In this episode of the Mermaid Vet Podcast, we sit down with Sam, a key member of our clinical team at Mermaid Vet Hospital, to talk about her path into veterinary medicine, what brought her to Vero Beach, and what keeps her passionate about working hands-on with pets every day.

We cover:

• How Sam transitioned into veterinary medicine and surgical care
• What daily life looks like behind the scenes in a busy general practice
• Why interacting directly with pets is her favorite part of the job
• The one topic she wishes every Florida pet owner understood better—and why it matters

This is a relaxed, honest conversation about veterinary medicine from the perspective of someone who lives it every day, and a great listen for pet owners who want a deeper look into the people caring for their animals.

In Part 3 of our pet nutrition series on the Mermaid Vet Podcast, Dr. Peter Mosites and Tim Hopson dive deeper into one of the most confusing topics for pet owners: dog food, supplements, and nutrition myths.

This episode focuses on what veterinarians actually see in real clinical cases — not marketing claims or trendy labels.

We cover:

• When supplements like omega-3s and probiotics actually help (and when they don’t)
• Joint supplements, bioavailability, and why “more” isn’t always better
• How to avoid low-quality or unregulated supplements
• Common real-world cases like itchy dogs, overweight cats, and raw-fed pets with chronic diarrhea
• Why grain-free diets, raw food, and buzzword marketing can backfire
• A lightning-round breakdown of common nutrition red flags pet owners hear every day

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to choose the “right” food for your pet, this episode will help you cut through the noise and make more informed decisions.

👉 Be sure to listen to Part 1 and 2 of this nutrition series for foundational context.
👉 Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover next? We’d love to hear it.

In this episode of the Mermaid Vet Podcast, Tim and Dr. Peter Mosites dive deep into one of the most confusing parts of pet nutrition: pet food labels.

From misleading ingredient names to misunderstood guaranteed analyses, we break down what actually matters when choosing a dog or cat food — and what’s just marketing noise. Dr. Mosites explains the AAFCO naming rules (the 100%, 95%, 25%, “with,” and “flavor” rules), why guaranteed analysis numbers can be deceptive, and how ingredient lists tell a very different story than the front of the bag.

We also cover:

• How to tell if a food is truly complete and balanced
• Why most itchy dogs don’t have food allergies
• What elimination diets and hydrolyzed protein foods are really for
• Practical weight-management advice using body condition scoring
• Why “one cup twice a day” can accidentally lead to obesity
• How treats can quietly make up 20%+ of your dog’s daily calories

If you’ve ever stood confused in the pet food aisle — or wondered whether you’re feeding your pet too much, too little, or the wrong thing entirely — this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been looking for.

🎥 Watch on YouTube for visual demonstrations: https://youtu.be/ff2ch2of0VM
🧮 Use our Dog Calorie Calculator at themermaidvet.com/dog-calorie-calculator/
💬 Questions about your pet’s food? Drop a comment or email us at info@themermaidvet.com