Busting Pet Food Myths - SOP ep. 85 - Dr. Jennifer Larsen

Dr. Jennifer Larsen is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist with a BS/MS in Animal Science, DVM, and PhD in Nutritional Biology from UC Davis. She is a lecturer, researcher, and formulator of specific clinical diets for complex cases.When pet food aisles feel like a maze of “premium,” “natural,” “human-grade,” and “wolf diet” terms, what actually matters for your dog or cat? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jennifer Larsen—board-certified veterinary nutritionist (U.C. Davis)—to cut through the hype. From kibble vs. fresh and “grain-free” claims to raw and all-meat feeding, Dr. Larsen explains what’s marketing, what’s regulation, and what’s truly nutritional. We also dig into transitioning diets safely, why fiber is a quiet MVP, how to store kibble the right way, and the ethics and realities of pet weight loss. Plus: the “health halo” effect, AAFCO feeding trials (what they are and aren’t), and why respecting animals as dogs and cats—not “fur babies”—actually helps us care for them better.Veterinary Partner - VINhttps://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102896&id=8207104-----All footage is owned by SLA Video Productions.