The Family Pet Podcast

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, hosts Michael and Stephen Shirley and guest Aileen Cronin discuss how to prepare your home and your dog for the arrival of a new baby. Aileen , the owner of Baby Pack Leader, shares her expertise as a dog trainer and offers valuable tips for introducing dogs to babies. The conversation covers topics such as crate training, establishing boundaries, and teaching dogs the difference between their toys and the baby's toys. Aileen emphasizes the importance of starting early and being intentional about building a positive relationship between the dog and the baby.

Check out Aileen's website at: Baby Pack Leader

Takeaways

Start early and be intentional about preparing your home and your dog for the arrival of a new baby
Establish a crate training routine to give your dog a safe space and a break from the baby
Remove access to the baby's sleeping areas and teach the dog the difference between their toys and the baby's toys
Focus on parallel play and side-by-side interactions between the dog and the baby to build a positive relationship
Be patient and take your time in introducing the dog and the baby at each stage of the child's development

Keywords

family pet podcast, preparing home for baby, introducing dogs to babies, crate training, establishing boundaries, dog and baby relationship

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, the hosts interview Michael Leung, the co-founder and chief product developer of SleepyPod, a pet carrier and safety products manufacturer. They discuss the importance of pet safety during car travel and the innovative products SleepyPod has developed to keep pets secure. They also talk about the crash testing process and the need for standardized regulations for pet products in cars.

Sleepypod Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sleepypod
Center for Pet Safety

Takeaways
Pet safety during car travel is crucial to protect both the pet and the occupants of the car.
SleepyPod offers a range of innovative products, including carriers and harnesses, that are designed to keep pets secure during car travel.
The crash testing process is used to ensure that SleepyPod products meet safety standards and can withstand impact forces.
There is a need for standardized regulations for pet products in cars to ensure consistent safety measures.

pet safety, car travel, SleepyPod, pet carriers, harnesses, crash testing, standardized regulations, trivia

Register now for the 5th Annual Walk My Dog Challenge

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, the hosts discuss the different life stages of dogs and the specific health concerns associated with each stage. They cover topics such as vaccinations, dental care, diet and exercise, and joint health. They emphasize the importance of regular veterinary check-ups and preventive care to ensure the overall health and well-being of dogs. 

Takeaways

Dogs go through three main life stages: puppy, adult, and senior.
Puppies require vaccinations, proper diet, socialization, and prevention of dietary indiscretions.
Adult dogs need annual vaccinations, dental care, proper diet and exercise, and regular blood work.
Senior dogs may experience joint and arthritis issues, so joint protectants and labradoras can help with pain management.
Regular veterinary check-ups and preventive care are crucial for dogs at every life stage.


Keywords

dogs, life stages, health concerns, vaccinations, dental care, diet, exercise, joint health, preventive care, veterinary check-ups, sense of smell

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Wardrobe Change
06:00 Subcategories of Puppy Stage
13:12 Vaccinations for Puppies
22:37 Prevention and Vaccinations for Adult Dogs
27:55 Blood Work and Other Concerns for Senior Dogs

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, the hosts interview Amy Shojai, a certified animal behavior consultant, about aging in cats. They discuss the physical and behavioral changes that cats experience as they get older, such as muscle wasting, hearing loss, and picky eating. Amy provides tips on how to keep senior cats active and engaged, including using food puzzle toys, providing vertical spaces, and playing with them. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding a cat's love language and meeting their needs on their terms.

https://shop.shojai.com/

https://shojai.com/

Keywords
aging in cats, physical changes, behavioral changes, muscle wasting, hearing loss, picky eating, keeping cats active, food puzzle toys, vertical spaces, playing with cats, cat love language

00:00 Introduction and Credentials
00:57 The Influence of Dr. David Harris
02:12 Specialization in Aging Pets
05:06 Behavioral and Physical Changes in Aging Cats
09:22 Encouraging Exercise in Older Cats
14:00 Feeding and Nutrition for Aging Cats
20:32 Showing Love to Senior Cats
22:36 Feline Love Languages
26:54 Top Considerations for Owners of Aging Cats
27:31 Book Recommendation and Closing

In this episode of the Family Pet Podcast, the hosts discuss the different life stages of cats and the important aspects of their healthcare. They are joined by Kristal Stanfield, a licensed veterinary technician, who provides valuable insights. The primary themes covered in the conversation include the life stages of cats (kitten, adult, and senior), the importance of vaccines and prevention, the role of diet and exercise, dental care, and reproductive health. The hosts also touch on the topics of urinary tract issues, weight management, and joint health. The episode concludes with fun facts about fleas and ticks.

Register now for the annual Walk My Dog Challenge!

