3 days ago

Holly Barker: Dog Nutrition (Episode 174)

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat to sports dog nutritionist Holly Barker for her no nonsense advice on feeding your dog.

Holly shares her journey from serving as a medic in the RAF, through mental health nursing, to becoming an evidence-based practitioner focused on canine nutrition. She outlines how she educated herself in the absence of formal courses, experimented with diets in working and sport dogs, and gradually developed a full‑time practice.

The conversation addresses what good evidence means in the canine nutrition world, the differences (and similarities) between human and dog nutrition, and how diet should adapt according to the dog's lifestyle, breed, work load and individual response. Holly also dives deep into specific topics like protein levels for active dogs, fuelling for longer runs, hydration, antioxidants, supplements (what works, what to watch out for), and practical tips like rehydrating dry food, or using hearts for taurine.