Episodes

Thursday Nov 23, 2023
Raising happy, healthy puppies with Lara Shannon
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
In this episode of Paws and Listen, we discuss all things puppies with dog trainer/behaviourist and host of the hit TV Show, Pooches at Play, Lara Shannon. Johnny Manning and Lara discuss everything you need to know about raising a happy, healthy puppy to fit right in with your family and lifestyle. Lara is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to raising a dog and discusses everything from puppy nutrition, obedience training, socialising and overall care for your pet. Not just for the puppies, this one has something for all pet parents keen to understand their dogs better.
The complete puppy guide for pet parents: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/did-someone-say-puppy
A guide to raw feeding your puppy: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/raw-feeding-your-puppy
Independence training: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/independence-training-by-lara-shannon
Whole Dog Approach - training, exercise, environment for dogs: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/the-whole-dog-approach
Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark

Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Healthy Weight for Pets
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
This episode of Paws and Listen discusses the important topic of healthy weight for pets. John Manning chats with Dr Nicole Rous about body condition scores for pets, how to help dogs and cats lose weight, and the impacts of obesity in pets. This episode provides advice on dog weight loss food, realistic lifestyle changes and the emotional connection between pets and their humans.
To check your pet’s body condition, head here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/how-to-tell-if-your-pets-weight-is-in-the-healthy-range
For Big Dog Pet Foods low fat recipes, head here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/weight-to-go-low-fat-diets-for-doggos
If you want to find Big Dog raw food at a store near you, head here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/where-to-buy
Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark

Monday Oct 30, 2023
Vet Advice on Caring for Cats
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
In this episode of Paws and Listen, we have one for the cat lovers. Johnny Manning and Dr Nicole Rous discuss cat care tips for beginners and Dr Nicole shares her advice on cats as an integrative veterinarian. Dr Nicole covers many important cat health issues and gives her holistic approach to providing your cat with everything they need to live a long and happy life with you.
Read Dr Nicole's article on cat care here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/vet-advice-on-caring-for-cats
Check out the range of fresh food for cats here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/raw-food-for-cats
Head here to find the Big Dog range for Cats here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/where-to-buy
Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark

Friday Oct 13, 2023
Basics of Raw Feeding for Dogs
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
This episode of Paws and Listen is the beginner's guide to raw food for dogs. John Manning chats with Chris Essex, Big Dog Pet Foods' founder and managing director who has been manufacturing raw food for pets since 2000. This episode provides a great introduction to raw food and its benefits, as well as some case studies and myth busting.
If you're new to raw feeding for dogs, check out the Big Dog education section here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/resources
If you want to find Big Dog raw food at a store near you, head here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/where-to-buy
Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark

Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Good bugs, bad bugs and the canine microbiome
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
In this episode of the best dog podcast "Paws and Listen," Johnny Manning has his mind blown by Big Dog founder and managing director, Chris Essex, and probiotic specialist, Allan Hain. These guys discuss the topic of probiotics for dogs explaining the importance of a healthy microbiome, how we're all made of bugs, the benefits of probiotic supplements for dogs and how they work in our pets' systems.
It's a fascinating listen that will ensure you include a probiotic in your pet's life, and we reckon you'll be including one for yourself too.Check out the Big Dog Probiotic range of probiotics for dogs here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/natural-probiotics-for-dogs
Or read more about probiotics here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/best-probiotic-for-your-dog Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark
Hosted by John Manning

Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
The Big Dog Pet Foods Origin Story with Chris Essex
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
In this episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny Manning sits down for a chat with the founder and managing director of Big Dog Pet Foods, Chris Essex. This discussion documents the beginning of 'Big Dog', why Chris started a raw pet food company back in 2000, his work with Dr Ian Billinghurst, and how he built Big Dog to the much loved Aussie company that it is today.
Thanks again for tuning in to the best dog podcast in Australia - your favourite source of information for pet health and wellbeing.
Find Big Dog Pet Foods near you https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/where-to-buy
Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark

Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
In this episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny sits down with some of the team from Smart Pups Assistance Dogs to talk about the life-changing work that they do.This charity aims to enrich the lives of children with special needs by providing them with highly trained canine companions that improve their physical health and safety, independence, confidence, self-esteem, social interaction, life experience, happiness and wellbeing. These dogs are superheroes and this episode highlights that fact!
To make a donation to this incredible organisation visit https://www.smartpups.org.au
Sound and editing by Nat Pacheco
Produced by Nat Pacheco and Jasmine Clark

Friday Jun 23, 2023
CBD for Pets
Friday Jun 23, 2023
Friday Jun 23, 2023
In this episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny and Dr Nicole Rous take a deep dive into medical cannabis for pets and discuss the latest research about the benefits of CBD. Dr Nicole is an integrative vet with a passion for natural treatment options for pets. She shares the latest research and her own experiences in clinic with CBD for various conditions in pets including anxiety, cancer and joint issues – plus many more. This episode is a fascinating listen for pet parents.
www.bigdogpetfoods.com
Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark
Please find the paper that Dr Nicole references in this episode here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/aft4rxcmf7ykf3y/CBD%20paper.pdf?dl=0

Friday May 19, 2023
Knowing when to say goodbye and grieving your pet
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
In this episode, John chats with holistic veterinarian, Dr Edward Bassingthwaighte "the healing vet", about the delicate topic of knowing when and how to say goodbye to your pet, and the importance of grieving these special family members. It can be a sensitive subject to discuss, but John and Dr Edward have a very real and raw conversation about it.This episode does come with a trigger warning, and discusses death and suicide, so please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 if this episode raises any issues for you.
Sound and editing by Camilla Falkowski
Produced by Jasmine Clark

Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Vet acceptance of raw feeding with Dr Nicole Rous
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
In this episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny has a frank discussion with Dr Nicole Rous about nutrition and trends in the veterinary industry. Dr Nicole's honest and open style gives insight into the life of a vet, the history of their role and responsibility with pets, and how she’s furthered her education and proudly calls herself an Integrative Veterinarian.

Paws and Listen Podcast
A podcast series brought to you by Big Dog Pet Foods, the leading pet nutrition provider in Australia, with over 20 years experience in the pet industry.
Hosted by various members of our Big Dog team, we bring you interviews and deep dives into pet nutrition and care, training, and regular ‘Ask a Vet’ segments.