Raw Feeding: What the Evidence Actually Says About Canine Health (Part 1) with Dr Anna Hielm-Björkman

What if one of the biggest problems in canine nutrition is that we’ve barely studied fresh food at all?In this deep and thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with veterinarian and researcher Dr. Anna Hielm-Björkman from the University of Helsinki’s DogRisk research group - one of the only independent, university-connected teams in the world researching raw feeding and fresh food diets in dogs.But this episode isn’t about telling you what you should feed your dog.It’s about asking a much bigger question:How do we actually know what we know about canine nutrition?Together, we explore how pet food research is conducted, why so much of it focuses on ultra-processed diets, and what happens when fresh and raw food are finally brought into the scientific conversation.Dr Anna shares her own journey from conventional veterinary medicine into a more integrative approach to canine health — including acupuncture, nutrition, and preventative care — and why she became passionate about researching the relationship between food and chronic disease.We also dive into:why there is still surprisingly little independent long-term research on canine nutrition,how veterinary nutrition education is shaped,what “complete and balanced” actually means,why the form of a nutrient matters just as much as the nutrient itself,how processing changes the way a dog’s body metabolizes and utilizes food,and why fresh-fed dogs may require entirely different frameworks for feeding guidelines, lab reference ranges, and health evaluation.This is a conversation about nuance, evidence, and curiosity beyond fear, marketing, and polarized internet debates.Whether you feed raw, gently cooked, wet food, kibble, or somewhere in between, this episode invites us to think more deeply about what health really looks like for our dogs - and how science can evolve when we begin asking better questions.And this is only part one.In the next episode, Anna and I will dive into one of the most controversial aspects of this conversation: pathogens, risk, food safety, and the myths surrounding raw feeding.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a fellow dog guardian, leave a review, or tag us on Instagram @mysticdogmama with your biggest takeaway. These conversations matter because the future of canine health depends on the questions we’re willing to ask.More about DogRisk:https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/dogrisk-health-via-nutrition-epidemiology-and-disease-detection-dogsRegister for the DogRisk Seminar: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/health-via-nutrition-epidemiology-and-disease-detection-dogs/news-and-happenings/save-the-date-the-8th-dogrisk-seminar-2026Connect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaCome join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.