The Crunchy Carnivore
The Crunchy Carnivore is a podcast for pet owners and pet professionals who desire to learn about and implement a completely holistic lifestyle for the animals in their lives. In each episode your hosts, holistic veterinarian Dr Jessica Levy and Natural Rearing breeder Melissa Weidenhamer, will bring knowledge and insights into holistic options for your animal’s health and well-being.
Crunchy Coffee with Bre Drake - The Truth About Holistic Pet Care No One Talks About
Sit down with Dr. Jessica Levy, Melissa Weidenhamer, and Bre Drake from Tailswell to unpack two of the toughest truths in the holistic pet space: it takes courage and there is no “easy button.”
Together, we dive into the reality behind natural pet care—the time, intention, and emotional investment it takes to choose a holistic path for your animals. From nutrition and lifestyle to preventative care, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really means to go “all in” on your pet’s wellness.
But perhaps even more importantly, we explore the hard truth t...
Can You Protect Your Dog Naturally? The Truth About Homeoprophylaxis Explained
Curious about homeoprophylaxis for dogs and whether it really works? In this episode, we break down the truth behind this controversial approach to disease prevention.
We explore what homeoprophylaxis actually is, how nosodes are made and used, and how they compare to traditional vaccines. You’ll learn the key differences in how each approach supports (or challenges) your dog’s immune system, plus what holistic practitioners believe about long-term health and prevention.
But we don’t stop there—we also dig into the big questions pet parents are asking: Is homeoprophylaxis safe? Is it effective? And what...
Lyme Disease EXPOSED: A Holistic Veterinarian’s Perspective
Lyme disease is one of the biggest health concerns for pet parents—but are we looking at it the right way?
In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we take a deep dive into Lyme disease from a holistic veterinarian’s perspective, uncovering what’s often overlooked in conventional conversations. From tick exposure to immune resilience, this episode goes beyond fear-based messaging and into a more balanced, whole-body approach to prevention and care.
We explore what Lyme disease actually is, how it impacts dogs, and why some pets develop symptoms while others don’t. You’ll a...
Crunchy Coffee with Air Gustafson - From Sick to Thriving in 3 Weeks? A Dog Mom’s Holistic Story
What would you do if your dog suddenly stopped eating—and no one could tell you why?
In this powerful episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we sit down with Air Gustafson, an everyday dog mom whose life took an unexpected turn when her beloved dog Morty faced a terrifying health crisis. After multiple vet visits and no clear diagnosis, Air found herself searching for answers—and running out of options.
That’s when she met Dr. Levy.
What happened next completely changed the course of Morty’s life—and Air’s.
In just...
Raw Food Roulette
What does “raw” actually mean when it comes to your dog’s food — and are all raw diets created equal?
In this eye-opening episode, we're pulling back the curtain to unpack the truth about raw feeding. Because here’s the reality: just because a label says “raw” or "natural" doesn’t mean it delivers the biological nutrition your dog was designed to thrive on.
We’ll dive into:
What truly makes a food raw — and how processing can quietly strip away the very benefits you’re paying forWhy high-pressure processing (HPP) and sterilization...Supplements - Story of a Marketing Success
Are supplements the missing link in your pet’s health—or just clever marketing?
In this episode, listen in to how we break down the truth about supplements for your pets. With so many powders, chews, and tinctures lining pet store shelves, it’s easy to assume “more is better.” But does your dog actually need supplements? And if so, which ones?
We dive into:
How to determine whether your dog truly needs supplementationWhy falling for trendy marketing can do more harm than goodThe critical importance of ingredient sourcing, bioavailability, and quality controlWhat it really mea...Crunchy Coffee with Paula Vandervoort - Vaccinosis in Dogs? Holistic Breeding vs Science
Ever heard the term "vaccinosis" and wondered… is there actually science behind holistic dog care?
In this eye-opening episode as we sit down with Paula Vandervoort—an expert breeder and show veteran with over 50 years of experience—to explore one of the most debated topics in the dog world: vaccines, holistic practices, and what truly supports long-term canine health.
Paula brings a rare perspective shaped by decades in both conventional and Natural Rearing spaces. Her journey didn’t start with theory—it started with heartbreak. Through firsthand experiences that challenged everything she thought she knew, she began...
Crunchy Coffee with Victoria Peterson - Dog Ear Infections? Try THIS Before Another Vet Visit
Could something as simple as massage be the missing piece in your dog’s health routine?
In this eye-opening episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we explore one of the most overlooked yet incredibly powerful tools in holistic pet care: animal massage and bodywork.
Joining us is Victoria from The Balanced Orchid, an animal massage and bodywork specialist, who breaks down exactly what this practice is, how it works, and why more pet owners are turning to it for support with common issues like allergies, ear infections, mobility challenges, and more.
If you’ve o...
Detoxification Demystified - It's simpler than you think.
Detox is one of the biggest buzzwords in the wellness movement and we're going to break down this often-misunderstood concept. Let's define what it really is, what we should detox our pets from, how it works in the body, and what we should expect when it comes to helping our animals with it. Whether you've raised you pets naturally or are just coming over from a more conventional mindset, you'll want to listen in on this one!
Resources:
Affordable Pet Labs.com- Easy home collection kits
Wellspring HAA- find all of our guides an...
Your NR Puppy - From Chaos to Calm: How to Raise Your Puppy the Natural Way
Thinking about raising a puppy naturally—but feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice online? You’re not alone.
In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we break down the Natural Rearing (NR) approach and give you clear, practical guidance for raising puppies the way nature intended. From nutrition to socialization, from health to behavior, we cover the topics most people don’t talk about and help you navigate the confusion swirling across social media and the internet.
Natural Rearing isn’t just a trend—it’s a proven approach that prioritizes the whole puppy: mind...
Before You Bring 'Em Home - Important Things to Consider Before Adding a Furry Family Member
Get an experienced vet and breeder's take on important questions to ask yourself, what to research, and preparation to do well before you decide on bringing home a new addition. Everything from deciding on a puppy vs older dog, to where to acquire them, to what should be at home ready and waiting for when they do arrive. All of these considerations will help you have the most enjoyable and successful experience.
Resources:
Natural Rearing Breeder Connection - Natural Rearing Breeder organization
Natural Rearing- Breeding and Raising Dogs the Way Nature Intended- by Dr...
Homeopathy - Pseudoscience or Real Medicine Rediscovered
Homeopathy - Have you ever heard of it? If you have, was it in a positive or negative light? If you haven't, why is that? What is it? Is it even real, or is it all placebo effect? Join us as we address all of these questions and more and attempt to demystify this often confusing and misunderstood modality.
Resources:
“Beyond Flat Earth Medicine” - by Dr Timothy R Dooley
“Direction of Cure” - All Things Homeopathy on YouTube
Helios Homeopathy - Get your pet homeopathic remedy kit here
Han...
Crunchy Coffee with Nicole Nelson - Feeling Judged for Natural Pet Health? You’re Not Alone
Feeling judged, attacked, or misunderstood for choosing holistic care for your pets? You’re not alone—and today, we’re tackling the elephant in the room.
In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we sit down with holistic advocate Nicole Nelson for a real, no-nonsense conversation about the opposition holistic pet parents often face—from friends and family, online communities, and even pet professionals.
This discussion isn’t about shame or conflict—it’s about giving you the tools, perspective, and confidence to navigate the conventional world while staying true to your holistic values.
In thi...
Healing The Whole - Part II
As a follow up to episode 9, "Healing The Whole- Part I", we want to revisit what the principals and concepts to the holistic approach are by showing you what putting them into practice can really look like. We will use 3 real life examples with 3 different levels of holistic experience to give you more clarity on what walking the natural path really means in regard to application, cost, and effort.
Resources:
“Direction of Cure” - All Things Homeopathy on YouTube
“The Whole Pet Diet” - by Andi Brown
“There’s a Mushroom fo...
Healing The Whole - Part I
So what does it mean to heal your animal in a holistic way? To answer that we need to look at the healing mechanisms that are built into the body's natural design, which we can really boil down to a couple of basic processes and then from there can embrace concepts that will facilitate true, deep, and long-lasting healing. Join us as we flesh out holistic healing into its principles, concepts, and how we can begin to put them into practice.
