Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats

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 cognitive health Studies exploring the connection between gut bacteria and dementia Early research on fecal microbiome transplants in dogs How traditional Chinese veterinary medicine looks at brain health as part of the whole body Food therapy and why dental health, digestive issues, and pain should be considered when pets show dementia-like signs Why some gut-based treatments can be more challenging in cats, along with other approaches being explored Herbal formulations used to support cognitive function and calmness Cody’s experience with acupuncture If your dog or cat has dementia and you’ve been told there’s nothing you can do except wait for it to progress, this episode is for you. There may be more ways to support your pet’s comfort and cognitive health than you realize. Tune in to learn about options you can discuss with your veterinarian. LINKS Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen. Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult TRANSCRIPT TIME STAMPS 00:00 - What pet dementia really looks like 02:09 - How the gut affects brain health 07:50 - Studies on microbiome transfer 08:28 - Why brain health starts with the whole body 12:34 - Exploring fecal transplants and ozone therapy 14:45 - Herbal support for pet dementia 21:42 - Acupuncture and Cody’s story Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

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 decline How nightlights and a smaller, safer sleeping area can help Enrichment activities that provide mental stimulation, including puzzle feeders, treat searches, scent games, toy rotation, and more Options for pets with limited mobility, such as stroller walks and physical therapy Balancing enrichment with routine and predictability Why it helps to keep furniture, food and water bowls, and litter boxes in familiar places Practical home modifications to improve safety and comfort Why routine blood pressure checks matter for senior cats Listen in to learn how to set up your home to support your pet and their brain health. LINKS How do I know if my pet has dementia? Listen in here! Or missed the episode on pheromones? Catch it here! Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen. Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult TRANSCRIPT TIME STAMPS 00:00 - Introduction to home setup for aging pets 01:48 - Floyd's story and lessons learned 04:03 - Practical modifications: nightlights and space reduction 06:12 - Signs of dementia in pets 08:08 - Behavioral enrichment and senior dog classes 09:47 - Enrichment activities: puzzle toys, scent games, and more 12:09 - Home safety: lighting, gates, and environment consistency 14:09 - Activities for cats: puzzle feeders, bird watching, and more 16:05 - Physical therapy and routine for cognitive health 17:58 - The importance of routine and predictability 21:52 - Blood pressure in senior cats Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

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 dementia The 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 it may help most Possible side effects, and the need to consider interactions with other medications that may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome Other symptomatic treatments, including trazodone and gabapentin Supplements and supportive options like melatonin and pheromone products for dogs and cats Listen in to hear the medication options, what Dr. Amanda has seen, and what she recommends as an integrative veterinarian. LINKS Missed the core exercises episode? Catch it here! Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen. Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult TRANSCRIPT TIME STAMPS 00:00 - Early signs of dementia in senior pets 05:21 - Selegiline for cognitive dysfunction 09:45 - Serotonin syndrome risks to know about 12:14 - Sleep aids for nighttime restlessness: trazodone and gabapentin 19:10 - Supportive supplements: melatonin and pheromones 24:44 - Integrative options for dementia care 26:42 - Final thoughts on medication and dementia Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

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, and how it differs from post-loss grief Signs pet parents can recognize in themselves that they're grieving Tools and techniques to stay present with your pet The importance of creating a plan for end-of-life care and aftercare Cultural and personal beliefs about death, and how they shape pet care decisions Supporting family members and partners through pet loss The role of community and support networks in grief management This episode is for anyone caring for a senior pet or facing end-of-life decisions. LINKS Connect with Dr. Jenn on Instagram or on her website https://www.sagepaws.com/! Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen. Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult TRANSCRIPT TIME STAMPS 00:00 - Introduction to anticipatory grief in pets 01:04 - What anticipatory grief is and how it differs from post-loss grief 03:35 - The emotions and uncertainty that come with anticipatory grief 07:13 - Signs you might be grieving before the loss 10:10 - Tools to stay present with your pet 15:12 - The role of rituals and memories 20:35 - Supporting yourself and your pet during end-of-life 27:14 - Planning for end-of-life and aftercare 33:59 - Personal beliefs and cultural perspectives on death 43:44 - Creating a meaningful goodbye Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.

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 NeuroCare Which ingredients matter most Research showing improvements in learning, memory, and dementia-related signs, while noting results aren't identical for every pet For cats, the more limited brain-diet options available Why cats have different nutritional needs, and why home-cooked diets for cats require careful formulation and veterinary guidance A review of common supplements used for cognitive support Listen in for more on nutrition and diet as it relates to brain health for your pet. LINKS Want to learn more about DISHAALV? Listen to the episode! Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen. Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult TRANSCRIPT TIME STAMPS 0:00 - Brain health in senior pets 1:18 - Nutrition for senior minds 5:16 - Prescription brain diets 8:29 - Key ingredients in brain diets 18:41 - Fresh food and what the research shows 21:58 - Cognitive diet options for cats 25:15 - Supplementing senior brain health 29:59 - Omega-3s and MCT support 33:26 - CBD, milk thistle, and more 36:02 - Tailoring care to each pet Disclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.