The Pet Parent Hotline | Real Help for Pet Behavior, Budgets, and Everyday Stress cover art

The Pet Parent Hotline | Real Help for Pet Behavior, Budgets, and Everyday Stress

The Pet Parent Hotline | Real Help for Pet Behavior, Budgets, and Everyday Stress

By: Amy Castro - Pet Parenting & Behavior Expert
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Feeling overwhelmed by your pet’s behavior or the cost of keeping them healthy and cared for every day?
You thought a pet would be the perfect addition to your life. Instead, your bank account’s drained, your dog won’t stop barking, your cat’s peeing everywhere, and your house is such a disaster you can’t have friends over. You’ve paid for trainers, followed your vet’s advice, and you’re still up at 2 a.m. scrolling for answers and wondering how long you can keep trying to meet everyone’s needs while ignoring your own.


Many podcasts talk about caring for animals like you’ve got endless time, money, and a perfectly behaved golden retriever straight out of a Disney movie. This one doesn’t. It’s for real people who love their pets and need real help with pet behavior, their budget, and the mayhem without losing their minds or giving up.


This isn’t just about helping your pets, it’s about helping you communicate clearly, set boundaries, and advocate for your pet’s needs and your own.


I’m your host, Amy Castro, longtime industry pro, animal rescuer, and trusted advisor to thousands of families looking for practical pet behavior help and support. I teach pet parents the communication and advocacy skills that make everything easier, from vet visits to behavior conversations to setting boundaries at home. After fostering more than 4,000 animals and helping their people go from overwhelmed to capable and confident, I’ve learned one thing: you’re not a bad pet parent, you just haven’t gotten advice tailored to your real life.


Each week, I answer your questions and break down expert insights on everything from common pet behavior mistakes and litter box trouble to saving money on vet bills and everyday expenses. On the First Wednesday of each month, I'll drop you a Pet Parent Power-Up - a short, under-10-minute episode designed to give you a quick boost of clarity, confidence, and calm. These mini episodes focus on the human side of pet parenting, helping you communicate better, advocate for your pet and yourself, and make everyday decisions with less stress and more control. Think of it as a monthly power-up for your mindset, your routines, and your sanity.


You’ll walk away with bite-sized steps that actually work for your budget, your schedule, and your perfectly imperfect pets.


So you can stop chasing your tail and finally enjoy your animals, and your life, again.


Start with the episode that matches what you’re dealing with today, and let’s make things easier together.

© 2025 The Pet Parent Hotline Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 10 Rescue-Tested Pet Essentials We Can’t Live Without

    10 Rescue-Tested Pet Essentials We Can’t Live Without
    Dec 21 2025

    Think you’re set because you have food bowls, toys, and a leash?
    Most pet supply lists focus on gimmicks or generic basics and completely miss the tools that actually make life with pets easier and safer.

    In this episode, Amy Castro and Bev Brooks share 10 rescue-tested pet essentials they can’t live without, five for dogs, five for cats, plus bonus items drawn from decades of real-world pet parenting and rescue experience. These are the same types of tools Amy routinely recommends to adopters to help pets succeed once they’re home.

    These aren’t trendy products or influencer favorites. They’re practical tools that support safety, behavior, and day-to-day management, the kinds of items you don’t think about until you really need them.

    BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

    • The overlooked tools that help you handle messes, stress, and unexpected situations
    • Why some of the most boring supplies matter more than expensive gear
    • How the right setup can prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems
    • Which items are worth spending money on and which might not be

    Whether you’re shopping for a last-minute gift, preparing for a new pet, or realizing your current setup has gaps, this episode will help you rethink what your pet actually needs.

    If this episode made you think, “oh wow, I don’t have that,” save it and share it with another pet parent who might be buying all the wrong things.

    PS- we don't name a bunch of specific brands in this episode, but one we do mention is the FURBO Pet Camera/Pet Nanny. Get more info about the Furbo Pet Camera's mentioned in the show! (note- if you buy a Furbo product from this link, it helps support the show!)

    Support the show

    Love the show? Share it with someone navigating the chaos of pet parenting, and please leave a 5-star review so others can find the pet advice they need.

    Follow:🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

    Pet parenting gets overwhelming fast, especially with behavior issues, rising costs, and conflicting advice. This show gives you pet care solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use right away.

    Each week brings clear pet parenting advice plus expert guidance on dog and cat behavior, dog training, nutrition, stress free vet visits, and routines that make life easier. We also tackle issues like cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, hidden hazards, and how to stay ahead of the everyday problems that create stress for pets and their people.

