In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni is joined by her niece Natalie for an honest conversation about pet sitting, boarding facilities, and the reality of traveling when you have animals you truly love.

Natalie shares what life looks like with four rescue pets—two dogs and two cats—and why her family structures vacations around them instead of boarding. The discussion dives into the stress many rescue dogs experience in kennel environments, the financial and logistical challenges of boarding, and why pet sitting can often be a calmer alternative.

Toni draws from her experience as a former professional pet sitter and boarding facility co-owner, explaining the pros and cons of each option, including vaccine requirements, temperament risks, burnout in the industry, and what to look for when hiring someone to care for your pets.

From neighbor kids to Rover to long-term trusted sitters, this episode highlights one clear truth: when you choose to have pets, your lifestyle shifts. Travel, planning, vehicles, even daily routines—everything revolves around their well-being. And for many pet parents, that's exactly how it should be.

In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni talks with Emily Taylor of Raw Dynamic Pet Food about the importance of moisture and species-appropriate nutrition for cats. The conversation focuses on why dry, heavily processed diets often fall short and how moisture-rich food better supports feline digestion, hydration, and overall health.

Emily explains Raw Dynamic's updated cat food formulas, including scoopable frozen and freeze-dried cubes and the addition of single-source bone broth matched to each protein. They also discuss the role of species-specific probiotics designed to survive cats' highly acidic digestive systems.

The episode wraps with practical feeding tips—like avoiding whisker fatigue, rotating proteins, and prioritizing moisture from food—not just water bowls—to help cats thrive long term.

In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske is joined by Cydian Kauffman of Pure Natural Water Northwest for a clear, approachable conversation about water quality and filtration. Together, they break down what actually comes out of the tap and why water quality can vary so widely from place to place.

Cydian explains how municipal water systems work, what common contaminants may remain after treatment, and the importance of testing your water before choosing a filtration system. The discussion compares different filtration options—including whole-house systems, under-sink filters, and reverse osmosis—while addressing common misconceptions around "clean" water.

The episode wraps with a practical look at how understanding your water source empowers better decisions for your home and health, encouraging listeners to ask questions, read water reports, and take control of the water they use every day.

In this episode, Toni is joined by former producer and longtime friend, Cydnee Traversari, to share the real-life story of her dog Rufus and his journey from being significantly overweight to thriving at 16 years old. The conversation offers an honest, relatable look at how easily weight gain can happen—and how powerful small, informed changes can be.

Toni and Cydnee discuss early feeding mistakes, including relying on kibble guidelines, overestimating portions based on current weight, and unintentionally over-treating. Cydnee shares how switching to higher-quality, more nutrient-dense food, cutting portions, and eventually incorporating raw feeding helped Rufus lose over 10 pounds and dramatically improve his mobility, energy, and overall health.

The episode also touches on behavior changes linked to diet, the role of joint supplements, managing senior dogs, and why questioning marketing and feeding charts matters. With humor, honesty, and zero judgment, this conversation reinforces a key message: better food, proper portions, and education can add years—and quality—to a dog's life.

In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni is joined by Emily Claire and Michelle McGraw of Say It Once Dog Training for an honest conversation about what it really takes to support dogs—and the people caring for them. Together, they explore how training, nutrition, fostering, and real-world exposure work together to build confident, well-adjusted dogs.

The discussion breaks down the idea of structured socialization, emphasizing that it's more than just dogs interacting with each other. Michelle shares insight from her training work, highlighting how everyday environments, consistency, and clear communication play a major role in long-term behavioral success.

Toni and Emily reflect on their experiences fostering rescue dogs, including the challenges of managing multiple dogs with different needs and energy levels. The episode reinforces a judgment-free approach rooted in education, patience, and small, intentional efforts that create lasting change for both dogs and their humans.

In this solo episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske dives into the growing issue of pet obesity and why weight management is critical to long-term health and quality of life. With more than half of dogs and cats now considered overweight, Toni explains how overfeeding, excessive treats, and starch-heavy diets—especially kibble—contribute to the problem.

She challenges common feeding assumptions, discusses portion control and fresh food additions, and shares personal insight from her dog Bo's weight-loss journey. The conversation also touches on fasting, treat habits, and the role humans play in pet weight gain. Maybe it's time to rethink daily feeding choices and join an ongoing focus on sustainable, realistic approaches to helping pets live longer, healthier lives.

In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske welcomes back Rebecca Rose of inClover Pet Supplements for an in-depth conversation focused on skin and coat health, supplementation, and what truly supports pets from the inside out. Using Toni's own rescue dog Grayson as a real-world example, the discussion explores how nutrition and targeted supplements can dramatically improve skin recovery and coat quality after early health challenges.

Rebecca breaks down the science behind inClover's Skin & Coat supplement, highlighting the role of clinically tested levels of biotin, zinc, and omega-3s, and explains why sourcing—particularly algae-based DHA—matters for both effectiveness and environmental sustainability. The conversation emphasizes repairing skin at the cellular level rather than relying solely on topical solutions.

They also dive into label transparency, inactive ingredients, and the importance of NASC certification, offering listeners a clearer understanding of how to evaluate supplements responsibly. From dogs and cats to horses and even zoo animals, the episode reinforces a core message: thoughtful nutrition and daily supplementation help pets stay resilient in the face of stress, aging, and environmental challenges.

In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske is joined by Michelle McGraw of Say It Once Dog Training and Emily Claire for a thoughtful conversation about the powerful connection between nutrition, behavior, and emotional regulation in pets. Together, they explore how daily choices around food, enrichment, and routine can significantly influence a pet's overall well-being.

The discussion breaks down how highly processed diets—particularly kibble-heavy feeding—can contribute to blood sugar swings, behavioral challenges, and constant hunger. Toni, Michelle, and Emily share approachable, budget-conscious ways pet parents can improve their pet's diet, including incorporating fresh foods like eggs, fruits, vegetables, and other safe additions to the bowl.

The episode also touches on training, anxiety, medication, and the importance of addressing foundational needs before turning to quick fixes. Emphasizing education, advocacy, and realistic expectations, the conversation highlights how meeting pets where they are—and making small, intentional changes—can lead to meaningful improvements in both behavior and quality of life.