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
28. Fix your Senior Cat's Litter Box
Your senior cat has used the litter box perfectly their entire life, and now they’re going by the couch, in your bed, or in the closet, and you have no idea why? The good news is that sometimes the fix is really cheap and really easy. Today, Dr. Amanda talks about your senior cat’s litter box and everything that goes with it.She discusses:Why senior cats may start urinating or defecating outside t
27. Herbs, Acupuncture, and the Gut-Brain Relationship in Pet Dementia
Is there anything you can do to help your pet with dementia? More than you might think! In this episode, Dr. Amanda shares stories, research, and treatment options that may help support brain health and improve some dementia-related symptoms in dogs and cats, including approaches you may not have heard of before.She discusses:The gut-brain connection and how the gut microbiome may relate to cognit
26. Set Up Your Pet's Home for Success with Dementia
Did you know there’s a way to set up your home that can support your aging pet’s brain? Today, Dr. Amanda talks about how the right home setup can help improve quality of life for senior dogs and cats dealing with dementia, or cognitive decline.She discusses:Ways to adapt the home and daily routine to support senior dogs and cats with cognitive declineHow nightlights and a smaller, safer sleeping
25. The Truth About Medications for Dementia
What should you know as a pet parent when it comes to medications for dementia? Today, Dr. Amanda gets into medications and other supportive options that may help with the signs of the disease.She discusses:Common symptoms of dementiaThe one U.S.-approved medication for canine cognitive dysfunction, selegiline, including how it’s used, how long it can take to see an effect, and the kinds of signs
24. The Grief All Pet Parents Face with Special Guest Dr. Jenn of Sage Paws
Have you felt sad about losing your pet while they're still here? That's what Dr. Amanda and her special guest, Dr. Jen, a veterinarian and expert in end-of-life pet care, dig into today. They cover anticipatory grief, how pet parents can recognize it in themselves, and ways to stay present and support their pets through this difficult time.Their discussion focuses on:What anticipatory grief is, a
23. Diet for Brain Health in Senior Pets
Did you know that 28% of dogs and cats over the age of 11 have dementia? That's what Dr. Amanda is talking about today, focusing on nutrition and supplementation as practical ways to support brain health.She covers:Prescription diets for dogs, including Hill's Brain Diet and Purina Pro Plan NeuroCareWhich ingredients matter mostResearch showing improvements in learning, memory, and dementia-relate
22. 7 Reasons I'm Wary of "Longevity Medicine" and What to Ask Instead
If someone said they could scan your 11-year-old pet, hand you a "biological age," and slow down their aging, would you buy it? In this episode, Dr. Amanda talks about longevity medicine in senior pets, walking through 7 reasons to be careful with anyone using the term "longevity medicine," and 6 questions you can ask instead to get to what will actually help your pet.She discusses:Why we should b
21. Love Your Senior Pet the Way They Need
How do I love my senior pet the way they need? Today, Dr. Amanda talks about how caring for senior dogs and cats means adapting the way we show affection as their bodies, brains, and preferences change.She gets into:The grief and guilt that can come up when pets can no longer do the activities they once loved, and how to keep the bond in new waysRespecting their boundaries and staying connected th
20. The Real Uncensored Answers About Librela
Is Librela safe for my pet? In this episode, Dr. Amanda talks about Librela for senior dogs, including what the drug is, how it works, and why it's such a debated topic.She discusses:What Librela isOsteoarthritis and why it's so common in senior pets, and why pain management decisions can be difficultHow we approach Librela treatment in practice, usually starting with other options first and using
19. Move It or Lose It - Safe Exercises for Senior Pets
What are some safe exercises for my senior pet? In this episode, Dr. Amanda talks about how to help senior dogs and cats stay active and keep moving safely as they age.She explains:Why movement still mattersThe importance of maintaining a healthy body condition and monitoring muscle condition over timeHow in-person rehabilitation evaluations can help, especially for pets with mobility issuesSimple
18. Is This Lump a Problem?
Is this lump a problem? Today, Dr. Steffen covers how to evaluate skin masses, lumps, and bumps on senior pets, and why you shouldn't assume a mass is harmless based on appearance alone.She explains:Why terms like "tumor" or "mass" don't automatically mean cancer, but a meaningful number of skin masses can be cancerous and should be checkedWhat pet parents can monitor at home, including how keepin
17. The 10-Minute Monthly Checkup That Could Add Years to Your Pet's Life
What should I check on my aging pet every month? In this episode, Dr. Steffen shares a once-a-month, 10-minute senior pet checkup she calls her Aging Gracefully checklist, something you can do at home to catch changes earlier in dogs and cats.She covers:Why small changes can be easy to miss unless you track them over timeWeight and body conditionEating, drinking, and gastrointestinal signs, and wh
16. How to Make Your Home Senior Pet Friendly
Is your home set up for your senior pet? Today, Dr. Steffen focuses on how a senior pet's home environment affects daily comfort and mobility. Senior pets spend most of their time at home, so layout and surfaces around the house can really improve their quality of life.She talks about:Ways to make floors safer, especially hardwood and laminate surfacesRamps, stairs, and stair treads for access to
15. Age Is Not a Disease: Rethinking Senior Pet Care with Dr. Hunter (Part 2)
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)
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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?
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
3. Is My Pet in Pain? Managing Arthritis in Senior Dogs and Cats
Is my pet in pain? It's one of the hardest questions to answer because pets are so good at hiding it. In this episode, Dr. Steffen dives into pain management in senior dogs and cats, with a focus on arthritis and how it quietly shows up through changes in movement, behavior, grooming, and daily routines.She gets into:How common arthritis really is in senior petsRecognizing the signs of pain in dog
2. What's Normal vs. Abnormal: Subtle Signs of Aging in Senior Pets
Trust your intuition when something feels off with your pet; it's often the first clue that matters most. In this episode, Dr. Amanda Steffen focuses on 10 different body systems and what's normal versus abnormal in senior dogs and cats, and why the subtle signs of aging are so easy to miss — they tend to develop slowly, over weeks or months, rather than all at once.She discusses:Why pet parents p
1. Is My Pet a Senior? Meet Your Vet & What Defines a Senior Pet
When does a pet become a senior? Welcome to the very first episode of Senior Pet Talk! In this episode, veterinarian Dr. Amanda Steffen breaks down one of the questions pet owners ask most: when does my dog or cat actually become a "senior" — and why does it matter so much?This episode gets into:Getting to know Dr. Amanda Steffen and her approach to senior pet careHow to recognize the signs of agi
Welcome to Senior Pet Talk!
Welcome to Senior Pet Talk! Your whole-medicine approach guide to becoming the most prepared and informed advocate for your senior pet. Bring what you learn here into every vet visit, every care decision, and every stage of the journey ahead.Today, Dr. Amanda Steffen, integrative veterinarian and founder of Floyd's Tale Mobile Veterinary Services, shares why the show exists and opens up about her
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