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

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 animal care.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Dr. Karyn believes pet nutrition and supplements deserve more attention in everyday care

• The real welfare issues behind ear cropping, tail docking, and cat declawing

• What water quality (yes, really) could be doing to your pet's urinary health

• Why building a loose daily routine - not a rigid one - may help ease anxiety in your pets

• Dr. Karyn's #1 advice for every pet parent: have a financial contingency plan before your pet gets sick

Whether you're a new pet parent or a longtime advocate for animal welfare and care, this episode will challenge the way you think about pet health, proactive pet care, and what it truly means to advocate for your animal's care. 🐶🐱 #DrKarynKanowski #PetSupplements #EthicalBreeding #VitalPetLife #PetHealthAdvice

💙 Connect with our guest, Dr. Karyn Kanowski:
ᐧ Instagram: @karyn.kanowski
ᐧ Catster: catster.com
ᐧ Dogster: dogster.com
ᐧ Podcast: Chatty Cattys
ᐧ Work: pangovet.com

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ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: Good Poops, Happy Dog - Getting to the Bottom of Digestive Trouble
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/good-poops-happy-dog-getting-to-the-bottom-of-digestive-trouble

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [email protected]. Thank you for tuning in!

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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 play a central role in your dog's overall health - and diet changes alone may not be enough to support it.

Dr. Amber breaks down:
✔️ Why occasional loose stools, gas, and coat appearance may all relate to gut microbiome balance
✔️ The gut-skin connection and how probiotic support may benefit healthy skin and coat
✔️ What can affect microbiome balance (stress, diet changes - and how to support it)
✔️ Why even a nutritious diet works best when digestion and nutrient utilization are supported
✔️ The difference between single-strain and multi-strain probiotics - and why strain diversity matters
✔️ Why species-appropriate probiotic strains may better support your dog's gut microbiome than human-formulated products

If you're looking for a new framework for understanding your dog's digestive health from the inside out, this episode is for you.

🔔 New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss a science-backed conversation that helps you make better-informed decisions for your pet. #DogGutHealth #DogProbiotics #DrAmberDVM #VitalPetLife #PetDigestiveHealth

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ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: The Future of Pet Health - What We Saw at Global Pet Expo 2026
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/the-future-of-pet-wellness-what-we-saw-at-global-pet-expo-2026

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [email protected]. Thank you for tuning in!

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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 discuss the biggest trends shaping the future of pet health and nutrition, why clean sourcing and recognizable ingredients matter, and Vital Pet Life's launch at the show of Only Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats - the first pet supplement oil in the U.S. to carry the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) label.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly pet health insights and share with a fellow pet parent! #GlobalPetExpo2026 #VitalPetLife #OnlySalmonOil #ASCCertified #PetHealthTrends

❤️ Connect with us:
ᐧ Facebook -facebook.com/vitalpetlife
ᐧ TikTok:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ Instagram:@vitalpetlife
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ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: Why Your Dog Needs to Sniff on Walks (It's Not What You Think)
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/why-your-dog-needs-to-sniff-on-walks-it-s-not-what-you-think

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [email protected]. Thank you for tuning in!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 Yamamoto break down the fascinating science of canine olfaction and why sniffing isn't a bad habit - it's a biological necessity.

What you'll learn:

• Why dogs have 300 million olfactory receptors (vs. our 5-6 million)

• How sniffing may ease stress and build confidence in dogs

• The difference between a "march walk" and a mentally enriching sniff walk

• What your dog is actually detecting when they stop at a fire hydrant

• Why restricting sniffing is like making your dog wear a blindfold

Whether you have a high-energy pup or a couch potato, this episode will change how you think about the daily walk.

🐾 Slow down. Let them sniff. Your dog will thank you. #DogSniffing #CanineOlfaction #DrAmberDVM #VitalPetLife #DogWalkTips

❤️ Connect with us:
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ᐧ YouTube:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: 60-Second Ingredient Deep Dive with Dr. Amber, DVM - Oatmeal in Pet Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/60-second-ingredient-deep-dive-with-dr-amber-dvm-oatmeal-for-dogs-and-cats-shampoo

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [email protected]. Thank you for tuning in!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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're using got it right.

Timestamps:
1:03 - What is oatmeal (in pet care)?
1:30 - What oatmeal does in your pet's body
2:10 - How often your pet needs it
2:35 - What to look for on a pet shampoo label

Is this episode for you? If you want to better understand what's in your pet's grooming products, this episode is for you. 🌾🐾 #OatmealForPets #PetShampooIngredients #DrAmberDVM #VitalPetLife #IngredientDeepDive

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ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: Dogs, Aging & the Future of Medicine - What We're Learning from Canine Aging Science & Health Breakthroughs
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/dogs-aging-the-future-of-medicine-what-we-re-learning-from-canine-longevity-health-science-breakthroughs-for-longer

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

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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 - The Dog Aging Project: What It Is
01:16 - Why dogs are the perfect human aging model
02:57 - Canine dementia & Alzheimer's parallels
04:28 - What pet parents miss about cognitive decline
05:20 - What Dr. Amber says about supporting cognitive function in aging dogs
06:26 - Cancer: the #1 concern in dogs & immune function
08:02 - Why dogs outperform mice as research models
09:07 - Rapamycin & the future of health span
10:20 - Shifting from reactive to proactive pet care
11:44 - What you can do as a pet parent right now

In this episode, Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM and Donie Yamamoto break down canine dementia, cancer, chronic inflammation, and what the Dog Aging Project means for the future of veterinary and human medicine.

