Nine Lives with Dr. Kat - Cat podcasts for cat lovers on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

In this episode of Nine Lives with Dr. Kat, Dr. Kathryn Primm interviews Dr. Allison Kendall about Feline Interstitial Cystitis (FIC), a chronic and often misunderstood bladder condition in cats. Dr. Kendall explains how FIC differs from bacterial infections, emphasizing that stress is a major trigger rather than infection. They discuss common risk factors, including environmental stressors, multi-cat households, and anxious personalities. Dr. Kendall also shares the latest treatment approaches, focusing on stress reduction, dietary management, and environmental enrichment. A key highlight of the episode is Dr. Kendall's groundbreaking research on using low-dose radiation therapy to treat FIC. She explains how this novel approach reduces bladder inflammation and improves symptoms, with promising early results. Listeners gain valuable insights into feline urinary health, cutting-edge research, and actionable tips to improve their cats' well-being. EPISODE NOTES: New Hope for Pee Problems!

In this episode, emergency vet and toxicology expert Dr. Justine Lee joins us to chat about surprising springtime hazards that could put your cat at risk—and how you can be ready for anything! Learn how to create a simple DIY first aid kit tailored just for your feline friend and hear Dr. Lee's expert advice on what essentials to always have nearby. Plus, she shares insider tips from the animal ER to help you avoid common accidents before they happen. Don't miss this smart, practical episode packed with lifesaving info every cat parent needs this season! EPISODE NOTES: Spring into Safety: DIY Cat First Aid Tips with Dr. Justine Lee!

In this episode of Nine Lives with Dr. Kat, we dive into the fascinating world of feline dermatology with special guest, Dr. Joya Griffin, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Together, they explore common cat skin issues, including allergies, parasites and the mysteries of overgrooming. Dr. Griffin shares insights into diagnosing and treating these conditions, offering practical tips for keeping your cat's skin and coat healthy. Whether you're dealing with an itchy kitty or just want to learn more about feline skin care, this episode is packed with valuable advice every cat lover needs to hear! EPISODE NOTES: Cat Skin Demystified with Dr. Joya

In this episode of Nine Lives with Dr. Kat, we welcome award-winning author and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai to the show. Together, they dive into the fascinating world of feline behavior and care, exploring Amy's extensive body of work, fiction and nonfiction. Amy shares her journey as a writer and the inspiration behind her books. The conversation debunks common myths about feline behavior, such as the belief that cats are aloof or untrainable and offers practical tips for building stronger bonds with your cat. Listeners will also get a sneak peek at Amy's newest projects and hear her heartfelt advice for cat lovers everywhere: to respect and cherish the unique relationship they have with their feline companions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of cats and strengthen the human-animal bond. EPISODE NOTES: Unleashing Cat Wisdom with Amy Shojai

Today we talk with Dr Joe Bartges, a Veterinary nutritionist, about some of the things that have been in the news recently about feline nutrition and which of the information is good and which is bad. He also shares some techniques for getting cats to be less finicky. This is an informative and valuable episode. Check it out. EPISODE NOTES: Nutrition for Cats: Sifting Thru the Headlines

Dr Craig Clifford joins us today to talk everything you need to know about cancer in cats. He goes over the common types and what owners need to watch for. He mentions specific risk factors that you might not be aware of and talks about advances in quality of life medications for feline cancer patients. Don't miss this important episode! EPISODE NOTES: Cat Cancer: Don't Be Afraid

Today, we chat with bestselling author Kathryn Hughes about cats' influence on history and her new book, Catland. Did you know that cats have been a part of our lives for thousands of years? Their roles have changed, and they have some pretty famous fans. Cats have influenced fashion trends, art and literature. We talk about everything cats, from Mark Twain to "cat burglars."This is an interesting and difFURent episode for sure! EPISODE NOTES: Catland!

On this episode, I have the joy of chatting with G. David Stirling about his fascinating and fun series, Black Cat Detective Agency. Find out why you should read this entertaining book that features a pet cat who is actually a detective, solving crimes for the Animal kingdom and sometimes humans too! David shares his writing secrets and gives advice to new writers, as well. Get to know Beckett Buckleberry and his delightful entourage of friends. Laugh at his distinctive "catness". Check it out. There is nothing like it! EPISODE NOTES: The Cat that Chased Cadillacs

