Paws and Listen Podcast

This week we have a special bonus episode, where Johnny Manning welcomes beloved Australian TV personality Yvie Jones, known for her hilarious commentary on Gogglebox and her unforgettable time on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Beyond her on-screen charisma, Yvie is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She shares her journey into dog rescue and fostering, and the deep bond she’s built with the pups who’ve come into her life. From celebrity life to canine compassion, this heartwarming episode is a must-listen for dog lovers and fans alike. Find Yvie Jones on Instagram here . If you want to find Big Dog raw food at a store near you, head here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/where-to-buy Edited by Daisy MacHunter Produced by Camilla Falkowski

Many cat owners mistake feline urinary issues for simple UTIs, but FLUTD is often caused by sterile inflammation, stress, or diet—not bacteria. Left untreated, it can lead to severe pain and even life-threatening blockages, especially in male cats. In this episode of Paws and Listen, host Johnny Manning is joined by Dr. Nicole Rous to break down the real causes of FLUTD, why diet plays a crucial role, and how to prevent flare-ups before they happen. From hydration hacks to stress management tips, we’re giving you the tools to keep your feline friend happy, healthy, and purring. Tune in now to learn how to support your cat’s urinary health naturally! Edited by Daisy MacHunter Produced by Camilla Falkowski

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

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 Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

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 Perspective Or simply visit Big Dog Pet Foods Produced by Camilla Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

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, or 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 Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

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 Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

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 Foods Produced by Camilla Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

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 . Produced by: Camilla Falkowski Edited by: Daisy MacHunter

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 Foods Produced by: Camilla Falkowski Edited by: Daisy MacHunter

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 Falkowski Edited by: Daisy MacHunter

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 what can cause itchiness here. Visit Big Dog Pet Foods Produced by Camilla Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

In this bonus episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny Manning sits down with Dr Neal Loh is an integrative veterinarian who specialises in a holistic approach to health and wellbeing of companion pets. He utilises acupuncture, herbal medicines and most importantly a fresh food diet to address root causes of diseases we encounter in our modern society. In 2023 Neal published a book named "Healing with Real Food", bettering the knowledge of pet parents and colleagues around the world. He is based in Perth, Western Australia. This conversation goes beyond just raw feeding for dogs. Join Johnny and Neal as they delve into the unique topic of food energetics and the cooling and warming effects each type of meat has on your pets! Check out Neal's website here: https://www.holitreats.com.au/holistic-pet-vet You can purchase his 'Healing with Real Food Guide Book' for pets here: https://www.holitreats.com.au/product/healing-with-real-food-guide-book/194 If you want to find Big Dog raw food at a store near you, head to our website Big Dog Pet Foods Sound and editing by Daisy MacHunter Produced by Camilla Falkowski

In this episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny Manning (a.k.a Manno) chats with Veterinarian Dr. Nicole Rous about a keto diet for dogs. Dr. Nicole explains how a keto diet, with its high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrate ratios, shows potential benefits for various health conditions in pets, including epilepsy, metabolic disorders, and possibly cancer, based on current research. Read more about ketogenic diets here . Visit Big Dog Pet Foods Produced by Camilla Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

In another short and sweet episode, Dr. Nicole and Johnny Manning (Manno) discuss the best ways to introduce raw food to your puppy. As a vet, Dr. Nicole shares valuable insights into the benefits of a raw diet for growing pups and offers expert advice on the proper introduction process. Whether you're a seasoned pet owner or new to raw feeding, this episode provides practical tips and guidance to ensure a smooth transition for your furry friend. For more info on feeding raw to your puppy, check out this article here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/raw-feeding-your-puppy Visit Big Dog Pet Foods Produced by Camilla Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

In this episode of Paws and Listen, Johnny Manning (a.k.a Manno) chats with Dr Edward Bassingthwaighte, one of our favourite holistic vets (also known as the 'healing vet') about cancer in pets. This is a hard but important topic and definitely pulls on the heartstrings. This episode covers: how to deal with cancer in pets and how to prevent it. Read Dr. Edward's article on Supporting Pets with Cancer Want to contact Dr. Edward? You can here: https://www.thehealingvet.com/ Thinking of switching your dog or cat to a raw food diet? Check out Big Dog Pet Foods range here . Produced by Camilla Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

In this short and sweet episode, Dr. Nicole answers our audience's burning, raw feeding questions for pets. If you have a raw feeding question you'd like answered in the next 'Ask us Raw Feeding Questions' episode, comment on this episode or contact us through our Instagram account at bigdogpetfoods: https://www.instagram.com/bigdogpetfoods/?hl=en For more info on raw feeding for your pet, check out our education centre here . Produced by Camilla Falkowski Edited by Daisy MacHunter

Part 2 of Myth Busting around dog nutrition is here! Before you listen to this episode, make sure you listen to Part 1 of Myth Busting around dog nutrition. In this episode, Dr. Nicole Rous and Johnny Manning (Manno) continue to debunk the next 5 most common myths around dog nutrition. For more info on raw feeding for your dogs, check out our education centre here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides Produced and edited by Camilla Falkowski

For far too long, misinformation has been circulating the internet and pet parents have become so confused about what to believe, that they have become scared to feed their pets real food. How crazy is that? In this episode, Dr. Nicole and Johnny Manning (Manno) aim to debunk the most common myths around dog nutrition. Sit back and enjoy this first part series as you go on a wild ride of unravelling myths with scientific truths. For more info on raw feeding for your dogs, check out our education centre here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides Produced and edited by Camilla Falkowski

Brittany the Pet Girl is back with Johnny Manning, but this time she dives into the world of weight management and weight loss for pets and how you can support them with enrichment toys. Brittany the Pet Girl is the company trainer and veterinary Business Development Manager for KONG and will inspire you to enrich your pet's life in more ways than one. Read KONG's article here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/enrichment-for-weight-management-in-dogs For Big Dog Pet Foods recipes, head here . If you want to find Big Dog raw food at a store near you, head here: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/where-to-buy Produced and edited by Camilla Falkowski