Theory Of Pets Podcast

Fostering a pet is a unique experience that allows you to help your local shelter or animal rescue organization learn more about the pets in their care. Living in a shelter can be an overwhelming experience for some animals. There are new smells all the time, new people to get used to on a daily basis, and other animals coming and going regularly. Sensory overload in a shelter environment can lead to behavior trouble, aggression issues or cause some pets to become extremely scared and introverted. Bringing a foster pet into your home allows you to see what the animal is like in a home setting. You can report this information to the shelter or rescue organization you’re working with, and they will pass it on to potential adopters. Foster Dogs Inc. is an organization specifically dedicated to helping foster parents work successfully with shelters and rescue groups. They offer the communication and support that potential foster parents will need to make it through the challenges of bringing a new pet into their

I get a lot of questions from pet owners who are curious about feeding their pet a plant-based diet. Is it safe? Can your pet get all of the nutrition that he needs from a plant-based diet? I feed our pets an omnivorous diet, so I was curious about a plant-based diet as well. I asked one of my most popular podcast guests, Dr. Jennifer Adolphe, to come on Theory of Pets again and discuss a vegetarian diet for pets. She is the Senior Nutritionist for Petcurean, a premium pet food company. Dr. Adolphe has a PhD in companion animal nutrition and is a registered dietician.

Scientists around the world are exploring how a better understanding of our genetic makeup can improve our lives – and those of our beloved pets. In the age of “wearables”, trackable health technology and DNA testing for ancestry and health, more and more healthcare is heading toward a future of personalised, proactive and preventative care. Did you know that recent genetic research is helping to improve the lives of our pets? Researchers looking into the DNA profile and biomarkers of pets are unpacking the secrets behind what makes them tick. By understanding a pet’s genetic history it can give us more insight into their behaviour (e.g. why certain cats might be more talkative or affectionate – or why particular dogs might “den”, dig or “herd”). It’s also providing some insight into our pets’ health (e.g. which breeds are likely to develop certain diseases and which breeds require a specific diet). This information can allow pet owners and vets to make better decisions about their animal’s nutrition and exer

Proper mental stimulation is imperative to your dog’s overall health and well-being. Like us, our dogs get bored doing the same mundane things day after day. Playing with the same toys, eating the same food and sniffing around the same yard will get monotonous over time. While it’s difficult to change up Fido’s schedule every day, Sniffspot is making it a lot easier to find new places for your dog to roam whenever you have the time for an outing. David Adams is the founder of Sniffspot, a company that allows anyone to open their property to dog owners looking for a new space for their pooch to explore. As David explains in this interview, providing mental stimulation is a necessary part of responsible dog ownership. Find out more about Sniffspot and how you can make money by allowing dog owners to use your space ny listening to this podcast episode.

Over-vaccination is a term that we are frequently hearing these days. It’s a concern for parents of human and furry children alike. What is over-vaccination? How can you prevent it? This is a common question that I am asked by listeners, and it’s a question that I myself asked many years ago.   Roxanne Hawn is the author of the award-winning dog blog Champion of My Heart and my guest today. Sadly, she has first-hand experience dealing with a pet that had a terrible reaction to a vaccination. Roxanne shares her dog’s tragic story, what she’s learned from the experience and tips for pet owners to prevent over-vaccination in the future.

Pet sitters perform countless jobs for pet parents. You surely know that they can watch your pets for you while you are out of town, but did you know they might also get your mail, water your plants and keep an eye on your home? Many pet sitters are also available for daily pet visits, not just overnight stays. All pet sitters offer different services, and it’s important that you choose the sitter that will be right for you and your pet.   Laura Vorreyer is an entrepreneur who pioneered the dog walking business in Hollywood more than 15 years ago. She has grown her business substantially to include many different dog walking and pet sitting services. And now, she is an author! Laura published a book about her experience as a Hollywood pet sitter, and she’s sharing some of these experiences with me in this podcast.

Have you read news stories about cats and dogs rescued from foreign countries? Do you wonder how that happens? Believe it or not, shelters and rescue organizations around the world are much different than what we are used to here in the USA. They have a staggering number of homeless pets to help, and oftentimes their resources are extremely limited.   Deb Jarrett created the Dharamsala Animal Rescue in India. In this week’s podcast episode, she’s talking about her first-hand experience rescuing pets in a foreign country and why she is so passionate about this cause. She’ll also explain how she started her rescue organization and how interested animal lovers can help.

Pet blogs have become very popular in recent years, which has driven more and more pet owners to get into this business. Knowing that there are so many successful dog and cat bloggers out there, it can be a bit daunting to start at first. But, the best time to get started is right now, and it's actually very quick and easy to launch your own pet blog. Of course, you’ll need some writing and technical skills. So today, I’m chatting with Maggie Marton, the writer behind Oh My Dog! Blog. She’s sharing some first-hand experience that will be beneficial to anyone considering writing their own blog. Whether you’re thinking of starting a pet-related blog or a blog about any other topic that you’re passionate about, Maggie has some advice on how to get started.

If you’ve ever struggled to pay for your pet’s veterinary expenses, you know what a difficult situation it is. You’re forced to choose between getting your dog the medical help he needs or paying your weekly bills and expenses. Some people rack up credit card debt or borrow money from family and friends to help their injured pet, while others don’t have any options. What happens to a pet in need if their owner cannot pay for their medical fees? Sadly, many of these animals are euthanized. Steven Mornelli of Waggle.org has set out to provide a last-chance safety net for pets in medical crisis. He has created a crowdfunding platform specifically for pet owners struggling to pay their dog’s medical bills. What is this platform? How can pet owners get the help they need? Steven will explain all of that and tell you how you can help pets in need in my latest podcast episode.