Winter might seem like business as usual for your cat, but Jackson Galaxy is here to share the inside scoop! Known as the "Cat Daddy," Jackson has a unique ability to view the world from a cat's perspective. In this episode, he reveals some surprising winter and holiday hazards that could put your feline at risk—and offers tips to help you prevent a CATastrophe. Plus, discover if Jackson will be visiting a city near you! EPISODE NOTES: Winter Whiskers: Keeping Your Cat Safe with Jackson Galaxy

It is that time again and here at Nine Lives with Dr. Kat, we want your kitties to stay safe and healthy through the upcoming holiday season This week I am joined by Dr. Jill Lopez to talk with me about some of the hidden (and not to hidden) dangers around the festivities. Did you know that a snow globe could be toxic? What is the truth about poinsettias and other holiday plants? Find out what is real and what is myth when it comes to decorations and know when it is time to get some medical help. Make sure your cats have a PURRfect Howliday when you listen to this fun episode. EPISODE NOTES: Thanksgiving & Holiday Hazards

Did your cat miss the memo about using the litter box? Are they using the floor… the rug… your bed? Today board-certified veterinary behaviorist, Dr. Maggie O'Brian joins us to discuss reasons they might not be using the box, cat litter preference, and options for your cat to make using the litter box more desirable for them. EPISODE NOTES: Thinking Outside the Box

In today's show, we are lucky to have 2 special guests, a regular contributor, Steve Dale and Dr. Gail Golab from the American Veterinary Medical Association here to explain the role of telemedicine for our own pets. Did you know there are legal issues that may limit its use? If you want to take the supurr best care of your cats, you need to check this show out and find out if you can take advantage of the convenience of telemedicine with your own vet. EPISODE NOTES: Tele-kitty: How Can Telemedicine Help You Take The Best Care Of Your Cat?

It's October! Halloween is already everywhere, and cats (or at least their images) seem to be a natural part of the spooky festivities. But there are things that pose a risk to cats during this time. Make sure you are aware. From glow sticks to festive bouquets, we find out the Do's and Don'ts from Dr. Jill Lopez. See if your cat is safe on this episode of Nine Lives with Dr. Kat! EPISODE NOTES: Make Halloween Less Scary for Your Cats!

Today, we get to learn from Mikkel Becker, Fear Free's lead Animal trainer about all the ways we can make our cats environment better in sp many ways! How can you use your cat's own desire to hide to make a fun game? What if your cat does not like catnip? Mikkel tells us creative ways to make life as fun as possible for you and your cat! EPISODE NOTES: Why You Should Change the Way You Treat Your Cat

Could your cat be in pain? How can you tell? We chat with Dr. Tracey Deiss, a feline veterinarian whose favorite areas are pain control and anxiety in cats. She gives us some useful resources to help you find out if your own cat suffers and then shares about a new treatment that has proven safe and effective. We even talk about things you can do as your kitten grows and ages to help avoid and detect pain. Listen now, whether your cat is 6 months or 6 years! EPISODE NOTES: Save Cats! Find Out How!

Today we talk with Deborah Cribbs about her a-meow-zing Cat Culture Shift, Give Them Ten. Her organization is saving healthy cats by promoting spay neuter programs and educating cat lovers everywhere because when we work together, we make a difference. Find out about this exciting initiative and what you can do to help! EPISODE NOTES: Save Cats! Find Out How!

Today, we have Dr. Lisa Radosta who is a recurring guest that we love to talk with us about vacations if you have cats. There are options for cats during a vacation and they include petsitters, boarding, and bringing cats along. We are going straight to the source of a cat's mind to find out about each of these options and what your cat might prefer. We will also talk about how to make your choice the best possible one for your cat's happiness and safety. EPISODE NOTES: Vacation: Take your Cat? Or Not?

Dr. Mary Gardner joins me today to talk about "crunchy cats". These are the aging cats that seem to be getting frail. Did you know that there are tons of things you can do to make it better? There are products to try, books to read and people to ask to help you as your cats age. What type of food bowl do you have? What about litter boxes? Should your old cat be exercising? Find out the answers and tons more! EPISODE NOTES: Is Your Cat Crunchy?

Today, we have a su-purr fun chat with Francesco Marciuliano, the author of many delightful cat (and the one dog) books! He has cats, loves cats, and sees their unique purr-sonalities as an opportunity to voice their thoughts. I Could Pee on This and Other Poems by Cats is the fur-st in a line of humorous books that make fabulous gifts for the cat lovers in your life. We find out what started him on his journey to be a funny voice for cats and about his own cats that have shared his home. Join us for our lighthearted chat and find out more! EPISODE NOTES: I Could Pee on This

We had the pleasure of chatting with Steve Dale about the brand-new advances in the treatment of FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) which has always been considered 100% fatal. Find out what has changed since our last episode discussing it. Could your cat be at risk? Make sure you know the latest info and be sure your vet does too! EPISODE NOTES: Breaking FIP Mews! Now your Vet Can Help!

