The Weight Debate: Helping Your Pet Stay Healthy

05/12/25 • 24 min

For Pet's Sake: The pet wellbeing podcast

In this episode, Mark Scott is joined by Dr. Conor Brady to tackle a growing issue affecting our four-legged friends – obesity. With over half of cats and dogs now overweight or obese, they explore what a healthy body shape really looks like and why those extra pounds can seriously impact your pet’s health and lifespan. From the pitfalls of processed pet food to the power of a species-appropriate raw diet, this episode is packed with practical advice. You’ll learn how to assess your pet’s body condition, the role of movement (think hydrotherapy and acupuncture!), and simple ways to make better feeding choices – all to help your best friend live a longer, happier life.

Previous Episode

Gut Check: Microbiome Fundamentals with Emmanuel

Description:

In this episode, we’re joined by Emmanuel, co-founder of Treat, to explore the fundamentals of the gut microbiome - and why it matters for both humans and pets. Emmanuel shares his unique journey from biomedical engineering into the world of microbiome research and explains how dogs may hold the key to understanding human health.

We dive deep into the role of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in our gut, the impact of diet and lifestyle, and how raw feeding could potentially reduce allergies in pets. Emmanuel also highlights fascinating insights into how the microbiome affects behaviour, chronic disease, and even skin health.

Whether you're a pet parent, science nerd, or just curious about how the gut works—this episode is packed with practical insights and big ideas.

Topics Covered:

What is the gut microbiome, and why is it crucial?
Similarities between human and canine microbiomes
Dogs as models for studying human disease
The impact of diet and antibiotics on the microbiome
Why diversity and bioavailability matter in pet food
The gut-brain connection: behaviour, mood, and more
Raw feeding and its potential benefits for pets
Early warning signs of microbiome imbalance

Key Takeaways:

The gut microbiome plays a major role in digestion, immunity, behaviour, and overall health.
Processed diets and modern lifestyles contribute to chronic disease in both humans and pets.
A diverse and balanced diet supports a healthier gut ecosystem.
Raw feeding may reduce allergies and support skin and coat health.
Rotating food types can improve microbial diversity.
Good gut health starts with quality, bioavailable ingredients.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Background

03:01 – The Gut Microbiome and Its Impact on Health

09:00 – Canine Microbiome as a Model for Human Diseases

13:18 – Understanding the Microbiome

19:32 – The Importance of Research

22:15 – Addressing Chronic Diseases

25:01 – Why Diet Diversity Matters

27:14 – The Gut–Skin Connection

31:19 – Signs of Microbiome Imbalance

37:15 – What Bioavailability Really Means

41:50 – Gut Health & Allergy Reduction