Podcast Summary
Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel
Episode: How to Help Your Pets Live Longer with Dr. Ambika Vaid-Sidhu
Release Date: October 16, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Rachel Uchitel explores how pet owners can help their pets live longer, healthier lives. Her guest, Dr. Ambika Vaid-Sidhu ("Dr. V" or "Dr. Vade"), is a veterinarian specializing in integrative and holistic animal care. They dive into misconceptions around traditional veterinary care, discuss diet, holistic treatments like acupuncture, supplements, and practical routines to optimize pet wellness—paralleling advances in human longevity science.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Dr. V's Background & Approach to Veterinary Medicine
- Dr. V’s journey: started as a kennel tech, advanced to vet tech, vet school, then corporate practice.
- Became dissatisfied with conventional medicine after seeing her own dog suffer as it aged.
- Shifted to integrative care: "I just felt like there was something we were doing wrong. I realized I wanted to take a different look at things." (Dr. V, 04:33)
- Certified in acupuncture, currently earning a master’s in herbs.
Understanding Holistic & Integrative Pet Medicine (06:35)
- Definition: Integrative, holistic, or alternative—can be complementary to conventional vet medicine.
- Modalities Include:
- Food therapy and nutrition
- Acupuncture
- Western and Chinese herbal medicine
- Ozone therapy, stem cells
- Physical therapy, chiropractic, Reiki
"You don't have to use it all at once. You can do it with modern medicine. It could be complementary.” (Dr. V, 06:35)
The Foundation: Nutrition and Food as Medicine
Problems with Common Dog and Cat Food (08:08)
- Issue: Kibble/dry food is heavily processed, losing its nutritional value; especially unsuitable for cats (carnivores).
- Fresh, whole foods are superior:
- Farmer’s Dog, Badlands Ranch, gently cooked or freeze-dried foods retain nutrients.
- "Giving them a dry food is just killing them internally." (Dr. V, 08:08)
Practical Feeding Advice
- Plain human meats (chicken, steak, fish) are fine as toppers (no seasonings), but shouldn’t replace balanced, formulated pet food.
- Air-dried and freeze-dried foods like Badlands Ranch retain nutrition; kibble and high-filler foods should be avoided.
- Introduce healthy toppers even if full switch to fresh food isn’t affordable.
"Anything goes a long way. Exercise is so important. Filtered water. If you're drinking filtered water, your dog deserves filtered water as well.” (Dr. V, 41:52)
Gut Health, Allergies, and Immunity (10:54)
- 70% of immune cells are in the gut.
- Poor gut health leads to allergies, ear infections, and chronic issues.
- Rotation of proteins and ditching common allergens (corn, wheat, soy) are key.
"If your gut's not healthy, your entire body is going to fail." (Dr. V, 08:08)
Weight Control & Healthy Treats
- Reducing quantity alone isn’t healthy—results in nutritional deficiencies.
- Instead, replace some food with high-fiber fillers (pumpkin, sweet potato) and healthy, plain treats (broccoli, carrots, green beans, apples).
- Regular exercise is critical.
- Overweight dogs are at risk for joint problems and more.
What Not to Feed Your Pet (17:24)
- No avocados (can cause pancreatitis), grapes/raisins (kidney failure), onions, garlic, nuts, or anything with xylitol.
- Peanut butter is fine ONLY if xylitol-free.
- Fruit is safe in moderation; always check for dangerous additives.
Supplements: When Are They Needed? (18:59)
- With a high-quality diet, most pets don’t need supplements.
- As pets age, joint supplements (glucosamine, turmeric) can be preventive.
- Joint supplements are helpful if pets have existing issues, along with PT and acupuncture.
- Do bloodwork before adding supplements.
Alternative & Energy Medicine (20:38+)
Acupuncture for Pets
- Used for joint pain, kidney disease, GI issues, mood/anxiety, wound healing, and more.
- Dogs may be wary at first but relax over time.
- Sessions typically last 20–30 minutes.
- Find certified animal acupuncturists at ivas.org.
"It's not just joint related. You can use it for energy, chronic diseases, digestion, even mood." (Dr. V, 23:16)
Other Modalities
- Ozone therapy: boosts immune system, used for cancer and wound healing.
- Red light therapy/laser: used after surgeries, for pain and inflammation.
Preventive Approach & Early Warning Signs (26:10)
- Holistic vets do full exams including pulses, tongue, and coat checks.
- Check for vitamin deficiencies (D, magnesium, cobalamin, folate) for early intervention.
- Watch for: chronic ear infections, lethargy, appetite loss, persistent diarrhea. These are signs to see a vet and reconsider diet.
Integrating Conventional and Holistic Medicine (33:02)
- Holistic medicine often comes in as a second opinion.
- Life-threatening or acute problems (e.g., infections, immune diseases) are treated conventionally, sometimes in tandem with holistic therapies.
- Probiotics are recommended with antibiotics to maintain gut health.
Industry Myths & Frustrations
- The biggest misconception: holistic medicine is “hocus pocus”—but much is evidence-based.
- Many self-proclaimed experts on social media lack credentials; always check qualifications.
- Conflict between conventional vets (advocating kibble/prescription foods) and holistic advocates can confuse pet parents.
"If you are want a good food for yourself, doesn't your dog want the same?" (Dr. V, 37:48)
Badlands Ranch: Holistic Pet Nutrition Brand
- Superfood Complete: Air-dried, organ-meat-rich, with added “superfoods” (lion’s mane, blueberries, turmeric).
- Free of common allergens; various protein options.
- Also offers treats and supplements (like Mobility for joints, Super20 all-in-one multivitamin).
- Part of the Heigl Foundation; proceeds support rescue and shelter animals.
Practical Takeaways and Next Steps for Pet Parents
- The #1 thing: Change your pet’s food to fresh, gently cooked, or freeze/air-dried if possible. Even partial change helps.
- Filtered water and regular exercise matter.
- Know the early signs of illness: behavior changes, chronic skin/ear issues, decreased appetite.
- Work with credentialed holistic vets, especially for chronic conditions.
- Supplement thoughtfully, if needed, and based on bloodwork/age.
"Anything goes a long way...Think of what you want for your self-care routine and think of your dog's the same way." (Dr. V, 41:52)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Giving them a dry food is just killing them internally." (Dr. V, 08:08)
- "[On acupuncture] The owner's feeding treats, and while they're distracted, I'll stick my needles...by the fifth or sixth session, they're letting me do whatever I need to do really." (Dr. V, 20:48)
- "The biggest misconception...is that it's just a bunch of hocus pocus and it's not real...we use a lot of studies from human medicine." (Dr. V, 37:03)
- "[If you want your pet to live longer], it's 100% the food...Start incorporating a little bit [of fresh food] into their diet. Anything goes a long way." (Dr. V, 41:52)
Important Timestamps
- 04:33 — Dr. V’s veterinary journey and shift to holistic medicine
- 06:35 — What integrative veterinary medicine includes
- 08:08 — Processed kibble dangers and why fresh food matters
- 13:23 — Pet weight loss tips: healthy treats, fillers, and exercise
- 17:24 — Toxic foods and common mistakes with treats for pets
- 18:59 — When supplements are needed, and how to use them responsibly
- 20:38 — Acupuncture and other energy modalities for animals
- 26:10 — Early warning signs for pet illness and how holistic assessment differs
- 33:02 — When to combine holistic and conventional veterinary medicine
- 39:15 — Introduction to Badlands Ranch foods and philosophy
- 41:52 — Dr. V’s #1 piece of advice: Change your pet’s food
- 42:54 — The future of holistic veterinary medicine
Where to Learn More
- Follow Dr. Ambika Vaid-Sidhu on Instagram (handle shared verbally)
- Find fresh, whole food options and supplements at badlandsranch.com, Amazon, Chewy
- To find certified veterinary acupuncturists: ivas.org
Summary prepared for listeners seeking actionable steps and deeper understanding of holistic pet health, as well as anyone curious about the evolving science of animal wellness.