http://www.drshannonnash.com/, https://www.drshannonnash.com/courses-8-for-38

Dr. Shannon Nash, Sunnyvale, CA (2026)

06/05/2026

Evening anxiety and restlessness can be one of the earliest signs of cognitive changes in senior dogs.

Many pet parents notice their dog pacing around at bedtime, seeming confused about routines, or just can’t settle like they used to.

It’s called sundowning, and it happens in people with dementia too.

Most pet parents may miss the early signs because they seem so subtle at first.

A little more anxiety or maybe even getting confused about which door to go out.

By the time it’s obvious, there may be missed months of opportunities to support their brain health.

There are actually several early warning signs that can help you catch cognitive changes before they become major problems.

Simple things you can watch for at home that might save you and your senior dog from a much harder road ahead.

Comment ‘SENIOR’ and I’ll share my complete senior pet health collection that covers cognitive health warning signs plus all the other strategies that help aging dogs stay sharp and comfortable longer.

06/03/2026

What’s keeping your senior pet overweight could be a simple fix.

Most pet parents are accidentally overfeeding by 20-30% every single day without realizing it.

It’s not what you’re feeding them.

It’s something so basic but a lot of people get it wrong.

There’s one tool in your kitchen that could solve this problem immediately, but most people never think to use it for their pet’s food.

When I see overweight senior pets struggling with arthritis and mobility issues, and I know there’s likely such a simple fix that could help them feel so much better, it breaks my heart.

Extra weight puts stress on already painful joints, makes it harder for them to get around, and impacts their quality of life in ways most people don’t realize.

Weight management is just one piece of the puzzle, too.

There are so many other strategies that work together to help aging pets stay comfortable and healthy.

Simple changes that can make a huge difference in how they feel every day.

Comment ‘BUNDLE’ for my complete senior pet health collection that covers weight management basics plus all the other supportive therapies that actually help aging pets thrive in their golden years!

05/22/2026

Share with a friend and save this for later!

This is your reminder to spend 10 minutes with your hands on your pet this week.

Not just petting but actual therapeutic massage using techniques that reduce pain, improve circulation, and help your pet feel better in their body.

I do this routine on my dog Haley every week. It keeps her comfortable, relaxed, and helps with pain.

Here’s the routine (follow along in real-time):

🐾 Mo-fa (gentle petting) - Start here. Let your pet settle and relax into the session (1 min)

🐾 Ca-fa (rubbing) - Fast rubbing with slight pressure. This increases blood flow and prepares muscles for deeper work (1 min)

🐾 Tui-fa (pushing) - Slow, steady pressure down the spine. Calms the nervous system and releases tension along the back (1 min)

🐾 Nie-fa (lift and roll) - Gently grab, lift, and roll the skin along the spine in a wave motion. This releases deeper muscle tension (1 min)

🐾 Nie-fa (static lift) - Pinch and lift the skin along the spine, holding for a few seconds before releasing. Stimulates circulation and releases tension (1 min)

🐾 Pai-fa (patting) - Gentle rhythmic patting with cupped hands. This stimulates muscle activation and circulation (1 min)

🐾 Rou-fa (circular kneading) - Deep circular kneading with your palm along the muscles. Releases tight, tense muscles (1 min)

🐾 Ji-fa (tapping) - Light tapping with fingertips on larger muscles. Increases local circulation and creates gentle stimulation (1 min)

🐾 Mo-fa (gentle petting) - Always end here. Signals the session is complete and helps your pet stay relaxed (1 min)

Especially helpful for pets with muscle tension, stiffness, pain, arthritis, or mobility issues.

Massage is just one of many supportive therapies that can help keep our senior pets comfortable.

Comment BUNDLE and I’ll share my complete senior pet health collection that covers all kinds of different techniques plus a 10-minute full length massage routine you can follow along with tonight!

05/20/2026

The phone call that reminded me why I do what I do.

I had to call a dog mom about her 11-year-old golden retriever’s bloodwork results.

Her pup’s lab results showed early kidney disease, but he seemed completely normal at home.

She was pretty shocked because he seemed fine.

She asked if she had done something wrong or if she could have prevented it somehow.

And then her voice broke when I explained there aren’t any treatment options for kidney disease at this time.

Her pup had been with her through college, graduate school, her wedding, and her first baby.

He wasn’t just her dog… he was her best friend.

She wanted to do everything possible to keep him with her longer.

That’s when we started working together on an integrative approach.

Traditional medicine combined with other supportive tools and techniques to try to slow progression and maintain his quality of life.

The hardest part about kidney disease is that most pet parents feel helpless when they hear the diagnosis.

But there are supportive approaches that can make a real difference in how long your senior dog stays comfortable and happy.

Comment SENIOR and I’ll share the complete guide that covers everything you need to know about supporting your aging dog through whatever health challenges come up.

05/19/2026

The moment I realized that being a vet doesn’t automatically make you prepared for the emotional side of your own pet’s aging journey.

I noticed it first as a tiny sound where I would hear a subtle nail drag from one of Haley’s back legs during walks.

As a vet, I knew to monitor it.

But as her mom, I hoped it would stay minor.

Slowly, over the next couple of years, her mobility declined.

X-rays showed mild arthritis in her left hip, and she was showing some neurological changes in her right hind leg.

What was barely audible drag initially became a struggle to walk with her back legs at all.

Looking back, I realize there were so many techniques and modalities I didn’t know about when it first started.

Many different approaches that aren’t widely taught or practiced in traditional veterinary medicine, which may help slow the progression of orthopedic and neurologic diseases.

Strategies I wish I had known about sooner.

The hardest part of being both a veterinarian and a pet parent?

Sometimes the emotional weight of watching your own pet decline makes you realize how much more there is to learn.

Now I’ve combined my traditional veterinary training with all the integrative approaches I’ve learned since.

All the advanced courses and certifications I’ve pursued in senior care and alternative medicine, plus the real experience of navigating Haley’s journey, have taught me what truly makes a difference.

Comment ‘START’ and I’ll share the complete resource that gives you all these strategies so you can feel confident you’re doing everything possible for your senior pet.

05/15/2026

Save this routine and try it tonight!

This is a calming massage sequence that’s perfect for anxious pets or winding down at the end of the day.

These gentle tui-na techniques (Chinese medical massage) help nervous pets relax and create the perfect bedtime routine.

Here’s the sequence:

Mo-fa (gentle petting) - Start with slow, soothing strokes to help your pet settle and signal relaxation time (1 minute)

Moo-fa (face massage) - Gentle thumb pressure along the head and muzzle to release tension and calm anxiety (1 minute)

Ba-shen-fa (ear stretch) - Gentle draw and stretch of the ears - incredibly relaxing for most pets (1 minute)

Yao-fa (ears) - Move the ears in a circular motion to release stress (1 minute)

Tui-fa (pushing technique) - Apply steady, calming pressure along both sides of the spine (1 minute each side)

Rou-fa (circular kneading) - Slow circular motions with the palm of your hand on shoulders and hips to melt away tension (1 minute)

Nie-fa (lifting) - Gently gather and lift skin along the back to improve circulation and relaxation (1 minute)

Nie-fa (lift and roll) - Add a rolling motion to skin lift to release deeper stress and tension (1 minute)

Mo-fa (gentle petting) - End with soothing strokes to complete the wind-down (1 minute)

Perfect for anxious pets or creating a peaceful bedtime routine.

Your pet will start looking for this calming ritual every evening.

If you have an aging pet, comment ‘START’ for the guide that’ll have your neighbors asking how your old dog looks so good! (and save you hundreds at the vet)! Plus, I’m throwing in a free 10-minute massage routine you can follow along with right now!

05/14/2026

Arthritis affects 80% of dogs over 8 years old, but most pet parents don’t realize their pet has it until it’s advanced.

Here are a few arthritis management tools I would recommend again and again as a vet who sees osteoarthritis every single day…

Weight management - The most important thing you can do. Every extra pound adds stress to painful joints.

Daily gentle movement - Short, consistent walks maintain joint mobility better than weekend warrior sessions.

Orthopedic support - Memory foam beds and ramps reduce stress on joints during rest and daily activities.

Massage - Gentle techniques that maintain muscle health and circulation around arthritic joints.

Anti-inflammatory nutrition - Foods like fish, blueberries, and turmeric that naturally reduce inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory medication when needed - Sometimes pharmaceutical support is necessary for comfort, and that’s perfectly okay.

Start early and use multiple approaches together.

Don’t wait until your pet is obviously limping.

There are so many more arthritis management tools that I can’t cover in a single caption like environmental modifications, specific supplements, stretching techniques, and more!

Comment ‘SENIOR’ and I’ll send you the link to my comprehensive course bundle that covers all of these strategies in depth, plus many more tools for keeping your aging pet comfortable.

05/13/2026

Most pet parents are wasting money on supplements their pets don’t actually need.

The reality is that every pet’s needs are different.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to supplements.

Your arthritic 12-year-old lab doesn’t need the same supplements as your anxious 3-year-old rescue.

Your kidney disease cat has completely different requirements than your healthy senior dog.

What you need to know…

- What to look for on supplement labels
- Which ingredients actually work and which are just marketing
- How to spot quality brands vs cheap knockoffs
- Red flags that mean you should avoid certain products
- Simple ways to tell if a supplement is helping your pet

I can’t tell you which specific supplements your pet needs in a reel without knowing your individual pet.

But I CAN teach you how to choose supplements smartly so you stop wasting money and start seeing real results.

Ready to become the pet parent who knows exactly what they’re buying and why?

Comment BUNDLE and I’ll send you the link to my Senior Pet Care Collection - 8 courses that teach you how to make these types of decisions for YOUR specific pet.

05/12/2026

Pet weight loss doesn’t have to be overcomplicated.

You could spend hundreds on prescription diet food or you could literally just weigh out their current food and reduce it by 10%.

Step 1: Weigh your pet and write it down.

Step 2: Get a kitchen scale (any $15 one works).

Step 3: Weigh out exactly what you’re currently feeding them in grams.

Write this number down too.

Step 4: Calculate 10% less.

If you’re feeding 200g per day, the new amount is 180g.

Step 5: Feed that exact amount for 2 weeks.

No eyeballing or “just a little extra.”

Stick to the number.

Step 6: Reweigh your pet after 2 weeks.

Lost weight? Keep going with the new amount that you’re feeding.

No change? Reduce by another 10% and repeat.

Lost too much? Add back 5%.

Treats can make a big difference!

Stick with small training treats and don’t overdo it.

Most people are accidentally overfeeding by 20-30% because measuring cups are wildly inaccurate for pet food.

Weight loss doesn’t require expensive food.

Portions are going to be the biggest game changer.

Your kitchen scale just became your pet’s best weight loss tool.

Follow for more pet health tips!

05/08/2026

Save this routine and share it with your bestie!

When pets have joint issues, the surrounding muscles work overtime to compensate and become tight and painful.

This 10-minute routine addresses exactly that.

These are tui-na techniques (Chinese medical massage) that I use with patients in my practice and with Haley at home.

Here’s the sequence:

Mo-fa (gentle petting) - Start here to signal relaxation time and warm the muscles (1 minute)

Nie-fa (grabbing technique) - Gently grab and lift skin along each leg to stimulate circulation and release muscle tightness (1 minute)

Ji-fa (tapping technique) - Light fingertip tapping along leg muscles to increase circulation (1 minute)

Ba-shen-fa (front leg stretching) - Gentle extension of each front leg forward and back to maintain range of motion (1 minute per leg)

Yao-fa (front leg rocking) - Move front leg joints in all directions to reduce adhesions and keep joints flexible (1 minute per leg)

Dou-fa (front leg shaking) - Support the elbow and gently shake the limb to loosen muscles and mobilize the shoulder (1 minute per leg)

Repeat the last 3 techniques on back legs

Mo-fa (gentle petting) - End signal that massage is complete (1 minute)

Perfect for pets with leg stiffness, arthritis, or mobility challenges.

Important: For acute pain or injury, consult your vet first. This is for ongoing management.

Follow for more massage routines you can do at home!

Dr. Shannon Nash

06/05/2026

06/03/2026

05/22/2026

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

05/13/2026

05/12/2026

05/08/2026

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