Not Just Fluff: Pet wellness from the pros at Banfield Pet Hospital

Ever wanted to travel through time? Bet you didn't think you could do that in a podcast!  In this special bonus episode of Not Just Fluff, host Hannah Shaw sits down with Dr. Alea Harrison, Chief Medical Officer at Banfield Pet Hospital, to celebrate seven decades of impact and explore the past, present, and future of pet care. Dr. Harrison shares her personal journey into veterinary medicine...

Few things can make a pet owner’s head spin faster than a long list of vaccines and booster schedules. What’s required? What’s optional? And how do you know what’s right for your pet? In this episode of Not Just Fluff, host Hannah Shaw sits down with Dr. Marissa Rothenbaum, Director of Veterinary Field Programs at Banfield Pet Hospital, to break down one of the most important parts of preventive c...

How do you know if the cat on your lap, or the dog at your feet, has the right care plan? Just like people, the needs of our pets change with age, lifestyle, and environment. In this episode, Hannah Shaw chats with Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, Chief of Staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Mt. Hood, Oregon, about what it really takes to keep pets thriving long term. Together, they talk through how lifestyl...

If your pet has ever gone into a full-on scratching frenzy, you know how alarming it can feel. Is it just a normal itch…or a sign of something deeper? In this episode, Hannah Shaw sits down with Dr. Tova Pinsky, Area Chief of Staff at Banfield Pet Hospital to break down the real reasons behind itchy skin in pets, one of the top causes of veterinary visits. Whether your pet has seasonal redness, ch...

Most of us know to call the vet when something’s wrong—but what about when everything seems fine? In this episode of Not Just Fluff, host Hannah Shaw is joined by Dr. Kimberly Riley, Director of Veterinary Quality at Banfield Pet Hospital. Together, Hannah and Dr. Riley unpack why routine checkups are about so much more than a quick once-over, from catching hidden health issues before they escalat...

Class is officially in session! Welcoming home a new puppy comes with equal parts excitement and nerves, which is why this episode is your crash course in Puppy 101. Host Hannah Shaw is joined by guest professor Dr. Jennica McGuire, a dedicated veterinarian and Chief of Staff at Banfield Pet Hospital. Together, they cover everything you need to know in those first 30 days, from pre-pickup prep and...

When Hannah’s senior cat was diagnosed with arthritis, she learned firsthand how subtle the signs can be and how much life can improve with the right care. In this episode of Not Just Fluff, Hannah talks with Dr. Erica Pounds, Veterinary and Senior Program Manager of Veterinary Development with the Veterinary Affairs Team at Banfield Pet Hospital.  Together they share what arthritis looks lik...

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether your cat or dog’s upset stomach is just a one-off or a bigger concern? Not Just Fluff is here to help! Hannah Shaw sits down with Dr. Carl Winch, Senior Manager of Veterinary Relations at Banfield Pet Hospital, and Kayla Peters, a credentialed veterinary technician and Community Programs Coordinator at Banfield Foundation, for a deep dive into GI heal...

Believe it or not, cats are only about half as likely to see the vet as their canine counterparts. But why is that? What is it about our independent feline friends that keeps so many of them away a little longer than they should? In this episode, host Hannah Shaw sits down with Dr. Michael Kearley, a veterinarian with a soft spot for cats, to unpack the myths and realities of feline health. From t...

Welcome back pet lovers! It’s time for Season Two of Not Just Fluff! If you loved Season One, you already know what to expect: Trusted experts, real stories, and actionable advice to help your furry friends live their best life. And now… we’re back with all that and more. Hosted once again by Hannah Shaw (aka The Kitten Lady), Season 2 dives even deeper into the pet wellness questions you’ve been...

Over the past eight episodes of Not Just Fluff , we’ve had so much fun answering your pet questions and sharing advice from Banfield veterinary professionals. We’ve learned so much, and we wanted to take the time to recount some of the highlights!  In this episode, Hannah recalls some of her favorite moments from season one and tips for animal lovers to keep top of mind.  Do you have a q...

If your pet stays indoors, is spaying or neutering still important? In a word, yes.  Spaying or neutering is an important part of preventive pet care with many positive impacts, from behavior to health to reducing the burden on animal shelters. In this episode, Hannah speaks to Dr. Maria Ramirez Gorton, veterinarian and Area Chief of Staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Virginia. They discuss why it...

When it comes to veterinary visits, how can you best prepare and partner with your vet? In this episode, Hannah sits down with Dr. LaToiya Templeton, veterinarian and Area Chief of Staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Garner, North Carolina. Together, they discuss the impact a healthy partnership with your veterinary team can have on the health and well-being of your pets. They dig into developing a...

Raw, veggie, senior or puppy, wet or dry ... oh my! With seemingly endless food options, it can be hard to navigate how and how much to feed our pets. In this episode, Hannah sits down with Jennifer Rodeen, Registered Veterinary Technician and Practice Manager at Banfield Pet Hospital in Lacey, Washington. Hannah and Jennifer discuss the role nutrition plays in every stage of your pet’s life, what...

Our senior pets are extremely special creatures, and caring for a senior can be very fulfilling. Every stage of your pet’s life comes with changes, their golden years are no different. So as your BFF trades in the zoomies for naps in the sun, what can you do to give them appropriate care? In this episode, Hannah speaks to Dr. Andrea Sanchez, Area Chief of Staff for Banfield Pet Hospital in Portlan...

Despite the amount we talk to our pets (c’mon, you know you do it!), they just can’t talk back. So, it’s up to us as pet caretakers to advocate for their health and well-being. Pet owners sometimes ask why it’s important to take their pets to the vet if they seem healthy. We’re here to answer that question, unpack what wellness means when it comes to your BFF, and explain the differences between p...

Holiday celebrations are tons of fun for humans, but can sometimes be stressful for our furry companions. Our dogs and cats are creatures of habit, and between decorations, new food, guests, and travel, they might feel out of sorts this time of year. In this episode, host Hannah Shaw sits down with Dr. Saskia Bogman, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Castle Rock, Colorado. Hannah and Sask...

Is something creepy bugging your pet? Parasites like heartworm, ticks and fleas can be scary, and infections can have lasting effects on your pet’s health. All the more reason to talk about them! Silence and lack of awareness around parasites can lead to dangerous myths and misconceptions. Let’s change that together. In this episode, host Hannah Shaw sits down with Dr. Michael Piccione, Area Chief...

We know, we know – The idea of getting your furry BFF to sit still and let you put your fingers in their mouth? It’s the last thing any of us want to do at the end of the day. It’s a common misconception that stinky breath is a part of pet ownership. And while a professional teeth cleaning at the vet is important, there are also steps we can do at home to help our pet’s oral health. In the first e...

It may go without saying, but we'll say it anyway: we love our pets. That's why Banfield Pet Hospital created Not Just Fluff , a podcast all about animals, made for the humans who love them. Not Just Fluff is here to bring you actionable tips and smart advice from pet professionals who really understand pet care. Our host, Hannah Shaw, will sit down with pet pros to debunk common pet-related myths...