From Kibble to Context: What “Feeding Better” Actually Means | Ruby Balaram

Dog parents are being told to feed better...but what does “better” actually mean?With pet food marketing, social media advice, veterinary recommendations, homemade recipes, and supplements all competing for attention, making a better choice can quickly feel overwhelming.In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, are joined by Ruby Balaram, Director of Feed Real Institute and Founder & CEO of Real Dog Box, to talk about why dog parents get stuck; and how better context can make feeding feel a lot simpler.They discuss what pet food labels tell us (and what they don’t), the difference between real food and nutritionally thoughtful feeding, dietary variety, purposeful supplementation, and why fresh food is only part of the conversation.In This EpisodeDr. Sue and Kay also discuss a lawsuit involving The Farmer’s Dog, research comparing higher-carbohydrate and higher-fat diets in dogs, and the rapid growth of the fresh pet food category.Topics DiscussedWhy dog parents feel overwhelmed by nutrition adviceFresh food vs. complete nutritionPet food labels and transparencyFat, carbohydrates, and canine metabolismDietary variety and homemade dietsSupplementing with a purposeMaking fresh feeding simplerArticles MentionedFresh Dog Food Under Legal Scrutiny (The Farmer’s Dog Lawsuit)https://www.classaction.org/news/the-farmers-dog-foods-grossly-out-of-line-with-canine-nutritional-needs-class-action-lawsuit-allegesDogs May Process Fat Better Than Carbshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023325001662?via%3Dihubhttps://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/dogs/canine-metabolism-responds-better-fat-carbs-research-suggestsThe Fresh Pet Food Movement Is Explodinghttps://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/fresh-pet-food-movement-trends-evidence/About Short LeashShort Leash is dog news with real context.Hosted by Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, each episode goes beyond the headlines to unpack what’s happening in canine health, nutrition, and wellness, and what it actually means for your dog.Get bite-sized dog news straight to your inbox at shortleash.co.