧 If you loved this episode…
 Please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a fellow animal lover. Every listen and share helps grow our ripple of compassion, connection, and care — for all animals, companion, farm, and wild.

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Big Thanks To:


⭐️ Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork


⭐️ Michael Barry – for the divine theme music

In this episode of The Natural Animal Podcast, I explore a topic that stirs up a lot of debate in the herbal and animal wellness world: Should we be using alcohol in herbal remedies for animals?

As an animal naturopath and herbalist, I’ve made the choice to avoid ethanol in my herbal preparations for pets. In this episode, I’ll share why - from both a physiological and energetic perspective - and explore what I choose to use instead.

We’ll discuss:

• Why alcohol (ethanol) is commonly used in herbal medicine


• The energetic and physical concerns of alcohol use for animals


• Why glycetracts are a gentler, energetically aligned alternative


• How alcohol-free herbal remedies can still be potent and effective


• A brief history of herbal medicine and the evolution of tinctures


• The importance of honouring the sensitivity of animals in our care

Whether you're a pet parent, herbalist, or holistic practitioner, this episode invites you to consider how the energy behind our remedies can matter just as much as their ingredients.

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Additional Resources & Links:

Read the article that inspired this episode: The Problem with Alcohol in Herbal Tinctures for Animals

Loved learning about herbs for animals and want to dive deeper? Learn more about herbs and how to use them to support your animal's health and wellbeing with The Herbal Sessions

Explore my alcohol-free herbal blends and elixirs: Three Rays Animal Apothecary

Learn more about holistic pet health: ruthhatten.com

Follow Ruth on Instagram: @ruth.animalnaturopath | @threeraysanimalapothecary

Got a question, topic idea, or feedback?
 Ruth would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ask a question, or suggest a future guest/topic here.

-

🙏🏼 Big Thanks To Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork and Michael Barry – for the divine theme music.

🎧 If you loved this episode… Please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a fellow animal lover. Every listen and share helps grow our ripple of compassion, connection, and care - for all animals, companion, farm, and wild.

In this inspiring episode of The Natural Animal Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Susan Recker, an integrative veterinarian and nutrition consultant at Animal Diet Formulator. With over two decades of clinical experience and a deep passion for education, Dr Recker brings a grounded, compassionate approach to healing animals through the power of real food.

We explore what food as medicine really means in a veterinary context, how pet parents can use therapeutic nutrition to support pets with chronic disease, and why she believes nutrition is foundational - not supplementary - to long-term health.

Together we unpack nutritional strategies for:

• Cancer support – using whole foods to address inflammation, immune function, nausea, weight loss, and oxidative stress.

• Kidney disease – how to move beyond protein fear, support hydration naturally, and use food to nourish without overloading.

• Heart health – including essential nutrients like taurine and CoQ10, plus her take on the grain-free/DCM debate.

• The role of synthetic nutrients, anti-inflammatory herbs, detoxifying vegetables, and foundational foods like turmeric, ginger, omega-3s, and fibre.

Plus, Dr Recker shares the one simple food-based shift she believes every pet parent can make today to improve their animal’s long-term health.

This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the deeper role nutrition plays in disease prevention and healing - and how to make empowered, food-first choices for the animals you love.

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Additional Resources & Links:

Listen to our earlier chat on The Integrative Animal Health Collective 'Ruth Hatten: moving from law and journalism to animal naturopathy - and the magic of cats'.

🔗 Connect with Dr Susan Recker - Learn more about her work at Animal Diet Formulator and Instagram: @animaldietformulator

🍖 Learn how to feed your pet real food - Download the Real Food Diet for Dogs or Cats - or grab both in a discounted bundle. Available now at ruthhatten.com/realfooddietforpets

Follow Ruth on Instagram - Get daily inspiration, holistic tips, and behind-the-scenes updates @ruth.animalnaturopath

Connect with Ruth - Learn more about Ruth’s holistic animal care services, products, and teachings at ruthhatten.com

💬 Got a question, topic idea, or feedback?

Ruth would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ask a question, or suggest a future guest/topic here: https://forms.wix.com/f/7175712547398484519

🙏🏼 Big Thanks To Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork and Michael Barry – for the divine theme music.

🎧 Subscribe to The Natural Animal Podcast on your favourite platform, and share this episode with someone who believes in the power of whole food healing.

Are you exploring holistic healing for your animal’s chronic or complex health issues? In this episode, I’m joined by Elsa, a devoted pet parent who shares her powerful story of working with me to support her dogs through natural, holistic care.

We explore how her dogs’ health challenges led her to holistic support, the emotional and energetic transformations that followed, and how this path deepened her connection with her animals. Elsa’s experience offers insight, hope, and inspiration for anyone caring for pets with chronic illness or seeking a more conscious way to support their wellbeing.

Whether you're a dog (or cat!) mum or dad navigating health issues, an animal lover curious about natural healing, or someone longing to connect more deeply with your pets — this conversation is for you.