Well, maybe not the most interesting cat in the world, but certainly an interesting episode! We got to spend some time with Teresa Kreiger of the Cat Fanciers Association and explore the most popular breeds of cat (and the rarest ones too!) Could your cat be on the list? Find out about each of the breeds- their appearance, size, temperament, as well as what it takes to keep them groomed and looking sharp. I am not going to give them away! You will have to listen, but can you guess which breeds are the most rare? Listen to find out if you have ever met one of these cats! EPISODE NOTES: The Most Interesting Cat in The World?

Today's show is a su-purr fun chat with Mikel Delgado, who is a certified cat behavior consultant and author of the upcoming book, Play With Your Cat! She explains why play is important, what kind of interaction constitutes play, and which cats need it (hint- all of them!). She gives us her favorite toys and even talks about how to make your own. Think your cat doesn't play? We explore why you may be wrong. Listen now about how play can improve your life and your cat's! EPISODE NOTES: Play it Again, Sam!

You know that cats entertain us at home, but what about on TV? Cats have been making debuts on the small screen for decades and Wendy Miller, self-proclaimed TV Nerd is here to give us a rundown. From Friends to Cat Woman, cats have left their mark on entertainment, and it is so much fun. Join us as we explore cats on TV! EPISODE NOTES: TV Cats!

Today, we talk to Dr. Angela Briggs who is a veterinarian and even more...a veterinary dentist! We know that cats try to hide anything pain from the world and she tells us about some common issues she sees in kittens and cats. She gives us her insights on what to do and what to watch for to keep your cat happy, healthy, and pain free. EPISODE NOTES: Is it Tooth-hurty? Dental Disease in Cats

Veterinary Behaviorist, Dr. Lisa Radosta is back to talk about fostering, adopting and raising healthy happy cats. So, tune in for great information… we're not kitten! EPISODE NOTES: Fostering And Adopting Kittens

Did you know that cats have 276 distinct facial expressions? And even more interesting and complex, cats use their expressions differently depending on if they are interacting with their friends or not. Today's guest, Dr. Britt Florkiewicz, is a comparative and evolutionary psychologist who designed a study that uncovered facts like these. She went into a large cat Cafe and observed and recorded the cats as they communicated with one another and shares what she found out with us. EPISODE NOTES: Feline Faces!

Today, I chatted with Arden Moore, a lifelong cat-vocate and pet first aid expert about what you need to know if you want to adopt a kitten, cat or senior feline. You probably haven't thought of all the things she alerts you to, from the truth about cat cafes (in 15 cities) to how to best plan for your cat's life and wellness. Find out what you need to buy and get to make sure that your cat lives her best life! We talk about cool places to find cats and why you might choose one over another and what questions you need to ask yourself and breeders/rescuers to help choose a life long cat partner. Check it out! EPISODE NOTES: Want to Adopt a Cat? Listen to This!

The holidays are coming, and all cat lovers want to gift their cats and their fellow cat lovers with fun and useful gifts. Why not choose things that help homeless cats and benefit animals? My guest today is Wendy Miller. She is the inventor of a neat and fun card deck that will amuse you (and also benefits cat charities). She shares with me some of the cool stuff she saw at Cat Con that are other products that are useful, sustainable and give back to make our world a better place. EPISODE NOTES: Cat Products That Give Back!

Today's episode delves into the pathology of animal hoarding. Dr Art Markman and I talk about what it is, why it happens, and what you can do if you think you may be experiencing it or love someone who is. Animal Hoarding becomes an issue when the number of animals in a home is above and beyond the number of resources available to give them a good life. Who is the most at risk for this behavior? How does this happen? What can you do if you or someone you love is experiencing this problem? Find out these answers and more by listening now! EPISODE NOTES: Helping or Hoarding? How to Know the Difference

Did you know that you could turn your love of cats into a successful film career? Today's guest, Dr. Ross Hewitt is here to tell you that you can! Dr. Hewitt is a cat lover that grew up with 13 cats. He is also an actor, playwright, director, producer, and retired physician who received many awards for his work with the HIV and AIDS communities. He used cats (and his love of theater) to write and produce a short, animated film called Kris the Cat. He tells about his journey to create the film and also about the Nordic folk tale that inspired it. It is clear that Dr. Hewitt admires and loves cats, and he used this love to help him grow as a person and create something to entertain and educate children of all ages. EPISODE NOTES: Cat-spiration!

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) has been the absolute worst nightmare of veterinarians for a long time. It is a Coronavirus, and it is present in most cats, but for an unknown reason, it mutates in certain cats and becomes an aggressive, life-threatening infection. Today, we talk with Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, a feline veterinarian who researches this terrible disease and wants us all to know what it is and that there is a treatment. We talk about the disease itself and how a cat owner can recognize it and even some things we can do to prevent it. Check it out to learn more! EPISODE NOTES: NOT a Death Sentence Anymore!

Join us today as we chat with Dr. Renee Schmid, a veterinary toxicologist with the pet poison helpline. She explains what the top ten calls for toxicity in cats are and you may be surprised. Which things do you think made the list? I know a lot and I'm excited for you to listen to this interesting episode. EPISODE NOTES: Toxic!

Ever been to the vet clinic and left thinking of all the things you forgot to ask and mention? Today we chat with Dr. Ryane Englar about tips to make sure you advocate for your cat and get the most out of your veterinary experience. From jotting down your questions and concerns ahead of time to even drawing am image of your cat to diagram concerns, there are lots of things you can do to make your visit the best it can be. EPISODE NOTES: Maximize your Vet Visit!

Today we talk with Dr. Jan Bellows, the veterinary dentist, and he gives us advice about what we all should be doing each day to keep our cats' teeth healthy. He shares some resources like vohc.org to find products that are certified to help with dental health and he gives us a step by step list that all cat lovers should follow to be sure they are doing the best by their cats. Listen now to find out how to keep your cat smiling and pain free! EPISODE NOTES: Cats Have Teeth!

Tele-what? Did you know that you can consult with a licensed veterinarian to help you decide if your cat has an emergency or not? You can! And today we chat with Dr. Shadi Ireifej about his telemedicine platform, Vettriage. Find out what can be treated this way and find out how to take advantage of this useful service! EPISODE NOTES: Telemedicine!

In this episode, I get to talk to Dr. Tina Bearden. Dr. Bearden is extremely knowledgeable about vaccines, and she works for Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health. She knows the inside scoop on vaccine manufacturing and research. We talk about what vaccines are and what they do and even explore different types of vaccines. Are the scary stories true? Where did the headlines come from? Find out what you need to know on this episode of Nine Lives with Dr. Kat! EPISODE NOTES: Vaccines- Does Your Cat Really Need Them?

We chat with Tabitha Kucera, certified RVT, CCBC, and KPA-CTP, and she sheds some light on our cats' interactions with us as their humans. Purring, kneading, bunting....and so much more. Find out why she thinks they do these things and what they mean. She even gives us tips on what our cats are trying to tell us! Come along as we unravel the mysteries of cats! EPISODE NOTES: Why Does My Cat Do That? Part 3: Interactions

Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of choices of flea products today? Today I chat with Rita Katanjian, a veterinary professional with years of experience and a passion for client education, about the pros and cons of flea product choices. She tells us how to let our cats and our veterinary team help us decide which ones will be best for each individual cat. We had fun talking about bugs! EPISODE NOTES: Flea Control: How Do You Pick One?

Does your cat bite? Scratch? How about urinating outside the box? Howling? There are behaviors that we humans see as negative and I get to chat with Mikkel Becker, lead trainer for Fear Free Pets about why they do these things and what we can do to help. Check out Mikkel's amazing wisdom on our series, Why Does My Cat Do That. EPISODE NOTES: Why Does My Cat Do That? Part 2: Negative Behaviors

The opening episode to our series, Why Does My Cat Do That? Lisa Radosta, the veterinary behaviorist, joins me today to talk about cats and objects. Why do cats knock things off counter tops? Why do cats like boxes? And so much more. This is a super fun episode! Check it meow-t! EPISODE NOTES: Why Does My Cat Do That? Part 1

Wouldn't you love to see what a kitten sees and hear his thoughts on everyday life? I would! And a new book, Oliver Kitten's Diary does just that. I get to chat with Gareth Thomas, a celebrated writer and publisher about all of his cat-a-log of books that discuss cats. Learn about Oliver kitten's life, what it is like to be a cat loving publisher and about other feline best sellers. Gareth joins me all the way from New Zealand to help me explore more cat-tastic facts and fun. Check it out! EPISODE NOTES: A Kitten's Diary?

