Should You Feed Your Pet a Raw Diet? | Speaking of Pets episode 86 - Dr. Susan Wynn

What exactly is a “raw diet,” and how do you make it safely? Host Dr. Alice Jeromin welcomes Dr. Susan Wynn, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)—Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Nature’s Variety/Instinct and former president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association—along with JC Cash, CVT. They break down homemade vs. commercial raw diets, high-pressure pasteurization (HPP), supplier quality, SQF certification, and the research behind minimally processed pet food. We dig into microbiome findings, metabolomics (what it is and why it matters), process-induced toxins (like AGEs), transitioning from kibble, costs, toppers, and the truth about “picky eaters.” We also cover feline feeding quirks, dental health myths, and practical safety tips for pet parents.

In This Episode

- What “raw” really means today—homemade vs. commercial, and why that distinction matters

- How Instinct approaches safety: vetted suppliers, HPP, test-and-hold, and SQF certification

- Science check: microbiome, metabolomics, and why minimally processed can shift health markers

- Process-induced toxins (AGES, acrylamides) and where heat processing fits in

- Balanced diets 101: why “raw liver only” (or chicken-and-pasta!) isn’t complete

- Transitioning safely: step-wise switchovers, probiotics, and topper strategies for big-dog budgets

- Cats! Palate development, why free-choice dry backfires, and hydration from raw/canned

- Dental health: kibble vs. functional dental diets, bones, and risks to avoid

- Picky vs. overweight: how feeding habits (and treats) drive confusion

Key Takeaways

- Commercial raw ≠ homemade raw; safety and balance depend on process and formulation.

- Properly made raw diets can be complete, balanced, and tested—and show promising health signals.

- Even 25% raw as a topper may confer benefits; meet owners where they are.

- Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories; measure meals, don’t free-feed cats.

- Transition slowly (25% steps) and consider probiotics for sensitive pets.

https://instinctpetfood.com/

Dr. Susan Wynn, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) — Senior Director of Scientific Affairs, Nature’s Variety/Instinct; long-time clinician and researcher in integrative nutrition.

JC Cash, CVT — Educator and industry liaison focused on raw diet safety and veterinary outreach.

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All footage is owned by SLA Video Productions.