Functional Foods for Dogs: Are We Asking Too Much From Dog Food? Gut Health, Supplements & Omega-3s

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 healthThey'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 foundationGuestChef 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 OfferSave 25% at Woof Creek Wellness through January 31, 2027 with code SHORTLEASH:https://www.woofcreek.com/discount/SHORTLEASHSourcesDigestive Health Is Becoming the New Baseline for Pet Foodhttps://www.petfoodindustry.com/regions/latin-america-carribean/article/15824859/digestive-health-is-baseline-pet-owners-want-multifunctional-nutritionStudy Finds Insect Ingredient Shows Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Dogshttps://www.petfoodindustry.com/nutrition/research-notes/news/15824581/study-insect-ingredient-shows-antiinflammatory-properties-in-dogsNASC Conference Report: Trends Fueling Pet Supplement Growthhttps://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=6866E8018034D1ASubscribe 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