What if I told you your puppy or kitten’s first year is the single most important window to shape their lifelong health—and that some of the most common vet protocols (though totally well-intentioned!) might actually be setting them up for chronic issues later on? This is your loving wake-up call. In this episode, I’m joined by our amazing vet tech (and proud new puppy mom!) Dianne. We’re unpacking how these “normal” choices like routine deworming, kibble, and standard vaccine schedules might be doing more harm than good, and we share what you can do instead to support a healthy gut and strong immune system. If you’ve got a young puppy or kitten or you’re thinking of bringing one home, this conversation could save you thousands in future vet bills and, more importantly, so much stress and heartache. And make sure to stick around until the end—we’re sharing something super exciting that we created just for you! 

KEY INSIGHTS:

• Why the period between 8 to 16 weeks is the most critical stage of puppy development and how it shapes their lifelong health, socialization, and behavior.

• How colostrum, the very first milk, sets up a puppy’s immune system for success, and why missing it in the first 24 hours can leave a crucial gap in their early immune protection. 

• How weaning from mother’s milk to kibble shocks a puppy’s digestive system and how this early disruption can increase the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases in dogs later in life.

• Why it’s essential to slowly transition your puppy to fresh food instead of abruptly switching diets. 

• Why protecting your puppy’s microbiome is vital and how using natural alternatives to antibiotics, like ozone therapy, can support immune development without harming gut health.

• How asking your vet for a PCR fecal test for puppies (rather than a standard fecal test) can catch more parasites and help avoid unnecessary chemical deworming.

• How some parasites can be safely treated without harsh medications and why exploring natural parasite treatment options for puppies and kittens can help avoid side effects and drug resistance.

• Why vaccine titer testing for puppies is a powerful tool—and how it helps prevent the dangers of over-vaccination while still ensuring proper disease protection.

•  How investing in a titer test during the first year can save you thousands of dollars (and avoid major health issues) over your dog’s lifetime.

• What the latest research says about when to spay or neuter a dog—and how delaying sterilization or keeping certain breeds intact can protect against certain types of cancer.

• And we share an exciting announcement for puppy and kitten pet parents around the world!

  
  

RESOURCES:

Click here to learn more about the Baby Pearls Membership 💖🛎️👇🏻

BABY PEARLS MEMBERSHIP 

And if your pet isn’t a baby anymore, but you’d love support staying on top of their preventative health care, check out the Silver, Gold, and Diamond Tiers in the Concierge Membership  🛎️

FOLLOW:

Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: ⁠@integrativepet⁠

Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: ⁠@dr.lilychen⁠

@the.unicorn.vet 

Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/

Dianne on Instagram:@mywildthyme

@diannemakesart 

Dianne’s puppy Mabel on Instagram: @withlovemabelroux