Is your dog or cat slowing down… or actually in pain?

The truth is, most pets don’t show pain in obvious ways—and it’s often dismissed as “just aging.” But age is NOT a disease.

In this video, I break down how to recognize subtle signs of pain in dogs and cats, where pain commonly hides (especially in senior pets), and what you can do right now to help them feel better.

We’ll cover:
• Early signs of pain most pet owners miss
• Behavior changes that actually signal discomfort
• Where pain hides in dogs vs cats
• Safe, effective pain management options
• What you can start doing at home today

This episode is based on concepts from my book Age Is Not a Disease, where I go deeper into helping pets live longer, more comfortable lives.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your pet is “just getting older” or actually struggling—this is for you.

Joint supplements are one of the most commonly used products in pets—but what’s actually new, and do they really make a difference?

In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea reviews the latest updates in pet joint supplements, including what ingredients are being used, what the current evidence suggests, and how to choose a product that may actually benefit your pet.

You’ll learn:

• which joint supplement ingredients are most commonly used

• what current research says about their effectiveness

• how to evaluate different products

• when supplements may or may not be helpful

If you’re considering joint supplements for your pet or wondering if they’re worth it, this episode will help you make a more informed decision.

The idea that dogs are strict carnivores is everywhere—but is it actually true?

In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea breaks down the ongoing debate around canine nutrition, including what it really means to be a carnivore and how dogs have evolved alongside humans.

You’ll learn:

• whether dogs are true carnivores or something else

• how digestion and evolution play a role in diet

• why this debate matters when choosing a pet food

• what actually matters most for your dog’s nutrition

If you’ve ever been told your dog should eat like a wolf, this episode will help you understand what’s fact—and what’s oversimplified.

Food allergies are one of the most commonly misunderstood issues in pets—and in many cases, they’re overdiagnosed by pet parents.

In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea breaks down what a true food allergy actually looks like, why many symptoms are mistaken for food-related issues, and what might really be going on.

You’ll learn:

• what people often mistake for food allergies

• the difference between food allergies and other conditions

• when diet changes are actually necessary

• what to do if your pet is showing symptoms

If you’ve ever wondered whether your pet really has a food allergy, this episode will help you separate fact from myth.

If your pet refuses food, is it true picky eating or a medical problem? In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea explains why picky eating in dogs is usually behavioral, why cats are different, and what owners should do before repeatedly changing foods.

In this episode, Dr. Amber Rea answers questions from pet owners about some of the most common and controversial topics in veterinary medicine.

This Q&A episode covers pet nutrition, vaccine schedules, neutering decisions, and the risks of anesthesia-free dentistry.

Topics discussed include:

• calcium and phosphorus levels in puppy diets
• whether corn and soy in dog food are actually harmful
• when loose stool in puppies is diet-related vs medical
• whether dogs should take multivitamins
• common causes of dry skin in dogs
• the best age to neuter male dogs
• the truth about anesthesia-free dental cleanings
• why some dogs refuse food but eat treats

If you enjoy these Q&A episodes, let me know and I’ll share more discussions from our live sessions.

In Episode 8 of The AnimalDocRea Podcast, veterinarian Dr. Amber Rea reviews new research examining copper levels in pet food and the potential relationship between dietary copper and liver disease in dogs.

Concerns about copper-associated liver disease have received increasing attention in recent years, leading to questions about whether modern pet foods may contain excessive copper. In this episode, Dr. Rea examines the latest research and explains how veterinarians interpret these findings.

Topics discussed include:

• how copper functions in canine nutrition
• what the latest research suggests about copper levels in pet foods
• how copper-associated liver disease develops
• how veterinarians evaluate claims about copper toxicity in pet diets

Understanding the science behind trace minerals like copper helps place current concerns about pet food formulation into proper context.

Dr. Amber Rea is a practicing veterinarian and the author of Reasons We Feed and Age Is Not a Disease, where she focuses on evidence-based approaches to pet health and nutrition.

For listeners who prefer the video format, the full discussion is available on the AnimalDocRea YouTube channel.

A dog presents with what looks like a simple eye issue—but as the exam unfolds, the case takes a different direction.

In this Mic’d Up episode, you’re hearing the case exactly as it happened—no script, no edits, just real-time clinical decision-making.

These episodes are designed to show what veterinary medicine actually looks like in practice—how we think through cases, rule things in or out, and make decisions on the spot.

🎧 Real cases. Real decisions. Real time.

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