Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats
Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats

Dr. Amanda Steffen

Overview
Episodes

Details

Senior Pet Talk is 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.Every week, integrative veterinarian Dr. Amanda Steffen — founder of Floyd's Tale Mobile Veterinary Services, creator of the Senior Pet Roadmap, and certified veterinary acupuncturist with over a decade in senior pet care — breaks down the science of aging in plain language so you can recognize changes sooner, understand your options, and advocate confidently for the pet you love.Her approach blends western medicine and eastern wisdom — acupuncture, Chinese herbs, rehabilitation, palliative care, nutrition, and more — because the best care plan uses every tool available.You'll learn to tell normal aging from what needs attention, recognize hidden pain, understand integrative medicine, and navigate this chapter with clarity and grace — covering everything from dementia and kidney disease to nutrition, acupuncture, quality of life, and end-of-life planning.Solo episodes, expert interviews, and real stories from pet parents living this right alongside you.Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have. This show gives you more of it.Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dr.amanda.vet.

Recent Episodes

Is My Pet in Pain? Managing Arthritis in Senior Dogs and Cats
JUL 9, 2026
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 dogs and catsThere's no single "best" treatment for every petMultimodal pain management strategies (why one approach usually isn't enough)Western and alternative treatment optionsThe risks and benefits of NSAIDs and medicationsThe role of acupuncture, laser therapy, and CBDSimple home modifications for comfort and safety like ramps, rugs, litter box access, beds, bowls, and stair supportSenior pets aren't helpless, and even with arthritis, there are still so many ways to improve their comfort and quality of life - listen in to learn how.LINKSFollow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dr.amanda.vet.Website: http://seniorpetconnection.comPersonalized Virtual ConsultationSign up for my email list and get the aging gracefully checklistSenior Pet RoadmapTIME STAMPS00:00 - Introduction to senior pet pain management03:43 - Understanding pain in senior pets11:13 - How to spot pain symptoms in your pet19:59 - Multimodal pain management strategies30:34 - Alternative therapies and home care tips39:03 - Building a personalized care plan for senior petsDisclaimer: 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.
play-circle icon
44 MIN
What's Normal vs. Abnormal: Subtle Signs of Aging in Senior Pets
JUL 9, 2026
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 play such an important role in noticing what's normal vs. abnormalSubtle signs of aging that pet owners often missArthritis in senior dogs and cats — what to watch forMuscle wasting and how it affects your pet's quality of lifeEye changes: nuclear sclerosis vs. cataracts (and how to tell them apart)Cognitive decline and dementia in aging petsIntegrative veterinary medicine, blending Western and Chinese approaches for supportive careIf you're a pet owner who wants practical tips for spotting the early signs of aging and knowing when it's time to act, get out your paper and pencil; this episode is for you.LINKSFollow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dr.amanda.vet.Website: http://seniorpetconnection.comPersonalized Virtual ConsultationSign up for my email list and get the aging gracefully checklistThe Vet Eye GuyTIME STAMPS00:00 - Introduction to subtle aging signs in pets00:56 - Why pet parents often miss the small changes02:22 - Why trusting your gut matters for your pet's health03:16 - Arthritis in pets over 8-12 years old04:39 - Recognizing early signs of pain and discomfort06:31 - Eye changes: nuclear sclerosis vs. cataracts14:49 - Muscle wasting in senior pets and its effects20:13 - Signs of arthritis and joint pain in pets22:30 - Early signs of osteoarthritis in dogs24:12 - Western and Chinese approaches to joint health26:34 - Recognizing early signs of arthritis and pain27:40 - Pain management and how to prepare as an owner28:47 - Cognitive decline and dementia in pets30:44 - Success stories in treating cognitive issues33:01 - Monitoring weight changes for early disease detection35:08 - Why regular weight checks and blood work matterDisclaimer: 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.
play-circle icon
53 MIN
Is My Pet a Senior? Meet Your Vet & What Defines a Senior Pet
JUL 9, 2026
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 aging and support your pet's health as they get olderThe evolving world of senior pet care, including integrative veterinary medicineThis is where to start if you're ready to understand what senior pet care really looks like and how to improve your pet's quality of life in their golden years.LINKSFollow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dr.amanda.vet.Website: seniorpetconnection.comPersonalized Virtual ConsultationTIME STAMPS00:00 - Intro to senior pet care02:53 - What actually makes a pet a "senior"05:46 - Why proactive care matters more than you think09:07 - My personal journey with senior pets12:06 - How size and breed change when seniorhood starts17:47 - Why regular vet visits and blood work matter so much24:47 - Recap and encouragement for pet ownersDisclaimer: 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.
play-circle icon
31 MIN
Welcome to Senior Pet Talk!
JUN 23, 2026
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 personal why: her experience with her own senior dog, Floyd. That experience is what led her to start an in-home senior pet practice, and eventually, this podcast, so other pet parents wouldn't have to face it without support.She walks through the medical philosophy behind the show, and looks ahead to what's coming — topics that rarely get enough airtime during a short vet visit, like pain, nutrition, dementia, mobility, cancer, and end-of-life care.Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have. This show is here to give you more of it.So listen in if you're ready to better understand the aging process, walk into vet appointments prepared, and advocate for your pet with more confidence.Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dr.amanda.vet.CHAPTERS0:00 - First signs of change0:58 - Floyd's story1:19 - A Promise to pet parents1:41 - Meet Dr. Steffen2:01 - Blending Western medicine with Eastern holistic approaches2:25 - The philosophy behind the show2:36 - What topics you can expect each week3:17 - Why this show exists
play-circle icon
3 MIN