In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, we’re joined by guest Teri DiMarino, award-winning professional groomer of over 50 years, and we’re pulling back the curtain on the pet grooming industry. Angela and Teri talk about why so many pet parents struggle to find a groomer they trust, why the grooming industry is almost completely unregulated, what actually happens when you drop your dog off “for just a few hours,” and how to know if your dog is safe behind those salon doors. They get into hot-button topics like matted doodles, seniors and special-needs dogs, shaving double-coated breeds, anal glands, ear plucking, cage dryers, pricing, tipping, and why honest communication with your groomer can literally protect your dog. Teri also explains the standards of care, safety, and sanitation she’s helped create for groomers, and what questions you should be asking before you book your next grooming appointment.

Episode Recap:

• Angela opens the episode discussing the common struggle to find a pet groomer you trust, and her past experience owning a grooming salon. (00:50)
• Teri shares her 52-year career in pet grooming and why pet parents often struggle to find a groomer they connect with (02:40)
• They discuss why licensing doesn’t necessarily stop bad groomers, but regulation and accountability can help protect both groomers and pet parents. (05:40)
• Teri explains how the Standards of Care, Safety, and Sanitation were developed by multiple grooming organizations to set best practices for safe, clean salons,  and how these standards are now recognized worldwide. (09:30)
• Teri explains why some dogs have incidents in salons, often due to hidden health conditions or misinformation from owners, and how accountability should work both ways. (13:55)
• Teri breaks down the difference between licensing, certification, and registration, and the misconceptions pet owners often have about what each means. (17:00)
• Teri and Angela remind pet parents to always be honest with groomers, explaining that lying about biting, brushing, or matting can cause injuries, legal issues, and unnecessary suffering for the dog. (21:00)
• Angela and Teri tackle the “to shave or not to shave” debate, explaining why shaving double-coated breeds doesn’t keep them cool and can actually damage the coat (28:40)
• Teri explains the debate around ear plucking, encouraging groomers to take a conservative approach, only clearing the ear canal when needed, keeping ears clean and dry, and referring severe cases to a vet. (39:57)
• Teri and Angela emphasize the groomer’s vital role in spotting early health issues, urging pet parents to trust their groomer, and tip generously (46:04)
• Angela and Teri discuss client misunderstandings, false reviews, and lawsuits in the grooming industry (50:30)
• They wrap up the episode with a brief touch on responsible vaccination practices, microchipping, and due diligence in animal rescue. (57:26)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Holistic Groomer Checklist for Pet Parents & more at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• The California Professional Pet Groomers Association, Inc.
• World Alliance of Grooming Associations Inc.
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Sign up for episode reminders and updates from Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.

On this episode of Your Natural Dog, Angela sits down with Dr. Margo Roman, a veterinarian with over 47 years in practice, to talk about what the veterinary oath really means, and what happens when vets try to speak openly about holistic or integrative pet care. Dr. Roman shares how her Massachusetts veterinary license was suspended for two years after she emailed clients about ozone and homeopathic options, which she’s now appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court after losing at the state level. Angela and Dr. Roman also discuss why they believe “do no harm” requires a fuller toolbox: acupuncture, microbiome work, ozone, nutrition, herbs, and the importance of ongoing education after vet school. The conversation looks at how policies, liability fears, and funding ties can discourage open discussion of holistic pet care. They also cover the “spectrum of care” model for real-world budgets, the debate over rabies titers and vaccine exemptions, why gut health is foundational, and practical ways pet parents can stay informed and advocate for more options.

Episode Recap:

• Angela tees up free speech, the veterinarian’s oath, and why Dr. Roman’s case matters to pet parents. (00:08)
• The Veterinarian’s Oath, and how it extends beyond what’s taught in school. (03:15)
• Dr. Roman describe the lack of options being offered to pet parents by conventional veterinarians, and they discuss the declining numbers of holistic veterinarians. (04:49)
• Why continuing your veterinary education, from acupuncture to microbiome science, is essential to the “do no harm” oath, and how ignoring proven alternative modalities amounts to denying care.(07:55)
• Angela shares her experience getting an FDA letter and the pressure to stay silent about holistic education and testimonials. (10:12)
• Dr. Roman shares the story of her horse with cancer, Champ, who she was told to euthanize, but instead lived for over 8 more years under her care using homeopathy, acupuncture, nutrition, and later ozone therapy. When she tried to show the university her results, they refused to look. (11:50)
• The pandemic, recommending ozone therapy,  and the veterinary board’s response. (13:31)
• Introduction to “Spectrum of Care” for clients who can’t afford gold-standard workups. (15:46)
• How corporate and government control often limits access to natural options, the vital role of the gut microbiome and the endocannabinoid system, and how mushrooms and hemp have long supported balance in both humans and animals. (17:40)
• Dr. Roman describes the financial and emotional toll of defending her right to practice integrative medicine, including spending over a million dollars and facing ongoing board harassment. She explains how officials dismiss modalities like acupuncture and ozone therapy without ever studying them, and calls for accountability and open-mindedness among regulators who condemn what they don’t understand. (20:10)
• Dr. Roman argues that forcing veterinarians to vaccinate animals who are already immune or medically fragile goes against the veterinary oath, and shares her own experience with Rabies vaccination and antibody testing (22:43)
• Being your pet’s advocate, what Dr. Roman is working on now, plus ways to support her mission (30:09)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s resources & guides at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• The Veterinarian’s Oath
• Dr. Roman’s Urgent Call for Veterinarians to Uphold their Oath and her Medical Freedom For Animals Legal Fund
• Dr. Margo Roman v. Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Dr. Roman’s Veterinary Practice Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton
• Follow Dr. Roman & MASH on Twitter, Facebook,and Instagram
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Sign up for episode reminders and updates from Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.

On this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela chats with Lauren Becks, founder of Girls Gone Raw, about the bones and chews showing up on “raw bars” everywhere and how to tell the clean from the questionable. Lauren shares what real, species-appropriate chews should look and smell like, why bright white bones and bright colors raise flags, and how vague labels can hide flavor sprays and bleaching. We dig into sourcing that actually means something, from small farms and traceable supply to why organs like liver and kidney require extra care and modest portions. Lauren explains bone safety in plain terms, including raw versus cooked, temps that change collagen, and why heavy weight-bearing bones can break teeth or splinter. We also cover smoked bones, whole-prey benefits, and matching chews to your dog’s style so power chewers stay safe. Join Angela and Lauren for practical shopping tips, smarter choices at the treat bar, and a straightforward way to feed closer to nature without the junk.

Episode Recap:

• The overwhelming amount of options we have when it comes to dog chews and pet treats, and how to recognize additives, preservatives, and misleading appearances. (02:33)
• Loopholes in labeling regulations when it comes to chews, and why pet parents must look deeper than just the ingredient list. (04:07)
• The critical role of sourcing and why integrity in choosing farms and suppliers makes or breaks a product. (07:04)
• The challenges small pet businesses face, balancing ethical sourcing, costs, and sustainability. (09:15)
• How personal experiences with their pet’s diagnoses led both Angela and Lauren to dig deeper into ingredients, sourcing, and natural approaches to restore balance and support long-term wellness. (14:04)
• Shortcuts and additives may look cheaper upfront, but investing in clean, biologically appropriate food and holistic care saves pets (and people) from bigger costs and health struggles later. (21:30)
• Why biologically appropriate diets matter: from whole prey to raw bones, dogs and cats thrive on food closer to what they’d eat in nature. (24:49)
• Why whole food, whole plant, and whole prey approaches always outperform isolates or overly processed products. (32:34)
• Safe, minimally processed chews and bones (like meaty or fur-on options) not only avoid the risks of bleached or smoked products but also give dogs natural enrichment that engages their senses and instincts. (39:12)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Additives to Avoid and other resources at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Sign up for the Girls Gone Raw Carnivore Crate - Don’t miss our collaboration with GGR for their October Box!
• Shop Girls Gone Raw with code YND10 for 10% Off
• Follow Girls Gone Raw on TikTok, Facebook,and Instagram
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Sign up for episode reminders and updates from Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com
  
  

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela and Carter sit down with Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig, veterinarian, researcher, and founder of Veterinary Health Research Centers — to talk about the groundbreaking Senior Dog Study they’ve been running together for the past year. Dr. Ehrenzweig shares why he shifted from a strictly pharmaceutical approach to fully embracing natural medicine late in his career. Angela, Carter and Dr. Ehrenzweig discuss how the Senior Dog Study is helping to validate what holistic practitioners have known for years: that functional mushrooms and natural adaptogens can potentially make a real difference in cognitive health, quality of life, and emotional connection for senior dogs.

If you have an aging pup and have ever been told “there’s nothing we can do,” this episode will give you hope, real data, and real-life stories showing that there are options. Learn more about the Senior Dog Study.

