Unleashed Curiosity: Dog & Cat Health, Nutrition & Vet Advice by Vital Pet Life

We don't wait for a cavity to start brushing our teeth, so why wait to support our pets? In this episode, Donie Yamamoto sits down with Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM, to unpack what's really driving the pet supplement boom - and how pet parents can tell a quality product from marketing noise. Dr. Amber Da Silva breaks down what separates credible formulation from hype: ingredient-specific research, tran...

That dry, sprinkler-like buzz on a trail with your dog. If you've heard it, you know. Rattlesnake season is here - and this year it's already running hot. Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM and co-host of Unleashed Curiosity, breaks down what rattlesnake aversion training actually is, why the single-session class often fails, and what every dog owner in rattlesnake territory needs to do before they need it....

What if the treats you give your dog every day are getting in the way of their care? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM sit down with Beth Jackson, founder of Oliver P. Toliver's Thoroughly Tasty Treats, for a conversation that will change how you think about every snack you hand your pup. Beth's brand was born from a 10-week-old rescue puppy who nea...

Is your dog or cat slowing down? Before you chalk it up to normal aging, this episode might change how you see your pet's everyday movement. In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM dig into one of the most overlooked topics in pet health: joint mobility and what it really means for your pet's long-term quality of life. Dr. Amber busts some of the biggest...

What if your vet's training was shaped more by pharmaceutical companies than by nutrition science? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, hosts Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM sit down with Dr. Karyn Kanowski, veterinary content creator, supervisor at Pango Vet, and co-host of the Chatty Cattys podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation about pet health, supplements, and the future of an...

What's Behind Your Dog's Digestive Discomfort - And Why Diet Alone May Not Be Enough You've switched the food. You've been patient. But occasional loose stools, digestive gas, and coat issues keep coming back. In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto sits down with integrative veterinarian Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM to explore what most pet parents never hear: gut microbiome balance may...

Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM are back from Global Pet Expo 2026 with one major takeaway: pet health and nutrition are evolving fast - from personalized nutrition and microbiome innovation to sustainability and ingredient transparency, today's pet parents are increasingly conscientious about the ingredients in the treats and supplements they give their pets. In this episode, they disc...

Your dog isn't walking - they're reading. Every fire hydrant, every blade of grass, every invisible trail left by a passing stranger - your dog is processing all of it through a nose that's up to 100,000x more powerful than yours. But most walks are designed entirely around human priorities: speed, distance, calories burned. In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM and Donie...

You've seen it on every pet shampoo. But do you actually know what it does? 🌾 In this 60-Second Ingredient Deep Dive, Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM breaks down one of the most common and most misunderstood ingredients in pet care: oatmeal. Not the breakfast kind. The kind that could be actively supporting your pet's skin care - or doing absolutely nothing - depending entirely on whether the brand you'r...

Your Dog Is Aging Like You - And That's Reshaping Medicine. The Dog Aging Project is tracking tens of thousands of dogs nationwide - and what researchers are finding could reshape how we approach health for both dogs and humans. Dogs don't just mirror us emotionally. They mirror us biologically. Same diseases. Same environment. Same aging pathways. Just on a faster timeline. Timestamps: 00:00 - Th...

Your cat isn't weird. Science just finally caught up. 🐱 In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM decodes 10 cat behaviors that puzzle pet parents most - from kneading and 3AM zoomies to that unmistakable slow blink. Timestamps: 00:00 - Kneading / "Making Biscuits" 🍞 03:39 - The Slow Blink / Cat Kiss 😻 04:14 - "If I Fit, I Sit" 📦 04:48 - 3AM Zoomies 🌙 06:10 - Bird Watchi...

Three habits that could make a real difference for your dog - but most pet parents are missing out on them. Dr. Paul Tonioli, founder of Antelope Animal Hospital, certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and orthopedic surgeon, shares three underappreciated pillars of long-term dog care that don't get enough attention. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Three pillars of proactive dog care 01:09 - Meet...

