Cattitude - The #1 Cat Podcast

This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes Chef Scot Hill of Wolf Creek, a professional chef for 35 years who traded the restaurant kitchen for the world of pet wellness—and is now turning his attention to cats with the launch of Feline Foundation. Chef Scot explains why cats aren't simply smaller versions of dogs, from their unique digestive physiology and status as obligate carnivores to their need for animal protein, taurine, proper hydration and feline-specific nutritional support. Michelle and Chef Scot dig into the fascinating connection between gut health and a cat's immune system, skin, coat, behavior and overall wellness, while revealing subtle signs that your cat's digestive system may be out of balance. They also cut through misleading pet-food marketing buzzwords, explain what pet parents should really look for on ingredient labels, and explore why cats may not actually be “finicky” eaters—they may just know more about what they need than we give them credit for! Plus, Chef Scot shares the surprising lessons he's learned by watching animals instinctively select herbs and reveals the mysterious neighborhood “Ghost” who just might turn this lifelong chef into a cat dad. It's a deliciously informative episode that serves up a fresh perspective on what we put in our cats' bowls.

EPISODE NOTES: Cats Aren't Small Dogs! A Chef's Recipe for Better Feline Health

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What happens to the love we share with our cats after they're gone? This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes back author Josephine Spence for a touching and uplifting conversation about her new book, Echoes from the Rainbow Bridge, inspired by the loss of her beloved cat, Onkyo, after 19 extraordinary years together. Josephine shares how writing 37 imagined letters from Onkyo helped her navigate the silence, sadness and grief that followed her passing—and gave her comfort in believing their bond continues beyond this life. Michelle and Josephine explore why pet-loss grief is very real, meaningful ways to honor and remember a beloved cat, whether and when to open your heart to another pet, and the beautiful lessons cats teach us about unconditional love and living in the present. It's a heartfelt episode for anyone who has ever loved—and had to say goodbye to—a very special cat, with a hopeful reminder that the pawprints they leave on our hearts never disappear.

EPISODE NOTES: Echoes from the Rainbow Bridge: When the Love of a Cat Never Leaves

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Going on vacation should be relaxing—but for cat parents, figuring out who you can trust with your feline family member can be the most stressful part! This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes Emily Grossman, Chief Marketing Officer of TrustedHousesitters, to explore a unique approach to pet care that connects pet parents with verified animal-loving sitters who stay in the home while their owners are away. Emily explains how the membership-based community works, how sitters are vetted, why trust and transparency are so important, and what cat parents should look for before inviting someone into their home. Plus, Michelle and Emily tackle the myth that cats are perfectly content being left alone for days, why staying in their familiar home environment can be especially important for felines, and how photos, updates and a little preparation can give nervous cat parents some much-needed peace of mind while they're away.

EPISODE NOTES: Have Cats, Will Travel! Finding Pet Care You Can Actually Trust

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When kitten season arrives, shelters and rescues are pushed to their limits—but you can make a lifesaving difference. This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes Deborah Felin-Magaldi of Helen Sanders CatPAWS to share how fostering, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), and community involvement are helping save thousands of vulnerable cats and kittens. Deborah explains why fostering isn't as difficult as many people think, how first-time volunteers can get involved, and shares the inspiring story of Benny, a severely abused kitten who found healing, hope, and his forever home. Whether you're an experienced cat lover or simply wondering how you can help, this episode proves that even small acts of kindness can change a cat's life forever.

EPISODE NOTES: Saving Lives, One Foster Cat at a Time

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This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes author Louise Ross to discuss Slow Blink: A Memoir, a moving and mystical story about a stray black cat named Archie, the mysterious bond between cats and humans, and how love and grief can linger across time. Louise shares how Archie entered her life, why the feline “slow blink” became such a powerful symbol of trust, and what cats can teach us about loss, letting go, and opening our hearts again.

EPISODE NOTES: Slow Blink: The Cat Who Changed Everything

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