129. Pet Nutrition, Cooperative Care & Building Healthier Habits for Pets

In this informative episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine explore smarter approaches to pet nutrition, weight management, training, and everyday care. From a proposed New Jersey tax credit for pet expenses and an important summer tick warning to expert guidance on healthy feeding and stress-free grooming, this episode offers practical ways to support pets’ physical and emotional well-being. Story Time features: Kristen discusses a proposed New Jersey tax credit that would allow eligible pet owners to claim up to $300 for everyday pet expenses and up to $600 for qualifying veterinary costs. Chris shares an important summer reminder that flea and tick preventatives do not eliminate every risk. He explains why pet parents should continue performing careful tick checks, including between their pets’ toes, after outdoor activities. Special Guests: Dr. Megan Sprinkle, Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist & Head of Veterinary Affairs, Golden Child Dr. Deb Jones, Dog Trainer, Psychologist, Author & Cooperative Care Educator Pet Product Recommendations: EzyDog Crosscheck Harness – Digital Pet Food Measuring Scoop Scale – https://www.amazon.com/Measuring-Electronic-Removable-Weighing-Suitable/dp/B0DM97CY7W Q&A Topics: I’ve watched countless training videos online, but my dog still doesn’t respond consistently. How can owners tell whether their home training is effective, and what common mistakes might they be making? (Submitted by Mark from Columbus, OH) My cat becomes stressed by even minor changes, including visitors, rearranged furniture, and groceries entering the home. Why are some cats so sensitive to change, and how can owners help them feel more secure? (Submitted by Jennifer from Seattle, WA) Related Links: Golden Child: https://mygoldenchild.com Dr. Megan Sprinkle (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/sprinklemc Dr. Deb Jones – K9 in Focus: https://k9infocus.com Cooperative Care Certificate: https://cooperativecarecertificate.com Fenzi Dog Sports Academy: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com *Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry*: https://www.amazon.com/Cooperative-Care-Seven-Stress-Free-Husbandry/dp/0578423138 New Jersey Assembly Bill A4995: https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2026/A5000/4995\_I1.HTM Association of American Feed Control Officials: https://www.aafco.org National Animal Supplement Council: https://www.nasc.cc American Pet Products Association (APPA): https://www.americanpetproducts.org DOGTV Unleashed FAST Channel: https://www.dogtv.com/unleashed Pets Add Life: https://www.petsaddlife.org Social Channels: Dr. Megan Sprinkle (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/sprinklemc Dr. Deb Jones – Cooperative Care with Deb Jones (YouTube):https://www.youtube.com/@CooperativeCarewithDebJones https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdrsXsstUUTcTdWS21pZVA Golden Child (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/mygoldenchild DOGTV (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/dogtv Pets Add Life (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/petsaddlife Pets Add Life (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/PetsAddLife Pets Add Life (TikTok): https://www.tiktok.com/@petsaddlife Pets Add Life (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@petsaddlife Subscribe & Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts! Submit a question to the podcast: https://www.petsaddlife.org/podcast Presented by: American Pet Products Association (APPA) & DOGTV