AnimaldocRea

Is your dog or cat slowing down… or actually in pain? The truth is, most pets don’t show pain in obvious ways—and it’s often dismissed as “just aging.” But age is NOT a disease. In this video, I break down how to recognize subtle signs of pain in dogs and cats, where pain commonly hides (especially in senior pets), and what you can do right now to help them feel better. We’ll cover: • Early signs...

Joint supplements are one of the most commonly used products in pets—but what’s actually new, and do they really make a difference? In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea reviews the latest updates in pet joint supplements, including what ingredients are being used, what the current evidence suggests, and how to choose a product that may actually benefit your pet. You’ll learn: which joint supplement ingr...

The idea that dogs are strict carnivores is everywhere—but is it actually true? In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea breaks down the ongoing debate around canine nutrition, including what it really means to be a carnivore and how dogs have evolved alongside humans. You’ll learn: whether dogs are true carnivores or something else how digestion and evolution play a role in diet why this debate matters whe...

Food allergies are one of the most commonly misunderstood issues in pets—and in many cases, they’re overdiagnosed by pet parents. In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea breaks down what a true food allergy actually looks like, why many symptoms are mistaken for food-related issues, and what might really be going on. You’ll learn: what people often mistake for food allergies the difference between food all...

If your pet refuses food, is it true picky eating or a medical problem? In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea explains why picky eating in dogs is usually behavioral, why cats are different, and what owners should do before repeatedly changing foods.

In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea answers questions from pet owners about some of the most common and controversial topics in veterinary medicine. This Q&A episode covers pet nutrition, vaccine schedules, neutering decisions, and the risks of anesthesia-free dentistry. Topics discussed include: • calcium and phosphorus levels in puppy diets • whether corn and soy in dog food are actually harmful...

In Episode 8 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast , veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea reviews new research examining copper levels in pet food and the potential relationship between dietary copper and liver disease in dogs. Concerns about copper-associated liver disease have received increasing attention in recent years, leading to questions about whether modern pet foods may contain excessive copper. In this epi...

A dog presents with what looks like a simple eye issue—but as the exam unfolds, the case takes a different direction. In this Mic’d Up episode, you’re hearing the case exactly as it happened—no script, no edits, just real-time clinical decision-making. These episodes are designed to show what veterinary medicine actually looks like in practice—how we think through cases, rule things in or out, and...

In Episode 7 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast , veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea discusses supplements that may support long-term health in dogs and cats. While supplements are often marketed specifically for senior pets, many of these products are intended to support biological processes that affect animals throughout their lives. Understanding when supplementation may be beneficial—and when it may not be n...

A routine anal gland issue turned into something more complicated. In this mic’d up episode, I walk through what started as a common problem and what we discovered during treatment—real cases, real decisions, in real time.

In Episode 6 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast , veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea discusses one of the most common questions pet owners face: Is pet insurance actually worth it? Veterinary medicine has advanced significantly in recent years, allowing for more diagnostics and treatment options than ever before—but these advances can also come with significant costs. In this episode, Dr. Rea explains: • how pet...

Bonus Episode: Mic’d Up with AnimalDocRea In this bonus episode, Dr. Amber Rea takes listeners inside a real veterinary surgery as she removes a suspicious growth from a dog’s leg using a bowtie closure technique. Skin masses are common in dogs, but some — including mast cell tumors — can be more serious and require surgical removal and evaluation. In this Mic’d Up with AnimalDocRea episode, you’l...

In Episode 5 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast , veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea discusses the long-standing recommendation to feed chicken and rice for dogs with gastrointestinal upset—and why that advice may not always be the best approach. For years, chicken and rice has been widely recommended as a bland diet for dogs experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. But newer understanding of veterinary nutrition and...

Bonus Episode: Mic’d Up with AnimalDocRea In this bonus episode, Dr. Amber Rea takes listeners inside a real veterinary surgery as she removes an intestinal foreign body from a dog that swallowed something it couldn’t pass. Foreign body obstructions are one of the most common surgical emergencies in dogs and can quickly become life-threatening without treatment. In this Mic’d Up with AnimalDocRea...

In Episode 4 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast , veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea explains one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors in pet longevity: proper caloric intake. Research has shown that maintaining an appropriate caloric intake and healthy body condition can significantly extend the lifespan of dogs. Yet many pets are unintentionally overfed, increasing the risk of obesity and shor...

In Episode 3 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast , veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea takes a closer look at the claims made by the Clean Label Project about contaminants in pet food and explains what the data actually shows. Reports from the Clean Label Project have raised concerns among pet owners by suggesting that many pet foods contain high levels of toxins or contaminants. But how should these claims be int...

In Episode 2 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast , veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea breaks down how dog foods are actually evaluated using evidence-based veterinary nutrition standards and shares her picks for some of the best dog foods for 2025. With so many marketing claims and ingredient trends surrounding pet food, it can be difficult for pet owners to know what really matters. In this episode, Dr. Rea expl...

Episode 1: Inside Medicus Diets — Therapeutic Nutrition in Veterinary Medicine Welcome to Episode 1 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast . In this first episode, veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea sits down with the team behind Medicus Diets to discuss the science behind therapeutic pet nutrition and how diet can play a role in managing disease in dogs and cats. We discuss: • How veterinary therapeutic diets are f...