Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats

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.

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 be careful with the term "longevity medicine" Why the goal should be healthspan, not just lifespan Why the term itself is unclear How marketing can move ahead of the evidence, especially when studies get simplified or overstated The lack of FDA-approved drugs or supplements proven to extend a pet's lifespan The risk of over-testing and over-treating when age gets treated like a disease 6 questions to ask when you hear a longevity claim Why it's worth focusing on the basics that actually matter Listen in for a reminder to focus on giving your senior pet a good life, not just a longer one. 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 0:00 - The longevity medicine debate 03:38 - Reason 1: Why healthspan matters more than lifespan 06:25 - Reason 2: There's no clear definition of longevity 08:13 - Reason 3: Evidence trails the marketing 12:28 - Reason 4: Why there's no proven lifespan drug 17:25 - Reason 5: Testing age as a disease 24:15 - Reason 6: Simple tactics you can do 27:08 - Reason 7: The longevity guilt trap 29:06 - 6 questions to ask before buying longevity claims 34:17 - Focus on the basics 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.

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 ways Respecting their boundaries and staying connected through gentler interaction Practical ways to support senior pets, including sniff walks, stroller walks, rehab exercises, and more Enrichment tools like lick mats and snuffle mats for mental stimulation and a sense of purpose Why it's important to check for other causes of behavior changes, like pain or anxiety, before assuming it's just aging or dementia Predictable routines, especially in the evening, to help reduce stress and support pets with cognitive changes If you're a pet caregiver, listen in for some encouragement to stay present, and a reminder that loving a senior pet well may look different than it used to. 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 - Why senior pet care is emotional, not just tactical 04:28 - Her personal experience with her heart dog, Floyd 09:49 - Gentle ways to bond with a senior pet 17:57 - Massages can be quality time together 21:40 - Brain games for senior pets 28:30 - Why predictable bedtime routines can help 35:29 - Loving a senior pet well doesn't mean loving them the same way you always have 40:53 - Cherishing the moment and staying present 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.

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 is Osteoarthritis and why it's so common in senior pets, and why pain management decisions can be difficult How we approach Librela treatment in practice, usually starting with other options first and using a multimodal plan The studies behind Librela, including placebo-controlled trials and head-to-head comparisons with Meloxicam and Galliprant Safety concerns and reported adverse events, including neurologic signs, increased drinking and urination, and more How we use Librela in specific cases, especially when other options aren't enough or aren't appropriate Listen in if you want to make an informed decision and learn more about the risks and benefits of Librela so you can choose what's best for your dog. LINKS Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Did you miss the move it or lose it episode? Listen in here! 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 Introducing Librela 02:47 What Librela actually is 08:52 Human trials and FDA history 13:16 Does Librela work? 19:27 Librela safety concerns 30:04 Hidden conditions and side effects 32:38 Multimodal pain management 33:44 Dr. Amanda's approach to Librela 40:37 What are your thoughts on Librela? 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 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 matters The importance of maintaining a healthy body condition and monitoring muscle condition over time How in-person rehabilitation evaluations can help, especially for pets with mobility issues Simple, safe exercises for both senior dogs and senior cats What types of movement or activity to avoid Integrative and rehabilitation approaches that can support long-term mobility Muscle wasting and frailty in senior pets can be improved, and adding safe exercises into your pet's daily routine can make a real difference in their comfort and mobility. If this sounds like your senior dog or cat, this episode is for you. LINKS Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Did you miss the protein episode? Listen in here! 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 Quick check-in and getting started on safe senior pet movement 04:12 Why arthritis and muscle loss are so common 05:59 Protecting joints and muscle as pets age 09:12 Simple exercises for dogs 17:05 Simple exercises for cats 20:18 Setting up your home to support movement for cats 21:20 Integrative options for mobility 22:50 Wrapping up 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.