Should you get a dog for your dog… or are you about to double your stress, noise, behavior issues, and vet bills?

Many pet parents see a bored, clingy, or “lonely” dog (or other pet) and assume the solution is a companion, a boyfriend, girlfriend, sibling, or built-in best friend. But adding another dog doesn’t automatically make life easier. It can just as easily increase barking, trigger resource guarding, amplify anxiety, and create daily management problems you didn’t have before, especially if you don’t actually know why your dog is acting that way in the first place. 

In this episode, veterinary psychiatrist Dr. Rachel Malamed, DVM, DACVB, CABC, MBA, breaks down when getting a second dog truly helps, when it backfires, and how to tell whether your dog actually needs a companion or just better enrichment, structure, or training, or time with their favorite person - you!

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
 • What “my dog is lonely” really means and how to assess it correctly
 • The most common ways a second dog makes behavior issues worse
 • The 3-part filter to use before bringing home another dog: capacity, compatibility, and motivation

If you are even considering adding another pet to the family, especially dog number two, pause and listen to this first.

CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL MALAMED
Website | https://www.behaviordogtor.com
Facebook Group | Pet Psychiatry and Behavior Support for Pet Parents
Instagram | @dr.rachelmalamed

I was a guest on the That’s Good Parenting podcast talking about how to bring a pet into a busy family without turning your house into chaos. Listen here: petparenthotline.com/thatsgoodparenting 

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Have you ever walked out of the vet thinking, I should’ve asked more… but it happened so fast?

This episode is for the moment you’re sitting in the exam room, your brain goes blank, and the vet is moving on to the next step before you’ve processed what you just heard.

In this episode, I’m giving you real, usable phrases to ask about priorities, timing, options, and cost, plus what to say when you need to pause or say no, without sounding rude, cheap, or like you don’t care.

You’re not “being difficult,” you’re trying to leave with a plan you understand, can afford, and can actually follow through on.

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

• The exact questions that turn a long recommendation list into clear priorities

• What to say when you need options, a lower-cost path, or time to think

• How to pause, hold off, or say no without overexplaining

Grab the Vet Visit Question Guide so you don’t have to remember any of this in the moment: petparenthotline.com/vetvisitquestions

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Vet Visit Question Guide: petparenthotline.com/vet-visit-questions 

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Ever walked out of the vet with a receipt and regret because you didn't ask about options, priorities, or cost? You are not the only one.
Most pet parents do not stay quiet because they do not have questions. They stay quiet because they are worried about how the question will make them sound, like they are difficult, cheap, dumb, or like they are questioning the vet.

In this Pet Parent Power-Up bonus episode, I am giving you one simple question to ask yourself before the appointment that helps you push past the hesitation and speak up, even when the conversation feels awkward or stressful.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
 • The real reason you hesitate to ask questions at the vet
 • The one question that helps you push past the fear that keeps you quiet
 • A quick 30-second prep you can do before your next appointment so you walk in ready to ask what you need to ask 

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

What if a $10 purchase used 2 minutes a day could help your pet live better and longer? Most pet parents know they “should” brush their pet's teeth, but fewer than 10% actually do. So, dental disease quietly builds for years and doesn’t stay in the mouth, but instead, silently spreads bacteria throughout your pet's body impacting their organs, their health, and their longevity. 

Spending just $10 on a tooth-brush kit and taking 2 minutes a day to brush your pet's teeth, you'll be investing in a better quality, longer life for your pet.  

In this episode, board-certified veterinary dentist Dr. Chanda Miles explains why dental health is really about quality of life and longevity, why small dogs and cats tend to get into trouble faster, and what real prevention looks like when life gets busy.

 BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
 • Why dental disease is more than a teeth problem, and how it can affect overall health
 • Why small dogs and cats are higher risk, and why brushing can feel difficult to do
 • What a proper dental cleaning includes, why anesthesia-free cleanings fall short, and when a veterinary dentist may be worth it 

CONNECT WITH DR. CHANDA MILES
VETERINARY DENTISTRY SPECIALISTS (KATY, TX) | WEBSITE

 OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
 Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Accepted Products List | vohc.org 

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Pet tech is exploding, and a lot of it looks amazing right up until you’re the one charging it, cleaning it, troubleshooting it, and regretting the money you spent. 

In this episode, AI and tech expert Debbie Richards breaks down the simplest way to decide if a pet gadget is actually worth it for your home, your budget, and your pet’s personality. We talk about the core questions to ask before you buy, what “set it and forget it” should really mean, and why the best tech is the kind that reduces stress instead of creating more. You’ll also hear a few standout trends from CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, including preventative health tools, safer pet doors, and a smart fountain designed to make cleaning less of a part-time job.