What does a talented harpist have in common with a grieving pet owner? You will be surprised. Erica Messer is both of these and so much more! She took time today to talk with me about her grief and share some of unique and interesting ways that she learned to deal with it...and to help others deal with their own. Listen to find out more about Wolfie's Wish and Erica's tools and resources to help you or a loved one deal with their own pet loss grief. EPISODE NOTES: Resources to Cope with Pet Loss Grief: Wolfie's Wish

Today's fun episode gives me the chance to chat with Michelle Fern of Cattitude podcast about cats, what they are up to and why we humans care. It turns out, cats are very complex and interesting and could even be capable of more than we think… Listen in while we chat about cats and how they create curiosity in us, learn our ways and influence us. Why do cats lurk in the shadows? Why do they like the dark? Are they plotting together? We have a little fun exploring theories and learning quirky cat facts! EPISODE NOTES: Why Are Cats So Mysterious? What Are They Up To?

Science has made a-meow-zing advances in identifying and managing pain in cats. We know that cats have special metabolism and cannot tolerate certain medications. We also know that medicating cats can be a challenge itself. Today, I have 2 pawsome guests that can help us know how to see if our cats have pain and what the options may be. Learn what to watch for and some tips to make sure your cats are happy and pain-free! EPISODE NOTES: Does Your Cat Need Rehab?

Today we talk with BrIan Jorgensen of MetLife pet insurance about how insurance works and what you should know about it. He tells about his journey toward the pet insurance industry and answers questions about types of plans and when and why you might want it. How old should your kitten be when you start? When is your pet too old to be eligible? How can pet insurance help you? Check out this episode to learn more! EPISODE NOTES: Does Your Cat Need Pet Health Insurance?

We all know that knowledge is power and the more you know about how your cat works, the better you can support their health. Did you know your gut health can impact your cat's mood and behavior? You can test for proteins in the gut to gauge inflammation and even find out if your cat's diet could be better. We talk with Dr. Betsy Redmond about Innovative Pet Lab's gut health testing. Check it out! EPISODE NOTES: More Scoop On Poop?

Do you have a cat? Guess what- they are aging. As their biggest advocate, there are things that you need to know to help them age gracefully. Find out about aging for cats and what makes it different. Did you know that aging affects a cat's brain too? Find out how to manage cognitive dysfunction. A large percent of senior cats suffer from mobility issues and their caregivers don't realize it. Learn how to recognize the signs and what to do. This book has checklists and videos! Do you have a Bucket List for your cat? See what Dr. Mary Gardner suggests to help your cat's life be meow-valous. You need to take care of yourself to be able to care for your geriatric cat too. We talk about tips and hacks to help you both. It is a wealth of information to help all the way through your cat's and your journey together. Join us in this useful and special episode. EPISODE NOTES: Nine Lives Are Not Enough

Today is our 100th episode and so I found a Furry interesting guest, Layla Morgan Wilde. Layla is a cat expert and a psychic! She is an author and cat rescuer too. We delve into the history of prejudice against cats, especially black cats and you might be surprised how far back in the history of mankind these superstitions go! Find out more about Black Cat history from the dark ages and learn how far we have come. EPISODE NOTES: Black Cats Tell All

I love to share with my listeners things that they may not know but could benefit from. Today, I speak with Dr. Jessica Vogelsang who is the chief medical officer of AAHA about what they do and why we, as pet lovers, should care. Did you know that there isn't an enforced standard of care in veterinary hospitals like there is for human hospitals? So how do you know if the care that is provided there complies with the latest medical recommendations? AAHA accreditation is how! AAHA Accreditation is a trusted way for a practice to be voluntarily evaluated by a neutral third party and prove that they are in the top 12% of all veterinary hospitals. I get to find out the scoop straight from the "top dog" at AHAA. Check it out! EPISODE NOTES: What is the American Animal Hospital Association?

On today's episode, I chat with Dr. Joe Bartges, a veterinary nutritional and internal medicine specialist about cats and their diet preferences. Why do they like what they like and how can we affect it? Sometimes we need cats to eat specific diets and it can be hard. Find out how to make your kitten less picky about his/her foods. We explore safe home cooking for cats and some of the pitfalls of creating a balanced diet that way. Join us on this fabulously informative culinary adventure! EPISODE NOTES: Finicky Cats?

Today I get to to talk with Arden Moore about all the cat related stuff that she is doing now. She has books, cat cocktails and cats making appearances in DogTV! Most importantly, she does Feline First Aid! We get to talk to her about it all. Tune in for today's show! EPISODE NOTES: All Things Cat!