PetPlace Podcast

You won’t want to take your pet for their yearly wellness exam until you’ve taken a few minutes to listen to our talk with Dr. Patrick Mahaney about what’s new in wellness. Which portion of your pet’s wellness is most important? Have pet wellness recommendations changed? What do pet parents need to know before buying pet meds online? Should you be having a conversation with your vet about your pet’s nutrition and supplements? What holistic or alternative therapies could help keep your pet healthy?

I live quite near a hospital and, as the weather gets warmer, I notice an increase in ambulance sirens. It’s not totally dissimilar for pets. This time of year can show a spike in accidents for them as well, so we thought it would be a good time to talk about first aid with Dr. Patrick Mahaney. We’re asking for new trends and get his holistic take on pet first aid.

Sometimes it can feel like the world is a bit of a scary place, perhaps a bit more harmful than it seemed growing up at least. We reached out to Dr. Patrick Mahaney to get some perspective on poisoning, specifically those items that most affect pets. We asked Dr. Patrick: For some updates on the risks of pet marijuana ingestion, now that the legalization of marijuana has been in effect a while. If America’s opioid epidemic is having an effect on pets? Which household product top his list of pet poisons?

It always helps us gain a little perspective when we spend a few minutes talking to Dr. Mahaney about pet dental topics. It feels like a year goes by and we might have ignored our pets teeth entirely, but it’s a good idea to stop for a few minutes and give it some thought. Much easier to think about it pro-actively than wait until it’s a headache. In this podcast we learn: About preventing dental disease. If brushing your pet’s teeth is helpful. If certain pet foods or chews are better for your pet’s teeth. What your vet really wants you to know about pet dental care.

The many theories on pet training can be confusing - even overwhelming. What’s the right (or wrong) way to train? What’s effective and what’s safe? The trainers all have their own opinions, and plenty of know-it-alls are willing to share their thoughts too, but have you ever thought to ask your vet about it? Dr. Patrick Mahaney joins us for this month’s podcast on pet training, talking about: Safe and effective training methods and what should be avoided When more training or tools may be necessary Board and train facilities Cat training and when it might be useful

While the temperatures have been pretty warm for fall here, our weather people are calling for a La Nina for the 2016-2017 winter, bringing more snow and maybe cooler temps than average. With that on our minds, we got a few questions ready for Dr. Patrick Mahaney about what we might expect and how to best prepare for the coming holiday and winter months. How does La Nina affect pets? What does our vet want us to know about road tripping with pets? How can we make holiday visits easier on our pets? Are there any new trends in winter health issues in pets? What cool new products or toys does our cat or dog want for Christmas?

Every pet parent has to consider pet nutrition, and might have to make changes to their pet’s diet several times over the course of their lifetime. Which is why we like to check in with our veterinary experts every year to discuss hot topics and trends in nutrition. In this month’s podcast we’ll be asking: Going Gluten Free: does it help our pets? Pet Probiotics: what is it all about? Doing your research: where do I start? Knowing what to look for: what are the signs my pet’s diet may be off?

It’s not a comfortable topic for some, but we wanted to take a few minutes to talk to Dr. Patrick Mahaney about pet loss prevention and what pet parents should do in the event that their pet becomes lost. In this month’s podcast we’ll hear about: What steps to take if your pet becomes lost or if you find a lost pet. What factors aid in minimizing the risk of your pet becoming lost. What new technology is available to help in the case of a missing pet.  

It’s been a toasty summer so far in Cleveland. Dry days and high temps have us talking about summer safety and accident prevention with Dr. Patrick Mahaney in this edition of our monthly podcast. Lots of new and trending topics to discuss, including: Dry drowning: what is it and what are the risks? Scary Stuff: taking a holistic approach to storm and firework anxiety Bloat: who is at risk and how to prevent gastric torsion Helping Kitties: preparing cats for a comfortable stay with sitters during your summer vacation Wildfire safety: planning ahead for yourselves and your pets.

It's that time of year - summer has arrived and we’re all scrambling to get our pets up-to-date on their flea/tick/heartworm preventatives. Not to mention the vaccinations, check-ups, and prescriptions for allergy meds. Before you get caught up in the chaos, take a few minutes to listen to our latest podcast. Dr. Patrick Mahaney will be talking about: What to expect from fleas and ticks in 2016 What’s safe and what’s effective when it comes to flea and tick prevention Saving money on pet meds: are online pharmacies the way to go? Titers: what are they and are they the right move for your pet Now, don’t you feel more prepared for that checkup? We’d wish you luck, but we don’t think you’ll need it.

A few months back there was quite the scare about feeding dogs peanut butter. It wasn’t actually the peanut butter, but the artificial sweetener, Xylitol, found in some peanut butters that was making pets sick. Occasionally there are new hazards like this introduced to our pets, so we wanted to take a few minutes to talk with Dr. Patrick Mahaney about some of the latest trends in pet poisoning and toxicity. Dr. Patrick will talk a bit more about the Xylitol risks, as well as other common household items that may pose a threat for your pet. Some of them might surprise you.

You’re much more likely to respond appropriately to a pet emergency if you’ve had a chance to walk through the scenario in your head before. If the unexpected happens out of the blue, you’ll be caught off guard, but if you’ve had a chance to at least think, “hey, what should I do if...” maybe you won’t lose your cool and you’ll perform better under pressure. That’s why we had a chat with our vet friend, Dr. Patrick Mahaney, about first aid preparedness. He’s going to talk to us calmly now, so no one has to talk us down in the event that we’re ever faced with a pet who’s: Been hit by a car bleeding choking in need of emergency medical care Ready to get heavy with Dr. Patrick? Take a listen.

