Off Leash with Dr. Pete

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete take a closer look at a new concern surrounding raw pet food: avian influenza, or H5N1. As bird flu continues to affect poultry, dairy cattle, cats, and other mammals, they discuss why uncooked animal ingredients are getting more attention from veterinarians, pet food companies, and the FDA. Dr. Pete explains why cats appear to be more vulnerable to bird flu than dogs, how exposure can happen around farms and infected animals, and why cooking or pasteurization dramatically changes the risk. They also discuss the FDA’s response to H5N1 and why manufacturers using raw or unpasteurized poultry and cattle ingredients are being pushed to take a closer look at their food safety practices. The conversation expands into the broader risks and benefits of raw feeding, including bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria, ingredient sourcing, testing, and why transparency matters when choosing a pet food company. Rather than simply labeling raw diets as good or bad, Molly and Dr. Pete explain why pet owners should understand the added food-safety risks and ask better questions about how their dog or cat’s food is produced. Whether you currently feed raw, have considered making the switch, or simply want to understand how changing infectious diseases can affect pet nutrition, this episode offers practical information to help you make a more informed decision for your pet. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete talk about something many pet owners don’t think about until moving day: how changing homes can affect your dog or cat. A new house means unfamiliar smells, a different yard, new neighbors, and an entirely new environment for your pet to figure out. Dr. Pete explains why pets that were perfectly house-trained in one home may suddenly have accidents in another, especially if previous animals left behind scents in carpeting or flooring. They also discuss checking fences, electrical cords, unfamiliar hazards, and why limiting a dog’s access to the entire house at first can make the transition easier and safer. The conversation also covers some less obvious concerns, including moving a blind dog into an unfamiliar floor plan, new exposure to ticks and parasites when moving from the city to the country, and why your new neighborhood can completely change your pet’s daily risks. Molly and Dr. Pete even discuss what to look for when choosing a home with dogs in mind from flooring and fenced yards to pet-friendly neighbors. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving across town, or relocating with several pets, this episode offers practical advice to help make the transition safer and less stressful for everyone involved. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete dive into a growing concern in veterinary medicine: drug-resistant hookworms. Hookworms themselves aren't new, but some strains are becoming harder to treat with the dewormers veterinarians have relied on for decades. Dr. Pete explains where this resistance is showing up, why certain dogs may be more at risk, and what veterinarians are doing when the usual treatments stop working. From there, the conversation turns into a crash course on the different parasites dogs can pick up. Dr. Pete breaks down hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and even some lesser-known stomach worms. Dr. Pete explains how dogs get them, what symptoms owners might notice, and why some parasites can be surprisingly difficult to diagnose. They also discuss how puppies can acquire worms from their mothers, why black or tarry stools can be a warning sign of hookworms, and how modern heartworm and parasite preventives have dramatically reduced the number of intestinal parasites veterinarians see today. Dr. Pete even explains why some routine fecal tests can miss certain worms and when additional testing may be necessary. Whether you have a new puppy, recently adopted a dog, or simply want to better understand parasite prevention, this episode offers practical information to help keep your dog healthy and explains why staying ahead of worms is much easier than dealing with them after they become a problem. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly puts another round of listener questions in front of Dr. Pete, covering everything from copper storage disease and puppy nutrition to grass eating, fish oil supplements, flea prevention, and common misconceptions about pet health. Dr. Pete begins by answering several questions about copper accumulation in dogs, including whether a low-copper diet can help reduce copper stored in the liver, which treats to avoid, and why regular monitoring of liver enzymes is so important. The conversation then shifts to everyday questions many pet owners have, including why dogs suddenly start eating grass in the spring and when puppies can safely transition to adult dog food. Dr. Pete also shares his thoughts on modern flea and tick prevention, why some older products no longer work as well as they once did, and how to make informed decisions when choosing preventive care for your dog. Whether you're caring for a growing puppy, managing allergies, or simply looking for trusted answers to common dog health questions, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you make informed decisions for your pet. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete tackle one of the most debated topics in veterinary medicine: Are we overvaccinating our dogs? With so much conflicting information online, it can be difficult for pet owners to know which vaccines are essential, which are based on lifestyle, and how often their pets really need them. Dr. Pete breaks down the science behind modern vaccination protocols and explains why there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The conversation explores the difference between core vaccines, like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis, and non-core vaccines that depend on where your dog lives and how they spend their time. Whether your dog goes hunting, attends daycare, visits the groomer, travels frequently, or mostly stays at home, Dr. Pete explains how veterinarians evaluate disease risk and build vaccination plans around a dog's individual lifestyle rather than simply giving every vaccine every year. Whether you're welcoming a new puppy, wondering if your adult dog needs every vaccine, or simply trying to make informed decisions about your pet's preventive care, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you work with your veterinarian to create the right vaccination plan for your dog. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!