Fresh Feeding & Our Dog’s Microbiome

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Welcome all dog lovers!  Are you ready to learn something new today?  With us are TWO very special guests.  We are honored to have Alex Jarrel (Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer) and Dr. Ryan Honaker (Director of Microbiology) at NomNom, one of the leading direct to consumer pet food brands.  Alex started the company to fuel her passion for educating pet parents about the power of pet nutrition and portion control.  Dr. Honaker is an expert in microbiome manipulation, infection therapeutics and microbial community profiling.  He leads Nom Nom’s research and development team as they are currently analyzing the gut microbiome of dogs and cats through DNA sequencing techniques.

Alex, let’s start with you.  Can you share with us why you started NomNom?  What did you see as lacking in the pet food industry?

What makes your products different from others? 

Why did you decide to offer fresh food vs processed?

I’d love to quickly share my experience with the NomNom products.

Dr. Honaker, let’s talk about our dog’s microbiome health.  When we think of bacteria a lot of times our minds go to thinking that’s a bad thing.  What exactly is the microbiome?

I’ve heard the microbiome referred to as the “forgotten organ”.  Why is that?

What functions does the microbiome support? 

Do you want to talk about Dysbiosis and its causes?

Any last word on diet and the microbiome?

Could one of you share info about your Insights program? 

Are you working on any new products right now?

We want to thank our friends at NomNom for offering our Wag Out Loud listeners an amazing discount! Go to  trynom.com/WOL to take advantage of 30% off your first order.

FB: @getnomnomnow

IG: @NomNomNow


We appreciate our sponsor: ABSC Organics

Use the code WAG15 to receive 15% off your first order!


Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for tuning in again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the Bark About it section. Or you can click on the social media buttons to share an episode.

Special thanks to Alex and Dr. Honaker for being on the show. Catch you next time!

Also, don’t forget to Subscribe for FREE and please leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Android | Spotify I Stitcher I iHeartRADIO


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The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a veterinarian, licensed nutritionist or other qualified professional. The host as well as guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experience and conclusions, and Wag Out Loud LLC neither endorses or opposes any particular views discussed here.