Call the Vet - an insider's guide to dog and cat health

Is your cat really as happy and mentally stimulated as they can be? Can you truly say they are living their best life? Today's discussion, with the passionate cat behavioral consultant Ingrid Johnson, focuses on what exactly your cat needs to thrive and the simple changes we can all make around the house, and in our feeding habits specifically, that really can make all the difference to your...

Have you ever considered the impact that the food you choose to feed your pet has on the planet? Like most of us, do you think it's probably pretty negligible? What if I told you that a quarter of all meat produced in the United States is being fed to dogs and cats and as a result, about 25-30% of all the greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts associated with meat production are d...

There have been huge changes in the world of veterinary medicine over the years, and a rapidly increasing standard of care that our dogs and cats are able to receive. This has, for the most part, had a really positive impact on the health of our pets. There are, however, some downsides with the increase in technology, equipment, and skills available meaning that, along with climbing bills, making...

Would you be able to afford a large veterinary bill if your pet suddenly became injured or unwell? The last thing any pet parent wants is to be forced to make medical decisions based on what they can afford rather than what is in their dog or cat’s best interest. Something I come across all too regularly in the veterinary clinic. Make no mistake, planning for unexpected costs ahead of time could v...

Are you the “alpha” of your home pack or does your dog dictate the order of the day? Our dogs are part of the family, but is the way we treat them at home actually making them confused, anxious, and unhappy? The fact is that dogs are dogs. And as obvious as this sounds, so many are treated like children which can lead to a whole range of different behavioral problems that impact the entire family....

Have you ever found yourself standing in the pet food aisle utterly confused about what to feed your dog? It can seem almost impossible to decipher all of the marketing terms, ingredients list, and all the small print on the packaging. And so today we’re going to go on a journey of discovery. To highlight the information that is really important and shed light on the tricks and tactics that pet fo...

You don't want to hear this but the chances are better than not that your dog or cat will suffer from arthritis during their life. You owe it to them to recognize their pain as early as possible and then take the steps needed to ensure their comfort and quality of life are maintained. Thankfully, there is so much that we can do, and some of the steps that have the biggest impact are completel...

Every year, the number of animals euthanized in the shelter population is equivalent to twice the population of San Francisco. Combine this with the fact that only 3% of all charity donations go to help animals and the environment combined and you can see that there is plenty of work to be done. There is hope, and we can all make a difference. The reality is that the conversation needs to change f...

Getting your female dog spayed is something all owners need to consider, and as well as making sure the timing is right, choosing the best surgical technique for your dog is really important if you want the lowest chance of complications and the fastest recovery. Laparoscopic (or keyhole) surgery is becoming increasingly available, but while it does provide some clear benefits over the traditional...

Have you ever considered the impact that your pet dog or cat has on the environment? Are you wondering how you can reduce their ecological pawprint? The fact is that, depending on how you are caring for your pet, their carbon footprint due to diet alone could be very similar to yours! Thankfully though, some simple changes you can make today will make a hugely significant difference over the lifet...

A cancer diagnosis is the last news any pet parent wants for their furry family member, and then you're hit with some potentially drastic treatment options. With a cancerous mass on the leg, this can mean the potential for amputation of the whole leg. If this episode I discuss: The tumor characteristics you need to know about when any surgery is being planned When amputation may be the best o...

Inflammatory bowel disease can be a challenging disease to diagnose, involving many different tests and treatment trials. Frustration levels can run high! In this episode I dive into: What IBD in dogs actually is - the body’s own immune system over-reacting to what is going on in the gut causing inflammation The common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease The challenge of making a diagnosis, whi...

So many great questions were asked during this special live version of the show (and hopefully the answers were equally good!). I also review the year we all want to forget. And look forward to 2021 and how I can best serve you and your furry family Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

Today we're on a puppy information extravaganza and I talk all about the best time to spay or neuter your dog, how to tell if your puppy is having potty training accidents or actually suffering from a bladder infection, and when to transition your pup onto adult dog food. So take a deep breath and let's dive in! full show notes Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review help...

Are you struggling to know the healthiest diet to feed your dog? You don’t want to home cook or feed raw but are now trying to decide which is best between wet vs dry dog food? What to feed your dog is one of the hottest (and most contentious) topics in the pet health world. And I doubt you’re expecting the answer I’m going to give… Learn more about feeding wet vs dry dog food Love the show? Shari...

Are you thinking of bringing a new puppy into your family? Are you worried about making sure they have had the best possible start in life? You should be! Puppy farmers know the questions you are going to ask, they understand exactly what you hope to see when you go and pick up your new puppy, and they will give you the “right” answer every single time. The truth of the matter is that you need to...

Bladder stones in dogs are not uncommon, and one of the harder types to manage are being seen more and more in the veterinary clinic. Has your dog had bladder stones? Are you struggling to understand how to stop them from coming back? Calcium oxalate bladder stones in dogs are, unfortunately, becoming more common as we are better able to treat and prevent the most common stone type, struvite. This...

Can you imagine what life would be like if your mouth was in constant agony? How would you eat? For cats that suffer from stomatitis, living with a permanently inflamed and painful mouth is just so miserable. It can also be a really challenging disease to treat. But just what is this disease? What causes stomatitis in cats? And what is the best stomatitis treatment for your cat? full show notes Lo...

Have you tried to put a collar on your cat but really struggle to get them to keep it on? Have you thought about using a harness to take your cat outside but don’t know where to start? Leili and Kevin are two dedicated cat parents who have turned their passion into a mission to both educate and provide you with the safest and most cat-friendly collars and harnesses wherever you are in the world. W...

You're not alone if you want to mix something with your dog's normal food to increase the flavor and interest for them. But adding the wrong topper could actually negatively impact their health. This is what you need to know... Check out the full show notes for all links and more information Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a liste...

Do you let your cat outdoors unsupervised or keep them inside all the time? There are few other topics that provide such a polarization of opinion among cat lovers! Keep your cat indoors and they're going to be bored, fat, and lazy. But let your cat outside and they're going to be hit on the road or riddled with disease within a week! But what really is the best option for your cat? Head...

It is important that if your dog is licking their lips more than normal that this problem is not ignored as many of the causes of lip-licking can seriously impact a dog’s happiness and comfort levels. Other causes may only be treatable when they are picked up early. Head over to the full show notes Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen!...

It’s just possible that if you have an arthritic dog, overweight cat, or your pet is recovering from surgery, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy or some other form of rehab should be the first treatment on the list! It’s time that physiotherapy for dogs and cats became more mainstream, and recognized as being able to provide a wide range of benefits to our pets suffering from a huge range of different co...

Does your dog tremble every time they set foot inside the vet clinic? Is your veterinarian fear-aware? the truth is veterinary visits can be fun! This is what you need to know… In this episode, we talk all about why your dog or cat is scared of the vet and how to tell if your veterinarian is doing everything they can to reduce their fear, anxiety, and stress. We then move on to talk about the fear...

While vitamin B12 deficiency is most commonly associated with intestinal disease and long-term diarrhea, vitamin B12 is essential for so many processes within a cat's body. Deficiency might be more common than we think! Head over to the full show notes   Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review