Can We Slow Down Pet Aging?

On this episode of Off Leash, Molly sits down with Angie Huntley of LifeVantage to explore a different approach to pet wellness: supporting the body at the cellular level. Angie shares her background with the company and explains the concept of oxidative stress, nutrigenomics, and the Nrf2 pathway—and why she believes these areas can play a role in how animals age and recover. The conversation focuses on LifeVantage’s nutritional formulations for pets and how they’re designed to work with natural cellular pathways rather than simply adding individual antioxidant supplements. Angie discusses the ingredients used in the formulations, the importance of sourcing, and how the pet version differs from the human product. She also shares personal experiences with her own dogs involving aging, mobility, skin issues, temperament, and overall quality of life. Molly and Angie also talk about the value of preventative pet care, especially as active dogs get older and begin dealing with issues like arthritis and reduced mobility. Angie explains why she views these products as one part of a broader wellness approach and discusses the research she points people toward when they want to learn more about the science behind the company. Whether you’re interested in healthy aging, pet supplements, preventative care, or simply curious about emerging ideas in pet wellness, this conversation offers a look at a less traditional approach to supporting dogs throughout their lives.  https://angelalhuntley.lifevantage.com/us-en/ Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete use Labor Day as an excuse to talk about a different kind of labor: what actually goes into breeding a dog, preparing for birth, and caring for a new litter of puppies. Dr. Pete starts with what should happen long before puppies arrive—making sure both parents are healthy and avoiding breeding dogs with hereditary problems that could be passed on. They also discuss pregnancy nutrition, why adding too much calcium too early can cause problems, and when it may make sense to transition a pregnant dog onto puppy food. Once labor begins, Dr. Pete explains why giving the mother a quiet, low-stress environment matters, what owners should watch for during delivery, and why newborn puppies should be monitored closely for nursing and weight gain. They also cover warning signs such as constant crying, cleft palates, and complications that can arise when a mother is producing milk for a larger litter. The conversation also gets into C-sections in breeds like French Bulldogs and Bulldogs, puppy health checks, vaccinations, AKC paperwork, and why responsible breeding involves far more than simply pairing two dogs and hoping for a healthy litter. Whether you’re considering breeding your dog, expecting a litter, or thinking about buying a puppy from a breeder, this episode gives you a better idea of the planning, veterinary care, and responsibility involved. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly is joined by Josh, an antivenom expert who works closely with veterinarians and the National Snakebite Support Group, to talk about what pet owners should know if their dog is ever bitten by a venomous snake. From rattlesnakes and copperheads to cottonmouths and coral snakes, Josh breaks down where bites happen most often and why fast veterinary care matters. Josh explains what actually happens after a snake bite, why antivenom is such an important part of treatment, and why it needs to be administered by a veterinarian rather than carried and given at home. He also walks through the biggest mistakes pet owners make after a bite including giving Benadryl, applying a tourniquet, cutting or sucking the wound, and relying on other home remedies that don’t neutralize venom. They also discuss how quickly symptoms can appear, why even a bite that doesn’t look severe should be taken seriously, the potential for kidney and organ damage, and the controversy surrounding rattlesnake vaccines for dogs. Josh also clears up one of the biggest snake myths: younger snakes are not more dangerous simply because they supposedly “can’t control their venom.” Whether you hike with your dog, hunt with working dogs, live in snake country, or simply want to know what to do in an emergency, this episode offers practical information that could make a major difference when minutes matter.

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly brings in her friend Ben for a very honest conversation about something every dog owner can relate to: are we actually doing everything we should be doing for our pets? What starts with questions about fatty tumors and supplements quickly turns into a crash course on responsible dog ownership. Dr. Pete explains why lumps and bumps should be checked rather than assumed to be harmless, whether supplements like turkey tail mushrooms really have evidence behind them, and how to tell if your dog is eating the right amount of food. They also talk about dogs that inhale their meals, slow feeders, exercise, seasonal calorie needs, and why simply being able to feel your dog’s ribs can tell you a lot about body condition. The conversation gets especially practical when Ben admits his dogs don’t get regular veterinary checkups. Dr. Pete breaks down why preventive care matters, including vaccines, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, Lyme disease testing, and catching problems before your dog ever appears sick. They also get into table scraps, food allergies, raw fish and venison, water intake, diabetes, and why annual veterinary visits become even more important as dogs age. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or you’ve had dogs your whole life, this episode is a funny and useful reminder that good pet care isn’t just about reacting when something goes wrong, it’s about preventing problems before they start. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly brings another round of listener questions to Dr. Pete, covering everything from dog treats and vaccines to skin problems, digestive issues, liver enzymes, and senior dog health. It’s a wide-ranging Q&A filled with practical advice for pet owners dealing with some of the most common and confusing health concerns. Dr. Pete starts by discussing treats for dogs with copper storage disease, including why owners need to look closely at ingredient labels and how even treats can contribute additional copper. He also answers a question about old dog vestibular syndrome, explaining why senior dogs can suddenly become dizzy, unsteady, or nauseous and why many improve significantly with time and supportive care. The conversation also covers elevated liver enzymes in Scottish Terriers, whether senior dogs still need vaccinations, and what antibody titers can and can’t tell pet owners about immunity. From there, Dr. Pete dives into dysbiosis and fecal transplants, severe dermatitis and possible scabies, environmental allergies, and why the location and timing of a dog’s itching can offer important clues about what’s causing the problem. They wrap up with a question about bilious vomiting syndrome and why some dogs vomit yellow bile early in the morning, along with practical ideas for managing medications and diet. Whether you’re caring for a senior dog, dealing with allergies, or simply trying to better understand your pet’s symptoms, this episode offers useful veterinary insight you can take into your next conversation with your veterinarian. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete take a closer look at a new concern surrounding raw pet food: avian influenza, or H5N1. As bird flu continues to affect poultry, dairy cattle, cats, and other mammals, they discuss why uncooked animal ingredients are getting more attention from veterinarians, pet food companies, and the FDA. Dr. Pete explains why cats appear to be more vulnerable to bird flu than dogs, how exposure can happen around farms and infected animals, and why cooking or pasteurization dramatically changes the risk. They also discuss the FDA’s response to H5N1 and why manufacturers using raw or unpasteurized poultry and cattle ingredients are being pushed to take a closer look at their food safety practices. The conversation expands into the broader risks and benefits of raw feeding, including bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria, ingredient sourcing, testing, and why transparency matters when choosing a pet food company. Rather than simply labeling raw diets as good or bad, Molly and Dr. Pete explain why pet owners should understand the added food-safety risks and ask better questions about how their dog or cat’s food is produced. Whether you currently feed raw, have considered making the switch, or simply want to understand how changing infectious diseases can affect pet nutrition, this episode offers practical information to help you make a more informed decision for your pet. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete talk about something many pet owners don’t think about until moving day: how changing homes can affect your dog or cat. A new house means unfamiliar smells, a different yard, new neighbors, and an entirely new environment for your pet to figure out. Dr. Pete explains why pets that were perfectly house-trained in one home may suddenly have accidents in another, especially if previous animals left behind scents in carpeting or flooring. They also discuss checking fences, electrical cords, unfamiliar hazards, and why limiting a dog’s access to the entire house at first can make the transition easier and safer. The conversation also covers some less obvious concerns, including moving a blind dog into an unfamiliar floor plan, new exposure to ticks and parasites when moving from the city to the country, and why your new neighborhood can completely change your pet’s daily risks. Molly and Dr. Pete even discuss what to look for when choosing a home with dogs in mind from flooring and fenced yards to pet-friendly neighbors. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving across town, or relocating with several pets, this episode offers practical advice to help make the transition safer and less stressful for everyone involved. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete dive into a growing concern in veterinary medicine: drug-resistant hookworms. Hookworms themselves aren't new, but some strains are becoming harder to treat with the dewormers veterinarians have relied on for decades. Dr. Pete explains where this resistance is showing up, why certain dogs may be more at risk, and what veterinarians are doing when the usual treatments stop working. From there, the conversation turns into a crash course on the different parasites dogs can pick up. Dr. Pete breaks down hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and even some lesser-known stomach worms. Dr. Pete explains how dogs get them, what symptoms owners might notice, and why some parasites can be surprisingly difficult to diagnose. They also discuss how puppies can acquire worms from their mothers, why black or tarry stools can be a warning sign of hookworms, and how modern heartworm and parasite preventives have dramatically reduced the number of intestinal parasites veterinarians see today. Dr. Pete even explains why some routine fecal tests can miss certain worms and when additional testing may be necessary. Whether you have a new puppy, recently adopted a dog, or simply want to better understand parasite prevention, this episode offers practical information to help keep your dog healthy and explains why staying ahead of worms is much easier than dealing with them after they become a problem. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly puts another round of listener questions in front of Dr. Pete, covering everything from copper storage disease and puppy nutrition to grass eating, fish oil supplements, flea prevention, and common misconceptions about pet health. Dr. Pete begins by answering several questions about copper accumulation in dogs, including whether a low-copper diet can help reduce copper stored in the liver, which treats to avoid, and why regular monitoring of liver enzymes is so important. The conversation then shifts to everyday questions many pet owners have, including why dogs suddenly start eating grass in the spring and when puppies can safely transition to adult dog food. Dr. Pete also shares his thoughts on modern flea and tick prevention, why some older products no longer work as well as they once did, and how to make informed decisions when choosing preventive care for your dog. Whether you're caring for a growing puppy, managing allergies, or simply looking for trusted answers to common dog health questions, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you make informed decisions for your pet. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete tackle one of the most debated topics in veterinary medicine: Are we overvaccinating our dogs? With so much conflicting information online, it can be difficult for pet owners to know which vaccines are essential, which are based on lifestyle, and how often their pets really need them. Dr. Pete breaks down the science behind modern vaccination protocols and explains why there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The conversation explores the difference between core vaccines, like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis, and non-core vaccines that depend on where your dog lives and how they spend their time. Whether your dog goes hunting, attends daycare, visits the groomer, travels frequently, or mostly stays at home, Dr. Pete explains how veterinarians evaluate disease risk and build vaccination plans around a dog's individual lifestyle rather than simply giving every vaccine every year. Whether you're welcoming a new puppy, wondering if your adult dog needs every vaccine, or simply trying to make informed decisions about your pet's preventive care, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you work with your veterinarian to create the right vaccination plan for your dog. Thanks so much for listening, and be sure to subscribe and review!