Dr. Katie Kangas

09/05/2026

We love a good probiotic! 🦠😍🐾

09/04/2026

The 4 D’s 🧐

Dead. Dying. Diseased. Disabled.

These are terms that can sound pretty alarming when you hear them in the context of pet food. But what do they actually mean, and how could ingredients from animals that fall into these categories potentially make their way into pet food?

Clayton and I take a closer look at the terminology, sourcing, and industry practices behind the food we feed our pets.

I think one of the most important things we can do as pet parents is look beyond the front of the bag. Understanding where ingredients come from and asking better questions about the companies we're buying from can help us make more informed choices for our pets.

And you may be surprised by what you learn. 👀

09/03/2026

Come see us in Edinburgh!

🎙️ Challenging Pet Health – LIVE in Edinburgh! 🐾

Join Dr Katie Kangas and Clayton Payne Pet Business Distruptors on 15th September at Dofos Pet Centre for the first-ever live, on-the-road episode of the Challenging Pet Health Podcast, followed by an interactive Q&A.

Expect an evening of honest conversation, fresh thinking and expert insights into pet health, nutrition and wellbeing — with the chance to put your own questions to the experts.

📍 Dofos Barnton, Edinburgh
📅 15th September 2026
🕔 6pm - 8.30pm

🎟️ Spaces are limited, so make sure to secure your ticket via Eventbrite, link below:

https://f.mtr.cool/sqq1lw4vrr

09/03/2026

Human Grade v Feed Grade

These terms can sound like they tell us a lot about the quality of our pet’s food but the reality is probably not what you think.

In this week’s episode, Clayton and I take a closer look at what “human grade,” “pet grade,” and “feed grade” actually mean and how these terms are used within the pet food industry.

I think it’s so important for pet parents to understand that the words on the front of a package don’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes, you have to look a little deeper to understand what you're really buying and what those claims actually mean.

And honestly… the difference between these terms might surprise you. 👀

09/02/2026

“Human grade,” “natural,” and “organic” are the kinds of terms many pet parents look for when buying food for their cats, dogs, and other pets. But what do these terms actually mean, if anything?

In this week’s episode, I lean into Clayton’s years of experience in pet food manufacturing and marketing to break down some of these terms and talk about what pet parents should actually be looking for on labels and from the companies they buy from.

All in an effort to help empower people everywhere to make more informed choices for the health and well-being of their pets. ❤️🐾

🎙️ The newest episode of Challenging Pet Health is LIVE !

Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the entire conversation on YouTube!

09/01/2026

Heading to Helsinki! ✈

I’m very excited to be traveling to Helsinki, Finland to give a presentation at the 8th Annual DogRisk Seminar at the University of Helsinki, taking place September 11–13.

The seminar is hosted with Anna Hielm-Björkman, and DOG RISK has long been an important source of research and discussion around canine nutrition, health, and well-being.

I’m always grateful for opportunities to learn from other veterinary professionals and researchers, share ideas, and continue expanding the ways we can support our pets through nutrition and a whole-body approach to health.

I’m looking forward to bringing some of that knowledge home with me and sharing what I learn along the way.

For more information:
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/dogrisk-health-via-nutrition-epidemiology-and-disease-detection-dogs/dogrisk-seminar/the-8th-dogrisk-seminar-2026

To attend the conference by Zoom, you can purchase virtual tickets here: https://epayment.helsinki.fi/product/the-8th-dogrisk-seminar-2026/

08/28/2026

Howdy Partner, Let's have some fun 🤠

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐶 Let's see those smiling faces, happy paws and wagging tails in celebration. 🐾 Are you treating your pup to a special day?

08/24/2026

Kinda chic to support women-owned small businesses. 💅

Even better when they make integrative vet-formulated products for your pets 🐾

08/21/2026

Exciting Shifts 🐾

One of the things that genuinely excites me is seeing more and more veterinarians taking a thoughtful approach to treating diarrhea and moving away from automatically reaching for antibiotics.

We’re learning more about the incredible complexity of the gut microbiome and how important those beneficial bacteria are to our pets’ overall health.

Sometimes, the best approach isn't to immediately try to eliminate everything that could be contributing to the problem, but to understand why the diarrhea is happening and support the gut appropriately.

Antibiotics absolutely have an important place in veterinary medicine when they're truly indicated. It's encouraging that we're becoming more intentional about when they're needed and when they aren't.

🎙️ Want to hear more? Clayton and I dive deeper into diarrhea, what can cause it, and how we can approach digestive issues more thoughtfully in this week's episode of Challenging Pet Health.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!