We Embrace pets of all ages, young and old, and everyone in between. So, we wanted to chat with Dr. Patrick Mahaney about all the things that come with different ages and stages, including health, behavior, exercise and diet. Tune in to our latest podcast to learn more about: When we should consider our pets adults or seniors, and what does that even mean. Helping senior pets have a healthy diet. How to safely exercise your pets, young and old alike. What the routine checkup requirements are for your pets as they age.

Happy Pet Dental Month! It’s not quite as cute and rosy as Valentine’s Day or Groundhog’s Day (though it may be a bit cuddlier than President’s day, depending on which President you’re thinking of), but it’s important and we’re in the mood to discuss all things toothy with Dr. Patrick Mahaney in this month’s podcast. Get ready to learn: What’s done during a dental cleaning? Are there any side effects from dental cleaning? Does your dog or cat really need a dental cleaning? What’s the deal with anesthesia free dentals? Are there any things we can do to help keep our pet’s teeth healthy between cleanings?

In a world full of fad diets and million dollar advertising campaigns, how are you supposed to sift through the filler to find the right food for your pet? This month, Dr. Patrick Mahaney and Laura Bennett dive into the world of pet nutrition and help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to what to feed your pet. Here's what they'll cover: Do the foods that tout added nutrients for things like joint health really help my dog? What's the difference when a food is specially for seniors or puppies? Is it really valuable to switch foods as your pet ages? What are the best budget-conscious options for dogs with food allergies? If a dog will only eat once a day, is that a problem? Should he be eating more, smaller meals? Do cats really need wet food? What can you do to help an obese cat lose weight?

This month’s podcast features an extra special guest. As we’re discussing “taking your pet to the vet,” who better to chat with than the creator of the groundbreaking fear-free movement, Dr. Marty Becker. Dr. Becker joins Dr. Patrick Mahaney and Laura Bennett to discuss not only the importance of seeking veterinary attention, but also the health and wellness benefits of reducing stress in pet patients. The doctors explain how some of their techniques and tricks help pets be more at ease and create a safer experience for all involved. You’ll want to listen in to learn more about what you as the pet parent can do to make veterinary care a more enjoyable experience. There’s even suggests on how to make your home a more zen-like space for your pet. They’ll discuss the benefits of some old-school practices such as house calls, and some new fear-free care techniques, making this a conversation you (and your anxious pet) won’t want to miss.

This month’s podcast brings you a little something extra. As we’re talking about Pets and Pop Culture, we thought we’d bring in dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert Laura Nativo. We’re veering away from our usual Q&A format and geeking out a bit about pets in Hollywood. Dr. Patrick Mahaney dishes about some of his A-list celebrity clients (you’ll have to listen to find out who!) and Laura shares some behind the scenes stories, and how she turned them into trainable moments. We’ll learn about the life of a celebrity pet on set and more. Tune in.

The number of calls from pet parents looking for pet insurance quotes tends to increase in the summer, especially on Mondays. There’s no strong logic as to why, but my years on the phone clued me in to the fact that the weekend warriors play extra hard during the summer months, and their pets are often in on the action. Swallowed corn cobs at family reunions and rattlesnake bites on hikes during road trips were certainly common summertime issues, right along with the boring, but still costly, allergies, bug bites, and sun burns. We’re 100% in support of summer fun, but also 100% in support of safety, which is why we sat down with Dr. Patrick Mahaney to get his advice on the best ways to enjoy your summer without injury or unexpected vet visits. Here's what we're covering: How dangerous is hot pavement on a dog's pads when walking? Can you share your best advice for preventing insect, or even snake bites? What is the best way to prevent sunburns on pets with light colored coats and pets that lack pigmentation? My black dog loves lying in the sun, but should I worry about him overheating? He has shade options or can come inside, but seems to enjoy working on his tan. Brachycephalic breeds are more prone to issues when it's very hot. Is there anything special we can do for them? Can changing your pet's feeding schedule/food type during the summer cause problems?

Animal cruelty certainly isn’t a topic we looked forward to discussing, but as responsible pet parents, it’s up to all of us to help the animals in our community. After all, we are their voice. So, it’s up to us to advocate for animals that are being neglected or abused. But sometimes it’s hard to even know where to begin. What are the signs of neglect? When does neglect cross over to cruelty? How can we help? This month, our friend and fellow animal advocate Dr. Patrick Mahaney helps us help those that cannot help themselves. In our podcast we’ll answer: What should I do if I witness someone being cruel to their animals? Who do I report that to? How do I recognize if a "breeder" is actually a puppy mill? How do you talk to someone who crosses the line from what you think is helping, to actually hurting animals? What signs might indicate a pet is being abused? Do veterinarians have “mandatory reporter” requirements if they think a pet is being abused? I you adopt a pet that you suspect or you know has been abused in the past, what do you recommend you do to combat the long-lasting effects of that abuse, particularly behavioral issues?

On this month's podcast, Laura Bennett and Dr. Patrick Mahaney discuss pet poison prevention -- common household toxins, how they can be avoided, and what you can do if your pet ingests something toxic.