    No fluff, no guilt, just practical tools that save money and help you enjoy a calmer home and life with pets.

    Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

    Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com

    ©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Holiday Pet Grief: Why It Hits Harder Than You Expect

    Holiday Pet Grief: Why It Hits Harder Than You Expect
    Dec 14 2025

    Why do the holidays feel so much heavier when you’ve lost a pet, or when you know a goodbye is coming soon?
    If you’re finding yourself dreading traditions, avoiding gatherings, or feeling pressure to “hold it together,” this episode is for you.

    Holiday pet grief can show up in unexpected ways, especially during a first holiday without your pet or when you’re living in that anticipatory space of knowing time with your pet is limited. In this conversation, licensed clinical social worker and author Nancy Gordon helps make sense of why this season hurts more and how to move through it with compassion instead of pressure.

    BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

    If you’re grieving a pet you’ve already lost:
    • Why holidays intensify pet grief, even when you think you’re coping just fine
    • How to prepare emotionally for gatherings so you’re not blindsided by questions or comments
    • Ways to honor your pet without forcing traditions or “last moments” to be perfect

    If you’re anticipating the loss of a pet:
    • What anticipatory grief looks like and why it can quietly take over the season
    • How to stay present with your pet and yourself without burning out emotionally

    This episode is dedicated to Rosy, Debbie’s beloved dog, and to every pet parent navigating the holidays with a missing piece of their heart.

    CONNECT WITH NANCY GORDON
    Email: nancygordon7practices@gmail.com

    Phone: (858) 952-0936

    Petworks.com to schedule a session with Nancy: Discounted first session.

    Website: growbeyondgrief.com

    Instagram devoted to pet loss and grief: @nancy.gordon.global

    OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Listen to Nancy's first appearance on the show in 2023: "The Grief Before Goodbye: Preparing For Your Pet's Final Days"

    Support the show

    Love the show? Share it with someone navigating the chaos of pet parenting, and please leave a 5-star review so others can find the pet advice they need.

    Follow:🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

    Pet parenting gets overwhelming fast, especially with behavior issues, rising costs, and conflicting advice. This show gives you pet care solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use right away.

    Each week brings clear pet parenting advice plus expert guidance on dog and cat behavior, dog training, nutrition, stress free vet visits, and routines that make life easier. We also tackle issues like cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, hidden hazards, and how to stay ahead of the everyday problems that create stress for pets and their people.

    No fluff, no guilt, just practical tools that save money and help you enjoy a calmer home and life with pets.

    Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

    Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com

    ©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Holiday Hazards That Send Pets to the Emergency Vet

    Holiday Hazards That Send Pets to the Emergency Vet
    Dec 7 2025

    Are you sure your home is ready for the holidays, or are there hidden dangers for your pet that could have your pet end up at the Emergency Vet?

    Most pet parents prep for the obvious hazards, but the real risks are the ones you never see coming. In today’s episode, veterinarian Dr. Zoo joins me for a walk-through of the surprising holiday hazards that slip into your home without you realizing it that land you and your pet at the emergency vet for the holidays. From toxic treats to vintage décor to medications in bags and purses, we’re breaking down the early warning signs that something is wrong and why timing matters more than most people realize.

    To raise awareness of common, current-day hazards, we discuss a wide range of items and substances that may appear in homes during the holidays, including some that may be legal in some places and illegal in others. No matter where you live, anything intoxicating or medicinal should always be kept securely out of reach of pets.

    By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:
    • How to spot the subtle early signs of toxicity before they escalate
    • Why some holiday substances become dangerous long before symptoms appear
    • What to do immediately if you find evidence your pet got into something
    • The one resource every pet parent should save in their phone for emergencies

    Holiday chaos is stressful enough without a trip to the emergency vet. This episode gives you the insight you need to catch problems early and keep the season safe for your pets.

    CONNECT WITH DR. ZOO
    Family Animal Hospital | Website

    OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
    ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435

    Support the show

    Love the show? Share it with someone navigating the chaos of pet parenting, and please leave a 5-star review so others can find the pet advice they need.

    Follow:🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

    Pet parenting gets overwhelming fast, especially with behavior issues, rising costs, and conflicting advice. This show gives you pet care solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use right away.

    Each week brings clear pet parenting advice plus expert guidance on dog and cat behavior, dog training, nutrition, stress free vet visits, and routines that make life easier. We also tackle issues like cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, hidden hazards, and how to stay ahead of the everyday problems that create stress for pets and their people.

    No fluff, no guilt, just practical tools that save money and help you enjoy a calmer home and life with pets.

    Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

    Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com

    ©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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