In this episode of Rooted Tales by Rooted Owl, host Jeffrey Mendelson sits down with Pennye Jones Napier—holistic pet health coach and co-founder of The Big Bad Wolf, a trusted raw and lightly cooked pet food supplier in Washington, D.C. Together, they explore how nutrition is directly tied to pet health, longevity, and even behavior—and why so many pet owners are rethinking kibble.

Penny shares the powerful origin story behind launching The Big Bad Wolf and how her own pets’ health challenges inspired a mission to educate pet parents. She explains why recalls are far more common in processed dry food, and how raw diets, when done right, can provide the biological and nutritional foundation pets need to thrive.

From the truth about taurine and grain-free formulas to how multinational corporations are changing the pet food industry behind the scenes, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone serious about helping their pets live longer, healthier lives.

Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:

Why Raw and Lightly Cooked Diets Matter: Penny breaks down the biological and nutritional reasons why raw and gently cooked food can support digestion, immunity, and joint health—especially in aging or sensitive pets.

The Kibble Recall Crisis: Learn why kibble recalls are so frequent and how manufacturing shortcuts, heat processing, and poor sourcing impact the quality and safety of pet food.

Behind the Label: Penny discusses how once-premium brands are being acquired by major corporations—and what that means for ingredient quality, sourcing, and transparency.

What’s Really Causing DCM (It’s Not Just Grain-Free): Get clarity on the taurine debate, the truth about legumes in pet food, and how to choose a heart-smart diet that supports long-term wellness.

Personalized Feeding for Every Dog: Understand why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding—and how pet owners can observe, adjust, and improve their pet’s diet with simple changes.

When the Diet IS the Medicine: Hear how switching to raw diets has helped pets with allergies, skin conditions, chronic ear infections, and even behavioral issues.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Not all pet foods are created equal—watch who owns the brand

✅ Raw and lightly cooked diets can offer major health benefits

✅ Recalls are common with kibble—education is key

✅ Reading ingredient labels isn’t enough—learn the sourcing story

✅ Tailored nutrition can help pets live longer, healthier lives

Listen Now:

If you want to go beyond training and truly understand your dog—emotionally, physically, and energetically—this episode is essential. Elizabeth Ann Johnson’s approach offers a revolutionary way to build healthier, longer-lasting connections with your furry companions.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Connect with Pennye Jones Napier:

🔗 The Big Bad Wolf: bbwoofinc.com, thebigbadwoof.com (Company) triratna.com (Company)

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pennyejn

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