Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats
Claim This Podcastby Dr. Amanda Steffen
Podcast Overview
<p>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.<br /></p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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.</p><p>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.<br /></p><p>Solo episodes, expert interviews, and real stories from pet parents living this right alongside you.</p><p></p><p>Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have. This show gives you more of it.<br /></p><p>Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.amanda.vet/" target="_blank">@dr.amanda.vet</a>.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/23/2026
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Recent Episodes
August 6, 2026
11. Are You Exhausted as a Senior Pet Parent?
<p>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.</p><p>Dr. Amanda covers:</p><ul><li>The impact senior pet caregiving has on us as pet parents</li><li>The caregiver burden in practical terms: missing social events, work interruptions, and the constant worry about leaving your pet alone</li><li>Anticipatory grief, guilt, and hindsight bias, including how hard it is to make treatment decisions without knowing the outcome</li><li>The challenge of deciding when it's time to let a pet go, and why that decision feels emotionally difficult even when it's made with care</li><li>5 ways to support yourself and your pet better, including making a flare plan</li><li>Identifying end-of-life red flags in advance</li></ul><p>Caregiving is hard, but no one has to do it alone, and that support can make the process more manageable. Listen in if you want to feel less alone and more understood in what you're going through.</p><p></p><p><b>LINKS</b></p><ul><li>Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.amanda.vet/" target="_blank">@dr.amanda.vet</a>.</li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://seniorpetconnection.com" target="_blank">http://seniorpetconnection.com</a></li><li>Book your personalized virtual consultation: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bit.ly/SPTConsult" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/SPTConsult</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>TIME STAMPS</b></p><p>00:00 - The emotional impact of caring for senior pets<br />02:23 - Understanding caregiver burden and its effects<br />05:04 - What research says about stress and depression in pet owners<br />06:36 - Assessment tools for caregiver burden<br />10:26 - Why self-care and recognizing stress matters<br />13:17 - Understanding anticipatory grief and its effects<br />17:17 - Deciding when to consider euthanasia<br />21:32 - Living in the moment: your pet's perspective on pain and suffering<br />22:55 - The role of veterinary support and planning<br />25:09 - Creating a flare plan for emergencies<br />29:23 - Recognizing red flags in pet health<br />32:01 - Talking openly with your vet about end-of-life care<br />35:23 - Self-care tips for pet owners<br />38:24 - Asking for help and building your support team<br />40:07 - Final encouragement and self-compassion</p><p></p><p><b><i>Disclaimer:</i></b><i> 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.</i></p>
August 4, 2026
10. Why Your Senior Pet Might Need More Protein, Not Less
<p>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.</p><p>She covers:</p><ul><li>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 lifespan</li><li>How muscle wasting impacts senior pets, such as reduced mobility, slower recovery, and more</li><li>Why cats and dogs can lose significant muscle mass with age, and why early nutrition changes matter</li><li>Protein needs for senior pets, including gram-per-kilogram guidelines and how they shift for dogs and cats</li><li>How to read food labels and why dry matter calculations matter, especially for wet, homemade, or fresh diets</li></ul><p>Listen in to learn more about senior pet protein needs, and how muscle loss can be improved through diet changes, easier-to-digest protein sources, and other supportive care.</p><p></p><p><b>LINKS</b></p><ul><li>Missed the first episode? <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pod.link/6783459182/episode/ODQzODhhYTYtOGYyYS00MDU5LThkOWQtMmM1NTE0YzljZTEw" target="_blank">Listen in here!</a></li><li>Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.amanda.vet/" target="_blank">@dr.amanda.vet</a>.</li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://seniorpetconnection.com" target="_blank">http://seniorpetconnection.com</a></li><li>Book your personalized virtual consultation: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bit.ly/SPTConsult" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/SPTConsult</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>TIME STAMPS</b></p><p>00:00 - Introduction to senior pet nutrition and common misconceptions<br />02:19 - How muscle wasting affects lifespan and quality of life<br />03:05 - Reevaluating protein restriction in healthy senior pets<br />06:07 - Specific dietary needs for senior dogs<br />08:27 - Specific dietary needs for senior cats<br />09:15 - Reading pet food labels<br />11:39 - Recommendations for dry food, wet food, and more<br />15:30 - Muscle loss in cats and how protein can help<br />19:23 - Easier proteins for senior pets<br />21:39 - Muscle loss affects more than mobility<br />23:18 - The exception to adjusting protein<br />25:00 - Final thoughts on restricting protein in senior pets</p><p></p><p><b><i>Disclaimer:</i></b><i> 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.</i></p>
July 30, 2026
9. How to Choose a Good Supplement for Your Pet
<p>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.</p><p>She covers:</p><ul><li>Why terms like "natural," "organic," and "holistic" aren't regulated in veterinary supplements, so they shouldn't be taken as proof of quality or effectiveness</li><li>3 things to actually look for in a supplement, including the NASC seal and a certificate of analysis (COA), plus why to watch out for proprietary blends, missing lot numbers, and products without matching test results.</li><li>Why it's worth involving your veterinarian before starting supplements, especially for pets with conditions like diabetes, pancreatitis, or thyroid disease, or those already on medications</li></ul><p>Listen in if you're curious about what to look for and what to ask for when it comes to pet supplements.<br /></p><p><b>LINKS</b></p><ul><li>Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.amanda.vet/" target="_blank">@dr.amanda.vet</a>.</li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://seniorpetconnection.com" target="_blank">http://seniorpetconnection.com</a></li><li>Book your personalized virtual consultation: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bit.ly/SPTConsult" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/SPTConsult</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>TIME STAMPS</b></p><p>00:00 - Understanding the confusion around pet supplements<br />05:26 - Key things to consider when choosing supplements<br />5:51 - What the labels really mean<br />9:10 - Certificates of analysis, explained<br />12:22 - Why you should tell your vet everything<br />16:22 - Your supplement checklist<br />18:03 - Choosing the right supplement<br />22:07 - Final thoughts on pet supplements</p><p></p><p><b><i>Disclaimer:</i></b><i> 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.</i></p>
12 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Senior Pet Talk | for dogs + cats?
<p>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.<br /></p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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.</p><p>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.<br /></p><p>Solo episodes, expert interviews, and real stories from pet parents living this right alongside you.</p><p></p><p>Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have. This show gives you more of it.<br /></p><p>Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.amanda.vet/" target="_blank">@dr.amanda.vet</a>.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
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