Episode Recap

• Launching the Senior Dog Study – Carter shares how they recruited a diverse group of senior dogs experiencing cognitive decline—many from families who believed they had no options left—then tracked behavior, activity, and sleep to build a data-backed picture of progress over the course of the study. (00:31)

• Validating Centuries of Natural Medicine – Angela shares how rescuing senior dogs inspired her to prove that natural approaches—real food, hemp, mushrooms, and adaptogens—can help aging pets thrive without relying on pharmaceutical “longevity drugs.” Dr. Ehrenzweig reflects on his shift from a strictly pharmaceutical mindset, describing how client feedback opened his eyes to alternative options and why he was intrigued to join this groundbreaking study. (02:46)

• Rethinking Canine Cognitive Decline – Dr. Ehrenzweig explains why a CCD diagnosis shouldn’t be seen as “the end” for senior dogs, noting that it develops gradually and shares many similarities with human dementia and Alzheimer’s. He describes the challenge of studying such a complex condition and the promise of finding better options beyond pharmaceuticals. Dr. Joel expresses hope that demonstrating improvement in dogs could pave the way for better, more natural options for humans facing cognitive decline in the future. (08:10)

• The Power of Whole-Plant Medicine & Synergy – Angela shares why her mission is to create pure, whole-plant and mushroom formulas rather than isolated compounds, emphasizing that nature’s ingredients work best together. Combining adaptogens like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha, and Bacopa Monnieri creates a synergistic effect—targeting multiple aspects of cognitive decline and delivering the results seen in the Senior Dog Study. (11:55)

• Measuring the Impact of Mushrooms & Adaptogens on CCD – Carter explains how the synergistic blend of Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha, and Bacopa Monnieri for dogs was designed to address multiple aspects of cognitive decline, from calming the nervous system to supporting neuroprotection and brain oxygenation. To capture these effects, the team used detailed questionnaires and scoring systems to track behaviors like nighttime waking, disorientation, and social engagement—finding that while every dog’s response is different, the combination consistently improved quality of life across a wide range of cases.(14:44)

• Recognizing the First Signs of CCD – Dr. Joel explains that one of the earliest and most telling signs of canine cognitive decline is a shift in sleep patterns—dogs sleeping more during the day, then pacing or appearing restless at night. With wearable collars, pet parents, and researchers, can now track movement and sleep 24/7, giving an objective view of these changes. (20:01)

• Real-Life Transformations from Mushrooms & Adaptogens – Angela shares moving stories of senior dogs who were scheduled for euthanasia but experienced dramatic turnarounds after starting on these mushrooms & adaptogens—regaining mobility, focus, and connection with their families in just days. Dr. Joel, a seasoned veterinary researcher with over 15 years of experience, admits he had never seen natural ingredients work this quickly and effectively, reinforcing just how extraordinary these study results have been. (26:22)

• Beyond Anecdotes, Real Evidence from the Senior Dog Study – Carter and Dr. Joel emphasize that the Senior Dog Study is more than just testimonials. By combining real-time collar data that tracks sleep, wake cycles, and activity with caregiver questionnaires and even blood biomarkers like BDNF and CRP, they’ve created an objective, data-backed picture of how dogs are responding. Dr. Joel notes that even when improvements vary, simply slowing decline can be a meaningful win for families — and in many cases, the results are dramatic, with dogs showing better engagement, calmer behavior, and restored quality of life. (32:42)

Episode Resources:

• The Study: Prospective Evaluation of a Mushroom Derived Nutraceutical in Dogs with Cognitive Decline
• Learn more about the Senior Dog Study
• Want to be a part of the Senior Dog Study? 
• More on Mushrooms & Adaptogens for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
• Veterinary Health Research Centers
• Download Angela’s Resources at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.

On this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela sits down with Kim Rogers, CEO and co-founder of RogersHood Apothecary—better known online as the Worm Queen. After decades in Western medicine and a personal health spiral, Kim built a gentle, herb-forward cleansing protocol that went viral. We dig into how parasites are picked up, the real-world pet ↔ human connection (shared environments and microbiomes), and why effective detox is more than “kill”—it’s open drainage, support organs, then bind. Kim breaks down common culprits (roundworm, tapeworm, giardia, pinworm), the role of biofilms, and why tinctures can be cleaner and more bioavailable than powders with fillers. Join Angela and Kim for a practical, non-alarmist guide to keeping both you and your animals safer with smart hygiene, cleaner products, and periodic, thoughtful cleansing.

