Wags & Wellness - A Healthy Dog Podcast with Boil and Broth

Rachel Down

Wags and Wellness is the natural health podcast for every dog lover who wants to understand their pets on a deeper level. Hosted by Rachel Down, founder of Boil and Broth and passionate advocate for holistic canine wellbeing, this show dives into the world of dogs with curiosity, care, and science-backed insight. Each episode brings you conversations with leading experts in canine nutrition, behaviour, veterinary science, holistic therapies, and natural health. From gut health and immune resilience to mobility, skin conditions, diet choices, and the power of real, whole foods (including bone broth), Wags and Wellness unpacks the topics that matter most to your dog’s long-term wellbeing. Whether you're navigating allergies, trying to choose the best diet, exploring natural remedies, or simply wanting to give your dog the healthiest and happiest life possible, this podcast offers the practical knowledge and expert guidance you need. Expect real stories, actionable tips, emerging research, and conversations that challenge the conventional — all delivered with warmth, honesty, and a genuine love for dogs. What you’ll discover on Wags and Wellness: Natural approaches to supporting your dog’s healthInsights from industry professionals and holistic practitionersHow nutrition affects behaviour, energy, and longevityThe truth about commercial diets, supplements, and emerging trendsTools to help you become a confident, informed advocate for your petInspiring stories from dog owners who chose a natural pathWhether you’re a seasoned natural-health pet parent or just starting your journey, Wags and Wellness will empower you to make informed choices and deepen your connection with your four-legged family member. Tune in, learn something new, and celebrate the joy of dogs — naturally.

Episodes

  1. JAN 14

    Wags & Wellness with Dr Carol Hughes

    In this episode of Wags and Wellness, host Rachel Down sits down with world-renowned microbiome expert Dr Carol Hughes, founder of Biome4Pets and a researcher in canine gut health since 2014. Together, they explore the fascinating world of the canine microbiome — the thriving community of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms living inside your dog’s gut that holds the key to digestion, immunity, behaviour, and overall wellbeing. Dr Hughes explains what a healthy microbiome looks like and why so many dogs today are struggling with imbalances that can lead to inflammation, digestive issues, skin conditions, behavioural problems, and chronic disease. With nearly a decade of microbiome research under her belt — including collaborations with Aberystwyth University and projects targeting gastric inflammation and obesity in dogs and horses — Dr Hughes gives us cutting-edge insight into restoring balance from the inside out. The conversation also dives into the ground-breaking Biome Broth Study, a collaborative research project with Boil and Broth, Biome4Pets, and canine nutrition expert Anna Webb. They unpack what happens when bone broth is added to a dog’s diet for just four weeks — from significant increases in beneficial bacteria to reductions in harmful strains — and what these changes mean for gut health, immunity, inflammation, and long-term wellness. Rachel and Dr Hughes discuss why this study matters, how gut health influences behaviour, and practical ways dog owners can support their pets’ microbiomes naturally. Whether you’re curious about bone broth’s potential or want to understand your dog’s gut health better, this episode delivers science, stories, and actionable takeaways straight from an expert who’s devoted her career to pets’ internal ecosystems. Tune in to learn why nourishing your dog’s gut could be one of the most impactful things you do for their health — and how simple dietary shifts can create long-lasting, positive change.

    56 min

About

Wags and Wellness is the natural health podcast for every dog lover who wants to understand their pets on a deeper level. Hosted by Rachel Down, founder of Boil and Broth and passionate advocate for holistic canine wellbeing, this show dives into the world of dogs with curiosity, care, and science-backed insight. Each episode brings you conversations with leading experts in canine nutrition, behaviour, veterinary science, holistic therapies, and natural health. From gut health and immune resilience to mobility, skin conditions, diet choices, and the power of real, whole foods (including bone broth), Wags and Wellness unpacks the topics that matter most to your dog’s long-term wellbeing. Whether you're navigating allergies, trying to choose the best diet, exploring natural remedies, or simply wanting to give your dog the healthiest and happiest life possible, this podcast offers the practical knowledge and expert guidance you need. Expect real stories, actionable tips, emerging research, and conversations that challenge the conventional — all delivered with warmth, honesty, and a genuine love for dogs. What you’ll discover on Wags and Wellness: Natural approaches to supporting your dog’s healthInsights from industry professionals and holistic practitionersHow nutrition affects behaviour, energy, and longevityThe truth about commercial diets, supplements, and emerging trendsTools to help you become a confident, informed advocate for your petInspiring stories from dog owners who chose a natural pathWhether you’re a seasoned natural-health pet parent or just starting your journey, Wags and Wellness will empower you to make informed choices and deepen your connection with your four-legged family member. Tune in, learn something new, and celebrate the joy of dogs — naturally.