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Explore every episode of the podcast Short Leash Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for Short Leash Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Are We Treating Dog Anxiety or Building Resilience? | Rita Hogan on Holistic Dog Health29 Jun 202600:52:15

Is dog anxiety becoming more common...or are we missing the bigger picture?

In this first episode of Short Leash, Rita Hogan joins Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart for an honest conversation about what may really be driving anxiety in dogs. Rather than viewing anxiety as simply a behavioral problem, they explore how stress, nutrition, movement, the nervous system, and the human-animal bond all influence long-term emotional health.

The discussion covers recent dog news, including new medications for separation anxiety and emerging longevity drugs, before diving into a practical conversation about building resilience instead of only treating symptoms.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why so many dogs show signs of anxiety today
• How human stress can affect canine behavior
• The difference between treating anxiety and building resilience
• Herbs, mushrooms, and omega-3 fatty acids that may support the nervous system
• Why movement, enrichment, sleep, and fresh air matter more than many people realize
• How energetics, seasonal feeding, and individualized nutrition fit into holistic care
• Why gut health, liver function, and the lymphatic system can influence behavior
• What dog owners should consider before relying solely on medication

Whether your dog struggles with separation anxiety, reactivity, fear, or chronic stress, this episode offers a broader framework for thinking about canine wellness and resilience.

Subscribe for new episodes every other Sunday where we break down the biggest stories in dog health and bring expert context to the headlines.

🎙️ Short Leash is dog news, with expert context.
Sign up for our newsletter at Shortleash.co

Hosted by:
Dr. Sue Howell, DVM
Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN

Special Guest:
Rita Hogan, Canine Herbalist
https://www.canineherbalist.com

About Short Leash

Short Leash is a Feed Real Institute original, hosted by Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart. Created by Turk and Ruby, with executive production by Ruby and Nelly. Every episode cuts through the noise surrounding dog health, nutrition, and longevity by combining the latest news with expert conversations that help dog owners make more informed decisions.

Learn more at Shortleash.co

#DogAnxiety #SeparationAnxiety #DogHealth #HolisticDogHealth

Healthy Dog Aging: Why Everything in Your Dog's Body Is Connected | Dr. Madeline Yamate 27 Jul 202600:55:35

Is healthy aging just about joints...or is everything in your dog's body connected?

In this episode of the Short Leash Podcast, Dr. Madeline Yamate explains how inflammation, the nervous system, mobility, nutrition, and whole-body health are connected—and why understanding these connections may help dogs live healthier, longer lives.

We also discuss three recent headlines making waves in the dog health world, including a newly approved arthritis drug, why companionship is essential for dogs, and fascinating new research exploring the connection between nerves and cancer.

In this episode:

🐾 Why every system in the body influences the others
🐾 How chronic inflammation impacts long-term health
🐾 The connection between the nervous system and healing
🐾 Why mobility is about more than muscles and joints
🐾 The role of acupuncture in integrative veterinary medicine
🐾 How nutrition, movement, and lifestyle support healthy aging

📰 Stories We Discussed

1. New Long-Acting Arthritis Drug Approved for Dogs
Vet Times:
https://www.vettimes.com/news/vet-nursing/small-animal/milestone-as-vmd-approves-zoetis-lenivia-for-oa

Zoetis:
https://news.zoetis.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2026/Zoetis-Receives-Approval-for-Lenivia-izenivetmab-in-Great-Britain-2026-xoBv8eyLOL/default.aspx

2. Dogs Need More Than Food and Walks: The Importance of Companionship
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/animal-expert-explains-four-hour-33951989

3. What Nerves Can Teach Us About Cancer—and Why Your Dog's Neck Matters
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/15/7064

🎤 Hear Dr. Madeline Yamate Live

Dr. Yamate will be speaking at the 2026 Feed Real Summit on October 10–11 in San Diego, California, alongside leading experts in canine nutrition, longevity, and integrative veterinary medicine.

🎟️ Learn more:
https://feedreal.com/summit

📬 Subscribe to the Short Leash Newsletter:
https://shortleash.co

🌎 Learn more about Feed Real courses and events:
https://feedreal.com

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with another dog lover.

Functional Foods for Dogs: Are We Asking Too Much From Dog Food? Gut Health, Supplements & Omega-3s13 Jul 202600:40:31

Functional Foods: Are We Asking More From Our Dog's Food?

Dog nutrition has evolved beyond simply providing calories. Today's dog owners want food that supports gut health, immunity, mobility, healthy aging, and more.

But are we asking too much from our dogs' food?

In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart discuss three major trends shaping canine nutrition:

• Why digestive health is becoming the new baseline for pet food

• What a new study on insect protein may (and may not) tell us about inflammation

• Why the supplement industry is booming—and whether more supplements actually mean better health

They're joined by Chef Scot Hill, Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist and founder of Woof Creek Wellness, for a conversation about functional foods, whole-food supplements, omega-3s, ingredient quality, and why building a strong nutritional foundation matters more than chasing the next miracle ingredient.

If you've ever wondered whether nutrition influences more than just your dog's weight, this episode is for you.

In This Episode

• Digestive health and whole-body wellness

• Functional foods vs. marketing claims

• Insect protein research

• Whole-food supplements

• Bioavailability and nutrient absorption

• Omega-3s and inflammation

• Why variety matters

• Building health from the foundation

Guest

Chef Scot Hill is a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist, former executive chef, and founder of Woof Creek Wellness, where he develops whole-food supplements designed to support long-term canine health.