Episode Recap:

• Kim Rogers - the Worm Queen, and going viral on TikTok (00:46)
• Kim’s backstory: Western medicine → holistic detox (04:00)
• Nature knows best - Reconnecting with nature as the original medicine (08:06)
• Kim’s journey in creating the ParaFy Kit (14:25)
• Deworming yourself & your pets - How pets & humans share exposures (17:43) 
• Toxoplasma gondii & other common cat & dog parasites (19:06) 
• Parasite cleanse: protocols for humans & pets (25:24)
• Tinctures vs. powders: unnecessary additives, absorption & label literacy (28:10)
• The prevalence of synthetics and isolates, even in the holistic world (33:10)
• Advocate for yourself and your animals (37:43)
• Kim’s Detox Protocol with her ParaFy Kit (41:30)
• Diatomaceous Earth for Parasites (47:06)
• Where to learn more about Kim Rogers, Worm Queen (51:17)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Pet Wellness Guides & Resources at AngelaArdolino.com/downloads
• Get 10% OFF The ParaFy Kit & more at RogersHood Apothecary with code NATURALDOG
• Follow Kim Rogers on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Sign up for episode reminders and updates from Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook 

When it comes to keeping our dogs safe, collars are often the last thing pet parents question — but they can pose hidden dangers. This week on Your Natural Dog, Angela Ardolino is joined by Hilda Castillo-Landrum, founder of Fauna in the Foothills, pet boutique owner, blogger, and passionate advocate for dog breakaway collars. After a terrifying incident with her own Rottweiler, Cooper, Hilda discovered just how common collar strangulation accidents are — and why breakaway collars can truly be lifesaving. In this conversation, Angela and Hilda share their personal stories, explore the risks of traditional collars, and discuss how pet parents can protect their dogs with safer options.

Episode Recap:

• Hilda shares how her Rottweiler Cooper nearly lost his life when his heavy-duty collar got caught on a fence. (00:37)
• Why collar strangulation incidents happen more often than most pet parents realize, and how they can be fatal without warning. (05:12)
• How breakaway collars work, why they’re different from cat collars, and how Hilda designed hers for both safety and style. (08:48)
• The pros and cons of harnesses, martingale collars, and what pet parents should know about pressure on a dog’s neck. (12:55)
• 26,000 cases per year – The staggering number of collar strangulation incidents reported annually in the U.S., and why many more likely go unreported. (16:16) 
• Common causes of collar strangulation in dogs, from catching on kennels, fences, and furniture to playing with other dogs,  (19:36) 
• How Hilda turned her painful experience into a mission to educate others and create safer, customizable breakaway collars. (21:19)

Episode Resources:

• Sign up for Angela’s tips & downloads at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Learn more about Hilda & breakaway collars at Fauna in the Foothills 
• Follow Hilda, and Fauna in the Foothills on Instagram 
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook 

We often focus on food and supplements for our pets—but what about their water? In this episode of Your Natural Dog, Angela Ardolino is joined by holistic pet health coach & educator Bre Drake to dive into an overlooked but essential part of your pet’s wellness: water quality. From filtering contaminants to remineralizing filtered water, Bre and Angela share what pet parents need to know to keep their dogs truly hydrated and healthy. They explore why bottled water isn’t a safe solution, what’s lurking in tap water, and how small changes to your dog’s hydration can make a big difference. Along the way, they discuss how toxin exposure from water—as well as everyday sources including synthetic additives in food, supplements, and grooming products, along with environmental chemicals—can accumulate in pets over time, and share practical tips for supporting your pet naturally.

Episode Recap:

• The shocking number of contaminants in U.S. water systems (01:14)
• The importance of filtering your home’s water (4:30)
• Reverse osmosis water filtration, (and why remineralizing is key) (05:09)
• Hidden risks in “clean” city water and how to avoid them (08:25)
• Why hydration from food is more natural and effective (11:42)
• The link between cumulative toxin exposure and rising cancer rates in pets (14:11)
•  Ditching plastic water bottles, bowls and containers for your pet’s health (19:15)
• How to safely let your dog drink from streams and natural water sources (22:38)
• Tips for responding to toxin exposure in pets (25:30)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Tips on Water Filtration & Remineralization and other resources at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Learn more about Bre Drake & Tailswell Health 
• Follow Bre Drake & Tailswell Health on Instagram and YouTube, 
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook 

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela is joined by Kate Mahoney, food-first dietary supplement expert and functional nutrition practitioner, for a deep dive into the pet supplement industry. They explore how even "natural" products often rely on synthetic ingredients and lab-made nutrients that don’t work with the body the way real food and herbs do. Angela and Kate break down how to spot red flags on supplement labels, why quality and sourcing can shift over time, and how trends and shortcuts dilute product effectiveness. From the risks of synthetic isolates to how transparency and education empower pet parents, this episode is your guide to making smarter choices for your pet’s long-term wellness.