Signs worth discussing with your vet:

• Confusion or disorientation at home

• Pacing or restlessness at night

• Staring at walls or getting "stuck"

• Forgetting familiar people or commands

Early conversations with your vet can make a difference. Follow Unleashed Curiosity for weekly conversations on pet health and science-backed care. 🐾

#DogAgingProject #DogDementia #PetHealth #DogAgingScience #CanineCognitiveDysfunction #DogCancer #UnleashedCuriosity #VitalPetLife

❤️ Connect with us:
ᐧ Facebook -facebook.com/vitalpetlife
ᐧ TikTok:@vitalpetlife
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ᐧ YouTube:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: Why Cats Knead & Zoom at 3AM - 10 Cat Behaviors Explained by a Vet
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/the-one-why-cats-knead-zoom-at-3am-10-weird-cat-behaviors-explained-by-a-vet

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [email protected]. Thank you for tuning in!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 Watching Chatter 🐦
07:01 - The Loaf Position 🐈
08:04 - Knocking Things Off Tables 😤
09:01 - Showing Their Butt (it's a compliment) 🍑
10:10 - Sleeping on Your Laptop 💻
12:24 - Random Foot Attacks 🦶

What You'll Learn:

• Why adult cats still knead - rooted in nursing instinct

• The slow blink: your cat's version of "I love you"

• Why domestic cats think 3AM is hunting hour

• The chattering jaw reflex cats make at windows

• Why knocking things off tables is cause-and-effect learning

• How to address foot attacks before they become a real problem

Whether you're a lifelong cat parent or just deeply confused by your new kitten, this episode gives you the science and the laughs. Follow the show and share with a fellow cat parent! 🐱🐾

#CatBehavior #WhyCatsKnead #CatParent #CatZoomies #VitalPetLife #UnleashedCuriosity #CatTips #Veterinarian #PetPodcast #CatLoaf #CatMom #CatDad #PetHealth

❤️ Connect with us:
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ᐧ TikTok:@vitalpetlife
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ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: What Your Vet Isn't Telling You About Dog Long-Term Care - Rehab, Teeth & Mobility With Dr. Paul Tonioli
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/what-your-vet-isn-t-telling-you-about-dog-longevity-rehab-teeth-mobility-with-dr-paul-toniolli

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

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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 Dr. Paul Tonioli
05:46 - What is canine rehabilitation?
07:05 - The underwater treadmill explained
09:23 - What age should dogs start rehab?
12:19 - The 30-lb Chihuahua whose hip popped out
16:31 - Dental bacteria and your dog's heart and kidney health
18:00 - Dog who played fetch again after 5 years
39:51 - Why fetch is NOT real exercise
40:51 - Rehab myth busted in 12 seconds
42:17 - The car accident dog miracle

Key Takeaways:
🐾 Fetch in the backyard does NOT count as real exercise
🦷 Dental bacteria can affect your dog's heart and kidney health
💪 Muscle strength can support joint health
🏊 Canine rehab is proactive care, not just post-surgery recovery
🔬 90% of a dog's tooth is under the gum line - x-rays are essential

#caninerehabilitation #doghealth #petdentistry #dogcare #veterinarycare #dogmobility #pethealthtips #UnleashedCuriosity #vitalpetlife

💙 Connect with our guest, Dr. Paul Tonioli of Antelope Animal Hospital:
📧 [email protected]
📞 801-779-7970

❤️ Connect with us:
ᐧ Facebook -facebook.com/vitalpetlife
ᐧ TikTok:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ Instagram:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ X:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ YouTube:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: 60-Second Ingredient Deep Dive with Dr. Amber, DVM - Krill
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/60-second-ingredient-deep-dive-with-dr-amber-dvm-krill

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [email protected]. Thank you for tuning in!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 body's normal inflammatory response

• Why some vets consider krill a noteworthy omega-3 source

• The right serving size most pet parents overlook

• What to look for on a supplement label

Pet health is full of marketing claims - but your pet deserves better. This episode gives you the clarity to make smarter, science-backed decisions for a more comfortable, well-cared-for life for your dog or cat. 🦐🐾 #KrillForPets #IngredientDeepDive #DrAmberDVM #VitalPetLife #PetSupplement

❤️ Connect with us:
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ᐧ TikTok:@vitalpetlife
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ᐧ YouTube:@vitalpetlife

ᐧ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: Why Dogs Chase Their Tails, Follow You & Act Strange - 10 Behaviors Every Pet Parent Should Understand
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/why-dogs-chase-their-tails-follow-you-act-strange-10-hidden-behaviors-every-pet-parent-must-understand-for-a

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

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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.

From tail chasing and zoomies to bed scratching, licking, barking at nothing, and the "guilty look," you'll discover what's normal, what's not, and when it might be time to call your vet.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why dogs chase their tails (and when it's not just play)

• The real reason behind zoomies and sudden bursts of energy

• Why your dog scratches your bed before lying down

• What excessive licking could be telling you about their health

• Why dogs bark at "nothing" (and what they actually sense)

• The truth behind the "guilty look"

• When behaviors signal anxiety, boredom, or medical concerns

• How your reactions may accidentally reinforce behaviors

Whether you're a new pet parent or a lifelong dog lover, this episode will help you decode your dog's behavior, support their care, and strengthen your bond. Because your dog isn't being "weird" - they're communicating. 🐶🐾 #DogBehavior #WhyDogsDo #DrAmberDVM #VitalPetLife #DogHealth

❤️ Connect with us:
ᐧ Facebook -facebook.com/vitalpetlife
ᐧ TikTok:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ Instagram:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ X:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ YouTube:@vitalpetlife
ᐧ Check out our website -www.vitalpetlife.com

You may also enjoy: Pet Anxiety Explained - How to Calm Nervous Dogs & Stressed Cats
https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/pet-anxiety-explained-how-to-calm-nervous-dogs-stressed-cats-naturally

Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [email protected]. Thank you for tuning in!

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.