The Family Pet Podcast discusses the fifth annual Walk My Dog Challenge, an event that encourages pet owners to walk their dogs and track their miles for a chance to win prizes. Originally, this was created for the dog-loving people of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, but now we have walkers registered from all over the world! The challenge is free to participate in and runs from April 29th to June 28th. The podcast hosts provide tips on equipment needed for walking dogs, such as harnesses and leashes, and emphasize the importance of proper training and manners during walks. They also mention the involvement of local businesses as sponsors and the opportunity for participants to win prizes from these sponsors. The episode concludes with a fun fact about greyhounds being able to run faster than horses in sprints.

Check out Wag It Better Dog Training and Boutique owned by Heather Moore.

In this episode, Dr. Angela Briggs, a boarded veterinary dentist, discusses the importance of dental health for pets. She explains the role of a boarded veterinary dentist and the common conditions and treatments they encounter. Dr. Briggs also provides insights into root canals and fractured teeth, as well as the structure of a tooth. She emphasizes the importance of assessing dental health and the use of dental radiographs. Additionally, Dr. Briggs shares tips for preventing dental injuries and highlights common dental issues in cats.

Check out Dr. Briggs at Your Pet Dentist

In this episode, Dr. Ben Bergstrom, a boarded veterinary ophthalmologist, discusses various aspects of veterinary ophthalmology. He explains the difference between ophthalmology and optometry, the basics of the eye across different species, and the most common species he treats. Dr. Bergstrom also highlights the importance of early detection in eye conditions and the benefits of cataract surgery. He shares a fun fact about dogs' night vision and emphasizes the role of preventive care in maintaining pets' eye health.

Takeaways

• Ophthalmology focuses on the practice of medicine and surgery for the eye, while optometry is more concerned with the study of vision.
• The basics of the eye, such as corneal thickness and curvature, can vary across different species.
• Certain breeds, such as Bulldogs and Boston Terriers, are predisposed to eye conditions and should be monitored regularly.
• Early detection of eye conditions can help preserve vision and improve the quality of life for pets.
• Cataract surgery can restore vision in pets and significantly enhance their overall well-being.

Check out Dr. Bergstrom and his practice, The Eye Vets located in Nashville, TN

Read an article about Fear Free eye exams by host, Michael Shirley

Check out The Family Pet Podcast YouTube channel.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

01:13
Introduction of Dr. Ben Bergstrom

02:12
Difference between Ophthalmology and Optometry

03:07
The Basics of the Eye Across Species

04:34
Becoming a Boarded Ophthalmologist

05:02
Choosing Ophthalmology as a Specialty

06:02
The Eye Across Different Species

07:50
Most Common Species Treated

08:29
Treating Wildlife

09:51
Reasons for Pets to Visit an Ophthalmologist

10:41
Breeds Predisposed to Eye Conditions

12:11
When to See an Ophthalmologist

13:11
Tests for Eye Conditions

17:35
Early Detection and Cost Benefit

20:34
Senior Pets and Eye Care

21:05
Importance of Early Detection

23:20
Importance of Vision and Cataract Surgery

25:28
Fun Fact: Dogs' Night Vision

29:03
Conclusion

Mikkel Becker, lead trainer at Fear Free Pets, joins the Family Pet Podcast to discuss fear, anxiety, and stress that pets experience during veterinary care. They cover the importance of protecting the emotional well-being of pets, the benefits of Fear Free certification for veterinary practices, and tips for preparing dogs and cats for vet visits. They also share fun facts about calming music and scents for pets. Overall, Fear Free veterinary care aims to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in pets, creating a more positive and comfortable experience for both pets and their owners.

Fear Free Happy Homes website
Happy Paws Podcast
Donate to Michael's St Baldrick's Foundation fundraising page!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Format
03:01 Fear Free Pets and Emotional Well-being
06:19 Fear Free Certification and Common Themes
09:27 Why Pets Fear Visiting the Veterinarian
11:59 Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice
15:15 Preparing a Dog for a Vet Visit
24:21 Benefits of Fear Free Veterinary Care
29:27 Fun Facts about Fear Free Veterinary Care

In this episode, Dr. Holly Brown from Antec Diagnostics continues the discussion about lab testing. The sensitivity and specificity of the CBC test are explained, highlighting its ability to detect abnormalities but not always provide specific information about the underlying disease process. The importance of further testing and interpreting lab results with veterinary professionals is emphasized. The role of the chemistry test in assessing organ function is discussed, along with the significance of heartworm testing and prevention. The episode concludes with a reminder for pet owners to prioritize annual blood work for their pets.
Takeaways
The CBC test is sensitive but not always specific, meaning it can detect abnormalities but may not provide specific information about the underlying disease process.
Further testing, such as imaging or additional blood tests, may be necessary to determine the cause of abnormalities detected in the CBC.
Interpreting lab results should be done in consultation with veterinary professionals to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
The chemistry test assesses organ function and provides valuable information about a pet's overall health.
Heartworm testing is crucial for early detection and prevention of heartworm disease, which can be deadly but is preventable.
Annual blood work is essential for establishing baselines, monitoring health, and detecting potential issues early.