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PODCAST

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The Costs, and Love Life With Your Pets Again

Amy Castro - Pet Parenting & Behavior Expert

If you’re a busy pet parent and your dog won’t stop barking, your cat is peeing everywhere, your house feels out of control, and you’re exhausted from wasting time and money trying to fix it, you’re in the right place.You got a pet to make life better, not to wreck your sleep, drain your bank account, and turn your home into a mess you’re embarrassed to let anyone see. You’ve tried trainers, followed your vet’s advice, and still find yourself up at 2 a.m. searching for answers. Most pet podcasts

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

16:39

Ask These Questions Before You Say Yes At The Vet

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/02/08

Have you ever walked out of the vet thinking, I should’ve asked more… but it happened so fast? This episode is for the moment you’re sitting in the exam room, your brain goes blank, and the vet is moving on to the next step before you’ve processed what you just heard. In this episode, I’m giving you real, usable phrases to ask about priorities, timing, options, and cost, plus what to say when you need to pause or say no, without sounding rude, cheap, or like you don’t care. You’re not “being ...

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8:16

One Question That Helps You Speak Up at the Vet | Pet...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/02/04

Ever walked out of the vet with a receipt and regret because you didn't ask about options, priorities, or cost? You are not the only one. Most pet parents do not stay quiet because they do not have questions. They stay quiet because they are worried about how the question will make them sound, like they are difficult, cheap, dumb, or like they are questioning the vet. In this Pet Parent Power-Up bonus episode, I am giving you one simple question to ask yourself before the appointment that he...

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41:14

$10 And 2 Minutes To Help Your Pet Live Longer?

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/02/01

What if a $10 purchase used 2 minutes a day could help your pet live better and longer? Most pet parents know they “should” brush their pet's teeth, but fewer than 10% actually do. So, dental disease quietly builds for years and doesn’t stay in the mouth, but instead, silently spreads bacteria throughout your pet's body impacting their organs, their health, and their longevity. Spending just $10 on a tooth-brush kit and taking 2 minutes a day to brush your pet's teeth, you'll be investi...

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32:38

Pet Tech: How to Tell What’s Actually Worth It

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/01/25

Pet tech is exploding, and a lot of it looks amazing right up until you’re the one charging it, cleaning it, troubleshooting it, and regretting the money you spent. In this episode, AI and tech expert Debbie Richards breaks down the simplest way to decide if a pet gadget is actually worth it for your home, your budget, and your pet’s personality. We talk about the core questions to ask before you buy, what “set it and forget it” should really mean, and why the best tech is the kind that...

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43:00

Seniors And Pets: Don’t Wait For A Crisis, Make A Plan

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/01/18

Are you caring for aging parents with pets, or aging with a pet yourself, and hoping it’ll all “work out” when something changes? Because the biggest risk usually isn’t age, it’s waiting for a fall, a hospitalization, or memory issues to force a last-minute pet care scramble. In this episode, Amy Castro is joined by Kathi Miracle of Silver Tsunami Aging Info to talk about the pet care plan families avoid, the red flags that a pet’s care is slipping, and why “my family will take the pet” isn’t...

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32:23

Do Pets Grieve After a Loss? A Pet Loss Doula Explains

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/01/11

Do pets actually grieve, or are they reacting to routine changes and stress in ways we don’t recognize? And how much of what we label as “grief” is really our own emotion spilling over into the way we interpret their behavior? In this episode, Amy talks with Kate LaSalla, a pet behavior consultant, companion animal end-of-life death doula, and certified pet loss and grief companion, about what pet grief can look like, what might just be routine disruption, and what to do when your...

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8:00

Pet Parent Power-Up: 1 Question Ends Wasted Time...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/01/07

Ever feel like you’re doing a ton for your pets, but nothing is actually getting easier? If you’re stuck repeating the same corrections, overcomplicating your routines, or carrying a low-grade stress cloud all day, this quick fix is for you. In this January Pet Parent Power-Up, I’m sharing the one question I use to snap out of autopilot and stop pouring time and energy into the wrong things: “Is this the best place to put my time and energy right now?” It’s simple, but it helps you spot...

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24:02

Why Pet Resolutions Fail By Week 2

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2026/01/04

Ever hit January 10 and realize your “new year, new routine” with your pet is already sliding? If you have ever promised yourself you’ll walk your dog more, train your cat, brush your pet’s teeth, or finally fix the chaos, then watched real life blow it up, this episode is your reset. Because it’s not laziness, it’s because you didn’t have a real plan. In this solo New Year kickoff episode, I’m sharing what 15 years in rescue taught me about why pet parenting promises fall apart, and the simp...

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45:25

Creating a Home You’re Proud Of, Even With Pets

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/12/28

Can you really have a home you feel good about and live comfortably with pets? Absolutely. This week, award-winning designer Pamela O’Brien joins Amy to share practical ways to design and organize your home so it feels functional, pet-friendly, and put-together. From smart fabric and flooring choices to simple storage and feeding setups, Pamela explains how to create a space that looks good, works for everyday life with pets, and still feels comfortable when friends and family come over. BY T...

