Podcast Summary: The Holistic Vet Talks Raw Feeding and Canine Health
Guest: Nick Thompson – The Holistic Vet
Nick Thompson, a veterinarian with over 35 years of experience, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of species-appropriate nutrition for dogs. He shares his journey from conventional veterinary practice to specialising in homeopathy and nutrition, highlighting the benefits of holistic methods in treating common health issues. Nick also delves into the problems with commercial dog kibble and provides guidance on transitioning dogs to a raw food diet.
Key Topics Discussed:
Species-Appropriate Nutrition for Dogs: Nick emphasises that dogs should be fed according to their biological needs, not like humans. He explains that dogs have historically consumed fresh carcasses, berries, and even herbivore droppings, demonstrating their adaptability to raw food.
Career Transition and Holistic Practice: Nick shares his transition from conventional veterinary medicine to homeopathy and nutrition, which led him to establish holisticvet.co.uk 26 years ago. He also speaks about his role in the Raw Pet Medics, a weekly Facebook Live session discussing pet nutrition, health, and disease.
Holistic Treatments for Gut and Skin Health: Nick highlights the connection between diet and health conditions such as gut problems and skin disorders. He discusses issues like leaky gut, glyphosate contamination in food, and mycotoxins found in low-quality wheat-based dog food.
The Dangers of Commercial Kibble: Nick explains why commercial kibble is unsuitable for dogs, pointing out its high carbohydrate content, dehydration risks, and nutritional imbalance. He likens feeding dogs kibble for life to an astronaut eating ration packs indefinitely. He strongly advocates for raw feeding as a healthier alternative.
Transitioning to a Raw Diet: Nick outlines different methods for transitioning dogs from kibble to raw food, including the cold turkey approach, a four-day gradual transition, and the doubling method. He also recommends supplements such as Gut Soothe for digestive issues and skin probiotics for dermatological health.
Maintaining a Healthy Microbiome: Nick discusses the importance of a balanced microbiome for skin and gut health, advising against early neutering due to its potential long-term effects. He shares homeopathic solutions for common issues like fur loss and problematic anal glands.
The Benefits of Raw Feeding: Nick highlights the advantages of a raw diet, including improved skin, breath, and overall energy levels. He advises variety in raw feeding, ensuring dogs consume multiple protein sources along with vegetables, herbs, seeds, and omega-3s.
Challenges with Social Media Fact-Checkers: Nick shares his experiences with Instagram’s fact-checking system, which has flagged some of his posts as non-scientific despite evidence supporting raw feeding. He remains committed to educating pet owners through his online platforms.
Stay tuned for more expert insights on pet nutrition and holistic health in future episodes!
Contact Information:
For more information and expert advice from Nick Thompson, visit his website: www.holisticvet.co.uk
Follow Nick on Instagram: @holisticvetuk
Join the Raw Pet Medics discussions on Facebook: Raw Pet Medics
For enquiries, email Nick at: info@holisticvet.co.uk