The WSAVA Podcast

This special stand-alone episode is supported by Royal Canin and is independent of the regular Nutrition Series.
What if we could modify or even slow down the ageing process itself, shifting the veterinary conversation from managing inevitable decline to expanding a pet's vibrant health span?
In this special stand-alone episode, host Dr Peter Higgins sits down with veterinary specialist physician and Royal Canin feline health specialist Dr Tanya Schoeman to unpack the rapidly evolving science of pet gerontology and proactive clinical care. First, Tanya discusses shifting the clinical narrative to early intervention, highlighting a famous long-term canine study on body weight and the critical value of building baseline health databases long before outward signs of decline appear. Then, she looks closely at our feline friends, revealing how subtle behavioural shifts mask pain or cognitive decline, sharing startling insights from a massive global pet owner survey, and offering actionable strategies to guide clients as a major wave of "pandemic pets" enters middle age and how to keep them in their prime.
Resources & Links
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines 
Royal Canin Academy Digital Library - Portal for downloading the Healthy Ageing Conversations Guide for veterinary practitioners. 
JAVMA Landmark Paper: "Aging is Modifiable" – The highly discussed geroscience study co-authored by Dr. Tanya Schoeman establishing the clinical paradigm shift toward "health span" modification.
The Dog Aging Project – The massive citizen science research initiative tracking canine aging biology as a comparative model for human gerontology.
Feline Osteoarthritis Nutritional Study – The clinical trial mentioned by Tanya proving the efficacy of an Omega-3, curcumin, and hydrolysed collagen-enriched diet compared to standard medical management for cats with joint disease.
AAFCO – The official regulatory resource setting animal feed and pet food nutritional standards for growth, reproduction, and adult life stages.

Contributors
Peter Higgins BVSc, MBA, Dip Ed (tert), MRCVS, FAICD, FLS: Episode Interviewer; Veterinary Surgeon, former clinician at the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney, and Chair of the WSAVA Nutrition Committee. LinkedIn | ResearchGate 
Dr Tanya Schoeman, BVSc(Hons) MMedVet(Med) DECVIM-CA: Specialist Veterinary Physician and Royal Canin Pet and Product Science Specialist LinkedIn | Orchid

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

How can you help clients understand what is actually inside a pet food bag and safely manage home-cooked diets? 
Interviewer Shalom Phiri brings together Peter Higgins and Inês Carvalho to solve everyday feeding dilemmas. First, Peter Higgins explains how to decode commercial pet food labels, discussing macronutrient quality, species-specific amino and fatty acid requirements, and how to look past product moisture to calculate true dry matter protein. Then, Inês Carvalho focuses on home cooking, discussing how to spot recipe changes over time through open questioning, and explaining a simple 90/10 rule that lets busy owners cook safely for bonding.
Resources & Links
WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
WSAVA Product Evaluation Questions Guide – Practical screening recommendations mentioned for helping veterinary teams and owners analyse commercial food transparency.
Balance It Software – Tools for managing home-cooked formulations.
ACVIM Nutrition Directory – Board-certified specialist directory mentioned for obtaining professional nutrition consultations. 
Contributors
Shalom Phiri, BVM: Episode Interviewer; Owner and Clinician at Luderitz Veterinary Clinic, and WSAVA Education Committee member. (LinkedIn | Instagram)
Peter Higgins, BVSc, MBA, Dip Ed (tert), MRCVS, FAICD, FLS: Veterinary Surgeon, former clinician at the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney and Chair of the WSAVA Nutrition Committee. (LinkedIn | ResearchGate)
Inês Carvalho, DVM, MSc: General Practitioner Veterinarian based in Portugal with advanced training in small animal clinical nutrition and WSAVA Nutrition Committee member. (LinkedIn | Instagram)

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

How can veterinary teams talk to clients about online pet food trends and treats without making them feel judged?
Interviewer Mohana Marathe leads a detailed discussion with Cat Henstridge and Rachel Lumbis to help clinics take back control of the food conversation. First, Cat Henstridge explores how social media algorithms play on owner guilt, explaining how fear-based online advertisements can dangerously delay sick animals from getting proper veterinary care. Then, Rachel Lumbis focuses on treats and snacks, detailing how to comfortably ask for permission to discuss food, limit extra calories to a strict 10% limit, and use specific goals to handle learned begging.
Resources & Links
WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) – Report an Ad – The official portal mentioned for flagging and reporting misleading or non-compliant commercial pet food marketing campaigns in the UK
Contributors
Mohana Marathe, BVSc & AH: Episode Interviewer, Recent graduate, member of the WSAVA Education Committee, and former Cornell University Veterinary Investigator Leadership Program participant. (LinkedIn)
Cat Henstridge, BVSc, MRCVS: First-opinion small animal Veterinary Surgeon, prominent clinical commentator on social media and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook)
Rachel Lumbis MSc, BSc (Hons), PGCert (MedEd), CertSAN, RVN, FHEA: Postgraduate Research Student at the University of Glasgow, and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (ORCID)

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

How can your entire veterinary team work together to treat pet obesity and prevent weight problems early in life?
Interviewer Ernie Ward speaks with Rachel Lumbis and Georgia Woods-Lee about launching a successful, clinic-wide weight program. First, Rachel Lumbis shares how to make nutrition the fifth vital assessment in every consultation, train staff on common scenarios, and empower veterinary nurses to lead independent conversations. Then, Georgia Woods-Lee tackles the medical side of weight management, explaining why cutting regular food portions risks serious nutrient deficiencies, and how tracking evidence-based growth charts stops obesity early.
Resources & Links
WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention – Educational data, toolkits, and clinical research dedicated to pet weight management. 
Waltham Puppy and Kitten Growth Charts – Free, evidence-based clinical tracking tools to monitor healthy growth patterns.
Contributors
Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT: Founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and the World Pet Obesity Association. (Website | LinkedIn | Instagram)
Rachel Lumbis MSc, BSc (Hons), PGCert (MedEd), CertSAN, RVN, FHEA: Postgraduate Research Student at the University of Glasgow, and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (ORCID)
Georgia Woods-Lee BSc(Hons), RVN, CertCFVHNut, VTS (Nutrition): Clinical Lead for the Obesity Care Clinic at the University of Liverpool. (LinkedIn | Instagram)

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

How much does diet truly affect chronic skin issues, and how do you run a successful food trial for an allergic pet?
 
Interviewer Cat Henstridge sits down with veterinary dermatologists Galia Sheinberg and Meagan Painter to separate science from online myths. First, Galia Sheinberg explains that only 30% of allergic dogs react to food, notes how popular home diets can cause rare zinc and vitamin deficiencies, and looks at the limited evidence for probiotics. Then, Meagan Painter dives into atopic dermatitis management, detailing how to use prescription hydrolysed diets as strict diagnostic tools while easing owner financial and caregiving fatigue.
Resources & Links
WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
AAHA Allergic Skin Diseases Guidelines – Modern, evidence-based consensus roadmap for diagnosing and managing canine atopy and allergy exclusions.
Probiotics Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis – Scientific evidence evaluating the limited efficacy of probiotic strains as adjuvants for canine atopy.

Contributors
Cat Henstridge, BVSc, MRCVS: Episode Interviewer; First-opinion small animal Veterinary Surgeon, prominent clinical commentator on social media and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook)
Galia Sheinberg, MVZ, ESP. DLACVD: Veterinary Dermatology Specialist; Director and Owner of Dermatología Especializada CVM and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (Website)
Meagan Painter, DVM, DACVD: Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist and creator of The Allergic Dog™ (Website)

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.