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

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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 

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, we dive deep into the hidden dangers of synthetic vitamins and minerals in pet supplements and food. Angela is joined by holistic health practitioner Kara Rose, founder of Raw Paw Adventures, who shares her personal journey from critical care medicine to natural healing for both pets and people. Together, they explore how synthetic additives can wreak havoc on your pet’s health, how to recognize misleading ingredient labels, and why “complete and balanced” pet food often isn’t what it seems. Get ready to question what’s really in your pet’s bowl — and learn how to choose nutrient-rich, species-appropriate foods and supplements that truly nourish from the inside out.

Episode Recap:

• 2:50 - Why “complete and balanced” is a misleading standard in pet food 
• 5:00 - How synthetic nutrients can overwhelm the liver, disrupt mineral balance, and even lead to toxicity
• 6:00 - The difference between whole food nutrition vs. lab-created isolates
• 8:19 - How synthetic vitamins can cause vitamin deficiencies
• 10:15 - Real food sources of key nutrients like Vitamin A, D, E, and K
• 13:00 - Vitamin D toxicity in pet food 
• 16:10 - Why sourcing matters
• 19:50 - How to evaluate brands, ingredients, and what companies aren’t telling you
• 21:10 - Natural sources of Vitamin D
• 23:00 - Why it’s important to always read the label
• 26:35 - Sourcing organ meat, and how that influences nutrients
• 30:25 - Why pet parents must be their own advocates in an under-regulated pet industry
• 35:00 - Kara and Angela’s resources to help pet parents avoid synthetic additives

Episode Resources:

• Want to download the Synthetic Vitamins & Minerals chart and the Additives to Avoid in Pet Supplements chart? Visit AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Visit Kara’s Website - Raw Paw Adventures
• Kara’s Podcast - Raw Remedies
• Follow Kara & Raw Paw Adventures on FB, IG, TT, and YT
• 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 

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Dr. Jeff Grognet joins us to shine a light on the hidden risks of over-vaccinating our pets. Together, we explore what many conventional vets don’t talk about—how certain vaccine ingredients can accumulate in the body, why adverse reactions are underreported, and what vaccine-related conditions often get dismissed or misdiagnosed. Dr. Jeff explains the science behind titer testing, how long vaccine protection really lasts, and why one-size-fits-all vaccine schedules may do more harm than good. With over 40 years of experience in both conventional and holistic veterinary medicine, Dr. Jeff shares empowering insights to help pet parents make safer, more informed choices.

Episode Recap:

• Why annual vaccinations are still being pushed—despite outdated science
• What the vaccine guidelines actually say about immunity
• The risks of over-vaccination, including autoimmune reactions and tumors
• How to interpret titer tests correctly
• How to detox your pet after a required vaccine
• Why more vets don’t talk about long-term immunity
• The role of education (and pharma funding) in veterinary medicine
• Dr. Grognet’s updated vaccine guidelines for 2025

Episode Resources:

• Visit Dr. Jeff Grognet’s Website 
• New Earth Vet
• Dr. Grognet’s Vaccine Guidelines for 2025
• Want to download the Synthetic Vitamins & Minerals chart and the Additives to Avoid in Pet Supplements chart? Visit 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 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 

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, we’re joined by Dr. Judy Morgan, renowned holistic veterinarian, best-selling author, and passionate advocate for natural pet wellness. Angela and Dr. Judy dive deep into one of the most pressing issues in both human and animal medicine: the rampant overuse of antibiotics. They discuss how this widespread problem is harming pets, the dangers of prescribing antibiotics and steroids without clear need, and what pet parents can do to protect their animals. From sharing real-life case studies to offering natural alternatives and gut healing strategies, this candid conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make more informed decisions about their pet’s health.

Episode Recap:

• Why antibiotic overprescription is a growing concern in veterinary care
• Dr. Judy’s personal stories of advocating against unnecessary prescriptions
• What to consider before giving your pet antibiotics
• Understanding when antibiotics and steroids are appropriate
• The lasting impact of pharmaceuticals on the gut microbiome
• Why “inactive” ingredients in supplements matter
• The truth about FortiFlora and other common probiotics
• Natural alternatives for diarrhea and gut health
• Using food energetics and TCVM to address digestive issues
• Coptis, Saccharomyces Boulardii, and other natural gut helpers
• How synthetic additives quietly harm sensitive pets
• Tips for reading labels and spotting greenwashed products
• Empowering pet parents to question, research, and advocate

Episode Resources:

• Visit Dr. Judy Morgan’s Website 
• Referenced Studies: Bacteremia in Dogs Undergoing Dental Procedure Study and Nutritional Management over Metronidazole for Acute Colitis in Dogs
• Coptis for Diarrhea, Saccharomyces Boulardii & more Supplements for GI Distress 
• Follow Dr. Judy Morgan 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
• Want to download the Synthetic Vitamins & Minerals chart and the Additives to Avoid in Pet Supplements chart? Visit AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads/

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

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, we’re joined by Dr. Erin Holder, founder of the Veterinary Compassion Project. After experiencing compassion fatigue firsthand, Dr. Holder transitioned her career to focus on supporting veterinarians and animal care professionals struggling with burnout and compassion fatigue. A 2019 Centers for Disease Control study revealed that veterinarians are between two to four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, highlighting a growing crisis in the veterinary community. Dr. Holder discusses the emotional toll faced by veterinarians and how her project provides resources, tools, and restorative retreats to foster well-being in this vital profession.

Episode Recap:

• The Veterinary Compassion Project and its mission
• Understanding compassion fatigue and burnout in veterinarians
• Why veterinary schools should address mental health early in education
• Recognizing the signs of compassion fatigue and burnout
• The importance of having compassion for ourselves as veterinary professionals
• Burnout and suicide in the veterinary community and its impact on the profession
• How the veterinarian shortage affects not only pets but also food production
• Tools and resources from the Veterinary Compassion Project to empower veterinarians
• How pet parents can support their veterinarians
• Tips for dealing with compassion fatigue and burnout
• Announcing the VCP Restorative Retreat 2025
• The critical role of boundaries in avoiding compassion fatigue and burnout

Episode Resources:

• Veterinary Compassion Project
• VCP Restorative Retreat 2025
• VCP Resources for Veterinarians
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Angela Ardolino
• CBD Dog Health

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

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, we’re joined by Michelle Thomas, an expert in animal communication and holistic pet care. Michelle, founder of Magical Mutts, has dedicated her life to understanding the deep emotional and energetic connections we share with our pets. With a background in veterinary medicine and a personal journey of healing, Michelle brings a unique perspective on the importance of communicating with our pets on a deeper level. Angela and Michelle delve into the significance of this emotional bond, how it impacts both our pets and ourselves, and why addressing these connections is crucial for overall well-being.

Episode Recap: 

• What is animal communication?
• Discovering her gift and how Michelle harnessed it
• Importance of emotional connections with pets
• Integrating veterinary medicine with energetic work
• Intuitive biofeedback sessions and their impact
• Addressing skepticism and the role of evidence
• Healing together: the connection between pets and their owners
• Nervous system resets and the importance of holistic nutrition

Episode Resources:

• Magical Mutts with Michelle Thomas
• Follow Magical Mutts with Michelle Thomas on Instagram and Facebook 
• Follow CBD Dog Health on Facebook and Instagram
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Angela Ardolino
• CBD Dog Health

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