The Pet Parenting Reset

There's a class action lawsuit against Hill's Pet Food.
Thousands of pet parents are reporting illness and worse associated with Purina and other kibble brands. No recall (yet).
Meanwhile, a single complaint (albeit valid) stokes a recall from a small raw food company.

What the &*!k is going on with pet food?!

B.C. Henschen joins me to talk about the behind the scenes of things we haven't yet thought of in these cases. And more comments on the insidious nature of AAFCO and regulation.

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Have you ever considered a board & train facility for your dog? Or know someone who has?

Someone recently reached out to me about dog training, asking if I could recommend a board & train facility. I was as pleasant as I know how to be and just said that I do not recommend board & train but could help them otherwise. They didn't take me up on the offer, which is fine ... but it did spark the topic for today's episode!

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Billy Hoekman, VP of Nutrition and Communication at Green Juju, ALWAYS brings so much great information to the show!

This time we go into a bit more detail about vegetables and their benefits both directly and indirectly to your dogs health, fats and their unnecessary demonization, and the truth behind the pet food industry.

You won't want to miss a single minute of anything Billy has to say!

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There are SO MANY myths flying around on the internet and word of mouth about foods that dogs and cats "can't have" ... but the truth is that the list of truly toxic foods is pretty darn short! 

Isabel and I discuss some of the most popular pet food myths and give you the very short list of truly toxic foods to dogs and cats. 

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Apoquel is commonly prescribed for dogs with allergies and sensitivities... but it's not a long term solution.

Takeaways

• Apoquel is often prescribed for itchy allergic skin in dogs, but it is not a long-term solution and may have detrimental effects on a dog's health.
• Finding the underlying cause of the symptoms is crucial for effective treatment.
• Natural approaches, such as balanced raw food diets, can help address the root issues of itchy allergic skin.
• There may be a correlation between Apoquel and cancer, highlighting the importance of exploring alternative options and seeking holistic veterinary care.

Dr. Will Falconer's blogs on apoquel: 
https://vitalanimal.com/apoquel-dog-1/
https://vitalanimal.com/apoquel-side-effects/

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Isabel and I talk about the lawsuit filed against Hill's Pet Food. Here's what you need to know!

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In this episode, Jessica interviews Eliza Burr, a pet business coach, who shares her journey of starting her own pet business and transitioning into coaching others. They discuss the demand for pet sitting and dog walking services, as well as the different types of pet businesses that Eliza coaches. Eliza provides tips for starting a pet business, including the importance of understanding the business aspect and finding your passion. She also discusses the challenges of scaling a pet business and managing employees. They talk about the importance of supporting small pet businesses and provide resources for pet business owners. The episode concludes with Eliza encouraging listeners to pursue their passion for working with animals and considering starting their own pet business.

Takeaways

• Starting a pet business requires understanding the business aspect and being prepared to wear multiple hats.
• It's important to find your passion within the pet industry and focus on the types of animals or services you enjoy working with.
• Scaling a pet business may involve hiring employees or independent contractors, which requires additional management skills.
• Supporting small pet businesses includes valuing their professional services and spreading the word about their business.

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Parvo is 91% fatal if left untreated. Traditional treatment consists of round the clock intensive care, antibiotics, and fluids, ranging from $3000 - $8000. 

Even with treatment, the fatality rate is around 35%. There's an ancient treatment that helps decrease this fatality rate to around 22%.

And a new treatment that, although only has a small study so far, has a 100% survival rate and decreases the treatment period from 1 week to 1 day.

What is it? You'll want to know so that you can ask your vet about it!

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A lawsuit has been filed against Hills Pet Nutrition, alleging a coordinated campaign of misinformation about grain-free pet food. The lawsuit claims that Hills, along with veterinarians and other organizations, fabricated a link between grain-free diets and canine heart disease. This lawsuit is significant because it challenges the power and influence of big pet food companies. It also highlights the importance of feeding fresh, nutritious food to pets and being critical of the information provided by the industry.

Takeaways

• The lawsuit against Hills Pet Nutrition exposes the potential misinformation and manipulation in the pet food industry.
• The DCM debacle and the controversy surrounding grain-free diets have raised questions about the quality and safety of pet food.
• Feeding less than the recommended amounts of pet food may lead to nutrient deficiencies and health issues.
• It is important for pet owners to be critical of the information provided by big pet food companies and consider feeding fresh, nutritious food to their pets.

Find Susan's full blog post here: https://truthaboutpetfood.com/lawsuit-claims-hills-pet-food-and-veterinarians-fabricated-grain-free-diet-scare/ 

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Lawsuit Against Hills Pet Nutrition

03:21
Background on DCM Debacle

06:14
Feeding Less Than Recommended Amounts

12:21
Lawsuit Filed Against Hills Pet Food

19:06
Details of the Lawsuit

24:56
Hope for the Future

28:56
Pets as Pawns

30:25
Follow Susan Thixson for Updates

31:24
More to the Story

31:51
Conclusion and Call to Action

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Super Zoo registration is now open! So this week, Isabel and I discuss what Super Zoo is, who should attend, and tips for planning your trip.

If you've never been, or even if you've been ut you're wondering how to get the most out of it, this episode is for you!

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February is Pet Dental Health Awareness Month

Taking better care of my dog's dental health is a top priority for me this year, and Dr. Katie Kangas is the perfect integrative veterinarian to come and talk to all of us about ways we can take care of their health by taking care of their mouths.

With both preventive tips and the how and why of providing your pet with a full mouth dental cleaning, Dr. Kangas gives all of us a lot to chew on! (pun intended)

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Adam from Oma's Pride joins me to talk about the long history of raw pet food in this 4th generation family run farm.

Oma's Pride started as a small operation selling eggs door to door and eventually expanded to processing custom cuts of poultry and distributing food up and down the East Coast. The company later ventured into the raw pet food movement, offering a variety of protein options and focusing on rotational feeding. Oma's Pride is committed to providing high-quality, natural ingredients and is working towards a more whole-food-based diet. The company also donates to food banks and partners with independent pet stores for distribution.

00:00
Introduction and History of Oma's Pride

06:18
Philosophy and Products of Oma's Pride

11:03
Importance of Variety and Exotic Proteins

17:17
Expansion and Donations

19:25
Availability and Distribution

22:24
Formulation and Nutrient Breakdown

25:52
Feeding Philosophy and Individual Needs

27:54
Nutritional Information and Testing

29:56
Where to Find Oma's Pride

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Coyotes? Bears? Bobcats? What wildlife is in your area?

Regardless of what wildlife exists where you live, you should know what is there, their typical activities, like making and rearing, and have a plan for unexpected encounters.

This week, Isabel and I discuss some practical tips for keeping your pets safe during coyote mating season.

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Dr. Judy Morgan joins me this week to talk about TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine), food therapy, and the truth about feeding a raw food diet to your pets based on TCVM principles. 

TCVM is ancient and has been proven time and time again to be beneficial in all animals. 

If you think you know everything about TCVM, or if you're brand new to the idea, this episode has so much information that will give you ideas to better help raise your pets naturally!

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Isabel joins later in the episode all the way from Spain! 

The truth about recalls in pet food, how Purina has handled social media criticism and recalls in the past, and what to do moving forward.

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Dr. Laurie Coger discusses the importance of minimal vaccination and timing for puppies and kittens. She emphasizes the need to avoid overloading the immune system and the significance of maternal antibodies. 

Takeaways
Having open and honest conversations with veterinarians is crucial for making informed decisions about vaccines and alternative treatments.
Rabies is a serious disease that should be taken seriously, and every animal should have at least one dose of the rabies vaccine in their lifetime.
Finding a veterinarian who is open to alternative treatment options and aligns with your philosophy is important for the well-being of your pet.
Vaccine recommendations should be individualized based on factors such as the pet's environment, exposure risks, and the efficacy of the vaccines.

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Hundreds of dogs and cats are reported sick and dead by pet parents and most of them have one thing in common: they all eat some form of Purina food. 

Update: As of 1/10/24 there are more brands being implicated

Important: These are allegations and testing is being done to pinpoint the cause for concern.

In the mean time, it's better to be safe than to be sorry!

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Rita Hogan is a Clinical Canine Herbalist .... can you imagine?! What a dream job! 

Herbs are FASCINATING to me and Rita has restocked my desire to learn more and use nature to help me and my pets. 

In today's episode, Rita talks about some easy ways to use herbs at home with your dogs, how she became an herbalist herself, how we can take the initiative to continue learning more about using herbs, and so much more.

Takeaways

• Nature provides a wealth of resources, including herbs, for our well-being.
• Working with people can be challenging, as they often prioritize the health of their pets over their own.
• Overcoming the fear of using herbs involves understanding their benefits and starting with non-toxic herbs.
• Understanding the energetics of plants is crucial for using them effectively.
• Learning about a few herbs each month can gradually build knowledge and confidence in using herbs.
• Formulated herbal supplements can be beneficial, but individualized approaches may be necessary for optimal results. Using herbs in veterinary medicine requires patience and managing expectations.
• Supporting healing instead of suppressing symptoms is crucial for long-term health.
• Different conditions may require different levels of support, including pharmaceuticals as a bridge to natural remedies.
• Avoiding the overuse of antibiotics and using plants for support can be beneficial for animals' health.
• Reconnecting with our knowledge of plants and respecting different medicine practices is essential for holistic healing.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background

03:00
Herbalism and Nature

06:33
Challenges of Working with People

11:17
Overcoming Fear of Using Herbs

20:41
Understanding Energetics of Plants

29:14
Starting Points for Using Herbs with Dogs

42:35
Courses and Resources for Pet Parents

48:33
Using Formulated Herbal Supplements

51:54
Using Herbs and Managing Expectations

54:00
Supporting Healing Instead of Suppressing Symptoms

55:13
Being Patient and Allowing Time for Healing

55:53
Different Support for Serious Conditions

56:48
The Role of Pharmaceuticals as a Bridge

57:17
Avoiding Antibiotics and Using Plants for Support

58:12
Reconnecting with Our Knowledge of Plants

59:09
Passing Down Knowledge to Future Generations

01:00:28
Respecting and Learning from Different Medicine Practices

01:01:38
Using TikTok to Share Herbalism Knowledge

01:02:13
Creating Content and Sharing Knowledge

01:03:03
Upcoming Book and Podcast Tour

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Do you create New Years resolutions? Do you include your pets?

Isabel has a few resolutions this year ... I only have one. What do you think they are? 

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Amy Renz, CEO of Goodness Gracious, shares her journey in the pet food industry and the importance of whole foods and quality ingredients. She discusses the dangers of synthetic vitamins and minerals and the impact they can have on the body. 

Amy also delves into the topic of metabolic disease in dogs and the factors that contribute to it. She highlights the complexity of pet food regulation and the challenges faced by fresh food companies. 

Overall, Amy emphasizes the need for balanced nutrition and the role it plays in promoting optimal health for pets. In this conversation, Amy Renz discusses the negative effects of endotoxin on the body and how it can lead to damage and diseases of the gut, brain, and cardiovascular system. 

She also highlights the role of ultra-processed pet food in the increasing trend of obesity in dogs. Amy explains that the motivation behind commercial pet food is primarily driven by profit, which can compromise the quality and health benefits of the products. 

She reveals the influence of big kibble companies on veterinary hospitals and the lack of nutrition education in vet school. Amy shares her mission with Goodness Gracious, which focuses on doing the right thing for companion animals, the planet, and improving the connection between humans and animals. 

She emphasizes the importance of mindful sourcing of ingredients and the positive impact of fresh food diets on dogs' overall well-being. Amy encourages continual learning and improvement in the pet food industry and discusses the availability and distribution of Goodness Gracious products.

Takeaways

• Endotoxin can cause damage and diseases in the gut, brain, and cardiovascular system.
• Ultra-processed pet food contributes to the increasing trend of obesity in dogs.
• The motivation behind commercial pet food is primarily driven by profit.
• Big kibble companies have influence over veterinary hospitals and the information provided to pet owners.
• There is a lack of nutrition education in veterinary school.
• Goodness Gracious focuses on doing the right thing for companion animals, the planet, and improving the human-animal connection.
• Mindful sourcing of ingredients and fresh food diets have positive impacts on dogs' well-being.
• Continual learning and improvement are essential in the pet food industry.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background

01:09
Starting Goodness Gracious

04:57
Expanding Product Lines

07:46
Focus on Whole Foods

08:42
Importance of Quality Ingredients

17:49
The Dangers of Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals

22:23
The Impact of Synthetic Nutrients on the Body

36:02
Metabolic Disease in Dogs

44:45
The Complexity of Pet Food Regulation

50:19
Factors Affecting Pet Health

53:09
Endotoxin and its Effects on the Body

54:25
Ultra-Processed Pet Food and Obesity

55:04
Motivation Behind Commercial Pet Food

56:17
Big Kibble Companies and Veterinary Hospitals

57:29
Lack of Nutrition Education in Veterinary School

58:23
Misleading Information from Big Kibble Companies

59:20
Goodness Gracious' Mission and Values

01:00:00
Mindful Sourcing of Ingredients

01:01:03
The Impact of Fresh Food Diets on Dogs

01:02:11
Continual Learning and Improvement

01:08:50
The Importance of High-Quality Pet Food

🐕 Sign up for the FREE Beginner Dog Training Series at https://www.thepetparentingreset.com/

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