Shows / The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
You love your pets. But sometimes, living with them is a lot.From behavior and training struggles to pet health, nutrition, vet decisions, rising costs, constant mess, and the everyday chaos of sharing your home with animals, The Pet Parent Hotline helps you figure out what actually matters and what to do next.You got a pet to make life better, not to lose sleep, drain your bank account, second-guess every decision, or feel like you’re failing at something that was supposed to bring you…
Episodes
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Dog Training Isn’t Working? Find The Right Trainer
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…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Bringing Home a New Cat? Build Trust Fast With the CATS Method
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…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
How I Keep My Home Clean and Fur-Free… Even With 8 Pets
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…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Pet Cost Hacks: 6 Guilt-Free Pet Food Savings Ideas That Work
Are you tired of feeling like you need a second job just to buy pet food? And do the “pet food savings” ideas you’ve tried so far leave you feeling guilty…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Pet Cost Hacks: 5 Ways to Afford Your Vet Bill Without Stress
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. With vet costs rising, too many…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Benadryl, Tylenol, Pepto: What’s Safe for Your Pet?
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…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Dog Training: Stop Rewarding Bad Behavior
Feel like the more you try to fix your dog’s behavior, the worse it gets?If you’re in the thick of dog training and you're dealing with barking, leash pulling…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Is Another Pet the Answer, or a Big Mistake?
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…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
The Truth About Year-Round Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Meds
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…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
New Here? Start With Real Pet Parenting Solutions: The Pet Parent Hotline Trailer
Think getting a pet would make life better? Instead, you’re staring at sky-high vet bills, a dog that won’t stop barking, a cat refusing the litter box, and…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Why You're Still Doing All the Pet Care (and How to Get Your Family to Step Up)
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…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Why the “No Kill” Movement Hurts More Than It Helps
What if the no-kill movement isn’t saving animals but failing them?It promised to end unnecessary euthanasia and revolutionize sheltering. But behind the…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
When Rescue Breaks You: The Cost of Saying Yes Too Much
When Saving Animals Almost Broke MeWhat happens when the thing you love the most is the very thing that pushes you past your breaking point?I found out in the…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
The Heartworm Mistakes Putting Your Pet at Risk
Heartworm Truths Every Pet Owner Needs to Hear with Dr. ZooThink skipping heartworm prevention just this once is no big deal? It only takes one mosquito bite…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Turn Pet Hunger Into Hope for Families in Need
What if feeding your pet meant you had to skip dinner yourself?For thousands of families, that’s not a hypothetical—it’s a heartbreaking daily decision. And…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Still Feeling Guilty After A Pet Dies? Here’s Why
Did I wait too long? Did I do the right thing? What if I failed them? If you’ve lost a beloved pet, you’ve probably asked yourself these same painful…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Cat Vomiting Daily? Hairballs Are Not Normal
Think hairballs are just a normal part of life with cats? Think again. If your cat is coughing up hairballs weekly or even monthly, it’s not just gross—it’s a…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Spoiling Your Pet Isn’t The Problem, This Is
Do you think your pet “loves” something, but they’re actually just stressed, overwhelmed, or trying to cope? Many pet parenting problems start when we judge…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Thinking About Getting a Dog? Listen to This First
Thinking about getting a dog? Hold that thought. Too many rescue dog adoptions fail because people fall for a face or a story without understanding what…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Exercise Injuries in Dogs: What Most Pet Parents Miss
Is your dog getting the right amount of exercise, or are they overdoing it without you realizing? Whether your pup is high-energy, low-key, or somewhere in…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Want Goats? What You’ll Wish You Knew First
Thinking about getting goats? Don’t let Instagram fool you. Goat ownership isn’t just cute photos and fresh milk. It’s daily work, specific care, and a…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Pet Emergencies Happen Fast. Will You Know What to Do?
