Should dogs and cats go vegan? On this episode of the Unfiltered Pet Report, Jessica Arrington and Pam Mills of Purrrfectly Holistic tackle the vegan pet food debate, New World screwworm prevention, and eBeam as a kill step for raw pet food.

Jessica went a little bonkers over the idea of feeding carnivores a vegan diet, so we start there. Then we move through the screwworm headlines, a new study on eBeam in raw food, and a national survey on why pets are so good for us.

What we cover:
• The vegan pet food question: a look at one pet-care app found U.S. users asking about vegan dog diets more than anyone else, and why species-appropriate feeding deserves a second look
• New World screwworm: why paying attention before there’s a problem beats scrambling after, where it’s been found, and what to know if you live in or travel to an affected area
• eBeam as a kill step: what it is, how electron beam technology works, and what a new study on one raw food maker’s products found
• The human-animal bond: the 2026 HABRI survey found 74% of Americans own a pet, and 98% of owners report at least one health benefit

Sources:
Vegan diet inquiries: https://www.petfoodindustry.com/pet-ownership-statistics/article/15837121/us-uk-pet-owners-differ-in-dog-diet-inquiries-us-tops-vegan-interest
USDA screwworm status: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm/current-status/confirmed
eBeam study (Frontiers in Veterinary Science): https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1904850/full
HABRI 2026 survey: https://habri.org/pet-owners-survey/

The Unfiltered Pet Report: pet health news, minus the spin. Hosted by Jessica Arrington of Wild Wellness Pet (wildwellnesspet.com) and Pam Mills of Purrrfectly Holistic.

Unfiltered Pet Report: this week’s pet health news, what it actually means for your dog or cat, and who’s supposed to be checking your pet’s food.
Cat food contaminants. Dogs and nonsense words. A watchdog who says nobody tests the label.

Join Jessica Arrington of Wild Wellness Pet and Pam Mills of Purrrfectly Holistic on this special weekly live broadcast!

Links discussed in today's episode:

Dogs See words as shapes
https://www.sciencealert.com/dogs-seem-to-agree-with-humans-that-bouba-is-round-and-kiki-is-spiky

The Farmers Dog sponsoring vet med (2)
https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/the-farmers-dog-is-sponsoring-a-veterinary-nutrition-residency-at-the-university-of-tennessee-heres-why-that-matters/

https://petsplusmag.com/the-farmers-dog-partners-with-university-of-georgia-college-of-veterinary-medicine

The fox guards the henhouse

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/two-issues-in-pet-food-that-are-not-monitored/

Contaminants in cat food

https://www.dvm360.com/view/study-finds-heavy-metals-glyphosate-and-plastic-related-chemicals-in-nearly-all-cat-foods-tested-but-health-risks-remain-unclear

The full report: https://cleanlabelproject.org/wp-content/uploads/clean-label-project-cat-food-study-2026.pdf

the brands CLP tested https://cleanlabelproject.org/cat-food-category-tested-products/

Follow Jessica on Wild Wellness Pet: https://www.wildwellnesspet.com/

Follow Pam on Purrrfectly Holistic: https://www.purrrfectlyholistic.com/

In this episode of Pet Health Junkies, we sit down with Austin & Kat to talk about one of the hottest (and most confusing) topics in pet wellness: how to use CBD, functional mushrooms, and other botanicals thoughtfully for dogs and cats. With so many products on the market promising calm, immune support, and longevity, it can be hard to know what’s legit, what’s marketing, and what actually fits your individual animal.

We dig into how CBD really works in the endocannabinoid system, why full‑spectrum, well‑formulated products matter, and where mushrooms like reishi, turkey tail, lion’s mane, and cordyceps can support immune health, resilience, and aging. We also explore how smart botanical blends can complement diet and lifestyle changes instead of trying to replace them, and why “more” is not always better when it comes to dosing sensitive pets.

Throughout the conversation, we come back to practical guardrails: how to read labels, questions to ask brands, red flags to avoid, and how to partner with an integrative or open‑minded vet when you’re bringing CBD or mushrooms into your pet’s plan. If you’ve been curious about plant medicine for your animals but don’t want to fall for hype or overwhelm their systems, this episode will help you slow down, zoom out, and use these tools with intention.

In this episode of Pet Health Junkies, Jessica, Pam, and Janet sit down to unpack a huge shift we’re all watching in real time: big pet food companies muscling into the “fresh” and “better-for-them” space. With major players acquiring raw, freeze‑dried, and fresh brands and rolling out their own refrigerated lines, it’s getting harder than ever for pet parents to tell the difference between genuine innovation and well-funded marketing.

