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What if everything you’ve been told about fiber, probiotics, and gut health in dogs is only part of the story?

In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms Podcast, we sit down with canine nutrition researcher and author Dr. Conor Brady to break down the difference between meat fiber and plant fiber and why it matters more than most dog parents realize.

We explore what “fiber” really means in a dog’s diet and how meat-based fiber (like connective tissue, cartilage, fur, and feathers) interacts with the gut microbiome differently than plant fiber. From there, we dive into probiotics, pathogens, and gut bacteria, including why Dr. Brady questions the need for routine probiotic supplementation.

We also tackle the big question: are dogs carnivores or omnivores? Along with a few entertaining detours, this conversation challenges common feeding beliefs and encourages a more nuanced view of canine nutrition.

CHAPTERS:

• Introducing Dr. Conor Brady and the topic of meat fiber vs plant fiber (0:54)
• Probiotics, pathogens, and bacteria: how these relate to meat fiber (3:38)
• Dr. Brady on whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores plus cow farts and private planes (10:32)
•  What Dr. Brady recommends instead of probiotics and why (20:04)
• 5 potential downsides of plant fiber (32:06)
• Will there be a Feeding Dogs 2.0 book? Plus blueberries & antioxidants and meat fiber for cats (43:04)
•  Dr. Brady’s honest reflections on sharing science in a marketing-driven industry (49:00)
• What Dr. Brady is feeding his dog during a busy season of life (55:37)

FIND DR. BRADY:

• Website: https://www.dcbholistic.com/
• DogsFirst: https://dogsfirstshop.ie/
• Book: Feeding Dogs (https://amzn.to/4sioZiX)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogsfirstireland
• RawPetMedics: https://www.facebook.com/rawpetmedics
• Dr. Brady's Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-187500789?_bhlid=1d63f7f4c7b619863dd9f78e09403d82a6f04d1f
• Study: The feline carnivore and their prey: how important is animal fibre and its structure in their diet?  (https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/the-feline-carnivore-and-their-prey-how-important-is-animal-fibre/)
• Chimp Empire on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81311783?source=35&fromWatch=true

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast.  You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com.  And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com.  And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.