Episode 12: Nutrition & behaviour with Lauren Turner

In this episode I’m joined by Lauren Turner, the owner and trainer of Ideal Dog in the United States, to discuss her work in the dog training industry and how she came to realise the importance of nutrition in behaviour modification.

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Episode 11: Weight loss in dogs

Up to 60% of dogs are now overweight or obese – a condition that is associated with a multitude of different health conditions and disease states that are completely preventable, not to mention a shorter lifespan and a poorer quality of life overall.

In this episode I discuss some of the key causes of obesity in our dogs, easy ways to determine if your dog is overweight, how to approach weight loss in a safe and sustainable way and which supplements you can use to support the process.

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Episode 10: Health risks of acid lowering medications

An increasing amount of research highlights the negative health effects of acid-lowering medications for both people and pets when used long-term. Examples of potential adverse effects include the increased risk of bone fractures, pneumonia and other upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and dementia – just to name a few!

In this episode I explain what acid-lowering medications are, why a doctor or a vet might prescribe them, and ways that you can minimise the side effects or heal any damage already done via diet, lifestyle and targeted supplementation.

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Episode 9: Histamine intolerance

Histamine is a chemical compound that’s naturally found in the cells of our bodies. Histamine plays an important role in our immune response, it supports digestion and gut health, and can even influence our moods via its role as a neurotransmitter. But when histamine levels get too high or when it isn’t broken down properly, it can affect our normal bodily functions, leading to a vast array of different symptoms.

In this episode I discuss the ins-and-outs of histamine as it relates to both people and dogs – what it is, what triggers it to be released in the body, dietary sources, and treatment approaches you can take if you suspect that you or your dog has is experiencing any degree of histamine intolerance.

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Episode 8: Digestive enzymes

Most people will have heard the saying – “you are what you eat” but in reality, you are what you absorb! Research suggests that at least 50% of Australian and US adults experience digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation. Unfortunately, our dogs are following in our footsteps, with digestive issues being the most common canine health problem that vets see.

In this episode I discuss the ins-and-outs of digestive enzymes for both people and pets – what are they, the different types, causes of enzyme deficiency, how to know if you need one, food and supplemental sources, along with applications for both people and dogs. But digestive enzymes may not be for everyone, so I also highlight who shouldn’t take them.

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Episode 7: To fast or not to fast?

Fasting dates back centuries and has played a central role in many different cultures and religions. Science has now revealed the many benefits of fasting – including improved weight loss and insulin sensitivity, reduced levels of inflammation and risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, improved cellular health and mental clarity, a reduced risk of neurodegenerative disorders, all the way through to slower ageing and increased longevity (just to name a few!). But did you know that the practice of fasting can also be highly beneficial for dogs?

In this episode I discuss the many benefits of fasting for both people and pets and outline simple strategies that you can use to get started. But fasting isn’t for everyone, so I also highlight who shouldn’t fast and when fasting your dog may not be a good idea.

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Episode 6: Transparency in raw food feeding

More than ever before, pet owners are thinking about their dog’s food – from how it’s produced, the quality of the ingredients, its safety and nutritional adequacy. For pet food manufacturers, this means that manufacturing transparency has become an even more critical area of focus to ensure both compliance and customer satisfaction. But just how regulated is the pet food industry? Today I speak with Brittany Young, certified dog trainer and canine nutritionist, about her own personal experiences with raw food manufacturing and her passion to educate pet owners about the pet food industry via her ‘Transparency Project’. Brittany is also co-admins the Facebook page Fresh Food Feeding For Dogs – Kibble Feeders Welcome, which is full of resources for pet owners wanting to learn more about raw food feeding.

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Episode 5: Complete and Balanced

We regularly hear the term ‘complete and balanced’ when it comes to dog nutrition, but what does ‘complete and balanced’ mean and can we trust that it’s providing our dogs with optimal health?

In this episode we explore what ‘complete and balanced’ really means, the methods companies can use to get that claim on their product label, and how feeding a food labelled as ‘complete and balanced’ is not a failsafe to keeping our dogs healthy long term.

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Episode 4: Rice for dogs with diarrhoea – helpful or harmful?

We’ve all grown up hearing that we should give our dogs chicken and rice during bouts of diarrhoea, but why?

In this episode we explore the use of rice for diarrhoea – how it came about, why it works, is it helpful or harmful, and are there better alternatives?

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Episode 3: Improve your immunity

During the current pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we all do what we can to look after our immune systems. While there’s no magic pill to protect us from the many pathogens that our bodies are exposed to day-in-and-day-out, a healthy lifestyle as a whole is definitely our best bet.

In this episode I outline some very simple dietary and lifestyle factors that you can adopt straightway in order to boost your immune system and support overall health and wellbeing.

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