The Pet Care Report

In this Pet Care Report episode, Dr. Meghan interviews Jaime Nieves (“The Creature Preacher”), an ordained United Methodist pastor, author, and animal advocate, about grieving cats and how to cope, heal, and honor their memory. Jaime shares lessons cats teach—self-care through grooming and rest, savoring simple pleasures, curiosity, and focus—drawing from her experience with two blind cats. They discuss guiding children through pet loss with honest, age-appropriate conversations; encouraging feelings; sharing stories, photos, and drawings; and using the Rainbow Bridge concept for comfort. Jaime addresses “disenfranchised grief” and affirms that pet grief is real, suggesting celebration-of-life rituals, memorials, cremation or ash scattering, and involving children in end-of-life planning, including euthanasia decisions.
(02:36) Blind Cats Life Lessons
(04:23) Savoring Rest and Focus
(07:26) Preparing for Goodbye
(08:10) Helping Kids Grieve
(15:04) Grief for Cats Is Real
(18:14) Honoring Pet Memories
(19:20) Celebration of Life Ideas
(20:41) Kids at Euthanasia
(23:05) Planning a Peaceful Goodbye
Follow Jaime Nieves: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Creature-Preacher/100087636091677/
https://www.instagram.com/jaime.nieves.330/
https://substack.com/@thecreaturepreacher
Follow our Cat Health Host, Dr. Meghan Barrett, here: https://drbarrettvet.com.
Dr. Meghan Barrett’s Pet Nutrition Blueprint here: https://drbarrettvet.com/from-basic-to-bougie-book
Want to see more from Pet Summits? Subscribe to the PetSummits YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PetSummits
Check out the latest free events here: https://petsummits.com/events/

In this episode, we have International Agility competitor Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, co-founder of Crossbones Dog Academy, discussing how to get started in dog agility training. Katherine emphasizes the importance of foundational training that applies to all dogs, whether for agility competition or general obedience. She explains how correct marker training can enhance dog behavior, shares insights into the specific skills required for agility, and highlights the significance of understanding each dog's unique preferences and physical abilities.
00:55 Foundations of Dog Training
03:56 Marker Training Explained
07:44 Understanding Your Dog's Preferences
14:09 Importance of Foundations in Agility
17:17 Mindset for Agility Training
19:39 Precision in Agility Training
24:14 Breeding Agility Prospects
Follow Katherine Ostiguy:
https://www.crossbonesdog.com
https://www.facebook.com/XbonesDog/
https://www.instagram.com/cattrainsdogs/
https://www.youtube.com/@xbonesdog
Follow our Host, Melissa Viera, at https://mjspettrainingacademy.com
Want to see more from Pet Summits? Subscribe to the PetSummits YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PetSummits
Check out the latest free events here: https://petsummits.com/events/

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, Dr. Megan Barrett hosts Jonathan Wainberg, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Pet and Co-brand Business at Synchrony. Together, they discuss the financial aspects of pet ownership, including the underestimated lifetime costs, rising veterinary expenses, and the importance of financial planning for pet care. Jonathan shares insights from Synchrony's 'Lifetime of Care' study, highlights the role of pet insurance and wellness plans, and explains how tools like the CareCredit card can help pet parents manage unexpected expenses. The conversation also touches on the benefits of regular wellness visits, community resources, and proactive financial strategies to alleviate financial stress during emergencies.
(02:12) The True Cost of Pet Ownership
(04:35) Rising Costs and Advanced Pet Care
(10:26) The Importance of Being Financially Prepared
(13:47) Pet Insurance and Financial Tools
(21:55) CareCredit's Network and Approval Process
(22:43) Using CareCredit for Veterinary Expenses
(30:21) The Importance of Dental Care for Pets
(33:00) Financial Planning for Pet Owners
Follow Jonathan Wainberg: https://www.carecredit.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiwainberg/
Follow our Cat Health Host, Dr. Meghan Barrett, here: https://drbarrettvet.com.
Dr. Meghan Barrett’s Pet Nutrition Blueprint here: https://drbarrettvet.com/from-basic-to-bougie-book
Want to see more from Pet Summits? Subscribe to the PetSummits YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PetSummits
Check out the latest free events here: https://petsummits.com/events/

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, host Melissa Viera is joined by Max Seifert, a certified dog behavior consultant. Max shares his expertise on managing and reframing challenging dog behaviors, particularly aggression and reactivity, through emotionally-aware, relationship-based training. The discussion covers practical management strategies, the importance of addressing both human and animal emotional wellbeing, and how pet owners can prioritize their own mental health while working through their dog's behavioral issues. Max also provides insights into his methods for ensuring client safety and support and offers advice for both pet owners and fellow trainers on maintaining resilience and empathy. 
(02:08) The Importance of Emotional Awareness in Dog Training
(03:36) Preparing for Training Sessions
(06:00) Managing Stress and Safety During Training
(10:40) Prioritizing Emotional Wellbeing for Dog Owners
(17:05) When to Seek Professional Help
(19:07) Recognizing Subtle Dog Behaviors
(20:12) The Misuse of E-Collars
(22:07) Cooperative Care for Dogs
(24:53) Self-Care for Dog Trainers
(32:43) Final Thoughts and Resources
Follow Max Seifert at: https://rosiestailtraining.comhttps://www.instagram.com/maxseifertdt/
Follow our Host, Melissa Viera, at https://mjspettrainingacademy.com
Want to see more from Pet Summits? Subscribe to the PetSummits YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PetSummits
Check out the latest free events here: https://petsummits.com/events/

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, host Dr. Megan Barrett discusses herbal remedies for cats with clinical canine herbalist, Rita Hogan. Rita, with over 18 years of experience in herbal medicine, shares insights on the importance of herbs in feline health, debunking common myths about their use. She highlights cat-safe herbs such as catnip for nervous system support and nettles for kidney health, and stresses the importance of moisture-rich diets for cats. Rita also provides practical advice on introducing herbs safely and the significance of proactive versus reactive care. The episode covers a range of remedies for various feline health issues including digestive problems, skin issues, and overall nervous system support. 
(01:26) Herbs for Cats: Myths and Facts
(04:25) Effective Herbal Remedies for Cats
(10:25) Managing Cat Stress with Herbs
(11:19) Herbal Solutions for Digestive Issues
(13:30) Herbs for Cat Skin and Liver Health
(19:09) General Tips for Introducing Herbal Remedies
(24:09) Navigating Conflicting Information on Herbs
Follow Rita Hogan: https://www.canineherbalist.com
https://www.facebook.com/canineherbalist
https://www.instagram.com/canineherbalist

Follow our Cat Health Host, Dr. Meghan Barrett, here: https://drbarrettvet.com.
Dr. Meghan Barrett’s Pet Nutrition Blueprint here: https://drbarrettvet.com/from-basic-to-bougie-book
Want to see more from Pet Summits? Subscribe to the PetSummits YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PetSummits
Check out the latest free events here: https://petsummits.com/events/