Traveling with your pets can make the adventure even more exciting. However, there are a lot of things to consider before taking your dog along with you. You need to plan ahead to ensure your dog’s safety, and to make the trip as easy as possible for yourself. In this podcast episode I’m speaking with Kelly, the author of the Paws Across Britain blog. She has taken her Lhasa Apso, Elsa, with her on many adventures - from car trips and overnight hotel stays to short outings at local restaurants. In this episode she shares some tips to help you decide whether or not your pet will be a good traveling companion.

There are dozens of different types of dog training methods. How do you know which method is right for your pooch? Do you know when to begin training your new addition? What if your dog has developed some bad habits that you would like to change? Today my podcast is focusing on this hot topic, and it’s full of beneficial tips for pet owners of every experience level. Scott Sheaffer is a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. He is the founder and CEO of USA Dog Behavior located in Dallas, Texas. In this week’s podcast, Scott is sharing tips for proper dog training and explaining how to find the best dog trainer for you and your pet.

All dogs require grooming from time to time. Of course, some breeds require much more grooming than others. Every dog needs their ears cleaned, nails trimmed, teeth brushed and should be bathed occasionally. Did you know that keeping your dog well-groomed will aid in his overall health and well-being? Tim Vogel, founder and CEO of Scenthound, has built a grooming business that focuses on caring for a dog’s overall health, not just his coat. When most pet owners think about grooming, bathing and brushing are the two topics that come to mind. While keeping your dog’s skin and coat shiny and healthy should be a priority, there is a lot more to grooming than just that. In this podcast episode, Tim explains the importance of regular grooming for ALL dogs and how to find a groomer that is right for you and your pooch. He also discusses how he started Scenthound and why he wanted to create a grooming business unlike any other.

There is a lot more to owning a pet than most people realize. Your responsibilities as a pet owner will change throughout the course of the animal’s life, and you need to know what you’re getting into before you make the commitment. The average lifespan of a dog is 10-13 years, and the average lifespan of a cat is 16 years. When you adopt a pet, you’re making that long-term commitment, whether you realize it or not. Today, Noora Keskievari of One Mind Dogs is here to discuss responsible pet ownership and all the things you should consider before adopting a pet. This topic is especially important for first-time pet owners, but it’s also beneficial information for anyone that may recommend pet ownership to friends or family.

Taking care of your pet’s dental health is a crucial responsibility. Poor dental health will deteriorate your companion’s overall health and well-being. Studies have linked periodontal disease in pets to a greater risk of heart disease, liver disease and even certain types of cancers. Today I spoke with Dr. Danielle Bernal of Wellness Pet Foods. She explains the importance of pet dental health and how you can care for your pet’s teeth and mouth at home. She’s also got some tips to make brushing your pet’s teeth more enjoyable and a little easier.

Fostering is a great way to help pets in need. Virtually every shelter and rescue organization around the world is in need of foster families to home pets until a forever home can be found. It’s not just a benefit to the shelter, it can also be extremely rewarding to the foster parent as well. Most people think that taking in a foster animal will be troublesome. They are under the misconception that most foster pets have behavior issues or need special medical care. That’s not always the case, and today Simone Hurst from Dogwatch UK is here to tell us more.

You wouldn’t want to eat the same thing day in and day out for every meal, right? It's possible that your pet feels the same way. Many owners continue to buy the same brand and the same flavor of dog or cat food for months or even years, but there's a better approach, according to veterinarians.

Do you have a great idea for a pet related book, but you don’t know where to go from here? I spoke with a representative from Dogwise, a well-known publisher that sells books all over the world. I’ll explain how to turn your great idea of a pet book into a published work, and how to find a publisher that is willing to give you a shot. Once you get your book published, the work isn’t over. You’ll need to be willing to market your book and help the publisher get your name out there. In this podcast episode, I’ll let you know what you’ll need to do to market your book and get it in the hands of dog-lovers around the globe.

It’s no secret that companion animals can play a big role in the health and well-being of their owners. In the last few decades, there has been mounting research that proves that companion animals can have a positive effect on emotional health, heart health, fitness and social/emotional enrichment. Today I am speaking with Kaushik Roy, executive director of The Shanti Project. He explains some of this interesting research and how it relates to pet owners. He also tells us what the Shanti Project is doing to help owners keep their companion animals, even if they are struggling with a financial hardship.

Reading pet food labels can be a challenge. With all of the recent recalls in the pet food industry, many owners are finding it difficult to trust pet food manufacturers and have become skeptical about the information contained on pet food labels. There is a lot of misinformation floating around about the rules and regulations that pet food companies must follow, so I wanted to speak with an expert that could help to clear some of this up. I’m welcoming back Dr. Jennifer Adolphe. She has a PhD in Companion Animal Nutrition and is a Registered Dietician. She is also the Senior Nutritionist for Petcurean, a premium pet food company. Dr. Adolphe has come on the show to answer my pet food questions before, and today she is sharing her tips for reading pet food labels properly.

Parasites are one of the leading health issues that our pets face. Depending on the region that you live in, the risk of contracting certain parasites may be much greater than in other parts of the country. Some pet owners worry about the dangers of parasite preventatives, the cost associated with these products and/or how frequently they should use them on their pets. In this podcast episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Craig Prior, a certified veterinarian who sits on the board of the Companion Animal Parasite Council. He’s sharing some very helpful information on the most common parasites found in companion animals and what we can do to prevent our pets from contracting them.