Off Leash with Dr. Pete

Off Leash Podcast

Details

Presented by Voyager Dog Food Co. Dr. Pete Vanvranken gives us a deep dive into dog related health topics. From how to help your dog if they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t have to new and exciting treatments for your best friends, we cover many different dog related topics on the Off Leash Podcast. As a vet of 49 years, Dr. Pete has what he calls “the privilege and duty” to help animals lead their best lives. Ask him his favorite part of the job and he’ll tell you it’s two-fold - partnering with his clients to solve their pets’ health challenges and striving to provide those same pets with long, healthy lives. And that’s our goal with the Off Leash Podcast: to educate dog owners and to advocate for your pet. Listen along with us and leave us a review!

Recent Episodes

NOV 11, 2026
Can We Slow Down Pet Aging?
On this episode of Off Leash, Molly sits down with Angie Huntley of LifeVantage to explore a different approach to pet wellness: supporting the body at the cellular level. Angie shares her background with the company and explains the concept of oxidative stress, nutrigenomics, and the Nrf2 pathway—and why she believes these areas can play a role in how animals age and recover. The conversation focuses on LifeVantage’s nutritional formulations for pets and how they’re designed to work with natural cellular pathways rather than simply adding individual antioxidant supplements. Angie discusses the ingredients used in the formulations, the importance of sourcing, and how the pet version differs from the human product. She also shares personal experiences with her own dogs involving aging, mobility, skin issues, temperament, and overall quality of life. Molly and Angie also talk about the value of preventative pet care, especially as active dogs get older and begin dealing with issues like arthritis and reduced mobility. Angie explains why she views these products as one part of a broader wellness approach and discusses the research she points people toward when they want to learn more about the science behind the company. Whether you’re interested in healthy aging, pet supplements, preventative care, or simply curious about emerging ideas in pet wellness, this conversation offers a look at a less traditional approach to supporting dogs throughout their lives. https://angelalhuntley.lifevantage.com/us-en/ Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!
29 MIN
NOV 4, 2026
Dog Pregnancy, Labor & Puppies
On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete use Labor Day as an excuse to talk about a different kind of labor: what actually goes into breeding a dog, preparing for birth, and caring for a new litter of puppies. Dr. Pete starts with what should happen long before puppies arrive—making sure both parents are healthy and avoiding breeding dogs with hereditary problems that could be passed on. They also discuss pregnancy nutrition, why adding too much calcium too early can cause problems, and when it may make sense to transition a pregnant dog onto puppy food. Once labor begins, Dr. Pete explains why giving the mother a quiet, low-stress environment matters, what owners should watch for during delivery, and why newborn puppies should be monitored closely for nursing and weight gain. They also cover warning signs such as constant crying, cleft palates, and complications that can arise when a mother is producing milk for a larger litter. The conversation also gets into C-sections in breeds like French Bulldogs and Bulldogs, puppy health checks, vaccinations, AKC paperwork, and why responsible breeding involves far more than simply pairing two dogs and hoping for a healthy litter. Whether you’re considering breeding your dog, expecting a litter, or thinking about buying a puppy from a breeder, this episode gives you a better idea of the planning, veterinary care, and responsibility involved. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!
21 MIN
OCT 7, 2026
Are You a Responsible Pet Owner?
On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly brings in her friend Ben for a very honest conversation about something every dog owner can relate to: are we actually doing everything we should be doing for our pets? What starts with questions about fatty tumors and supplements quickly turns into a crash course on responsible dog ownership. Dr. Pete explains why lumps and bumps should be checked rather than assumed to be harmless, whether supplements like turkey tail mushrooms really have evidence behind them, and how to tell if your dog is eating the right amount of food. They also talk about dogs that inhale their meals, slow feeders, exercise, seasonal calorie needs, and why simply being able to feel your dog’s ribs can tell you a lot about body condition. The conversation gets especially practical when Ben admits his dogs don’t get regular veterinary checkups. Dr. Pete breaks down why preventive care matters, including vaccines, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, Lyme disease testing, and catching problems before your dog ever appears sick. They also get into table scraps, food allergies, raw fish and venison, water intake, diabetes, and why annual veterinary visits become even more important as dogs age. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or you’ve had dogs your whole life, this episode is a funny and useful reminder that good pet care isn’t just about reacting when something goes wrong, it’s about preventing problems before they start. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!
34 MIN
SEP 30, 2026
Q&A: Itchy Dogs, Vaccines & Gut Health
On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly brings another round of listener questions to Dr. Pete, covering everything from dog treats and vaccines to skin problems, digestive issues, liver enzymes, and senior dog health. It’s a wide-ranging Q&A filled with practical advice for pet owners dealing with some of the most common and confusing health concerns. Dr. Pete starts by discussing treats for dogs with copper storage disease, including why owners need to look closely at ingredient labels and how even treats can contribute additional copper. He also answers a question about old dog vestibular syndrome, explaining why senior dogs can suddenly become dizzy, unsteady, or nauseous and why many improve significantly with time and supportive care. The conversation also covers elevated liver enzymes in Scottish Terriers, whether senior dogs still need vaccinations, and what antibody titers can and can’t tell pet owners about immunity. From there, Dr. Pete dives into dysbiosis and fecal transplants, severe dermatitis and possible scabies, environmental allergies, and why the location and timing of a dog’s itching can offer important clues about what’s causing the problem. They wrap up with a question about bilious vomiting syndrome and why some dogs vomit yellow bile early in the morning, along with practical ideas for managing medications and diet. Whether you’re caring for a senior dog, dealing with allergies, or simply trying to better understand your pet’s symptoms, this episode offers useful veterinary insight you can take into your next conversation with your veterinarian. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!
52 MIN