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

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

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

Do your holiday guests expect your pets to be quiet, invisible, or perfectly behaved on command?
If you have friends or family visiting who are not big pet lovers, it can put pressure on you and cause a lot of confusion for your pets. This "Pet Parent Power-Up" episode breaks down simple ways to keep the peace, protect your pets’ emotional safety, and avoid the uncomfortable moments that happen when visitors expect your animals to disappear.

A lot of pet parents feel guilty when guests complain about barking, hair, or normal pet behavior, but guilt leads to last-minute scrambling and stressed-out pets. You’ll learn how to set expectations, guide your guests, and prevent holiday chaos before it starts.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• How to set expectations with guests before they arrive
• Simple scripts that stop people from correcting or confusing your pets
• How to create a calm zone that reduces holiday stress for everyone

A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your holidays calm and keeping your pets happy, safe, and understood.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Don't Be THAT Person: How To Be a Great Houseguest When You Bring Your Pets Along

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

Are you wondering whether your child is actually ready for a pet, or are they just deep in the “please please please” phase? Most parents hear “Can we get a dog?” on loop, but pet parenting isn’t as simple as saying yes. When kids aren’t truly ready, it can create pet behavior issues, safety concerns, and a whole lot of pet care stress for the adults.

In today’s episode, parenting expert and children’s book creator Dori Durbin joins me to break down six signs of true pet readiness so families can make confident decisions before bringing a new pet home. This conversation gives you practical pet help you can actually use, especially if you want to avoid common pet behavior problems in those early weeks.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
• Emotional Control: Why kids need to regulate big feelings and excitement before adding a new pet to the family
• Respect for Boundaries: How understanding personal space and basic animal body language keeps kids and pets safe
• Realistic Responsibility: What age-appropriate responsibility looks like and how to tell whether your child can consistently follow through with daily pet care
• Empathy: How helping kids connect a pet’s needs to real-life experiences builds long-term commitment and better pet behavior outcomes
• Handling Frustration With Support: Why kids must be able to manage frustration when pets don’t cooperate, especially during training or behavior hiccups
• Family Readiness: How family routine, stability, and financial capacity shape success more than your child’s excitement alone

If you’re trying to decide whether your child is ready for a dog or cat, this episode gives you clear pet advice, next steps, and practical ways to prepare your home for a calmer, safer experience with family pets.

CONNECT WITH DORI DURBIN
Website | www.doridurbin.com
Podcast | That’s Good Parenting: Episode with Amy on What Parents Should Know Before Getting a Pet

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

Are pet costs sneaking up on you every month? Instead of scrambling when a vet or food bill hits, what would change if you planned for every common expense ahead of time?

Most pet parents underestimate costs because they do not track them, then feel stressed or guilty when money gets tight. In this conversation with Certified Financial Planner Joe Okaly, you'll learn simple pet cost hacks to treat pet expenses like any other recurring life cost, so you can be prepared, confident, and calm when bills arrive.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
• The first step to get ahead of pet expenses without overwhelm
• How to choose a payment approach you can stick with, insurance, self-fund, or a mix
• Why “pay yourself first” works and how to automate a pet fund even on a budget to prepare for routine vet visits and even emergency vet trips
• A quick annual checkup routine to adjust your plan as your pet ages

Our challenge for you: Set up one automatic transfer today, even $5, into a separate “Pet Fund” account and rename it so you will not touch it.And hey! We want to know how you're doing, so share one small change you are making after this episode inside the Pet Parent Hotline Insiders Facebook Group to help other listeners do the same.

CONNECT WITH JOE

• Insta:https://www.instagram.com/joe.okaly.finance/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571485276280
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-p-okaly-733b6b90/
• Resources: www.thefinancialpinwheel.com
• New Horizons Wealth Management:www.nhwmllc.com
• Get Joe's Book:https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Pinwheel-Building-Perpetual-Machine-ebook/dp/B0DJG2FH3L

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

When my cat disappeared suddenly, I thought I’d never see her again. Five years later, a microchip brought her home to me, but your pet's chip might not.

In this episode, I share the incredible story of my barn cat, Puti, and how she found her way back to us after vanishing for five years, even though she had gone completely blind. I’ll also reveal the hard truth most pet parents don’t realize: a microchip only works if it’s registered correctly and kept up to date. You’ll hear how this tiny device made all the difference for Puti and me, and the simple steps you can take today to make sure it can do the same for you and your pet.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• Why pet microchips don’t track your pet and what they actually do
• The registration mistakes that could leave your pet untraceable
• How to do a quick 5-minute “microchip checkup” to keep your info current

Don’t wait until your pet goes missing to find out something’s wrong with their microchip. Take five minutes today to verify your microchip information and help another pet parent by sharing this episode.

CONNECT WITH AMY
thepetparenthotline.com | amy@petparenthotline.com

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
• AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup: petmicrochiplookup.org

• Join the Pet Parent Hotline Insiders Group on Facebook

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

Most pet parents never stop to ask this question until it’s too late. Every week, rescues like mine get heartbreaking calls from families who can’t take their loved one’s pets after a death, move, or medical emergency. The pets - confused, grieving, and suddenly homeless, end up in shelters that should never have become part of their story. And if you think you’re too young to worry about this, think again. We recently got a call from a sister whose 26-year-old brother passed away, and they had no idea what to do with his pets.

In this episode, I sit down with estate planning attorney Cecilia Amo to reveal how a Pet Trust can protect your pets’ future, even if you don’t have a will or a lot of money. We dig into what a Pet Trust really does, why it’s not just for wealthy people, and simple, affordable steps you can take today to keep your pets safe and cared for no matter what life throws at you.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• Why a will alone won’t protect your pets or your wishes
• How a Pet Trust creates a legal obligation to provide care
• Smart, low-cost ways to start planning now (even on a budget)

This is real pet parenting, planning ahead so your pets never end up in rescue because of life’s unexpected turns.

Take one action today: write down who would care for your pets, where their vet and medical records are, and what routines or special needs they have. Email your next step to Amy@PetParentHotline.com
.
What part of planning felt confusing or new? Share your question in the Insiders community so we can feature it in a future episode.

CONNECT WITH CECILIA AMO
Website | AMO-LAW.com
Get Cecilia's Book at a super-low cost | Your After-Credits Scene + bonuses at: AMO-LAW.com/aftercredits

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