feline

How would you like to buy one toy for your cats that never needs replacing? That you can store away neatly on its own hanger. That you can buy multiple different toys to dangle on the end, PLUS you can add a long lead to make it even more fun for your cats?

Enter the Forever Stick at Repounce.com! Created by engineer and cat dad Anton Kreicbergs, this is the more durable and customizable cat toy on the market today. Anton was inspired by his own two cats, handsome Russian Blue brothers, Gorba and Tolstoy, Anton wanted to create a toy that was made to last and that would keep his cats interested. He also insisted upon using sustainable materials that are of the best quality. On top of all that, the handle of the toy is ergonomically designed for the comfort of we humans, too! Linda and Rita love Anton and the Forever Stick, and we know you will too!

EPISODE NOTES: Forever Stick

Bryan Kortis was a Manhattan lawyer when he stumbled up some kittens who needed homes. After that experience, he then got involved with TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) and finding homes for animals on the street. Rescue became his passion, and he happy to be making changes happen.

Today, this once Manhattan attorney is living in Maui (talk about change!) and has been helping to be reunite and/or rehome cats who were displaced during the Maui wildfires. Linda and Rita found Bryan and his new calling in life fascinating and think what he is doing a-meow-zing things! We think you’ll love Bryan as much as we do!

EPISODE NOTES: Bryan Kortis – Saving Maui Fire Cats

Julie Bradford, Partner and Medical Director at Goodvets.com, is here to tell us about a new concept in vet care. Goodvets is an innovative network of animal hospitals that are each co-owned by the local vets who run them. In this structure, local vets get the autonomy they need to run their practices, yet they have the support of a team and the good name of Goodvets.com. Listen as Julie explains how this model works to benefit not only the veterinarians, but also benefits you and your pets, too!

EPISODE NOTES: Goodvets

We all love our pets, and we’d do anything for them. But what happens when we can’t, or aren’t there to make sure they are well cared for? Some of us plan for our cats should we pass unexpectedly. But what happens when we are sick, temporarily unable to care for our pets, or wind up having a lengthy hospital stay. A timely topic in view of Rita’s current bout with Covid, what would have happened to her cats had she been hospitalized? Or worse? As prepared as Rita thought she was, there is a big hole in her plans.

This is where PetPeaceofMind.org comes in. This wonderful non-profit organization is there to help. Keeping people and pets together when they can is their goal, offering to help find temporary placement for people who find themselves unable to care for the pets due to illness of their own. They also teach hospices how to provide pet care assistance for their patients with pets. Join Linda and Rita as they talk with President and Founder, Dianne McGill.

EPISODE NOTES: Pet Peace of Mind

Dr. Kelly Cairns, VP of medical excellence for over 400 Thrive Pet Healthcare clinics, is back with Part Two of our Holiday Safety Tips for cats and dogs. With all the special foods, plants, presents, decoration, as well as people coming into your home, the holidays can be a dangerous time for our pets.

How do we keep them safe? Tune is as we talk with Dr. Kelly about everything from Christmas Trees and Menorah’s to how to safely wrap our holiday gifts, so our cats (and dogs) won’t get hurt. We’ll also talk about what to look for in cat toys, so we give our cats enjoyable yet safe presents this holiday season.

EPISODE NOTES: Holiday Décor and Cats

Your cat just chewed up one of your plants. Should you be worried? Is it poisonous? If she starts throwing up, should I take her to the vet? Before you panic, there is a place you can contact BEFORE you even head to the vet’s office with your pet: PetPoisonHelpline.com


Manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the people at Pet Poison Helpline can tell you if you should be concerned, if you can treat your cat (or dog) at home, or if you need to go to your veterinarian. They’ll even tell you exactly what to tell you vet should it be determined that your cat needs to be seen. Dr. Renee Schimd is here to tell us all about this amazing service. (855) 764-7661 is the number you need to tack up on your fridge, especially for the holiday season when your cats (and dogs) may well eat something they shouldn’t!

EPISODE NOTES: Pet Poison Helpline – Just in Time for the Holidays!

Stacy LeBaron has long been a champion of TNR (Trap Neuter Release) to help stop the growth of the feral cat population, affectionately referred to as Community Cats. But it’s not just ferals who are part of the community: people who let their cats wander outside, cats that have been cast out of their homes, and any cat, feral or domestic, that lives the majority of their lives outside can be considered part of the outside Community Cats.

Host of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy says Community Cats are “all those cats we see outside, whether feral, stray or cats that are inside/outside cats.” It’s become her mission to educate people about the outside cat population, and why TNR is such an important component to ending the growth of the feral population and the suffering of all outdoor cats due to resource limitations. Stacy is always working to bring education to cat lovers everywhere with her blogs, classes, and continuing education.

EPISODE NOTES: Stacy LeBaron – TNR and Community Cats Advocate

Dr. Kelly Cairns, VP of medical excellence for over 400 Thrive Pet Healthcare clinics, shares her feline knowledge with us here each month. As the winter holiday season is upon us, Dr. Kelly is here to talk about holidays, cats, and the things we need to be careful with around our feline friends as we celebrate.

Can I share my Thanksgiving feast with my cats? What foods are okay for our cats, and which foods are dangerous? Will all the people coming and going from our home be upsetting to our cats? Join us and let's plan for the upcoming holidays, and how to make the season joyful and safe for all of our holiday guest, both human and feline.

EPISODE NOTES: Gobble Gobble, Meow Meow!

Catification. It’s a big buzz word in the cat world, but what does it really mean? Does it mean you need to live in a home filled with cat trees and shipping boxes in order to make your cats happy? Well, in fact it’s quite the opposite. Kate Benjamin of HausPanther.com is here on our show to talk about bringing great cat items into your home that are also aesthetically pleasing to we humans. And it does not have expensive either. Join us as Kate shows us real examples in her how home that are inexpensive, functional for cats, while adding style, too.

Enabling cats to climb and run, sleep and hide, replicating what they do when living outside in nature, gives cats the type of environment they need to thrive. A happy cat is less prone to unwanted cat behaviors, too, so this is a show you won’t want to miss.

EPISODE NOTES: Kate Benjamin – Hauspanther

We LOVE Peter Cohen. Talk about Catification - his a-meow-zing home is often featured on his social media and has been built with the cats in mind. However, Peter’s focus is on FIP research and the quest to make the off-label use of drugs that cure FIP available for veterinarians to prescribe. His kitty, Cookie Monster, was one of the first cats to be treated for - and cured of – the once always-fatal FIP.

Once a death sentence, there are medications that cure FIP and allow these cats to live out full lives. BUT – you can’t get these drugs through your veterinarian. Peter and other FIP warriors are working to help all cat parents who are dealing with FIP to have access to these treatments through their veterinarians, and allow their cats to live long, healthy lives free of FIP. Listen as we find out what is FIP, why curing FIP is considered an “off-label” use of these certain drugs, and why your vets cannot prescribe them.

EPISODE NOTES: Peter Cohen and FIP Warriors!

Rita and Linda adore the Two Crazy Cat Ladies, Jae and Adrienne and now they love them even more! The ladies have created a new cat symptom checker on their website, TwoCrazyCatLadies.com!

Instead of searching through different websites on the internet to find the answers to your questions about the various symptoms of cat illnesses, Jae and Adrienne have created a One-Stop resource for cat parents everywhere. From skin and coat issues, to urinary symptoms, joint pain, dental problems, and so many other topics, you can enter your cat’s symptoms and read about what may be the cause. That way, you can make that vet appointment a little more informed about your cat’s symptoms and what your vet may be looking for. Join us as we talk about the details behind the creation of this wonderful tool!

EPISODE NOTES: Our Favorite Two Crazy Cat Ladies are Back!

Have you noticed that your cats are scratching more lately? Sometimes our cats scratch so much the entire bed shakes! But why are they itchy when we see no fleas, bugs, or rashes on our cats? There are some common skin conditions that might be the cause of the scratching, but how can we tell exactly what’s going on? Some cats can even develop behavior problems as a result of the irritation and feeling just plain yucky.

Should we be worried when our cats scratch so much they leave scabs and raw sores? When our cats are so itchy that they drive themselves (and you) and little crazy, if they seem to be in pain, and/or full of little scabs, it is definitely time for a visit to your veterinarian. Dr. Kelly Cairns is here to let us know what might be, or not be, causing your cat so much discomfort, and what your veterinarian is on the lookout for, so we can get your cat back to feeling like his usual kitty self.

EPISODE NOTES: Dr. Kelly Cairns: Itchy Kitties

Do we have a treat for you! On this episode of 19 Cats and Counting, the legendary Sandy Robins joins Linda and Rita to talk tech…

There are so many advances in technology that benefit so many different industries, and Cat Health and Wellness is no exception. From litter boxes that scoop and sanitize to microchips that allow you (and maybe your pet sitter) to locate shy cats who like to hide away, cats have benefitted from technology in ways we never thought possible. Join us as Sandy Robins shows us some of these new items, many of which will be on every cat lover’s holiday gift list this year!

EPISODE NOTES: Sandy Robins Talks Tech and Cats

Carla McCarty, who goes by the name @MsCurlyMcCatLady on social media, is a schoolteacher in Chicago, Illinois. She also happens to be the go-to cat lady in her neighborhood, single-handedly saving 23+ cats from living outside, without shelter or love. That’s right, 23, even more than Rita and each Linda have!

She tells is that the just show up on her doorstep, in need of spay/neuter, vet care, food, and a warm loving place to call home. And Carla obliges, paying for their care herself, without benefit of donations (although in our opinion, she surely deserves some help!) Carla is the PURRfect cat mom, making sure everyone gets what they need and feels secure in their new home with her. How did this Chicago school teacher become an advocate for the cats in her city? Tune in, as Rita and Linda find out!

EPISODE NOTES: School Teacher Becomes Ad Hoc Cat Sanctuary

As much joy as our cats (and dogs) provide, they come with the knowledge that their time with us is all too brief. Our pets grow old, get sick, pass away, often leaving us with a deep sense of grief and sometimes even guilt that we were not able to save them. We ask ourselves questions like: Why didn’t I notice the illness sooner? Did I wait too long to say good-bye? Did I not wait long enough? Did I do the right thing in the end? Was my pet suffering? Linda and Rita have been where you are. with currently 28 cats between their own and their sanctuary cats, they know what it feels like to suddenly feel the great burden of pet illness, making “the decision,” and the pain of being suddenly faced with their loss. We are never really prepared to say good-bye. Join Rita and Linda as they talk about their experiences losing pets, making THE decision, coping with the pain, and dealing with (well meaning?) people who tell us it's “only a cat.” We know better; they are more than “just” cats to us, too. In this two-part series, Linda and Rita also talk about Rita’s book, Sadie’s Heart, and the lessons she learned the hard way about advocating for your pets when they are sick. You are their voice, and in the end, only you know what’s best for your cats and dogs.

EPISODE NOTES: Grief Over the Loss of Our Pets - Part 1

Can you believe we’ve been on the air for 100 Episodes! Listen in as Linda and Rita share their favorite podcast memories, along with some cat behavior tips and tricks! Thank you for being loyal listeners of 19 Cats and Counting. Keep listening; the best is yet to come! And a special thank you to Mark Winter for all you do for us! Visit CatBehaviorAlliance.com for more information about Cat Behavior or to book a session.

EPISODE NOTES: Show 100

At our behavior practice, CatBehaviorAlliance.com, we’re seeing more and more families that have both cats and dogs. We love that! There is nothing cuter than seeing a cute kitty snuggled up with a big dog! Although Linda and Rita both grew up with dogs, they understand cat behavior much better than dog behavior, especially since behaviors vary among dog breeds.

Enter our friend, Arden Moore! Arden is both a fear-free certified cat behaviorist AND a dog behaviorist. Not only that, Arden lives with multiples of both species, so, “Arden Knows” what to look out for in order to have a successfully blended multi-species household. Not only that, Arden is also pet first aid expert for both cats and dogs as well.

If you don’t want your cats and dogs fighting like, well, cats and dogs… join these three notable behavior experts as they look at successfully blending cats and dogs together, from the dog’s perspective as well as the cat’s.

Also be sure to check out Arden’s podcast, Oh Behave!, heard right here on Pet Life Radio.

EPISODE NOTES: Blending the Cat/Dog Family, with Special Guest Arden Moore

If you have cat (or two), you’ve no doubt stepped in something squishy in the middle of the night. Or you’ve ran a sprint trying to get your cat onto the floor as he is preparing to cough one up… Yes, we’re talking about every cat owner’s nemesis – the dreaded hairball… Somehow, it’s become an accepted fact that cat’s vomit, and do so often. But is it normal? Is it nothing to worry about? Or should we be concerned when our cats cough up hairballs, undigested food, and the icky clear stuff that we all hate wiping up…

Dr. Kelly Cairns of Thrive Pet Healthcare is here to talk about cat hairballs and the assorted other types of cat vomit and when should be concerned enough to call our veterinarians.

EPISODE NOTES: Dr. Kelly Cairns - Beyond the Hairball – When is Vomiting a Problem?

Did you know there is a rescue sanctuary dedicated to blind cats? Linda and Rita were amazed to find such a wonderful rescue, full of happy cats who don’t miss their sight at all. Since cats mainly rely on their sense of smell and the vibrations of their whiskers to make their way through the world, their lack of site doesn’t slow them down one bit.

Meeting Katherine Hilton, Program Manager or Donor Relations and Stewardship for Blind Cat Rescue, was a heartwarming experience. She has so much love for these special cats, who get around just as well as any other cat. You can even visit BlindCatRescue.Com and see for yourself via their 24-Hour LIVE CAMS!

Join Linda and Rita as they talk with Katherine about the sanctuary, and why she tells people “Don’t feel sorry for them” because these cats are just as happy as can be!

EPISODE NOTES: Blind Cat Rescue

We had never heard of it either… During our monthly visit from the PAW-some Dr. Kelly Cairns really opened our eyes to this affliction, and how common it really is. Some of the client cats we see at our practice at Cat Behavior Alliance have this all-to-common condition. Pandora Syndrome often gets lumped in with other urinary diseases, such as FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease), however it is so much more than “just” a typical urinary infection or disease.

Cats that are prone to being high strung often suffer from Pandora Syndrome, take longer to recover, and tend to get re-afflicted with urinary issues over and over again. Join Linda and Rita as Dr. Kelly tells them about Pandora Syndrome, and how you can best help those anxious cats.

EPISODE NOTES: Does Your Cat Have Pandora Syndrome?