Short Leash Listener Offer

Save 25% at Woof Creek Wellness through January 31, 2027 with code SHORTLEASH:

https://www.woofcreek.com/discount/SHORTLEASH

Sources

Digestive Health Is Becoming the New Baseline for Pet Food
https://www.petfoodindustry.com/regions/latin-america-carribean/article/15824859/digestive-health-is-baseline-pet-owners-want-multifunctional-nutrition

Study Finds Insect Ingredient Shows Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Dogs
https://www.petfoodindustry.com/nutrition/research-notes/news/15824581/study-insect-ingredient-shows-antiinflammatory-properties-in-dogs

NASC Conference Report: Trends Fueling Pet Supplement Growth
https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/20546-nasc-conference-report-trends-fueling-pet-supplement-growth?utm_source=Pet+Food+Processing+Daily+Scoop&utm_medium=Newsletter&oly_enc_id=6866E8018034D1A

Subscribe to the Short Leash newsletter for bite-sized dog news and new podcast episodes every other week: https://shortleash.co

🐾 Dog news, minus the nonsense.

#DogNutrition #FunctionalFoods #DogHealth #FreshFeeding #GutHealth #Omega3 #DogSupplements #HolisticDogs #ShortLeash #FeedRealInstitute

Medicinal Mushrooms, Herbal Medicine & the Science Behind Natural Dog Health24 Aug 202600:52:54

Medicinal mushrooms are everywhere right now...but what does the science actually say?

In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN are joined by medical herbalist and educator Lee Carroll to explore medicinal mushrooms, herbal medicine, and the science behind natural dog health.

Lee breaks down lion’s mane and cognitive health, the gut-brain connection, mushrooms vs. mycelium, ergothioneine and longevity, and what to look for when choosing a mushroom product.

Before the deep dive, Sue and Kay unpack three stories from the latest Short Leash: mushrooms and canine cognitive decline, inconsistencies in gut microbiome testing, and whether changes in human food regulation could eventually influence what goes into our dogs’ bowls.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

01:27 — This week in dog news
02:37 — Mushrooms & aging dogs
08:32 — The problem with gut microbiome testing
13:03 — Could MAHA influence pet food?
17:53 — Meet Lee Carroll
19:11 — Mushroom science or hype?
20:20 — Ergothioneine & longevity
22:06 — The growing interest in herbal medicine
26:09 — Mushrooms & cognitive decline
26:56 — Lion’s mane & the gut-brain axis
32:06 — What makes lion’s mane different?
35:42 — Mushroom vs. mycelium
40:56 — Understanding mushroom chemistry
43:24 — Is “What’s the best herb for ___?” the wrong question?
45:20 — Herbs, mushrooms & pharmaceuticals
49:24 — Natural medicine as a lifestyle
50:19 — Mushrooms for everyday wellness
51:26 — The future of mushroom research
52:03 — Separating science from hype
52:12 — Where to see Lee next
52:44 — Lee’s Feed Real Summit workshop
52:50 — What’s next on Short Leash

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES

Can Mushrooms Help Aging Dogs Stay Mentally Sharp?
https://athenaeumpub.com/evaluation-of-a-mushroom-derived-nutraceutical-for-canine-cognitive-decline/

Same Sample, Different Results: The Problem with Gut Microbiome Tests
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-09301-3

Will the MAHA Movement Reach Your Dog’s Bowl?
https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/20648-the-maha-effect-how-evolving-human-food-regulations-could-impact-pet-food-down-the-line

Read these stories + more in The Short Leash, Issue 183:
https://shortleash.co/issues/the-short-leash-issue-183-aug-18-2026

Learn more about Lee Carroll:
https://realmushrooms.com/pages/science-medical-team/lee-carroll-medical-herbalist

🎙️ COMING UP NEXT

Dr. Tejinder Sodhi joins us to explore how Ayurveda, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and other integrative approaches can work together to support the whole dog.

Short Leash: Dog news, with real context.

Can Red Light Therapy Help Dogs Heal? | Healing With Light ft. Jackie Jolie (Animasol)10 Aug 202600:48:49

Can red and near-infrared light therapy help dogs heal? In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart sit down with Jackie Jolie of AnimaSOL to explore photobiomodulation (PBM), current veterinary research, and what dog owners should know about light-based therapies.

The episode begins with a review of three recent articles highlighting the growing interest in non-invasive therapies that support the body's natural healing processes. The conversation then explores how red and near-infrared light are being used alongside conventional veterinary care, what photobiomodulation is, and why interest in this technology continues to grow among veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, and dog owners.

In this episode, we discuss:
• What photobiomodulation (PBM) is and how it differs from traditional laser therapy
• Current evidence for red and near-infrared light in veterinary medicine
• Supporting recovery from arthritis, soft tissue injuries, wound healing, and chronic inflammation
• Why mitochondrial health and cellular energy are central to the discussion
• How light therapy may complement, rather than replace…conventional veterinary care
• The importance of nutrition, movement, circulation, and inflammation in the healing process
• Practical considerations for dog owners interested in light-based therapies

Articles Discussed

Healing With Light: Why Laser Therapy Is Gaining Momentum
https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/healing-with-light-laser-therapy-for-dogs-and-cats/

Healing Beyond the Prescription Pad: Integrative Approaches for Chronic Wound Management
https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/13/5/418

Beyond Medications: Natural Tools for Managing Chronic Inflammation
https://ivcjournal.com/natural-approaches-to-chronic-inflammation-in-dogs-and-cats/

Learn more about Jackie Jolie and AnimaSOL:
https://www.animasol.life/

Subscribe to Short Leash for evidence-informed conversations that cut through the noise surrounding canine health, nutrition, longevity, and integrative veterinary medicine.

#DogHealth #RedLightTherapy #Photobiomodulation #CanineHealth #VeterinaryMedicine #DogWellness #IntegrativeVeterinaryMedicine #DogPodcast #PetHealth #Healing

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