Episode Recap:

• Becoming a supplement expert out of necessity (00:53)
• Turning to traditional medicine after conventional medicine failed (5:37)
• Supplement quality can vary, even within the same brand, how to spot red flags (12:57)
• How trends, shortcuts, and synthetic ingredients dilute supplement quality (22:39)
• Synthetic supplements and drugs can overwhelm the body, especially in older pets (31:44)
• Cannabis and mushrooms impact multiple cancer pathways (36:00)
•  Less than 15% of supplements worldwide are worth taking (44:08)
• Companies repackaging human supplements as pet products.(49:05)
• Always do your due diligence—even trusted brands can shift without warning (54:18)
• Transparency is the #1 sign of a trustworthy supplement company (58:17)
• Educating yourself is the only way to protect your pets and yourself (1:03:18)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Pet Supplement Buying Checklist and other resources at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Supplement Quality Specialist Certification Waitlist 
• Learn more about The Supplement Academy
• Follow Kate & the Supplement Academy on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, 
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela is joined by Koco Garcia, founder of Handover Rover, a rescue organization dedicated to saving dogs most shelters overlook—those with behavior challenges, complex medical issues, and histories of neglect or abandonment. Koco shares the deeply personal journey that led her from dog lover to trainer to full-time rescuer, including how one misunderstood dog named Harrison changed the course of her life and became the foundation of her training philosophy. Together, Angela and Koco discuss the emotional resilience required to run a rescue, why behavioral euthanasia must be challenged, and how holistic care—including fresh food and plant-based medicine—has transformed the lives of dogs like Mary Katherine and Scarlett.

Episode Recap:

• Koco’s unexpected journey from dog mom to behavior-focused rescue founder (1:03)
• Why she refuses to give up on dogs with complex behavioral needs (4:52)
• Koco’s life-changing bond with Harrison, the dog “experts” told her to euthanize (6:41)
• Embracing accountability and emotional growth through rescue work (11:19)
• You have to be your pet’s advocate, you have to read the labels (16:42)
• Why it’s vital to question veterinary protocols and take ownership of your pet’s care (20:35)
• The story of Mary Katherine, a senior street dog with a collapsed trachea (24:23)
• How a mushroom extract blend for collapsed trachea helped Mary Katherine breathe again (38:47)
• Why sourcing and formulation matter, when it comes to real results (47:08)
• How full spectrum hemp extract gave senior rescue dog Scarlett a second chance at pain-free living (51:47)

Episode Resources:

• What Helped Mary Katherine: Mushrooms & Adaptogens for Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
• What Helped Scarlett: CBD with Turmeric and Frankincense for Dogs with Joint Pain
• Check out Angela’s Essential Holistic Toolkit for Pets 
• Diamond and Scarlett are still looking for their forever home, learn more or meet the other adoptables at Handover Rover. 
• Visit Handover Rover to adopt, sponsor or donate. 
• Follow Koco & Handover Rover on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, 
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• For Angela’s Free Educational Downloads & Resources, visit: AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook.

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela is joined by renowned herbalist Greg Tilford, CEO and formulator of Animal Essentials. With over three decades of experience, Greg joins Angela to unpack the confusion around glycerin and alcohol in pet tinctures—explaining why glycerin is often misunderstood, how alcohol is sometimes necessary for proper extraction but is not the best option for finished pet products, and why palatability is key to effectiveness. Together, they explore the evolution of herbalism for pets, the importance of clean, simple formulations, and how truly holistic remedies support the body’s natural healing process. Learn why quality and intent matter when choosing herbal supplements for your pets.

Episode Recap:

• The confusion surrounding glycerin as a preservative in pet products (1:10)
• Clarifying glycerin grades: pharmaceutical (USP) vs. industrial (2:36)
• Benefits of glycerin-based tinctures for pets over alcohol-based tinctures (7:00)
• Understanding herbal remedies beyond chemicals: the importance of plant energetics (9:19)
• Debunking tincture myths: glycerin, alcohol, and proper extraction explained (12:32)
• Why alcohol in tinctures can be problematic for pets (16:57)
• Holistic herbalism: supporting rather than forcing the body (19:28)
• Misunderstanding the role of fevers and symptoms in natural healing (21:57)
• The rise of informed, discerning pet parents in the holistic pet care market (22:50)
• Hidden additives and inactive ingredients sabotaging pet wellness (26:56)
• Synthetic additives in supplements are often for human appeal, not pet health (29:20)
• How misleading labeling in pet products can harm pets (30:38)
• Prioritizing purity and integrity over profits leads to lasting success (31:26)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Glycerin Guide and more resources at: AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Visit Animal Essentials
• Greg Tilford’s Mentioned Book: Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet's Life
• Follow Animal Essentials on Facebook and Instagram,
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health resources & education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook