The Pet Parent Hotline

Getting a dog to take a pill can turn into a ridiculous battle of wills, especially when they somehow eat everything except the medication. In this episode, Amy shares 10 tricks she’s learned from years of owning, fostering, rescuing, and medicating dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages. The key isn’t finding one magical food that works for every dog. It’s figuring out how your dog approaches food and choosing a strategy that fits. You’ll learn why a tiny, soft pill package may work better than a big chunk of something delicious, how to use decoy treats and momentum, why your dog may be reacting to your medication-prep routine before the pill even appears, and what to do when a trick that worked for months suddenly stops working. Amy also covers when it may be time to stop hiding the pill altogether and ask your veterinarian about a "pill popper", liquid or compounded medication, or another appropriate way to give it. And cat people, you’re not forgotten. Some of these tricks translate, but cats can present a whole different pill-giving challenge, so Amy also talks about when liquid, compounded, transdermal, or direct-pilling options may be worth discussing with your veterinarian. In this episode you'll learn: How your dog’s eating style affects which pill tricks may work Why small, soft, easy-to-swallow bites can beat bigger treats The decoy-treat trick for slipping medication into the sequence How dogs learn our medication routines Using timing, momentum, and safe competition in multi-dog homes What to do when your dog figures out your favorite trick Pill poppers and other direct-pilling options When to ask your vet about another medication formulation Why pilling cats sometimes requires a completely different approach Important: Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions for your pet’s specific medication. Don’t crush, split, open, dissolve, or otherwise alter medication unless your veterinarian has confirmed that it’s safe to do so. Got a pill trick that works on your dog or cat? Amy wants to hear it. Share your weirdest, sneakiest, or most successful strategy, and you might see it featured in a future Pet Parent Hotline episode or post . Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

You see your pet every day, which means you’re in the best position to notice when something starts to change. The problem? Seeing them every day can also make gradual changes surprisingly easy to miss. In this episode of The Pet Parent Hotline, Amy walks through eight simple at-home pet health checks you can do about once a month to get more familiar with what’s normal for your pet and spot changes that may be worth mentioning to your veterinarian. This isn’t about diagnosing your pet at home or replacing regular veterinary care. Think of it as a 10-to-15-minute monthly check-in where you slow down, actually look at your pet, put your hands on them where it’s safe to do so, and pay attention. You’ll learn to check: Body condition, weight, and muscle changes Lumps, bumps, swelling, and sensitive areas Skin, fur, hair, or feathers Eyes, ears, teeth, gums, and mouth Feet, nails, claws, and paw pads Movement, stiffness, and mobility Eating and drinking habits Bathroom habits, energy, and behavior Amy also shares how accidentally discovering a badly broken tooth in one of her own dogs made her realize just how much pet parents can miss when we’re not deliberately looking. The goal isn’t to catch everything. It’s to know your pet well enough that when something changes, you’re more likely to recognize that it’s new and give your veterinarian useful information about when it started. In This Episode Why everyday petting isn’t the same as deliberately checking your pet How gradual weight and muscle changes can sneak up on you A simple way to keep track of your pet’s lumps and bumps Why teeth and gums deserve a closer look Small mobility changes that may be easy to dismiss as “just getting older” Eating, drinking, and bathroom changes worth paying attention to How to turn a monthly pet check into an easy habit What to ask your veterinarian so you can personalize the routine for your pet Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

This month’s Pet Parent Power Up is a little different: no intro music, minimal editing, and recorded on the fly to follow up on an important question from Sunday’s episode. What should you do when you notice your pet doing something differently? Maybe your dog suddenly hesitates before jumping into the car, your cat starts sleeping somewhere new, or a pet who used to love a certain activity seems less interested. Before you panic or write it off as “just getting older,” Amy shares three questions that can help you decide whether you’re seeing a simple preference, a pattern worth watching, or a change that deserves a conversation with your veterinarian: Is this actually new for my pet? Is it happening consistently? Is it interfering with something my pet normally wants or needs to do? You’ll also learn why knowing your individual pet’s normal matters, how videos and a few simple notes can help your veterinarian, and why aging, moving, stress, or other life changes shouldn’t automatically be used to explain away new behavior. This episode builds on Sunday’s conversation about treating pets as individuals and paying attention to what each animal actually needs. Veterinary Disclaimer: The Pet Parent Hotline is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or another qualified pet-care professional about questions or concerns related to your individual pet’s health, behavior, diet, mobility, or care. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Treating your pets fairly doesn’t mean treating them all the same. In this episode, Amy looks at how age, health, mobility, personality, behavior, and even personal preferences can mean very different needs for pets living under the same roof. From secret extra meals for a skinny senior cat to different exercise, rules, accommodations, and attention, the goal isn’t perfect equality. It’s paying attention to the individual animal in front of you. And this isn’t just for people with a houseful of animals. Whether you have one pet or six, it’s about recognizing what that pet needs instead of comparing them to other animals or even to who they used to be. She also tackles a harder question: Are you giving your pet what they actually enjoy and need, or trying to turn them into the pet you imagined having? Plus, try this week’s simple Pet Parent Hotline challenge to learn something new about your own pet. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

What happens when the person who usually answers the Pet Parent Hotline needs help from the listeners? Amy is finally in her new house (new to her, but built in 1957), but "moved in" might be a generous description. Most of the furniture and pet gear are still in storage, the floors and painting aren't done, she needs a new roof, and she's currently recording from an echoey bedroom furnished with a semi-deflated air mattress. More importantly, the pets are adjusting too. So this week, Amy is turning the tables and asking fellow pet parents for the practical, real-life solutions they've discovered through experience. In this episode, Amy wants to hear from you about: Helping senior pets safely handle stairs Acclimating a blind pet to a new house, especially a multi-level one Helping pets settle in and recognize a new place as home Cheap, temporary pet-friendly fixes that work while you're waiting on permanent solutions Managing contractors, noise, renovations, and escape risks with pets in the house Bonus: finding the fun pet-friendly places and activities when you're new to an area This isn't about replacing expert advice. It's about those little things another pet parent figured out because they were standing in the exact same situation. Amy really does want your help. If you've dealt with even one of these challenges, share what worked, what didn't, or what you wish you'd known sooner. Comment on the episode if your listening platform allows it, find The Pet Parent Hotline on Facebook or Instagram , or reach out at PetParentHotline.com . If enough of you respond, Amy may share the best listener advice in a follow-up episode. Because sometimes the answer you need is already sitting in another pet parent's house. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Summer has a way of knocking routines loose and pushing pet care tasks to “later.” Before fall gets busy, this is a good time for dog, cat, and other pet parents to catch up on the things that have quietly slipped down the list. In this solo episode, Amy covers the pet care tasks worth handling now, from vet appointments and grooming to pet boarding, pet sitting, holiday travel, and changing routines . The goal isn’t to create another giant checklist. It’s to take care of a few things now that could save you time, money, and stress later. In this episode: Pet health issues and appointments you’ve been meaning to handle Grooming, gear, and basic maintenance that may have gotten away from you Why now is the time to think about boarding, pet sitting, and holiday travel Helping pets adjust as fall routines change Planning pet care around your real life before something becomes urgent Need help figuring out what your pet needs, what to prioritize, or how to make it all work with your life? Learn more about a Pet Parent Hotline consultation at petparenthotline.com/consult . Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Pet food labels are packed with reassuring words like real chicken , high protein , complete and balanced , and superfoods . But what do those words actually tell you about the food inside the bag? Dr. Angie Boyer, founder of Grain & Grace Consulting and a trained multi-species nutritionist, returns to help us work through a pet food label from front to back to identify what's really in our pet food. In this episode, we cover: What “complete and balanced” means and where AAFCO fits in How words like “with” and “may support” can change the meaning of a front-of-package claim on pet food How to use the guaranteed analysis when comparing foods What meat, meal, byproducts, and meat-and-bone meal actually tell you How to identify protein, fat, fiber, vitamin, and mineral sources Why pet food feeding guidelines are only a starting point How treats and other foods affect your pet’s total daily intake What to consider about where pet food is produced and ingredients you may want to investigate Why the “best” pet food also has to work for your individual pet, budget, and real life The goal isn’t to find one perfect pet food. It’s to understand enough of the label to make a more informed choice for the pet in front of you. Guest: Dr. Angie Boyer, founder of Grain & Grace Consulting And if you missed our August Pet Parent Power Up on specialty diets like sensitive stomach, urinary care, and hairball control, listen to that episode for even more help interpreting what pet food packaging is promising. As always, talk with your veterinarian about your individual pet’s medical and nutritional needs before making changes to their diet. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Sensitive stomach. Weight management. Hairball control. Urinary care. Pet food labels make these diets sound highly specific, but not every claim on the package means the same thing. In this Pet Parent Power Up, Dr. Angie Boyer explains the difference between formulas built around certain ingredient choices and claims that require more testing and scientific support. You’ll learn: What makes sensitive skin and stomach foods different How weight-management foods reduce calories Why hairball-control and urinary-care claims are treated differently on pet food labels What phrases like “may support” really promise on your pet food label How to check whether the ingredients support the claim on the front of the package Note: Always talk with your veterinarian about your individual pet’s medical and nutritional needs before changing foods, especially when managing a diagnosed health condition. Dr. Angie Boyer is the founder of Grain & Grace Consulting and a trained multi-species nutritionist whose work spans livestock, companion animals, and horses. Angie returns in the next full episode to help us read a pet food package from the claims on the front to the label on the back. Learn more about Dr. Angie Boyer and Grain & Grace Consulting: Website: Grain & Grace Consulting Contact: Submit an inquiry LinkedIn: Grain & Grace Consulting Get Your Free Pet Food Guides ! Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Doggy daycare can give dogs exercise, enrichment, social time, and a much-needed outlet for their energy. But a dog coming home exhausted does not automatically mean they had a great day, and not every dog enjoys or benefits from a group daycare environment. In this episode, Amy talks with pet care professional Rich Schlatter, CPACP, about how to tell whether your dog truly likes daycare, what a proper evaluation should look like, and how to choose a facility that is equipped to keep your dog safe. They discuss the difference between healthy tiredness and signs that daycare may be overwhelming your dog, why group size and play style matter more than simply separating dogs by size, and what pet parents should notice during facility tours. You’ll also learn: What your dog’s drop-off and pickup behavior may be telling you Which dogs may not be a good fit for traditional group daycare Questions to ask about staff training, supervision, emergencies, and dog-to-staff ratios How reputable facilities introduce dogs to a new group Why dogs need rest and recovery during and after daycare When day boarding or individual enrichment may be a better option How often your dog should attend daycare Practical tips for your dog’s first day Doggy daycare should offer more than a place to leave your dog while you work. The right program should match your dog’s temperament, age, health, energy level, and social needs. The goal is not simply to bring home a dog who is too exhausted to move. It is to give your dog an experience that leaves them happy, comfortable, and able to return to their normal life at home. Connect With Rich Schlatter Email: RichSchlatter@gmail.com LinkedIn: Rich Schlatter, CPACP Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

I thought buying a house with pets meant finding enough space, a decent yard, and hopefully a fence. Then I started walking through houses with three dogs and three cats in mind. Now I’m looking at how close the road is, whether Gunny can manage the stairs as she gets older, whether my blind cat could fall through an open staircase, and how much it would cost to make a beautiful property truly safe and manageable for all of us. In this episode, I’m sharing what has surprised me during the house-hunting process and why the house with the most land, the prettiest floors, or the lowest price may not be the house that works best when pets are part of the decision. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why acreage and a usable pet yard are not the same thing How roads, stairs, flooring, vents, and home layouts can create everyday risks The hidden cost of fencing, cooling, gates, rugs, and other pet-related changes Why basements, wildlife, weather, and access to veterinary care belong on the checklist Have you ever chosen, changed, or ruled out a home because of your pets? Send me a message or leave a comment and share what surprised you or what you learned the hard way. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

What Really Happened Moving 2,200 Miles With Six Pets Moving six pets from Texas to Massachusetts in an RV sounded manageable on paper. Then came the delayed departure, Houston rush-hour traffic, tire-pressure warnings, a check-engine light, a crying cat, an unexpected campground wedding and a bulldog who created two separate crime scenes. In this follow-up to the lessons-from-the-road episode, Amy sits down with her friend Bev Brooks and daughter Kelsey Castro to share what actually happened during the trip, including the moments no amount of planning could have prevented. You’ll hear: Why the trip went off schedule before they even left Texas How Pickles handled several days of travel What happened during Gunny’s infamous “spin-art” incident How Gigi reacted to rough roads and rumble strips Why testing travel medications before a long trip matters How Amy decided an RV was the best option for moving six pets What they learned about backup plans, flexible schedules and knowing when everyone has had enough The goal was never a perfect road trip. It was getting three dogs, three cats and two humans safely from Texas to Massachusetts. Despite everything that went wrong, they made it. Great Places and Resources Mentioned Woodland Creek RV Park (Tyler, Texas) Love's RV Hookup – Hazen, Arkansas Paducah / I-24 / Kentucky Lake KOA Journey Whispering Hills RV Park (Georgetown, Kentucky) Lola's Laundry (Georgetown, Kentucky) O'Reilly Auto Parts : Thanks and shout out to the store at: 240 W Broadway, West Memphis, AR 72301 Listen to the previous episode for the practical lessons, preparation tips and supplies that helped Amy move six pets more than 2,000 miles. Always talk with your veterinarian before giving your pet medication for travel. Follow the prescribed dosage and ask about testing the medication before a long trip. Thanks for listening to The Pet Parent Hotline. Share this episode with someone preparing to move or take a long road trip with pets. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Moving cross-country with pets is not the same as taking your dog for a quick ride around town. In this episode of The Pet Parent Hotline, Amy shares the practical lessons she learned from a 2,200-mile move with one other adult and six pets. This is not a perfect travel checklist or a generic pet travel episode. It is the real-life stuff that matters when you’re on the road for days, juggling multiple animals, an RV, a car, overnight stops, messes, medication timing, and pets who are completely out of their normal routine. Amy talks about why stopping constantly may not be the best plan for every pet, how to think through travel medication before the trip begins, why cleaning supplies need to be reachable instead of packed away, and why every pet needs a secure space of their own. She also shares why arrival order matters, especially when setting up an RV or temporary space, and why your travel equipment needs to be tested before the real trip. If you are planning a move, evacuation, long road trip, or major life change with pets, this episode will help you think through the parts most people do not consider until something has already gone sideways. In this episode: Why your stopping strategy should be decided before you leave Why pet travel will test your patience, and how to pivot when things go wrong What cleaning supplies to keep within reach Why each pet needs a secure space of their own How to think through your arrival setup order Why you should test harnesses, crates, bedding, seat covers, and backup plans before the trip Need help planning a move or long road trip with pets? Get in touch with Amy for help thinking through the route, setup, supplies, stopping strategy, and backup plans before you’re already in the middle of it: https://www.petparenthotline.com/consult/ Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Behavioral euthanasia is one of the hardest and most misunderstood decisions a pet parent may ever face. While most people think of euthanasia as something reserved for pets who are elderly, sick, or physically suffering, serious behavior problems can also become quality-of-life and safety issues. In this episode of The Pet Parent Hotline, board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug explains what behavioral euthanasia actually means, why it is not only about aggression, and why a pet who appears physically healthy may still be suffering mentally or behaviorally. This conversation looks at the realities families face when a pet’s behavior becomes frightening, unsafe, overwhelming, or unmanageable. Dr. Haug discusses severe anxiety, storm phobia, separation distress, compulsive behaviors, self-injury, aggression, rehoming concerns, and the emotional toll these situations can take on both pets and people. This episode is not a decision guide and is not a substitute for working directly with a veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, or qualified behavior professional. The goal is to help pet parents better understand behavioral euthanasia, reduce stigma around the topic, and recognize why families facing this decision need support, not judgment. IN THIS EPISODE: • What behavioral euthanasia means • Why behavioral euthanasia is broader than aggression • How severe anxiety, phobias, and compulsive behaviors can affect quality of life • Why “physically healthy” does not always mean mentally or behaviorally well • How serious behavior problems can affect the whole family • Why management has to be realistic and sustainable • What pet parents should explore before considering euthanasia • Why medical issues, pain, medications, environment, and nutrition matter • When rehoming may help and when it may simply move the problem • Why shelters, sanctuaries, and “farms” are not always realistic solutions • How guilt, grief, relief, and judgment can all be part of this decision • Why qualified, supportive professionals are so important Get in touch with Dr. Haug: https://www.texasvetbehavior.com/ RESOURCES MENTIONED: Texas Veterinary Behavior Services: https://www.texasvetbehavior.com/ American College of Veterinary Behaviorists: https://www.dacvb.org/ International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants: https://iaabc.org/ Karen Pryor Academy: https://karenpryoracademy.com/ Pet Professional Guild: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/ FINAL THOUGHT: Behavioral euthanasia is not the first option, but it should not be an unspeakable one either. Families facing this decision deserve accurate information, qualified guidance, and compassion. If a pet’s behavior has become frightening, unsafe, or overwhelming, the first step is to consult a veterinarian to discuss possible medical causes, pain, medication options, behavior support, and qualified professional help. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

If you’ve ever said, “We tried training, and it didn’t work,” this episode is for you. This week, Amy talks with Em Breslin, host of the podcast The Dog Who Asked for More , about why dog training sometimes fails and what pet parents may be missing when they feel stuck. Em is a dog trainer, Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist, and retired veterinary technician with more than 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine, behavior support, enrichment, and nutrition. This conversation is not about blaming the dog or the pet parent. It’s about getting curious. Sometimes the method doesn’t fit the dog. Sometimes the environment is too distracting. Sometimes stress, pain, poor nutrition, unmet needs, or inconsistent communication get in the way. In this episode, we talk about: • Why “training didn’t work” doesn’t always mean your dog is untrainable • How to look at the dog, the human, the trainer, and the environment • Why repeating commands over and over doesn’t help • How stress, pain, food, enrichment, and breed traits can affect behavior • Why some dogs need one-on-one support before group classes • What to do before switching trainers, tools, or giving up • Why asking for help early can prevent months of frustration Listen to The Dog Who Asked for More or get in touch with Em here: https://thedogwhoaskedformore.com/ Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

What do you do when the life you built around your pets, your purpose, and your plans no longer fits the life you're actually living? In this raw, personal episode, Amy talks about leaving the seven-acre Texas property she bought with her husband less than two years before he died of COVID. What once felt like a dream built around rescue, animals, space, and a future together eventually became more than she could keep carrying on her own. This is not another episode about why Amy stepped back from rescue, you can listen to that here , it is about what happens after a major loss, when the routines and responsibilities that kept you going also start keeping you stuck. It is about grief, capacity, identity, and the hard truth that something can matter deeply and still no longer be sustainable. Amy also talks about bringing her own pets through this transition, the guilt that comes when animals are affected by our life decisions, and the mindset helping her right now: stop trying to make everything perfect and focus on making things less hard. If you are caring for pets while navigating a major life change, questioning what you can keep carrying, or trying to make a responsible decision that still hurts, this episode will meet you there. IN THIS EPISODE: • Why this episode is intentionally less polished than usual • Leaving a property tied to marriage, grief, rescue, and identity • How animals can keep you going after loss • When responsibility becomes pressure • Why love and capacity are not the same thing • What “less hard” can look like during a transition • Why your needs should be part of your pets’ care plan too • How to recognize when the life you built no longer fits MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: • Pet Acting Different? Ask This Before You Blame Them | Pet Parent Power-Up • Road Trip With Cats? Pet Travel Tips To Prevent Mayhem • Road Trips With Pets: Avoid Vomit, Stress and Car Chaos KEY TAKEAWAY: Responsible pet parenting is not about destroying yourself to prove that you care. Sometimes it is about making the hard changes so that you and your pets can have a life that actually works. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Most pet parents see veterinarians during some of the most stressful moments of pet ownership: when a pet is sick, injured, aging, or facing an expensive medical decision. But what many people never see is the pressure veterinarians themselves are carrying into those conversations. In this episode, Amy sits down with equine veterinarian, stand-up comedian, and author Dr. Matt Evans to talk about the human side of veterinary medicine and why communication between pet parents and vets can sometimes feel so emotionally loaded. They discuss: Why veterinarians often feel pressure to have all the answers What vet school does and doesn’t prepare vets for The emotional toll of difficult cases and difficult conversations Why veterinary medicine is far more than “playing with puppies and kittens” How financial stress affects both pet parents and veterinarians Why humor can completely change the tone of a stressful appointment How to ask questions about treatment costs without shutting down the conversation What veterinarians wish clients understood before walking into the exam room Why prepared clients often have better outcomes and better relationships with their vets Dr. Evans also shares how stand-up comedy became an unexpected outlet for the stress of veterinary medicine and talks about his upcoming book, Chomping at the Bit , a humorous and honest look at becoming a horse veterinarian without growing up around horses. This episode is not about telling pet parents not to advocate for their pets. It’s about recognizing that everyone in the room is human, and that better communication often leads to better care for the animals we love most. Learn more about Dr. Matt Evans, his comedy, and his book at: MattEvansComic.com Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Most people who find tiny kittens think the shelter is the safest place to take them. But when kittens are newborns or bottle babies, the shelter may not have the staff, fosters, supplies, or overnight care needed to keep them alive. In this episode of The Pet Parent Hotline, Amy talks with Deborah Felin-Magaldi of Helen Sanders CatPAWS about what really happens during kitten season when neonatal kittens enter an already overwhelmed shelter system. This conversation picks up after the “wait and see if mom comes back” step of finding kittens. If kittens truly need help and the mother cat is not returning, the next question is not just “where can I take them?” It's “what do these kittens need to survive until a shelter or rescue can safely help?” Deborah explains why bottle-baby kittens need around-the-clock care, why many shelters can't provide that level of support, and how CatPAWS’ DIY Kitten Kit program gives shelters a practical way to help everyday people care for found kittens temporarily instead of simply turning them away. Amy and Deborah also talk about the bigger community cat problem behind kitten season, including spay/neuter access, Trap-Neuter-Return, short-term fostering, neighborhood support, and how people can help even if they can't personally bottle-feed kittens. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why taking newborn kittens to the shelter may not save them What bottle-baby kittens need that many shelters cannot provide How Kitten Kits help shelters support the people who find kittens Why short-term fostering can be the bridge that keeps kittens alive How spay/neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return help stop the cycle How to help local shelters even if you cannot foster Resources mentioned: Helen Sanders CatPAWS The Kitten Lady If you'd like to donate to help- go to the Helen Sanders CatPAWS website, or donate to Amy's rescue Starlight Outreach and Rescue If you find newborn kittens, don't assume the shelter can automatically save them. Ask questions, get support, and find out what role you can play in helping them survive. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Is your pet suddenly acting clingy, anxious, restless, messy, or just “off”? Before you decide they’re being difficult, ask one better question: what changed? In this quick Pet Parent Power-Up, Amy walks through the first things to check when your pet’s behavior changes, especially during stressful seasons like moving, schedule changes, renovations, visitors, or household disruption. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: Why investigating behavior changes should start with a medical check How changes in your home, routine, or stress level can affect your pet Simple ways to create predictability and calm spaces when life feels chaotic If your pet’s behavior has changed and you’re not sure whether it’s stress, health, routine disruption, or something else, book a Pet Parent Hotline consultation at petparenthotline.com/consult. OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Book a Pet Parent Hotline consult: petparenthotline.com/consult Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Do you love your pet, but secretly feel worn out by the constant responsibility Pet-parent fatigue can sneak up on you when every decision, routine, behavior issue, vet concern, or guilty feelings start to feel like one more thing you have to carry. And the harder you try to be a “good” pet parent, the easier it is to lose sight of your own needs. In this episode, Amy walks through 7 questions to help you recognize when pet care has started taking over your life, why guilt and overthinking make everything harder, and how to start making life with your pet more sustainable. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: Why feeling exhausted by pet care does not mean you don’t love your pet How guilt, overthinking, and always being “on duty” can shrink your life What to ask yourself when life with your pet no longer feels sustainable If you’re struggling with routines, overwhelm, multipet stress, or trying to figure out what’s reasonable in your home, schedule a one-on-one Pet Parent Hotline consult at petparenthotline.com/consult OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Pet Parent Hotline Consult: If you’re struggling with routines, overwhelm, multipet stress, or trying to figure out what’s reasonable in your home, schedule a one-on-one Pet Parent Hotline consult at petparenthotline.com/consult Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

Thinking about adopting a pet, or already wondering if you made the right decision after bringing one home? A lot of people think the hard part of adoption is choosing the pet. But, that’s usually the easy part. The hard part often starts a few days or weeks later, when routines get disrupted, resident pets are stressed, the new dog suddenly has endless energy, or the cat that hid under the bed still hasn’t come out. In this episode, I’m breaking down six of the biggest reasons good pets get returned after adoption, including unrealistic expectations, rushed introductions, transition chaos, and why the pet you meet during adoption may not be the same pet you’re living with a few weeks later. If you’re considering adoption, fostering, or currently struggling with a new pet transition, this episode may help you avoid some of the most common mistakes that quietly set adoptions up to fail. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: Why the first week after adoption is often the hardest The difference between a “bad pet” and an overwhelmed pet Why rushed introductions create problems between pets and people How unrealistic expectations sabotage otherwise good adoptions What shelters and rescues wish adopters understood before bringing a pet home If you’re struggling with a new adoption and want personalized guidance, you can submit a question or book a one-on-one Pet Parent Hotline consult at PetParentHotline.com/consult Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍 Official Site |📱 Facebook |📺 YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵 Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro