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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

48:38

Stop Overpaying for Grooming: What You Can DIY vs...

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

2025/10/12

Trying to save money on grooming? Whether you’ve got a dog or a cat, this episode will help you figure out what you can safely and confidently do at home, and what’s better left to the professionals so you can stop overpaying for grooming. Amy talks with Liz Hampton, Director of Grooming and Education at Fluffology, who brings more than 30 years of experience as a National Certified Master Groomer. Liz shares how pet parents can make smart grooming decisions that keep pets comfortable, ...

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38:40

Crate Training Without the Stress: Step-by-Step for...

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

2025/10/05

Think crate training is as simple as putting your dog in the crate and calling it a night? That’s the biggest reason it fails. Crate training isn’t instant. It’s a step-by-step process that builds your dog’s trust and confidence over time. Rush it, and you’ll end up with whining, accidents, or full-blown crate panic. In this episode, I’m joined by Ruth Hegarty, multi-certified dog trainer and behavior expert, to share real pet parenting advice that actually works. Together, we’ll walk through...

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30:54

How to Pick the Right Crate for Your Dog

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

2025/09/28

Confused about which crate is right for your dog? With so many sizes, styles, and price points, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The right crate isn’t just about convenience for you — it’s about safety, comfort, and creating a space your dog will actually enjoy. In this episode, we’re taking the guesswork out of crate shopping. You’ll learn how to confidently choose the right crate for your dog’s size, age, and needs, without wasting money on the wrong setup. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, Y...

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22:45

Why Your Cat Won’t Use the Litter Box: 6 Rules to Fix It

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

2025/09/21

Think your litter box setup is fine, yet your cat is still peeing on the bath mat? In this episode, Amy shares expert pet advice and reveals the six “everybody knows” rules cat parents accidentally bend, and how tiny fixes in cat care can stop outside-the-box accidents for good. You’ll learn why health issues come first, what “clean” really means to a cat, how box size and placement impact success, and when the litter itself is the problem. These real pet parenting insights are designed to he...

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18:38

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Pet for Your Child...

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

2025/09/14

Thinking about getting a puppy or kitten for your preschooler? It might look adorable on social media, but in real life it’s often a recipe for stress, safety risks, and heartbreak. Well-meaning parents often believe getting a pet will teach their child responsibility or help them “grow up together and bond better,” but in rescue we’ve seen those myths lead to injured pets, injured kids, and heartbreaking surrenders. The truth is, kids under 5 face the highest dog bite risk, pets are easily h...

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22:39

Is Crating Cruel? 5 Surprising Benefits for Your Dog

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

2025/09/07

Is crating your dog cruel, or could it actually be one of the kindest things you do for them? Many pet parents picture their pup feeling trapped or lonely, so they avoid crates altogether. But when used the right way, a crate can become your dog’s safe space — and one of the most useful tools in your pet parenting toolbox. In this episode, I break down 5 major benefits of crating your dog. You’ll hear why it’s about more than house training, and how the right approach can bring calm, comfort,...

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38:54

Hiring a Dog Trainer? Don’t Make These Mistakes

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

2025/08/31

Are you at the end of your rope with your dog’s behavior, but not sure if it’s time to hire a professional dog trainer, or worried about picking the wrong one? You’re not alone. The dog training world can feel like the Wild West. With no regulations, conflicting advice, and plenty of flashy websites, it’s hard to know who’s truly qualified to help. Choosing the wrong dog trainer can waste your money, make your dog’s behavior worse, and damage the trust between you and your pet. That’s why in ...

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18:59

Bringing Home a New Cat? Build Trust Fast With the...

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

2025/08/24

That friendly, purring shelter cat you fell in love with can sometimes turn into a ghost or even a hissy ball of nerves the moment you get them home. It’s not rejection. It’s survival mode. And how you handle those first few days sets the tone for your entire relationship. Even if you don't have a cat, many aspects of these steps toward acclimating a new pet to your home would apply to dogs, birds, and other species of pets to reduce stress and make their transition easier on them. In t...

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43:48

How I Made My Home Fresh and Fur-Free… Even With 8 Pets

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

2025/08/17

Do you feel like no matter how much you clean, your home still smells like pets and looks like a fur factory? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Tracy Fosterling, pet foster mom and social media favorite, to break down simple, realistic cleaning habits that actually work when you live with pets. Forget the overwhelming deep-clean weekends and the guilt over what your home “should” look like—we’re getting practical. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • How to sto...

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19:21

6 Pet Food Hacks That Cut Costs Without Guilt

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

2025/08/10

Are you tired of feeling like you need a second job just to buy pet food? You're not alone. Prices keep climbing, and if you’ve ever stood in the pet food aisle doing mental math and wondering what bill to skip this week, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down six smart, realistic ways to save money on pet food without cutting corners on quality. These are the exact strategies I’ve used with my own pets, my foster pets, and shared with adopters who want to feed their pets well witho...

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19:09

Dreading the Vet Bill? 5 Ways to Afford It Without...

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

2025/08/10

Does a single vet visit feel like it could wipe out your bank account? You're not alone and you're not doing anything wrong. Too many pet parents walk into the clinic hoping for a quick checkup and walk out hundreds of dollars poorer, without knowing how it happened or how to avoid it next time. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real cost of veterinary care and giving you a smarter way to plan ahead, so you’re not caught off guard, financially drained, or forced to choose b...

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43:37

Do Pets Really Need Year‑Round Flea, Tick & Heartworm...

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

2025/08/10

You’re staring at another $200 vet bill and wondering if skipping a month of flea, tick, or heartworm meds will really matter. Your dog barely goes outside. Your cat’s never seen a flea. And those preventatives are not cheap.But what if that one skipped dose turns into a $3,000 emergency—or worse? In this episode, I’m joined by veterinarian Dr. Linda Atkins to cut through the fear, guilt, and confusing advice around parasite prevention. We’re talking flea meds, tick risks, heartworm...

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14:02

Before You Say Yes: 4 Gut Checks for Adding Another Pet

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

2025/08/10

Thinking about adding another pet to your family? Before you give in to those puppy-dog eyes or kitten purrs, hit pause. Because while one more pet can be wonderful, it can also turn your home upside down if the timing or reason isn’t right. In this episode, I’m sharing 4 essential gut checks to help you decide if it’s truly the right time to expand your pack. After adopting out pets to thousands of families and taking in hundreds of owner surrenders, I’ll give you the honest questions no one...

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42:40

Are You Rewarding Your Dog’s Bad Behavior Without...

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

2025/08/10

Feel like the more you try to fix your dog’s behavior, the worse it gets? If you’re dealing with barking, leash pulling, jumping, or flat-out ignoring commands, the problem might not be your dog: it might be what you’re accidentally reinforcing without realizing it. In this episode, I’m joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Bradley Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA, Executive Director, CCPDT to unpack the everyday mistakes that teach dogs to keep misbehaving, even when you're try...

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41:10

Benadryl, Tylenol, Pepto: What’s Safe for Your Pet?

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

2025/08/10

When your dog’s limping or your cat won’t stop scratching, it’s tempting to reach into your medicine cabinet, but should you? In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Dr. Zoo, my vet and the veterinarian for Starlight Outreach and Rescue, to tackle one of the most Googled questions in pet parenting: “Can I give my pet human over-the-counter meds?” We’re breaking down what’s safe, what’s dangerous, and what might help when the vet is closed and your pet needs relief now. BY THE TIME YOU ...

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2:07

Trailer: Your Sneak Peek at The Pet Parent Hotline...

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

2025/08/10

Think getting a pet would make life better? Instead, your bank account’s drained, your dog won’t stop barking, your cat’s peeing everywhere, and you’re up at 2 a.m. searching for answers. That’s why I created The Pet Parent Hotline - your lifeline for real-world pet parenting. In this quick trailer, you’ll find out what this show is all about, why it’s different from every other pet podcast out there, and how it’s here to help you create a life that works for you and your pets. Hit follow now...

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26:09

Why You're Still Doing All the Pet Care (and How to...

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

2025/06/29

Ever feel like you're the only one who remembers to feed the dog, clean the litter box, or refill the water bowls? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep doing it all. This bonus summer episode gives you a complete system to get your household to step up and share the pet care load, without nagging, yelling, or turning into the resentful pet parent you swore you’d never be. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • The communication traps that keep you stuck doing everything ...

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53:47

Why No Kill is Failing: The Case for a Smarter...

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

2025/04/27

The no-kill movement promised to revolutionize animal sheltering by saving lives and ending unnecessary euthanasia. But behind the catchy slogans and glowing statistics, a different reality lurks – one that’s rarely discussed. In this eye-opening conversation with animal welfare expert Daniel Ettinger, we dig deep into the issues plaguing some shelters striving for that elusive 90% live release rate. As a rescuer myself, I'm experiencing a system overwhelmed by its own ambitions. Shelters don...

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10:45

The Day Rescue Broke Me: A Hard Truth About Helping...

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

2025/04/15

I broke down in the middle of a hurricane—sobbing, soaked, and desperately trying to keep my barn from blowing away—while sick kittens cried in a barely-secured shed. That’s when I realized: something had to change. In this raw, no-holds-barred solo episode, I share the story kept quiet for too long—the mental, emotional, and physical toll of being "the yes person" in animal rescue for far too long. With over 4,000 animals fostered, a 7-acre property turned full-blown sanctuary, and a rescue ...

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38:06

Heartworm Prevention Myths That Could Cost Your Pet’s...

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

2025/04/08

Heartworm Truths Every Pet Owner Needs to Hear with Dr. Zoo 💔 Heartworm disease is slow, painful, and entirely preventable. So why are pets still dying from it? In this essential episode of Muddy Paws and Hairballs, Dr. Zoo shares two real-life cases that hit hard: a young German Shepherd in kidney failure at just two years old after his owners stopped prevention, and a rescue terrier whose heart was invaded by worms—leaving euthanasia as the only humane option. 🐾 Here’s what every pet

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154 results

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