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PODCAST

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats

Dr. Amanda Steffen

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

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

01:05:45

24. The Grief All Pet Parents Face with Special Guest...

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/10/08

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 griefSigns pet parents can recognize in themselves that they're

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00:38:23

23. Diet for Brain Health in Senior Pets

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/10/01

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 NeuroCareWhich ingredients matter mostResearch showing improvements in learning, memory, and dementia-related signs, while noting results aren't identical for every petFor cats, the more limited brain-diet

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00:43:01

22. 7 Reasons I'm Wary of "Longevity Medicine" and...

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/09/24

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 lifespanWhy the

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00:43:46

21. Love Your Senior Pet the Way They Need

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/09/17

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 waysRespecting their boundaries and staying connected through gentler interactionPractical ways to support senior pets, including sniff walks, stroller walks,

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00:44:09

20. The Real Uncensored Answers About Librela

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/09/10

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 isOsteoarthritis and why it's so common in senior pets, and why pain management decisions can be difficultHow we approach Librela treatment in practice, usually starting with other options first and using a multimodal planThe studies behind Librela, including placebo-controlled trials and head-to-head

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00:24:31

19. Move It or Lose It - Safe Exercises for Senior Pets

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/09/03

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 mattersThe importance of maintaining a healthy body condition and monitoring muscle condition over timeHow in-person rehabilitation evaluations can help, especially for pets with mobility issuesSimple, safe exercises for both senior dogs and senior catsWhat types of movement or activity to

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00:32:59

18. Is This Lump a Problem?

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/09/01

Is this lump a problem? Today, Dr. Steffen covers how to evaluate skin masses, lumps, and bumps on senior pets, and why you shouldn't assume a mass is harmless based on appearance alone.She explains:Why terms like "tumor" or "mass" don't automatically mean cancer, but a meaningful number of skin masses can be cancerous and should be checkedWhat pet parents can monitor at home, including how keeping a monthly record with photos and notes can help track changes and give your vet better informationThe

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00:39:02

17. The 10-Minute Monthly Checkup That Could Add...

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/27

What should I check on my aging pet every month? In this episode, Dr. Steffen shares a once-a-month, 10-minute senior pet checkup she calls her Aging Gracefully checklist, something you can do at home to catch changes earlier in dogs and cats.She covers:Why small changes can be easy to miss unless you track them over timeWeight and body conditionEating, drinking, and gastrointestinal signs, and why trends matter more than single isolated eventsLitter box and bathroom changes, and how shifts in

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00:36:13

16. How to Make Your Home Senior Pet Friendly

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/25

Is your home set up for your senior pet? Today, Dr. Steffen focuses on how a senior pet's home environment affects daily comfort and mobility. Senior pets spend most of their time at home, so layout and surfaces around the house can really improve their quality of life.She talks about:Ways to make floors safer, especially hardwood and laminate surfacesRamps, stairs, and stair treads for access to couches, beds, and different levels of the homeBedding recommendations and tips on where to place

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00:54:21

15. Age Is Not a Disease: Rethinking Senior Pet Care...

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/20

Age is not a disease. We're back with Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Steffen and Dr. Hunter, where they continue digging into senior pets, sharing takes on tools, quality of life, integrative medicine, and common misconceptions.They discuss:The practical challenges that come with aging dogs and catsThe need for more at-home support, especially for larger petsHow senior status is often met with denial from pet parents, and why it helps to prepare early for changes in mobility and lifestyleMore

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00:46:33

14. Senior Pet Care in General Practice with Dr....

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/18

What vets wish pet parents knew about senior pet care. In this first part of a 2-part series, Dr. Steffen is joined by one of her best friends and general practice vet, Dr. Terrence Hunter, who now owns his own practice, WAG Vet. They share experiences from veterinary medicine, explore senior pet care, and why thorough exams and client communication matter so much.They chat about:Personal memories from their time in practice togetherSeeing senior pets in general practice, and how much of what he

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00:38:24

13. Is My Senior Dog Having an Emergency? What to...

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/13

How do I know if my dog is having a medical emergency? Last week was all about common cat emergencies, and today we're focusing on dogs. Dr. Amanda walks through 5 common emergencies she sees and the signs to watch for, so you can feel more prepared as a pet parent.Including:Sudden collapse (fainting, internal bleeding, hemangiosarcoma): what it can mean and what to check firstBloat (GDV) and the warning signsPreventive gastropexy for high-risk breedsPain flare-ups from arthritis, disc disease, or

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00:39:24

12. 5 Common Senior Cat Emergencies Every Owner...

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/11

How do I know if my cat is having a medical emergency? In today's episode, Dr. Amanda Steffen walks through 5 common senior cat emergencies. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether you needed to rush to the emergency hospital or get to your family vet urgently because something felt off with your cat, this one's for you.She covers:Respiratory distress, including heavy breathing, belly breathing, or pantingKidney disease is common in older cats and can present with vomiting, lethargy, and

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00:42:44

11. Are You Exhausted as a Senior Pet Parent?

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/06

Caregiver burden and exhaustion are real, even for pet parents. Today, let's talk about the impact caregiving has on you, not just your pet.Dr. Amanda covers:The impact senior pet caregiving has on us as pet parentsThe caregiver burden in practical terms: missing social events, work interruptions, and the constant worry about leaving your pet aloneAnticipatory grief, guilt, and hindsight bias, including how hard it is to make treatment decisions without knowing the outcomeThe challenge of deciding

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00:28:37

10. Why Your Senior Pet Might Need More Protein, Not...

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/08/04

How much protein should my senior pet get? In this episode, Dr. Amanda discusses a common misconception: that protein should automatically be reduced as pets age. In reality, a lot of the time we actually need to be giving our seniors more protein, not less.She covers:Why protein restriction isn't supported by current research for most healthy senior pets, and how it can contribute to muscle loss, frailty, and a shorter lifespanHow muscle wasting impacts senior pets, such as reduced mobility, slower

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00:23:13

9. How to Choose a Good Supplement for Your Pet

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/07/30

How do you choose a good supplement for your pet? Today, Dr. Amanda talks about why pet supplements can be so confusing for senior dog and cat parents, especially since many products make big claims without much behind them.She covers:Why terms like "natural," "organic," and "holistic" aren't regulated in veterinary supplements, so they shouldn't be taken as proof of quality or effectiveness3 things to actually look for in a supplement, including the NASC seal and a certificate of analysis (COA),

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00:35:45

8. What to Ask at Your Senior Cat's Vet Visit

Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats ·

2026/07/28

What should a senior cat vet visit include? Today, Dr. Amanda is back with another vet visit episode, but this time all about cats and what to ask for during your appointments.She discusses:Why senior pet care is an investment, and why routine monitoring often means blood work, urine testing, and other diagnostics every 6-12 monthsCommon early clues: weight loss, reduced activity, litter box changes, changes in appetite or drinking, and more.The key routine checks to request, starting with body

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17 results

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