Are you unsure which pet supplement ingredients are actually worth it? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, we spotlight: Krill Powder 🦐 Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM breaks down the real science behind one of the most talked-about pet health ingredients - no fluff, no jargon. You'll learn: What krill powder actually is How it may support joint health and brain function, and how it relates to the bo...

Why do dogs chase their tails, scratch your bed, lick you, or suddenly bark at nothing? What if those "cute" or "weird" behaviors are actually your dog trying to communicate something important about their health, stress levels, or environment? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM break down the 10 most common dog behaviors - and what they really mean....

Is your dog pacing, panting, or showing signs of stress? Is your cat hiding, overgrooming, or acting differently? Pet anxiety is more common than most pet parents realize - and it can impact your pet's gut health, immune system, behavior, and overall long-term health. In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM break down: The real signs of anxiety in dogs an...

What does fish oil really do for your dog or cat - and how do you know if it's quality-verified? In this 60-Second Ingredient Deep Dive episode, Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM and Donie Yamamoto from Vital Pet Life break down one of the most popular pet supplements: fish oil for dogs and cats. No fluff. Just science-backed clarity. You'll learn: What fish oil may support: skin & coat, joint function,...

Why does your dog bark, twitch, or run in their sleep? Why do cats suddenly stare at walls like they see something you can't? And when should pet parents actually worry? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM and Donie Yamamoto explore the science behind some of the most mysterious pet behaviors - from dogs barking during dreams to cats freezing mid-stare. Many pet parents...

Want to make more informed choices for your dog or cat's care? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM sit down with holistic veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan - a pioneer in integrative veterinary medicine with more than 40 years of experience. Dr. Morgan shares six approaches to supporting pets naturally, including whole-food nutrition, responsible vaccinati...

Proactive pet care isn't something you start later - it's something you build early. Most pet parents associate aging with gray muzzles and slower walks. But what if the biggest opportunity is in the years before visible changes appear? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM explore why early, consistent care matters more than age - and how small daily h...

Are cats really "low maintenance" - or are they just quiet about what they need? In this heartfelt episode of Unleashed Curiosity, we uncover the truth about feline independence and long-term care - and the silent health signs many cat parents miss. From rescuing a kitten off the 405 freeway to volunteering with at-risk shelter cats in Los Angeles, Megan Merriman shares powerful rescue stories, re...

What does the future of pet health really look like - and how does it impact your dog or cat today? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, we take you inside VMX 2026, one of the world's largest veterinary conferences, where Vital Pet Life joined thousands of veterinarians, researchers, and industry leaders shaping the next era of pet health. Join Donie Yamamoto, CEO and Founder of Vital Pet Life...

Your home might be putting your pet at risk - without you even realizing it. In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM reveal the hidden household toxins that quietly affect your dog or cat's health and daily comfort. Because pets live closer to the ground, sniff everything, lick surfaces, and share our space, they're exposed to chemicals designed for human...

60-Second Ingredient Deep Dive: Green-Lipped Mussel 🐚 What does green-lipped mussel actually do for your pet? In this rapid-fire episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM breaks down: What green-lipped mussel is How it may support joint comfort and mobility How much dogs and cats really need What to look for on a product label No fluff. No jargon. Just clear, science-backed insight...

What if animals - here and beyond the rainbow bridge - could truly communicate with us? Former CEO Kylie Wade shares how a life-changing encounter with 50 humpback whales opened her intuitive abilities and later helped her connect with her cat, Cortez, in profound ways. Inspired by Telepathy Tapes and even moments in Bluey, Kylie reveals how energy, presence, and emotion can help us hear what anim...

Ever wonder how some pets stay active and joyful well into their senior years? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity, Donie Yamamoto, CEO of Vital Pet Life, and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM break down four strategies to support your pet's long-term care. We dive into: Nutrition - why ingredient quality matters more than you think Movement and weight management - the impact on activity levels and daily...