Resources & Links:

• Puppy Wellness Program: ruthhatten.com/puppywellnessprogram
• Connect with Ruth - learn more about Ruth’s holistic animal care services, products, and teachings at ruthhatten.com
• Follow Ruth on Instagram Get daily inspiration, holistic tips, and behind-the-scenes updates @ruth.animalnaturopath

Got a question, topic idea, or feedback?

Ruth would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ask a question, or suggest a future guest/topic here.

Big Thanks To Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork and Michael Barry – for the divine theme music.

If you loved this episode… Please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a fellow animal lover. Every listen and share helps grow our ripple of compassion, connection, and care — for all animals, companion, farm, and wild.

In this special Q&A episode of the Natural Animal Podcast, Ruth answers your most asked questions about holistic pet health and conscious pet parenting. From natural tick prevention and endocrine support for desexed pets to calming trauma in cats and finding a truly low tox cat tower—this episode dives deep into what it means to care for your animals in a mindful, informed way.

You’ll also hear Ruth’s experience navigating the minefield of pet water fountains, plastic off-gassing, whisker fatigue, and toxic scratching posts—plus what she’s done in her own home to reduce toxic load and support her kitten Matilda’s wellbeing.

Whether you're a devoted pet parent or a practitioner-in-the-making, this episode offers grounded guidance, gentle wisdom, and practical tools to support your animals - body, mind, and soul.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Natural alternatives for tick prevention (and why daily checks still matter)

• Endocrine support for desexed pets: whole foods, herbs & flower essences

• Why plastic pet products (like fountains and towers) may be harming your animal

• Low tox tips for choosing safer scratching posts and cat furniture

• What to know about your pet eating grass—and what kind is safe

• How to support a traumatised animal with gentle at-home energy practices

• The reality of raw feeding (and how Ruth works with it individually)

• Ruth’s study path and why practical experience your unique way of showing up matter too

Resources & Links:

• Holistic Animal Wellness Library

• The Guide to Natural Parasite Prevention
• Natural Tick Products

• Low Tox Pets Handbook

• Real Food Diet eBooks for Cats & Dogs

• Practitioner Mentoring Info
• Follow Ruth on Instagram: @ruth.animalnaturopath

Is your pet anxious, withdrawn, or struggling with chronic issues, yet nothing seems to help?

In this episode, we explore nervous system dysregulation in dogs and cats: what it is, how it shows up, and how to support your pet naturally. From subtle stress signals to deep emotional shutdown, many animals live with nervous system strain that goes unrecognised.

You’ll learn how to spot the signs of a dysregulated nervous system, including hyperarousal (like reactivity and restlessness) and hypoarousal (like shutdown or flatness). We’ll also talk about how stress and trauma are stored in your pet’s body, how their emotional responses are shaped by past experience, and what you can do to help them feel safe again.

I’ll walk you through gentle, holistic ways to support your pet’s nervous system, including calming herbs, nutrition, flower essences, energy healing, and daily practices that promote emotional regulation and resilience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The signs of nervous system stress in dogs and cats

• What nervous system dysregulation is and why it matters

• How trauma and emotional memory shape your pet’s behaviour

• Natural ways to calm and support your pet’s nervous system

• How food, herbs, and energetic presence can create a sense of safety

• Why quiet pets might actually be deeply stressed—and how to recognise it

This episode will help you understand your pet’s behaviour through a more compassionate and scientifically grounded lens.

This is Part 2 of our nervous system series. If you haven’t yet, listen to Part 1 to learn the basics of how the nervous system works, why vagal tone matters, and how it connects to your pet’s overall wellbeing.

Additional Resources & Links 

Continue the conversation on Substack

Find the full transcript, references, and share your thoughts on this episode over on Substack. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation at ruthhatten.substack.com

Real Food Diet eBooks

Support your pet’s nervous system from the inside out with species-appropriate nutrition. Download the Real Food Diet for Dogs or Cats - or grab both in a discounted bundle. Available now at ruthhatten.com/realfooddietforpets

Three Rays Animal Apothecary

Discover handcrafted natural remedies for your animal’s health and wellbeing at threeraysanimalapothecary.com

Follow Ruth on Instagram Get daily inspiration, holistic tips, and behind-the-scenes updates @ruth.animalnaturopath

Connect with Ruth

Learn more about Ruth’s holistic animal care services, products, and teachings at ruthhatten.com

💬 Got a question, topic idea, or feedback?

Ruth would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ask a question, or suggest a future guest/topic here: https://forms.wix.com/f/7175712547398484519

🙏🏼 Big Thanks To Bella Abraham – for the beautiful podcast artwork and Michael Barry – for the divine theme music.

🎧 If you loved this episode… Please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a fellow animal lover. Every listen and share helps grow our ripple of compassion, connection, and care - for all animals, companion, farm, and wild.