This week we're joined by Ancient DNA Specialist, Professor Greger Larson of Oxford University who has revealed that cats have only been domesticated for 4,000 years. Until very recently we have assumes this figure was 10,000 years.

Prof Greger discusses how his work helps map our relationships with both cats and dogs in line with our own human evolution.

Explaining that although cats were thought to have been domesticated around 10,000 years ago , in fact the latest science suggests that cats began their close relationship with humans relatively recently especially when compared to dogs.

He explains the cats’ evolution and why the ancient Egyptians thought of them as deities, and why their recent domestication means they are literally more wild than dogs.

Cats were happy to stay at a comfortable distance from humans for thousands of years.

Unlike dogs, we chat briefly on a very new discovery that potentially is the oldest known dog to ever!

Some argue it’s a vital missing link, but will this change our knowledge of dogs per se?

However Prof Greger could have an announcement brewing that might just change this.

Get 20% off your first purchase by using the promo code AnnaWebb20 when you check out at Naturaw.co.uk

This episode is powered by Antinol. We're super proud to be working with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

This week we’re discussing why not all raw food is created equal. We're joined by Naturaw’s co-founders, Jess Warneken and Chris Broadbent, chatting about how setting up Naturaw was inspired by Jess’s first Rhodesian Ridgeback. We chat about how the company is spearheading the Rawvolution. Its success in offering nutrient dense, balanced and complete recipes is down to a real passion for helping pet parents feed as nature intended with confidence and a conscience. To date Naturaw has planted over 23,000 trees to off set its business footprint. The HQ uses solar power and the packaging is 100% plastic free. More than that, supporting British farmers, the range caters for everyone! The Original range is a wide selection of either single or complementary proteins, there’s the multi-award winning Forage range and the new Real Simple range which hits a competitive price point. We chat about when Jess met the King in receiving the prestigious King Award for Sustainable Development. Chris Broadbent highlights the staggering market statistics, that in an age where feeding fresh is a big growth sector, especially feeding raw, it couldn’t be more important to consider that not all raw is created equal.

Get 20% off your first purchase by using the promo code AnnaWebb20 when you check out at Naturaw.co.uk

This episode is powered by Antinol. We're super proud to be working with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

This week we're joined by retired Orthopedic Surgeon, Gordon Maclellan. As the founder of the Pupscan Project, he’s talking about hip dysplasia in dogs and whether dysplasia is congenital or caused by environmental factors.

The research, studying over 70 breeds, hundreds of litters, suggests in line with ground breaking studies in Sweden, the evidence reveals that there is no genetic influence on dysplasia in dogs. Interestingly this has already been confirmed in people!

Plus we chat about ‘flat faced’ breeds and their breathing issues, which Gordon discusses is arguably not a result of a short muzzle, but rather more related to the width of nostrils and the efficacy of airway passages. Also being related to whether the dogs are porky or slim, with obesity having a huge body burden affect on many health issues, not least respiration.

Also talking about common environmental stressors, including slippy floors, household cleaners, and over exercise in puppyhood to under exercise in adults dogs.

For more information go to the pupscanproject.co.uk

Welcome to our new collaborators Naturaw, who produce excellent raw food. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the promo code AnnaWebb20 when you check out at Naturaw.co.uk

Naturaw.co.uk/discount/AnnaWebb20

This episode is powered by Antinol. We're super proud to be working with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits