Why Your Dog NEEDS to Sniff on Walks (It's Not What You Think)

Pet Supplements, Ethical Breeding & Vet-Approved Health Advice with Dr. Karyn Kanowski

What if your vet's training was shaped more by pharmaceutical companies than by nutrition science? In this episode of Unleashed Curiosity by Vital Pet Life, hosts Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva sit down with Dr. Karyn Kanowski, veterinary content creator, supervisor at Pango Vet, and co-host of the Chatty Cattys podcast, for one of our most eye-opening conversations yet about pet health, pet supplements, and the future of animal welfare. 🔑 In this episode, we cover: * Why pet supplements and nutrition may do more for your dog or cat than a prescription ever could * 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 can reduce 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 wellness, this episode will challenge the way you think about pet health, preventive pet care, and what it truly means to give your animals the best life possible. 🐶🐱 📍 Follow Dr. Karyn: @karyn.kanowski [https://www.instagram.com/karyn.kanowski] | catster.com [http://catster.com] | dogster.com [http://dogster.com] | Chatty Cattys podcast Brought to you by Vital Pet Life, family-owned, committed to pet health, sustainability, and transparency. New episodes every week. 📩 Have questions or episode ideas? Email us at podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com] 🌐 Learn more at VitalPetLife.com [http://VitalPetLife.com] You may also listen here to our previous episode 🎙️ https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-99 [https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-99] Connect with us: ᐧ Facebook - facebook.com/vitalpetlife [http://facebook.com/vitalpetlife] ᐧ TikTok: @vitalpetlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@vitalpetlife] ᐧ Instagram: @vitalpetlife [https://www.instagram.com/vitalpetlife/] ᐧ X: @vitalpetlife [https://x.com/VitalPetLife] ᐧ YouTube: @vitalpetlife [https://www.youtube.com/@vitalpetlife/podcasts] ᐧ Check out our website - www.vitalpetlife.com [http://www.vitalpetlife.com/] Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at ⁠podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com]⁠ Thank you for tuning in! “Life of Riley” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Good Poops, Happy Dog: Getting to the Bottom of Digestive Trouble

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 to explore what most pet parents never hear: gut microbiome balance may play a central role in your dog's overall wellness — 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 your pet thrive. Follow Unleashed Curiosity by Vital Pet Life for science-backed conversations on pet health, longevity, and behavior. 👍 Like this episode if you learned something new 🔔 Subscribe for weekly pet health insights 📩 Share this with a fellow pet parent 📩 Have questions or episode ideas? Email us at podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com] 🌐 Learn more at VitalPetLife.com [http://VitalPetLife.com] You may also listen here to our previous episode 🎙️ https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-98 [https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-98] Connect with us: ᐧ Facebook - facebook.com/vitalpetlife [http://facebook.com/vitalpetlife] ᐧ TikTok: @vitalpetlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@vitalpetlife] ᐧ Instagram: @vitalpetlife [https://www.instagram.com/vitalpetlife/] ᐧ X: @vitalpetlife [https://x.com/VitalPetLife] ᐧ YouTube: @vitalpetlife [https://www.youtube.com/@vitalpetlife/podcasts] ᐧ Check out our website - www.vitalpetlife.com [http://www.vitalpetlife.com/] Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at ⁠podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com]⁠ Thank you for tuning in! “Life of Riley” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

The Future of Pet Wellness: What We Saw at Global Pet Expo 2026

Donie Yamamoto and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM, back from Global Pet Expo 2026 with one major takeaway: pet wellness is 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 longevity, why clean sourcing and recognizable ingredients matter, and Vital Pet Life’s exciting 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. Follow Unleashed Curiosity by Vital Pet Life for science-backed conversations on pet health, longevity, and behavior. 👍 Like this episode if you learned something new 🔔 Subscribe for weekly pet health insights 📩 Share this with a fellow pet parent 📩 Have questions or episode ideas? Email us at podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com] 🌐 Learn more at VitalPetLife.com [http://VitalPetLife.com] You may also listen here to our previous episode 🎙️ https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-97 [https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-97] Connect with us: ᐧ Facebook - facebook.com/vitalpetlife [http://facebook.com/vitalpetlife] ᐧ TikTok: @vitalpetlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@vitalpetlife] ᐧ Instagram: @vitalpetlife [https://www.instagram.com/vitalpetlife/] ᐧ X: @vitalpetlife [https://x.com/VitalPetLife] ᐧ YouTube: @vitalpetlife [https://www.youtube.com/@vitalpetlife/podcasts] ᐧ Check out our website - www.vitalpetlife.com [http://www.vitalpetlife.com/] Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at ⁠podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com]⁠ Thank you for tuning in! “Life of Riley” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Why Your Dog NEEDS to Sniff on Walks (It's Not What You Think)

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 by Vital Pet Life, veterinarian Dr. Amber Da Silva and founder 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 reduces anxiety and builds 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 completely change how you think about the daily walk. 🐾 Slow down. Let them sniff. Your dog will thank you. 🎙️ Unleashed Curiosity is brought to you by Vital Pet Life — where curiosity, compassion, and science converge to help your pet live longer, healthier, and happier. 📩 Questions or topic ideas? Email us: podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com] 🔔 Subscribe & leave a review — it helps more pet lovers find the show! You may also listen here to our previous episode 🎙️ https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-96 [https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-96] Connect with us: ᐧ Facebook - facebook.com/vitalpetlife [http://facebook.com/vitalpetlife] ᐧ TikTok: @vitalpetlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@vitalpetlife] ᐧ Instagram: @vitalpetlife [https://www.instagram.com/vitalpetlife/] ᐧ X: @vitalpetlife [https://x.com/VitalPetLife] ᐧ YouTube: @vitalpetlife [https://www.youtube.com/@vitalpetlife/podcasts] ᐧ Check out our website - www.vitalpetlife.com [http://www.vitalpetlife.com/] Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at ⁠podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com]⁠ Thank you for tuning in! “Life of Riley” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

60-Second Ingredient Deep Dive with Dr. Amber, DVM: Oatmeal for Dogs and Cats Shampoo

You've seen it on every pet shampoo. But do you actually know what it does? 🌾 Unleashed Curiosity by Vital Pet Life launches a brand new segment — 60 Second Ingredient Deep Dives — and Dr. Amber Da Silva, DVM is starting with one of the most common and most misunderstood ingredients in pet wellness. Today: Oatmeal. Not the breakfast kind. The kind that could be actively restoring your pet's skin health — or doing absolutely nothing — depending entirely on whether the brand you're using got it right. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 1:03 – What is oatmeal (in pet wellness)? 1:30 – What oatmeal does in your pet's body 2:10 – How often your pet needs it 2:35 – Red flags: low-quality oatmeal to avoid 🐶 IS THIS VIDEO FOR YOU? Watch this if your dog or cat experiences: * Itchy or irritated skin * Seasonal or environmental allergies * Dry, flaky, or sensitive skin * Post-grooming irritation * Chronic skin issues despite regular bathing Or if you're simply a pet parent who wants to understand what's actually in the products you're buying. You may also listen here to our previous episode 🎙️ https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-95 [https://vitalpet.life/unleashed-curiosity-episode-95] Connect with us: ᐧ Facebook - facebook.com/vitalpetlife [http://facebook.com/vitalpetlife] ᐧ TikTok: @vitalpetlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@vitalpetlife] ᐧ Instagram: @vitalpetlife [https://www.instagram.com/vitalpetlife/] ᐧ X: @vitalpetlife [https://x.com/VitalPetLife] ᐧ YouTube: @vitalpetlife [https://www.youtube.com/@vitalpetlife/podcasts] ᐧ Check out our website - www.vitalpetlife.com [http://www.vitalpetlife.com/] Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at ⁠podcast@vitalpetlife.com [podcast@vitalpetlife.com]⁠ Thank you for tuning in! “Life of Riley” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.