Would you know how to save your pet if they started choking or collapsed from heatstroke? Pet emergencies can happen in seconds, and knowing what to do could…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Road Trip With Cats? Pet Travel Tips To Prevent Mayhem
Worried your cat will freak out in the car? You’re not alone. Whether you’re planning a move or just need to get your cat to the vet without a meltdown, cat…
The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets AgainFrom the Vault: Responsible Rabbit Care Explained: with Marcy Berman, Save-a-Bunny Rescue
Bonus Episode From the Vault: While we’re on a break, we’re bringing back one of our listeners' all-time favorite episodes from the vault!Understanding…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Farewell Starlight Pet Talk: Celebrating Our Journey and What's Next for 2025
As we wrap up Starlight Pet Talk, we’re taking a moment to celebrate everything this podcast has meant over the past two years. This episode is all about…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
What’s Broken in Animal Rescue and How to Fix It
Hey there!In this episode, you’ll hear us refer to the show as Starlight Pet Talk—that’s what we called it before we decided to embrace the fur, mess, and…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Should Your Kids Keep Ants as Pets? What Parents Need to Know
Think keeping ants as pets sounds strange? You might be surprised. Ant keeping is one of the fastest-growing pet hobbies in the world, and it’s easy to see…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Pet Food Labels Are Lying: How To Feed Better Without Going Broke
Not sure what’s actually healthy for your pet to eat? You’re not alone. Pet food labels are confusing on purpose, marketing is loud, and even “prescription”…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Gift Shopping for Pet Lovers? Avoid the Duds
Looking for a holiday gift that your pet loving friends will truly appreciate? Before you grab another toy, treat sampler, or pet themed mug, let’s walk…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Worried A Rescue Dog Was Traumatized? What To Do First
Love is important, but love alone won’t fix fear.If you’re considering adopting a rescue dog and you’re worried about trauma, shutdown behavior, reactivity, or…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Holiday Grooming Tips Every Pet Parent Needs to Know
Holiday photos, family visits, colder weather - your pet’s grooming routine matters more than ever this season. In this episode, I sit down with Julia Benning…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Zoomies: The Dog Park That’s Redefining Pet Community and Safety
What if your local dog park wasn’t just a place to play—but a thriving community built for both pets and people? In this episode, I talk with Ramy Saleh, CEO…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
How Rescue Dog Wines Is Saving Lives One Bottle at a Time
What if every bottle of wine you opened also helped save a rescue dog’s life? In this episode, I talk with Blair Lott, co-founder of Rescue Dog Wines, about…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Dog Training: Why “Don’t Train Your Dog” Might Be The Best Advice
What if the dog training methods you've learned are creating more problems than they're fixing? In this episode, I speak with Angie Winters, author of "Don't…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
What It’s Really Like to Be an Animal Rescuer
Ever wondered what it’s really like to dedicate your life to saving animals? In this special episode, I’m the guest on The Story of My Pet podcast, hosted by…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
How Smart Is Your Dog Really? What Science Says
Ever wonder what your dog is thinking—or how much they really understand? In this episode, I talk with Jennifer S. Holland, New York Times bestselling author…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
The Festival That Honors Pets and People Who Love Them
What makes a community celebration truly unforgettable? Love—and pets. In this episode, I talk with Father Justin Briggle of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Plastic Pet Bowls And Toys: Hidden Dangers And Health Risks
Could your pet’s toys, bowls, food bags, or even clothes be adding plastic exposure that builds up over time? In this episode, I’m joined by Aidan Charron from…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
What Happens to Pets When Military Pet Parents Deploy?
What happens to a pet when their military family is suddenly deployed? In this episode, I talk with Alisa Sieber-Johnson, co-founder of Dogs on Deployment, a…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
How Business Partnerships Help Rescues Save More Pets
What if helping animals could also grow your business? In this special crossover episode, I’m interviewed by Eliza Burr on Off the Leash with the Pet Business…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Rehoming Bonnie: 1,672 Miles to a Forever Home
What happens when you hit the road with a rescue dog, and everything goes wrong? In this episode, I share the story of my 1,672-mile journey from Texas to New…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Is It Really Separation Anxiety, Or Something Else?
Does your dog panic when you leave the house? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. In this episode, I sit down with expert dog trainer Ruth Hegarty to break…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
How to Afford Vet Care Without Breaking the Bank
Worried about the rising cost of caring for your pet? You’re not alone. With vet costs rising, more pet parents are realizing they need a better plan to handle…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Want Your Pet to Live Longer? Start With These 5 Steps
What if your pet’s health problems aren’t the real problem—but just the symptoms? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marlene Siegel, a leading voice in…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Why Being Around Pets Makes You Healthier
You don’t even have to own a pet to benefit from one. In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and communication coach Dr. Denise M. Dudley to explore the…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Dog Training: Fix The 5 Biggest Behavior Problems
Tired of your dog barking nonstop, pulling on the leash, or your dog chewing everything in sight? In this episode, I’m joined by dog training expert Ruth…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
How to Build a Dog-Friendly Community That Works
Want your town or workplace to be more dog-friendly? Here’s how to make it happen. In this episode, I talk with Beth Miller, founder of Wagtown Consulting…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Why Your Adoption Was Denied: 10 Reasons Shelters Say No
Think you’re ready to adopt a pet? You might want to double-check. In this candid episode, Amy breaks down 10 common reasons adoption applications get denied…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Want Your Pet in Your Wedding? Listen to this First
Thinking about having your dog or cat walk down the aisle on your big day?Many couples dream of including their pets in their wedding without realizing just…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Are You Prepared to Protect Your Pet in a Disaster?
If disaster strikes, would you know how to protect your pets?Too many pet parents wait until it’s too late to make a plan. Whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Baby On The Way? Start Prepping Your Dog Now
Are you pregnant and wondering how your dog will handle the change?A lot of pet parents wait until the baby is home to “see how it goes,” and that’s when…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Your Pet Can Feel Your Stress, Here’s How To Fix It Fast
Ever notice your pet act weird when you’re stressed, angry, or frazzled, even when you never said a word? That’s not in your head. Your emotions can change the…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Worried About Pet Vaccines? What Most Vets Won't Tell You
Confused about which vaccines your pet really needs? You’re not alone. With conflicting advice and growing concerns about side effects, making informed…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
When Your Pet Dies: Aftercare And Memorial Options
What do you do when the worst happens and your pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge? For many pet parents, navigating the grief and logistics of pet aftercare is…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Before You Start A Pet Business: Don’t Make These Mistakes
What does it really take to turn your passion for pets into a thriving business? A lot of people dive in headfirst, only to find out too late that love for…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
The Research That Proves Pets Make Life Better (HABRI)
What if your pet isn’t “just company,” but part of a healthier, more stable life? In this episode, Amy Castro talks with Lindsey Braun, VP of Research and…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Does Your Pet Hurt? Massage Might Help More Than You Think
Is your pet slowing down, getting stiff, or acting “off,” but you can't tell if it’s pain, stress, or just age? Massage can be a legit tool for comfort…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Inside A High-Save Shelter: What Williamson County Texas Does Differently
Ever look at shelter posts and think, “I want to help, but I can’t adopt right now”?Most shelters are overwhelmed, and a lot of people assume adoption is the…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
How Guide Dog Puppies Are Trained To Become Heroes
Ever wonder what happens before a guide dog ever meets the person who needs them? Most people picture formal dog training, but the real foundation is built…
- The Pet Parent Hotline | Calm The Chaos, Spend Smarter, and Love Life With Your Pets Again
Spring and Summer Pet Safety: The Risks Nobody Warned You About
Worried about keeping your pets safe during the warmer months?From allergies and pests to heatstroke and toxic plants, spring and summer bring a new set of…