52. Westminster Dogs & Vet Expo Insights

A winter-themed episode featuring playful elephants, top veterinarians at Westminster, and pet behavior tips from Chewy’s expert!

Join hosts Kristen Levine and Chris Bonifati as they bring you an episode packed with snowy fun, exciting pet industry updates, and invaluable pet wellness tips. This week, we share an adorable story of elephants experiencing snow, discuss the latest in pet supplements, and take you behind the scenes at two major pet industry events: Westminster Dog Show and VMX Veterinary Expo.

Stories of the Week:

Elephants Play in the Snow! – The Houston Zoo experienced rare snowfall, and the elephants had a blast! (Watch the video here: https://www.nbc.com/houston-elephants-snow)

The Rise of Pet Supplements – More pet parents are turning to supplements to prevent costly vet bills. We break down why this trend is booming and how the right supplements can benefit your pet.

Exclusive Interviews from Westminster Dog Show

Chris Reports from Westminster – Chris visits the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and interviews two top veterinarians:

• Dr. Jai Diggs, the first-ever resident vet of Westminster Kennel Club
• Dr. Callie Harris, Senior Vet Communications Manager at Purina

Topics Covered:

• What a Westminster vet does behind the scenes
• How pet parents can improve their dog’s nutrition for longevity
• The importance of mentorship in the veterinary field
• Avian Flu concerns: What pet parents need to know

Watch the Westminster segment: https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org

Inside VMX: The World’s Largest Vet Expo

Kristen at VMX – Kristen attends VMX Veterinary Expo in Florida, where she interviews Dr Tiffany Tupler from Chewy about pet behavior and telehealth.

Topics Covered:

• How Chewy’s Connect with a Vet offers FREE pet health guidance
• The biggest mistakes pet parents make with anxious pets
• How to recognize early signs of fear and anxiety in dogs
• How behavior training can strengthen the human-animal bond

Connect with a Vet for FREE on Chewy: https://www.chewy.com/connect-with-a-vet

Products of the Week:

My Petite Puppy Dog Chair – A luxurious wheeled chair that lets your small dog sit next to you anywhere! Perfect for work-from-home pet parents. $299 at My Petite Puppy: https://www.mypetitepuppy.com

WinPet Outdoor Cat Enclosure – A pre-built catio that brings the outdoors in for your cat without DIY hassle! $399 at WinPet: https://www.winpet.com/catio

Audience Questions:

Megan from Seattle: “What’s the funniest or most unexpected thing your pets have ever done?” Kristen’s Answer: Her tiny dog Tulip once chased a mama bear with cubs—thankfully, everyone was safe! Chris’s Answer: He tried putting his cat Tiger on a leash for an outdoor adventure, but she just turned around and walked back inside.

Submit Your Question for Next Week: https://www.petsaddlife.org/podcast

Follow Our Guests & Resources:

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org Chewy’s Connect with a Vet – https://www.chewy.com/connect-with-a-vet VMX Veterinary Expo – https://navc.com/vmx

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