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34:59

10 Rescue-Tested Pet Essentials We Can’t Live Without

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/12/21

Think you’re set because you have food bowls, toys, and a leash? Most pet supply lists focus on gimmicks or generic basics and completely miss the tools that actually make life with pets easier and safer. In this episode, Amy Castro and Bev Brooks share 10 rescue-tested pet essentials they can’t live without, five for dogs, five for cats, plus bonus items drawn from decades of real-world pet parenting and rescue experience. These are the same types of tools Amy routinely recommends to ...

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37:48

Holiday Pet Grief: Why It Hits Harder Than You Expect

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/12/14

Why do the holidays feel so much heavier when you’ve lost a pet, or when you know a goodbye is coming soon? If you’re finding yourself dreading traditions, avoiding gatherings, or feeling pressure to “hold it together,” this episode is for you. Holiday pet grief can show up in unexpected ways, especially during a first holiday without your pet or when you’re living in that anticipatory space of knowing time with your pet is limited. In this conversation, licensed clinical social worker and a...

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32:27

Holiday Pet Safety: Hidden Hazards You’re Not...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/12/07

Are you sure your home is ready for the holidays, or are there hidden dangers for your pet that you haven’t thought about yet? Most pet parents prep for the obvious hazards, but the real risks are the ones you never see coming. In today’s episode, veterinarian Dr. Zoo joins me for a walk-through of the surprising holiday hazards that slip into your home without you realizing it. From toxic treats to vintage décor to medications in bags and purses, we’re breaking down the early warning signs t...

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7:23

How to Handle Holiday Guests Who Don’t Love Your Pets

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/12/03

Do your holiday guests expect your pets to be quiet, invisible, or perfectly behaved on command? If you have friends or family visiting who are not big pet lovers, it can put pressure on you and cause a lot of confusion for your pets. This "Quick Fix" episode breaks down simple ways to keep the peace, protect your pets’ emotional safety, and avoid the uncomfortable moments that happen when visitors expect your animals to disappear. A lot of pet parents feel guilty when guests complain about ...

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32:57

Is Your Child Really Ready for a Pet? 6 Signs You...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/11/30

Are you wondering whether your child is actually ready for a pet, or are they just deep in the “please please please” phase? Most parents hear “Can we get a dog?” on loop, but pet parenting isn’t as simple as saying yes. When kids aren’t truly ready, it can create pet behavior issues, safety concerns, and a whole lot of pet care stress for the adults. In today’s episode, parenting expert and children’s book creator Dori Durbin joins me to break down six signs of true pet readiness so families...

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31:45

Pet Bills Keep Surprising You Here’s How to Plan

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/11/23

Are pet costs sneaking up on you month after month? Instead of scrambling when a vet bill or boarding fee hits, what would change if you planned for every common expense ahead of time? Most pet parents underestimate costs because they do not track them, then feel stressed or guilty when money gets tight. In this conversation with Certified Financial Planner Joe Okaly, you will learn simple pet cost hacks to treat pet expenses like any other recurring life cost, so you can be prepared, confide...

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17:58

How a Microchip Brought My Cat Home After 5 Years,...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/11/16

When my cat disappeared suddenly, I thought I’d never see her again. Five years later, a microchip brought her home to me, but your pet's chip might not. In this episode, I share the incredible story of my barn cat, Puti, and how she found her way back to us after vanishing for five years, even though she had gone completely blind. I’ll also reveal the hard truth most pet parents don’t realize: a microchip only works if it’s registered correctly and kept up to date. You’ll hear how this tiny ...

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34:06

What Happens to Your Pet If You Don’t Make It Home?

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/11/09

Most pet parents never stop to ask this question until it’s too late. Every week, rescues like mine get heartbreaking calls from families who can’t take their loved one’s pets after a death, move, or medical emergency. The pets - confused, grieving, and suddenly homeless, end up in shelters that should never have become part of their story. And if you think you’re too young to worry about this, think again. We recently got a call from a sister whose 26-year-old brother passed away, and ...

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41:22

Choosing a Pet Boarding Facility? Watch for These Red...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/11/02

Leaving your pet in someone else’s care can be nerve-racking, especially when you’re not sure what goes on behind those kennel doors. In this episode, Amy sits down with Carmen Rustenbeck, Founder & CEO of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA), to talk about what safe, professional pet care really looks like and how to choose a boarding facility that meets your standards for quality and compassion. Whether you’re boarding for a day or a week, this episode...

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42:28

Feeling Pet Parent Guilt? Here’s How to Let It Go for...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/10/26

Ever feel guilty for working too much, missing walks, or not giving your pet enough attention? You’re not alone. Pet parenting struggles like guilt, burnout, and overwhelm are more common than most people admit. But what if guilt isn’t the real problem? In this episode, I’m joined by Sheryl Green, speaker, author of You Had Me at No, and recovering people-pleaser who helps others set healthy boundaries without drowning in guilt. Together, we dig into why guilt shows up for real pet parenting,...

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22:08

Stop Getting Pet Advice from Social Media: Here’s Why...

The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Cut The... ·

2025/10/19

Ever searched online for pet advice and ended up more confused than when you started? One post about your dog throwing up turns into 60 conflicting comments, arguments, and fear-filled stories, and suddenly you’re spiraling. In this episode, I reveal the hidden danger behind all that “free” pet parenting advice in online groups, why it can do more harm than good, and where to actually turn for trusted pet care and training tips for dogs and cats (and other pets too) that help your pets instea...

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154 results

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