Paws and Listen Podcast

What is AAFCO and do pets really need it?

Brittany the Pet Girl is back with Johnny Manning, and they discuss the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards and how they were originally developed for use with highly processed commercial foods (like kibble) to make up for the loss of nutrients due to extensive processing?While raw foods don’t suffer the same detrimental processing, we know that the Complete and Balanced statement on pet food is important to many pet parents.At Big Dog Pet Foods, our diets are formulated to meet AAFCO requirements, or formulated with supporting feeding trials to meet AAFCO requirements naturally, which means we only use natural ingredients and never supplement with synthetic vitamins and minerals. If you’re looking for more information on this, we encourage you to check out Narelle Cooke's article: 'Complete and Balanced' and Raw Food Feeding - a Square Peg in a Round Hole? Or our own article: Complete and Balanced by Nature.Produced and edited by Camilla Falkowski

The Neutering Debate: When is the Right Time to desex your Dog?

In this episode of Paws and Listen, we’re tackling a topic that’s stirred up some debate among pet owners: desexing. Dr. Nicole and Johnny Manning explore the potential long-term health implications of desexing and the fascinating insights from new studies in the field. Tune in to learn how to make the best choice for your furry companion! It’s important to note that this episode is not meant to discourage desexing or cause concern or regret for those who have already made that choice. Instead, the goal is to provide education on the vital role hormones play in the body.
Read Dr. Nicole’s article here.
 
Or simply visit Big Dog Pet Foods
Produced by Camilla FalkowskiEdited by Daisy MacHunter

The Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs with Dr. Nicole

In this episode Dr. Nicole and Johnny Manning chat about how medicinal mushrooms are an exciting new tool in the toolkit for keeping our pets healthy. These powerful fungi can help strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, fight oxidative stress, and promote gut health, they offer a natural, science-backed solution for improving overall well-being. Dr. Nicole and Johnny also provide tips for easily incorporating mushrooms into your pet’s diet and explore the benefits of different types of mushrooms.
 
For more info, read Dr. Nicole’s article: The Power of Medicinal Mushrooms for Pets: A Veterinarian’s PerspectiveOr simply visit Big Dog Pet Foods
 
Produced by Camilla FalkowskiEdited by Daisy MacHunter

Exploring the Effects of Highly Processed Foods with Dr. Jennifer Robinson

Is processed dog food doing more harm than good? On this episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny Manning chats with Dr. Jennifer Robinson, a holistic veterinarian from Melbourne Veterinary Acupuncture specialising in stomach and skin issues, anxiety, and palliative care for pets
In this episode they dive deep into what processed food really means—for both humans and our furry friends. From kibble to canned meals, they’ll uncover how these convenient options are made, why they may be harmful, and the long-term effects on your dog's health. Plus, they explore fresh, minimally-processed alternatives that can lead to a healthier, happier pup. 
Visit Big Dog Pet Foods
 
Produced by Camilla FalkowskiEdited by Daisy MacHunter

Get your pet ready for seasonal allergies

Spring is here, and so are seasonal allergies! In this episode, Dr. Nicole and Johnny Manning dives into the symptoms to watch for in pets that may be prone to seasonal allergies. Discover how to support their immune system and prepare them for allergy season with Dr. Nicole’s top tips and expert advice. Tune in to keep your pet feeling their best!Visit Big Dog Pet Foods
Produced by Camilla FalkowskiEdited by Daisy MacHunter

Why are vets taught to feed kibble?

In this episode, integrative veterinarian Dr. Nicole Rous and Johnny Manning explore a thought-provoking topic: Why do vets graduate from university as kibble feeders? They also take a trip down memory lane as Dr. Nicole shares stories from her university days, including the “ah-ha!” moment that led her to discover the benefits of raw feeding for pets.
Remember, be kind to your vet! 💕
Visit Big Dog Pet FoodsProduced by Camilla FalkowskiEdited by Daisy MacHunter

Dental Health with Dr. Nicole

In this special dental health episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny Manning and Dr. Nicole Rous focus on the crucial topic of pet dental care, especially since August is Dental Health Month—the perfect time to give your dog's oral health some extra attention! Dr. Nicole, passionate about dental care for pets, discusses the benefits of adding raw bones to your dog's diet—not just for nutrition but also for naturally cleaning their teeth. You'll also learn how to safely feed raw bones and discover the best techniques for brushing your dog's teeth at home.
Visit Big Dog Pet Foods
Check out Shy Tiger dental products for pets here: https://shytiger.com.au/collections/dental-care?srsltid=AfmBOorZ4sy9V4wqNuUMRpNRYWbJG1fDYZjfE0S7xwSE...
Produced by: Camilla FalkowskiEdited by: Daisy MacHunter

Household dangers for your pet with Dr. Ed

In this episode, Johnny Manning interviews Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte about the hidden dangers lurking in your household that can harm your pets. Dr. Houston explains how everyday chemical products, like herbicides, pesticides, and artificial fragrances, can pose risks, particularly with chronic exposure. They also explore the impact of emotional toxins, such as stress, tension, unresolved grief, trauma, and anger, which can affect your pet's well-being. Tune in to learn how to create a safer environment for both you and your pet.
Visit Big Dog Pet FoodsProduced by: Camilla FalkowskiEdited by: Daisy MacHunter

Exploring Dog Breeding, Genetics and Behaviour with Lauren Elgie

In this episode, Johnny Manning (Manno) interviews Lauren Elgie, the Managing Director of Service Dogs Australia. Lauren shares her expertise in genetics, biochemistry, animal breeding, and behavior, drawing from her studies at Massey University in New Zealand. She discusses the intricacies of breeding, artificial selection, husbandry, and how diet can address health issues, along with her experiences at Service Dogs Australia.
Visit Big Dog Pet Foods
Produced by: Camilla FalkowskiEdited by: Daisy MacHunter

Why is my dog itchy?

Is your dog itchy? Dr. Nicole and Manno unpack the possible causes your dog could be scratching. Sometimes the trigger is obvious and sometimes it isn’t, and when it isn’t it can be so hard to watch your baby suffer while you try all the different remedies on the planet. With so many elements that can be associated with skin symptoms, it can be hard to determine the exact cause, it could be something they’ve eaten, something they’ve been exposed to on an outing or even something in your house that they may be sensitive to. 
In this episode you will find out how much itching is normal, common causes of itching, and effective management strategies, especially focusing on diet and holistic care, to help reduce that itchiness!
Read more about the causes of itchiness here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/what-causes-my-dog-to-itch
Visit Big Dog Pet Foods
Produced by Camilla Falkowski
Edited by Daisy MacHunter