In this episode, we shine a light on one of the most common—and most overlooked—areas of animal health: the mouth. Dr. Lindsey Schneider, a board-certified veterinary dental specialist, joins us to break down what every pet owner should know about oral hygiene, dental disease, and when to seek professional care.Together, we explore how dental problems develop, what early warning signs pet parents often miss, and why regular oral care is essential for long-term health and comfort. Dr. Schneider also walks us through what happens during a professional dental cleaning, the risks of untreated dental disease, and practical steps you can take at home to keep your dog or cat’s teeth and gums healthy.Whether you want to improve your daily dental routine with your pet or you’re curious about what really happens behind the scenes in veterinary dentistry, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance to help you make informed decisions.
Time Stamps:
01:50: Why dental health is important for animals05:30: Dog and cat dental anatomy and physiology vs humans’07:25: Periodontal and endodontal disease, tooth fractures11:19: Tooth resorption in cats14:20: Gingivostomatitis 17:40: Jaw fracture21:00: Oral masses and cancer23:00: Signs of oral discomfort and dental disease25:50: Maintaining dental health at home34:00: Professional veterinary dental care 43:30: Tooth extractions49:00: Geriatric patients in need of dental care, anesthetic safety52:30: Pain management56:00: Advanced dental procedures1:06: Surgical treatments for oral cancers1:12: Effect of oral health on overall health and quality of life1:14: Myths about animal oral health1:19: Dental health and disease in other species
www.vohc.org

In this discussion with our guest, Dr. Kathy Hickey, we cover details on deciding on a new dog and setting him up for success, safety, health monitoring, vet visits and preventive health care, exercise and enrichment, nutrition, and the basics of dog behavior, body language, and training.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/raw-or-undercooked-animal-source-protein-cat-and-dog-diets#:~:text=The%20AVMA%20recognizes%20public%20interest,to%20human%20and%20animal%20health.
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fdas-work-potential-causes-non-hereditary-dcm-dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40256950/
https://dogagingproject.org/
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

Time Stamps:
02:30: Deciding on a new dog05:30: Pros and cons of pure bred vs “mutts”08:00: Considering costs09:00: Setting up supplies10:30: Toy safety for puppies11:05: Collars, leashes, head halters14:00: Dishes, food, water16:05: More toy safety17:50: Exercise and enrichment19:05: More safety, household toxins21:30: Home health monitoring and recognizing urgent medical concerns26:28: Health maintenance/preventive care31:18: Introducing a new dog to other animals at home34:30: Regular vet care39:15: Spay/neuter considerations42:30: Getting medication into your dog45:19: Behavior and training, body language52:00: Working with shy and anxious dogs58:55: Potty training details for puppies1:01:00: When it’s not working out1:03:00: Re-cap on preventive care/dental care and financial considerations1:08:13: Addendum on nutrition and dog aging study

We discuss all the basics of living with parrots, starting with deciding whether to adopt or buy a bird and how to introduce a bird to your home. We go over how to set any parrot up for success and a happy, healthy life; what resources birds need every day; health monitoring and navigating vet visits; safety; bird body language, behavior, and training.

A few resources mentioned:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/abs/deflighting-procedures-and-their-welfare-implications-in-captive-birds/6960A253EAF6DAD6AE4D0ED8C06D4251
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287605561_Welfare_Assessment_of_Flight-restrained_Captive_Birds_Effects_of_Inhibition_of_Locomotion

Behavior/training help: https://www.goodbirdinc.com/
Foraging at home: https://avianstudios.com/captive-foraging-dvd/
Time Stamps:1:20: What to consider before getting a bird, adopting or buying13:20: Introducing a bird to other birds or other animals27:00: Choosing and setting up the right housing39:00: Dishes, foraging, and a little on diet43:40: Toys45:25: Introducing toys, housing, etc to a very neophobic bird47:30: Daily routine, need for sleep, out-of-cage time51:10: Regular bathing55:50: Humidity57:10: Light needs and bird vision1:00:00: Outdoor exposure and safety1:01:50: Foraging for mental health 1:04:00: Nutrition1:07:00: Transitioning off an unhealthy diet1:13:00: Managing water needs1:14:50: The importance of routine, variety, and having choices1:16:45: Safety - other animals, toxins and irritants, toy parts, and other dangers1:27:00: To fly or not to fly1:37:30: Bird health - the overall environment and hygiene1:45:30: Feather health; dealing with broken blood feathers1:50:20: Skin, foot, beak, and nail health1:56:25: Monitoring weight1:58:00: Visiting the vet2:05:00: Recognizing illness, feather damaging behavior, egg laying2:13:50: Giving medication to a bird2:17:20: Bird behavior2:20:50: Training to step up; avoiding use of negative reinforcement2:29:20: Enrichment2:31:20: Avoid idle petting2:33:11: Body language2:39:30: Reproductive behaviors and avoiding mate bonding with humans2:43:00: How to pet your bird2:48:25: Dealing with screaming and other unwanted behaviors

In this episode, we discuss what every cat needs to live a healthy, happy life with their human family. We start with bringing a new cat into your home and move on to basic care and feeding, monitoring health at home, safety, and what to expect at an initial or annual vet visit, including discussion about vaccines,  spay/neuter surgery, and dental care. We talk about managing stress and handling shy cats, feline body language, play, and general behavior. This episode covers all the basics of your everyday cat!
Time stamps:
01:45: Getting a new cat or kitten(s)10:00: Choosing a breed13:11: When a cat adopts you16:20: Kitting out your kitty - supplies to buy for health, hygiene, and enrichment27:48: Introducing a new cat to your home30:00: Using pheromones to help reduce stress32:10: Introducing cats to other cats38:10: Introducing cats to dogs41:40: Resources every cat needs: litter, food, dishes, puzzle feeders, furniture and scratching surfaces 1:07:40: Indoors or out?1:13:00: Enrichment and limited outdoor exposure1:26:10: Safety1:35:40: Basic health monitoring at home1:42:44: Health maintenance1:54:30: Establishing care with a vet, vaccinations, dental care, spay/neuter2:22:50: Medicating cats2:31:22: Cat behavior

In this episode, we cover basic recommendations for regular preventive health care for a wide variety of companion animal species. We also help you recognize signs of pain or illness in animals that signal the need for emergency care, urgent care, or less urgent medical care. We also outline tips for transporting animals in the car and helping nervous animals get through the travel and handling that occurs with any vet visit. Finally, we've got tips for managing the cost of medical care and finding a vet who can meet your pets' needs.