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Senior Pet Talk

Senior Pet Talk

Dr. Amanda Steffen 1 Episodes Aug 20, 2026

Senior Pet Talk is a podcast that helps pet owners become informed advocates for their senior pets. Hosted by integrative veterinarian Dr. Amanda Steffen, it covers topics like recognizing changes in aging pets, understanding integrative medicine, and navigating end-of-life care. The show blends Western and Eastern approaches, including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and nutrition. Each episode provides practical advice for vet visits and care decisions.

Episodes

15. Age Is Not a Disease: Rethinking Senior Pet Care with Dr. Hunter (Part 2)
15. Age Is Not a Disease: Rethinking Senior Pet Care with Dr. Hunter (Part 2) Aug 20, 2026 00:54:21 Age is not a disease. We're back with Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Steffen and Dr. Hunter, where they continue digging into senior pets, sharing takes on tools, quality of life, integrative medicine, and common misconceptions.They discuss:The practical challenges that come with aging dogs and catsThe need for more at-home support, especially for larger petsHow senior status is often met wit
14. Senior Pet Care in General Practice with Dr. Hunter (Part 1)
14. Senior Pet Care in General Practice with Dr. Hunter (Part 1) Aug 18, 2026 00:46:33 What vets wish pet parents knew about senior pet care. In this first part of a 2-part series, Dr. Steffen is joined by one of her best friends and general practice vet, Dr. Terrence Hunter, who now owns his own practice, WAG Vet. They share experiences from veterinary medicine, explore senior pet care, and why thorough exams and client communication matter so much.They chat about:Personal memories
13. Is My Senior Dog Having an Emergency? What to Watch For
13. Is My Senior Dog Having an Emergency? What to Watch For Aug 13, 2026 00:38:24 How do I know if my dog is having a medical emergency? Last week was all about common cat emergencies, and today we're focusing on dogs. Dr. Amanda walks through 5 common emergencies she sees and the signs to watch for, so you can feel more prepared as a pet parent.Including:Sudden collapse (fainting, internal bleeding, hemangiosarcoma): what it can mean and what to check firstBloat (GDV) and the
12. 5 Common Senior Cat Emergencies Every Owner Should Know
12. 5 Common Senior Cat Emergencies Every Owner Should Know Aug 11, 2026 00:39:24 How do I know if my cat is having a medical emergency? In today's episode, Dr. Amanda Steffen walks through 5 common senior cat emergencies. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether you needed to rush to the emergency hospital or get to your family vet urgently because something felt off with your cat, this one's for you.She covers:Respiratory distress, including heavy breathing, belly brea
11. Are You Exhausted as a Senior Pet Parent?
11. Are You Exhausted as a Senior Pet Parent? Aug 6, 2026 00:42:44 Caregiver burden and exhaustion are real, even for pet parents. Today, let's talk about the impact caregiving has on you, not just your pet.Dr. Amanda covers:The impact senior pet caregiving has on us as pet parentsThe caregiver burden in practical terms: missing social events, work interruptions, and the constant worry about leaving your pet aloneAnticipatory grief, guilt, and hindsight bias, inc
10. Why Your Senior Pet Might Need More Protein, Not Less
10. Why Your Senior Pet Might Need More Protein, Not Less Aug 4, 2026 00:28:37 How much protein should my senior pet get? In this episode, Dr. Amanda discusses a common misconception: that protein should automatically be reduced as pets age. In reality, a lot of the time we actually need to be giving our seniors more protein, not less.She covers:Why protein restriction isn't supported by current research for most healthy senior pets, and how it can contribute to muscle loss,
9. How to Choose a Good Supplement for Your Pet
9. How to Choose a Good Supplement for Your Pet Jul 30, 2026 00:23:13 How do you choose a good supplement for your pet? Today, Dr. Amanda talks about why pet supplements can be so confusing for senior dog and cat parents, especially since many products make big claims without much behind them.She covers:Why terms like "natural," "organic," and "holistic" aren't regulated in veterinary supplements, so they shouldn't be taken as proof of quality or effectiveness3 thin
8. What to Ask at Your Senior Cat's Vet Visit
8. What to Ask at Your Senior Cat's Vet Visit Jul 28, 2026 00:35:45 What should a senior cat vet visit include? Today, Dr. Amanda is back with another vet visit episode, but this time all about cats and what to ask for during your appointments.She discusses:Why senior pet care is an investment, and why routine monitoring often means blood work, urine testing, and other diagnostics every 6-12 monthsCommon early clues: weight loss, reduced activity, litter box chang
7. How to Prepare for Your Senior Dog's Vet Visit
7. How to Prepare for Your Senior Dog's Vet Visit Jul 23, 2026 00:40:08 What to bring with you and your dog to the vet. In this episode, Dr. Amanda talks all about what to expect at a senior dog veterinary visit and how to prepare for one.She discusses:Prepping for the visit, including bringing a complete history, diet, supplements, written questions, and any videos or notes on changes you've seen at homeTwo things to always ask about: body condition score and muscle
6. Weight Loss in Senior Cats Is Never Normal
6. Weight Loss in Senior Cats Is Never Normal Jul 21, 2026 00:23:07 My cat's losing weight. Should I be worried? That's exactly what Dr. Amanda focuses on in this episode - senior cat weight loss and why any unexplained changes should be taken seriously.She covers:Why weight loss isn't normal unless it's intentional, and why weighing your cat monthly helpsThe main causes of weight loss in senior catsHyperthyroidism, which can cause a ravenous appetite along with w
5. What Integrative Veterinary Medicine Actually Means (And What It Doesn't)
5. What Integrative Veterinary Medicine Actually Means (And What It Doesn't) Jul 16, 2026 00:38:26 What does integrative veterinary medicine actually mean? That's what Dr. Amanda digs into today, including the buzzwords you'll hear that don't really mean much in the world of medicine, and how to make sure whoever you're seeing is practicing evidence-based care.She covers:The difference between integrative care, alternative care, and labels like "holistic" or "natural"A real case example: Fonzie
4. How Do I Know If My Pet Has Dementia?
4. How Do I Know If My Pet Has Dementia? Jul 14, 2026 00:24:55 How do I know if my dog or cat has dementia? Today, Dr. Amanda is talking all about how to recognize the early signs of cognitive decline in senior dogs and cats.She gets into:How pets can develop this condition as they age, and why catching changes early helps support their quality of lifeWhy there's no single test that confirms dementia and the importance of ruling out other causes firstDISHAALV

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