Toni Unleashed

Toni Unleashed

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Toni Unleashed episodes

  • 118 - Food, Feelings, and Behavior: How Nutrition Impacts Your Pet's Mind

    In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske is joined by Michelle McGraw of Say It Once Dog Training and Emily Claire for a thoughtful conversation about the powerful connection between nutrition, behavior, and emotional regulation in pets. Together, they explore how daily choices around food, enrichment, and routine can significantly influence a pet's overall well-being.

    The discussion breaks down how highly processed diets—particularly kibble-heavy feeding—can contribute to blood sugar swings, behavioral challenges, and constant hunger. Toni, Michelle, and Emily share approachable, budget-conscious ways pet parents can improve their pet's diet, including incorporating fresh foods like eggs, fruits, vegetables, and other safe additions to the bowl.

    The episode also touches on training, anxiety, medication, and the importance of addressing foundational needs before turning to quick fixes. Emphasizing education, advocacy, and realistic expectations, the conversation highlights how meeting pets where they are—and making small, intentional changes—can lead to meaningful improvements in both behavior and quality of life.

    28 min
  • 117 - Joint Health Essentials: What Your Pets Really Need with Rebecca Rose from InClover

    In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske sits down with Rebecca Rose, founder of InClover, to break down what truly supports joint health in dogs and cats. Rebecca shares the science behind mobility supplements, explains why ingredients like glucosamine aren't always enough on their own, and highlights the importance of targeting the entire joint structure—not just the cartilage.

    They discuss common mobility issues, early signs pet parents shouldn't ignore, and how inflammation and gut health play a bigger role in joint comfort than most people realize. Rebecca also explains what makes InClover's formulations unique, from clinically tested ingredients to bioavailable nutrient combinations designed to deliver real, measurable results.

    The conversation gives pet parents a clearer understanding of what to look for in a joint supplement, how to support pets as they age, and why starting early can make all the difference. https://inclover.com/

    34 min
  • 116 - Dental Chews 101: What Really Keeps Your Pet's Teeth Healthy

    In this solo episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske breaks down the truth about dental health for dogs and cats—starting with a key myth: kibble does not clean teeth. She explains how fresh food and biologically appropriate chewing play a far bigger role in preventing plaque and tartar.

    Toni shares her top natural chew recommendations, including roasted bones, raw femur bones, antlers, bully sticks, sheep horns, coffee wood, yak chews, and more. She covers how abrasion-based chewing supports dental hygiene, reduces anxiety, and keeps pets occupied during busy gatherings.

    She also touches on safe sourcing, choosing the right chews for your pet, and how gut health and fresh food contribute to better breath and overall oral wellness. Toni closes with practical tips for both dogs and cats—and a reminder to share the episode and leave a five-star review.

    29 min
  • 115 - When Pets Need Help: Adam Spencer on Building Furlanthropy

    In this episode, Toni talks with Adam Spencer, founder of Furlanthropy, about his journey from devoted pet owner to creating a nonprofit crowdfunding platform that helps pet parents afford essential veterinary care. Adam discusses the financial hurdles many owners face and how Furlanthropy fills the gap by offering a transparent, ethical, and accessible way to raise funds during medical emergencies.

    They explore what makes Furlanthropy different—from flexible donation options to empowering families to manage their own campaigns with clarity and confidence. Adam also highlights the importance of transparency in nonprofit work and shares his vision for Furlanthropy's future as a long-term support system for the pet care community.

    59 min
  • 114 - Fleas, Ticks & Tough Decisions: Finding Balance in Pet Care

    In this solo episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni revisits the ever-challenging topic of fleas and ticks—sharing what's working, what's not, along with having to face a tough decision for her own dog.

    She walks through her favorite natural prevention strategies—from herbal supplements and sprays to diatomaceous earth and ultrasonic tick tags—along with simple, effective tips for keeping pets safe year-round.

    Toni also gives updates on her pack: Bo's senior care and laser therapy, Grayson's recovery and glowing coat, and Layla's ongoing digestive journey. As always, she offers honesty, insight, and heart to help pet parents make the best choices for their animals.

    Learn more or connect with Toni at ToniUnleashed.com.

    21 min
  • 113 - From Child Dream to Pet Empire: Ava's Pet Palace Story

    In this inspiring episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni sits down with Ava Dorsey, the founder and CEO of Ava's Pet Palace — a thriving pet treat company she started when she was just eight years old. Now 18, Ava shares how her childhood love for animals and passion for healthy ingredients grew into an award-winning, USDA Organic brand with nationwide retail presence.

    Ava talks about drawing her first "job plan" at age six, making tuna treats for her cat Pumpkin, and how family support and social media helped her business take off. She and Toni discuss her journey from baking treats in her kitchen to working with co-manufacturers, exhibiting at Global Pet Expo, and getting into major retailers like Meijer and Erewhon—all while staying committed to small, independent pet stores.

    They also dive into the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with school, the power of staying true to your values, and Ava's advice for other young entrepreneurs: "Comparison is the thief of joy."

    Learn more or shop at avaspetpalace.com, and follow @AvasPetPalace on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube.

    34 min
  • 112 - Saving Dogs from Chocolate: The Science Behind Chocolate Detox

    In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni talks with Amadeus and Tamaris, founders of Chocolate Detox for Dogs, the world's first over-the-counter chocolate neutralizer for pets. After nearly losing his dog to chocolate poisoning, physicist and patent attorney Amadeus created a safe, science-backed product every pet parent should keep in their first-aid kit.

    They discuss how Chocolate Detox works, why minutes matter after ingestion, and how vets are embracing it as a practical, affordable solution. The conversation also covers new products on the way, including grape detox, THC detox, and Safe Lick, a paw wipe that neutralizes lawn chemicals linked to cancer in dogs.

    Learn more at chocolatedetoxfordogs.com and follow @CD4Dogs on social media.

    45 min
  • 111 - The Business of Poop: Mark Regan | Call Poop Away

    In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni chats with Mark Regan, co-founder of Call Poop Away, about how a simple idea turned into a thriving pet waste removal business serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

    Mark shares how he and his business partner grew from one Craigslist ad to hundreds of recurring customers, built a loyal team, and are now expanding through franchise opportunities. They discuss the ups and downs of running a "garage business," the surprising profitability of poop scooping, and creative add-on services like deodorizing sprays and tick treatments.

    Mark's story proves that with persistence, humor, and hard work, you really can make a business out of anything.

    Learn more at callpoopaway.com or follow The Poop Guys on social media for updates and laughs.

    31 min
  • 110 - Mushrooms for Pets: The Science Behind Natural Healing with Earth Buddy

    In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni welcomes Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy Pet, for an in-depth conversation about the science and power of functional mushrooms for pets. Sean shares how his company began a decade ago with full-spectrum CBD and evolved into crafting small-batch, Colorado-grown supplements that support pets' immune systems, cognition, and overall health.

    Toni and Sean dive deep into the differences between fruiting bodies and mycelium, why both matter, and how to evaluate the quality of mushroom products. They explore the unique properties of five core mushrooms—reishi, lion's mane, turkey tail, cordyceps, and agarikon—and their roles in immune modulation, cognitive health, allergy support, and longevity.

    The conversation also touches on sourcing transparency, USDA organic cultivation, and how consistency and patience are key when introducing supplements. Sean explains why mushroom blends can benefit pets of all ages and how simple, sustainable approaches to health can make a long-term difference for animals and their humans alike.

    Learn more about Earth Buddy Pet at earthbuddypet.com, and check out their educational resources for deeper insights into mushroom science.

    43 min
  • 109 - Chewing Naturally: Canophera's Mission for Healthier, Happier Dogs

    In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni chats with Jenn Johnson from Canophera, the original makers of all-natural coffee wood chews and sustainable dog toys. Jenn shares the story behind Canophera's mission to create safe, eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and nylon chews—using natural materials like coffee wood, coconut fiber, briar root, sheep horn, and red deer antler.

    Toni and Jenn dive into how Canophera began in Europe over a decade ago, the science and safety behind their products, and why choosing natural chews can make such a big difference for your pet's health. They discuss everything from sustainability and dental benefits to which chews are best for different dogs and how Canophera's innovative new toys are redefining playtime for pets.

    Along the way, they also talk candidly about real-life dog antics, responsible pet ownership, and how small companies like Canophera are challenging big-box norms to put safety and sustainability first.

    Learn more or shop directly at canophera.com, and don't forget to check out their educational videos on YouTube.

    44 min

About Toni Unleashed

From the publisher's feed

Toni Unleashed Podcast is a light-hearted podcast addressing the truth about the pet food industry with anecdotal and scientific evidence. Host Toni Shelaske invites and interviews pet experts,…

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