My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog

Happy 2026! We're kicking off the new year with something special: your questions answered.In this episode, I answer the most thoughtful questions you sent in about everything from helping a 9-year-old Pomeranian with hair loss navigate Cushing's vs. Alopecia X, to understanding how your own stress directly impacts your pet's health, to breaking down PEMF therapy and infrared heat for pain relief.We also dive into why rotating your pet's food matters more than finding one "perfect" kibble, how to spot early arthritis before your pet starts limping, where to find integrative vets near you, and whether eggshell supplements are right for your pet.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting pet health advice or wondered if that supplement at the pet store is actually worth it, this episode will help you cut through the noise and make empowered decisions for your pet 💜KEY INSIGHTS:✨ How to tell the difference between Cushing's disease and Alopecia X in dogs with hair loss, and why borderline test results require looking at symptoms, trends over time, and urine cortisol testing.✨ Why PHOVIA light therapy is helping Pomeranians with Alopecia X regrow their fur after multiple sessions.✨ How your emotional and mental health directly affects your pet's wellbeing, including research showing pets and their people share similar microbiomes just from living together.✨ Why energy and frequency medicine is becoming measurable through bioenergetic devices, and how your pet's cells respond to the electrical charge around them.✨ Where to find holistic and integrative veterinarians near you: directories from AHVMA, Chi University, IVAS, CIVT, and O3 Vets.✨ Why fecal transplants aren't the only option for dog allergies, and how herbal therapy, acupuncture, diet changes, bioenergetics, and ozone therapy (MAH/UVBI) can address the root cause.✨ How to recognize early arthritis in dogs before they start limping: hesitation before jumping, less enthusiasm for walks, stiffness in the morning, and subtle changes like not playing with toys.✨ Why pets often "come alive" again after arthritis treatment, doing things they haven't done in years, proving they were in chronic pain all along.✨ How PEMF therapy and infrared heat work for dog pain relief, circulation, and cellular repair, with comparable results to NSAIDs but without the side effects.✨ Why no two pets should be on the same probiotic (even in the same household), and how bioenergetic testing can show which supplements match your pet's unique body.✨ And the most important reminder: stop feeding the same food for life. Variety is the real insurance policy for nutrition, and your pet's body will tell you what works.RESOURCES:Find a Holistic Vet Near You:AHVMA (American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association)Chi UniversityIVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society)CIVT (International College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies)Integrative Pet Wellness Center Resources:https://integrativepet.com/resourcesFOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.comIntegrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet➡️ Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈‍⬛

What if the way you've been feeding your dog, talking about money at the vet, or processing grief has been making everything harder than it needs to be?In this vulnerable year-end reflection, I'm switching seats as my practice manager Dianne interviews me about the three conversations that didn't just change my veterinary practice: they changed me.From discovering the hidden truth about pet food labels with advocate Susan Thixton, to processing loss and burnout with Rodney Habib, to finally cracking the code on compassionate money conversations with experts Suzanne Cannon and Ron Sosa, these episodes shook me awake.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting pet nutrition advice, guilty about what you can afford at the vet, or alone in your grief over losing an animal, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and ready to move forward with more clarity and less shame 💛KEY INSIGHTS:✨ The shocking difference between "feed grade" and "human grade" pet food ingredients, and why this one distinction changes everything about how you read labels.✨ Why I stopped recommending one food for life and now tell every client to rotate proteins and brands (your dog's gut microbiome will thank you).✨ The three-question framework for evaluating any pet food: What does it mean ethically? Nutritionally? Environmentally?✨ The one question that transforms stressful money conversations at the vet: "What's your budget for today?" (And why most vets are too afraid to ask it.)✨ How flexible payment options help pet parents focus on the value of care instead of just the price, and why this psychological shift changes outcomes.✨ And the truth I keep coming back to: healing is always a partnership. No vet, pet parent, or animal heals alone. It takes community, compassion, and curiosity.🎧 Episode 32: Susan Thixton on Pet Food Transparency & Label Reading🎧 Rodney Habib: Grief, Purpose & the Soul of Veterinary Medicine🎧 Suzanne Cannon & Ron Sosa: How to Talk About Money Without ShameSUSAN THIXTON'S PET FOOD LIST: 2026 ListYOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED NEXT:Starting 2026 with an Ask Dr. Lily episode. Your chance to get answers about:Gut health & chronic digestive issuesHolistic vs. conventional careNutrition confusion & label readingEmotional wellness for pets & their peopleAnything else you've been wondering!Send your questions:📩 Instagram DM: @integrativepet📧 Email: [email protected] is more than a podcast. It's a movement of informed, empowered, heart-centered pet parents who refuse to settle for surface-level answers. Thank you for being here 🐾✨FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.comIntegrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈‍⬛

In this deeply personal minisode, Dr. Lily Chen opens her heart as we close out 2025.This isn't a typical episode with a guest expert or clinical protocols. This is Dr. Lily, sitting with you, reflecting on the year—the pets we've lost, the lessons they've taught us, and the reminder to be present in the moments we have.If you've lost a pet this year, if you're grieving, if you're feeling the weight of 2025, or if you simply need permission to slow down and be still—this episode is for you.WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:💚 Why Dr. Lily started this podcast – Making holistic pet care accessible to everyone, everywhere 💚 The pets we lost in 2025 – Honoring their presence and the space they left behind 💚 Pets as mirrors – What our animals teach us about becoming better versions of ourselves 💚 The quote that started it all – "I want to be the person my dog thinks I am" 💚 Animal communication & staying open – Dr. Lily's exploration of how our pets stay with us 💚 The reminder we all need – How to get still, listen, and be present 💚 A practice that created home – How a 7-year-old's dream became Integrative Pet Wellness CenterFOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.comIntegrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈‍⬛

In this episode, I sit down with Lisa and Scot—the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo behind Woof Creek Pet Wellness—for part two of our conversation, going beyond food and supplements into what really sustains healing: partnership with your vet, and caring for yourself while you care for your animal.We talk about how to ask better questions at the clinic (even if you’re nervous), what a collaborative vet relationship actually looks like, simple ways to stay grounded when your pet is struggling, and why your energy at home is part of your pet’s medicine. If you’ve ever walked into a vet office feeling intimidated or overwhelmed, this episode is for you.KEY INSIGHTS:✨ How to advocate with confidence and kindness. You know your pet best, here’s how to ask for what you need. ✨ How a great vet relationship is built on two-way trust, clear priorities (budget, time, philosophy), and the understanding that not everything can be solved in one visit.✨ How to pause before you choose a treatment plan for your pet (when it’s not an emergency). ✨ How to track what matters. A simple log of meals, stools, sleep, symptoms, and changes turns guesswork into clarity and helps your vet see patterns. ✨ How to build your wellness team and access the best of conventional and holistic care. ✨ How pets feel our stress. And how tiny rituals can shift the home “energy” and support healing.Special Offer For Listeners 🎁Use the code DRLILY25 at checkout to get a 25% discount 🎉at https://www.wooofcreek.com/discount/DRLILY25 through December 31, 2025.FOLLOW:Woof Creek Wellness: https://www.woofcreek.com/Woof Creek Pet Wellness On Instagram: @woofcreekwellness Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.comIntegrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet 👉Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈‍⬛

In this episode, I sit down with Lisa and Scot, the powerhouse husband and wife duo behind Woof Creek Pet Wellness, to explore how clean, sustainable nutrition can support the health of our pets and the planet.Lisa and Scot share their heartfelt story of how their dog, Lily Lou, inspired a complete life pivot—from running an Ayurvedic restaurant to formulating chef-style superfood blends and eco-conscious supplements for pets. We talk about how to read pet food labels like a pro, why the difference between active and inactive ingredients matters more than most pet parents realize, and how thoughtful choices—like using algal oil instead of fish oil—can protect both your dog’s health and our oceans.If you’ve ever wondered if your pet’s favorite brand is good for the planet, this episode will forever change how you shop for your pet 🌍✨KEY INSIGHTS:✨ How reading the entire label (not just the front) can help you spot misleading marketing and avoid hidden toxins.✨ Why understanding the difference between active and inactive ingredients can protect your pet from unnecessary fillers and irritants.✨ How clean, bioavailable nutrition—free from glycerin, binders, and vague “meat meals”—can transform your pet’s health.✨ Why freshness and packaging matter more than you think. ✨ How plant-based omega sources like algal oil offer all the benefits of fish oil—without the mercury, allergens, or impact on ocean ecosystems.✨ Why Woof Creek’s products are created with human-grade ingredients, eco-conscious packaging, and sustainable sourcing. ✨ How every small switch you make (from cleaner oils to toxin-free bowls) supports both your pet’s health and a healthier planet. ✨ And how Lisa and Scott’s journey from restaurateurs to pet wellness pioneers is proof that love, curiosity, and compassion can transform everything.Special Offer for Listeners 🎁👉 Use the promo code DRLILY25 for 25% off at 🔗 https://www.woofcreek.com/discount/DRLILY25 through December 31, 2025!FOLLOW:Woof Creek Wellness: https://www.woofcreek.com/Woof Creek Pet Wellness On Instagram: @woofcreekwellness Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.comIntegrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈‍⬛