Resources:
Holistic Animal Quick Start Guide - Our free guide
...
Crunchy Coffee with Nicole Nelson - 62% of Dogs Get Cancer… What Are We Missing?
Cancer in dogs is on the rise—and it’s raising questions, concerns, and a lot of fear among pet parents. In this eye-opening episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we welcome back NR Breeder Nicole Nelson to tackle one of the most important and controversial topics in the dog world today: tumors, cancers, potential causes, and whether it’s time to rethink our approach.
Dr. Levy joins the conversation with expert insights into the process of cancer, the different types of tumors, and what she’s learned from years of experience in holistic veterinary care. Together, they bre...
Let's Clean House!
Have you ever thought that something in your home could be the very thing that's causing your pet's health problems? In this episode we'll discuss what these culprits are that are in our control as well as the ones that are outside of what we can choose and what to do about it. This is a huge part of what can lighten the toxic load in your animals, which has a massive impact on helping or hurting their immune system. Time to ditch the toxins!
Resources:
Poisoned Horses
Forever Dog Life - Karen Beck...
Raw Dog Food Isn’t Expensive—You’re Just Calculating Wrong
Think raw feeding is too expensive for your dog or cat? Think again.
In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest objections to holistic pet care: the cost. Many people assume conventional kibble is cheaper—but when you break down the numbers, consider long-term health, and factor in the true cost of veterinary care, the story isn’t so simple.
We dive deep into the differences between conventional and holistic approaches, exploring not just the price per bag or meal, but the real impact on your pet’s health, longev...
We're Stressing Our Dogs Sick
The holistic approach includes every part of our pet's life, even our own emotional state. Trying to humanize our dogs and project our emotions onto them can burden their immune system as well as hinder our ability to recognize what might be truly going on. Keeping calm, being patient, and observing the situation can help us navigate towards the best way to truly heal them.
Resources:
Excellent book on homeopathy/holistic philosophy- Beyond Flat Earth Medicine
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Crunchy Coffee with Nicole Nelson - Dog Owners Are Asking Questions—Let's Answer Them!
Ever wondered what’s really in your dog’s food—or whether popular feeding practices are actually helping your pet? In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we welcome NR Breeder Nicole Nelson for a no-holds-barred discussion based on YOUR questions.
From social media polls to personal experience, Nicole and the team cover everything dog owners are curious about: the truth behind AAFCO standards, why chicken often gets a bad rap, the benefits of fasting for dogs, and much more.
Whether you’re a raw feeder, kibble user, or somewhere in between, this episode is packe...
Cracks In The Foundations of The Dog World- Part II
Listen in as a holistic vet and holistic breeder duo share some very eye-opening truths about the history of dog food, truth about kibble, and why the conventional world is so opposed to a fresh raw food diet for dogs and cats. Many of our pets' problems today can be directly linked to getting the diet wrong, so please join us as we bring some clarity to a topic that can be swirling with immense pressure and confusion.
Resources:
Discover the shocking truth about the pet food industry- Pet Fooled Documentary
O...
Cracks In The Foundations of The Dog World- Part I
Listen in as a holistic vet and holistic breeder duo share our journey into the natural approach. We reveal some very eye opening truths about the history of medicine, and how it became what we see today. Learn why there is so much opposition to the natural approach and why it shouldn't be dismissed. Come along as we hope to empower you to join the holistic animal care movement that is so desperately needed, for our pet's sake!
Resources:
Discover the shocking truth about the pet food industry- Pet Fooled Documentary
A...
Realistically Holistic- An overview and glimpse into what the holistic approach is and what it's not
Hear from a seasoned holistic vet and natural rearing breeder about the many facets of what truly makes up the holistic approach for animals, dispelling misconceptions, as well as dropping some other truths along the way. Join us as we share some common and not so common perspectives through a realistic and natural lens cultivated through years of experience.
Resources:
Discover the shocking truth about the pet food industry- Pet Fooled Documentary
Learn about all things fresh food for pets- Feed Real Institute
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