We talk about why the big companies have the money, distribution, and ad budgets to shape the narrative—and what that means for independent brands, local shops, and the people trying to read between the lines on the bag. You’ll hear our take on whether these “fresh” offerings are actually moving the needle on species‑appropriate nutrition, or just repackaging the same old thinking in shinier form.

Dr. Marlene Siegel joins us for a powerful cameo to bring it back to basics: what dogs and cats are biologically designed to eat, why carb‑heavy, ultra‑processed diets fall short, and how that mismatch drives inflammation and chronic disease over time. We also explore simple ways to make more aligned choices—whether you’re buying from a big box store, an independent retailer, or feeding raw at home—without getting paralyzed by all the noise.

If you’ve been watching the pet food aisles explode with “fresh,” “natural,” and “real” claims and wondering what’s real and what’s just a land grab, this conversation will help you see the bigger system at play and stay grounded in what actually serves your animal.

In this episode of Pet Health Junkies, we’re joined by holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jeff Feinman to talk about why so many pets are still struggling—even when their families are “doing everything right”—and what needs to change in how we think about pet care. Dr. Jeff’s new book, Path to Pet Wellness, lays out a love-centered, science-informed framework that helps pet parents move beyond chasing symptoms and diagnoses toward true vitality and balance.

We dig into the paradigm shift he’s calling for: seeing symptoms as messages rather than enemies, focusing on BEAM (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, Mood) as everyday wellness markers, and integrating the best of conventional medicine with holistic, energy-based approaches. Dr. Jeff shares how this “whole-istic” lens changes decisions around chronic disease, acute flares, and those frustrating cases where tests look “normal” but your pet clearly doesn’t feel their best.

You’ll also hear practical ways to start shifting out of fear-based, urgent “fix-it” mode into a calmer, more trusting partnership with your pet and your care team—without abandoning diagnostics or necessary meds. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice and just want a grounded, hopeful roadmap for helping your animal truly thrive, this conversation will give you a new lens on what “wellness” can mean.

In this episode of Pet Health Junkies, we’re stepping back from protocols and products to look at something just as vital for our pets’ wellbeing: the way they change our hearts.

Jessica and Pam are joined by author and fellow podcast host Kim Lengling, whose new book, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, explores how animals gently invite us to slow down, forgive more, love deeper, and extend grace to ourselves. Together, they talk about what it really means to be present with our animals, and how noticing the small, everyday moments with them can shift us out of fear and into gratitude.

Kim shares how her faith, love of nature, rescue work, and advocacy for veterans living with PTSD all weave into her message of hope and kindness. You’ll hear stories that challenge the idea that the world is mostly negative—and show how our pets quietly remind us, every day, that beauty and goodness are still everywhere if we’re willing to look.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, this conversation is a gentle reset: a reminder that your pet isn’t just your companion, but also one of your greatest teachers.

In this episode of Pet Health Junkies, we’re flipping the usual script on pet care and asking a simple question: what happens when you actually listen to your animal?

Jessica, Pam & Janet are joined by animal communicator Linda Roberts to explore how animal communication can become a meaningful part of a pet’s care team, right alongside your vet, nutritionist, trainer, and other practitioners. You’ll hear how tuning into your pet’s perspective can reveal hidden stressors, clarify confusing behavior or health issues, and help you make more aligned decisions about treatments, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

We also talk about what animal communication is (and isn’t), how Linda works with both guardians and professionals, and how to bring this modality into your pet’s life without abandoning common sense or conventional care. If you’ve ever wondered whether your pet is trying to tell you something—or how to integrate “woo” with real‑world wellness—this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Pet Health Junkies, we’re asking a big question a lot of pet parents have: is turmeric really right for your dog or cat? We sit down with MaryBeth Powers, the creator of Teddy’s Turmeric Tamer, to talk about how Teddy’s own health journey inspired a carefully crafted turmeric blend for pets. MaryBeth shares what makes turmeric so unique as a natural inflammation and wellness support, how to use it safely, and what to watch for in quality products versus marketing hype. We dig into real‑world results, common misconceptions, and simple ways to start incorporating turmeric into your pet’s routine—so you can decide if this golden spice might be a helpful piece of your pet’s holistic health puzzle.

Visit www.pethealthjunkies.com to follow Jessica, Janet, & Pam, and for FREE resources such as

🐈 Optimum Cat Nutrition PDF

🐕 Beginner Dog Training videos

⚕️Veterinary Visit Worksheet

When we know better, we can do better.