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

• The decision filters that keep you from buying tech that becomes another chore
• How to spot when a gadget solves a real problem vs creating a new one
• What to check before you buy, so returns and subscriptions don’t surprise you

CONNECT WITH DEBBIE
 Website: https://cre8iveii.com/

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Facial recognition cat feeder: https://cheerble.com/

Rescue Retriever and the Rescue Retriever FireTag: https://rescueretriever.com

Petkit Water Fountain: https://petkit.com

Satellai Health and GPS Collar: https://satellai.com

Pawport Dog Doors: https://pawport.com

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Are you caring for aging parents with pets, or aging with a pet yourself, and hoping it’ll all “work out” when something changes? Because the biggest risk usually isn’t age, it’s waiting for a fall, a hospitalization, or memory issues to force a last-minute pet care scramble.

In this episode, Amy Castro is joined by Kathi Miracle of Silver Tsunami Aging Info to talk about seniors and pets, and the pet care plan families avoid, the red flags that a pet’s care is slipping, and why “my family will take the pet” isn’t a plan unless it’s written down and realistic, especially when assisted living or memory care enters the picture.

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

• What to decide now, at any age, so your pet doesn’t become a last-minute “figure it out” problem later
• The subtle red flags that a pet is starting to lose care quality, even when the person says everything’s fine
• Why “we’ll bring the pet to assisted living” often falls apart fast, and what families need to face before it does
• If you’re a senior with a pet, how to protect your independence while still protecting your pet’s safety
• Why asking for support early is not giving up, it’s the move that keeps you and your pet together longer

 CONNECT WITH KATHI MIRACLE
 WEBSITE | mysilversunami.com - contact Kathi with your questions about seniors and pets

OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Pet Parent Hotline Episode on Pet Trusts: "What Happens to Your Pet if You Don't Make It Home?" 

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Do pets actually grieve, or are they reacting to routine changes and stress in ways we don’t recognize? And how much of what we label as “grief” is really our own emotion spilling over into the way we interpret their behavior? 

In this episode,  Amy talks with Kate LaSalla, a pet behavior consultant, companion animal end-of-life death doula, and certified pet loss and grief companion, about what pet grief can look like, what might just be pet care routine disruption, and what to do when your dog or cat’s behavior changes after a loss. 

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

• The most common behavior changes pets show after a loss, and why the relationship matters
• How human grief and anger can affect a surviving pet’s anxiety and fearfulness
• When “normal” changes become a medical concern, and when to loop in your vet
• Why “animals understand death, not disappearance,” and what that means for households with multiple pets
• What to do if you’re grieving too, but still need to support your pet’s routines and provide good pet care

CONNECT WITH KATE LASALLA
WEBSITE | Rescued By Training

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Rescued By Training blog post on pets and grieving
Advanced care directive
“When is it time to say goodbye?” download
And be sure to check out all the other fantastic posts and resources on Kate's page!

Questions or a story you want to share? Leave a voicemail at Petparenthotline.com or join the Pet Parent Hotline Insiders Group.

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Ever feel like you’re doing a ton for your pets, but nothing actually feels easier?

If you’re stuck repeating the same corrections, overcomplicating routines, or carrying a low-grade stress cloud all day, this Pet Parent Power-Up is for you.

In this episode, I’m sharing the one question I use to snap out of autopilot and stop pouring time and energy into pet care that isn’t paying off:
“Is this the best place to put my time and energy?”

It sounds simple, but this question helps you spot what’s not working, choose a better option, and get relief fast, without adding more to your plate.

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

• How to spot hidden time leaks in behavior battles, routines, and worry spirals
• A simple reset that keeps you from overthinking the fix
• How to get a quick win today, even when time and energy are limited

Send me your Quick Fix question, email me, or leave a voicemail on the website, and I might use it in a future episode.

OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Budgeting episode with Joe Oakley: https://www.petparenthotline.com/pet-bills-keep-surprising-you-heres-how-to-plan/

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Ever hit January 10 and realize your pet routine resolution is already sliding? If you’ve promised yourself you'll focus on pet care - you’ll walk your dog more, train your cat, brush your pet’s teeth, or finally get consistent, and then real life blows it up, this episode is your reset. It’s not laziness, it’s a plan that was never realistic for your actual mornings.

In this solo New Year kickoff episode of The Pet Parent Hotline, I’m sharing what 15 years in rescue taught me about why pet care and pet parenting goals fall apart, and how to build a tiny Pet Plan that survives messy mornings, tired evenings, and a barking dog when you cannot find the leash. You’ll leave with one repeatable action you can start this week, plus a 60-second reset you can do tonight to make tomorrow easier.
 

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

• Why “walk more” and “be consistent” fail in real life, and what to do instead
• How to shrink any pet goal into something you will actually repeat
• How to anchor your habit, remove friction, and use a Plan B without quitting

Your next step if you want more help: send me your one-sentence Pet Plan. Email, DM, or leave a voicemail at petparenthotline.com.

CONNECT WITH ME - WEBSITE | petparenthotline.com

OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Don’t miss our monthly Pet Parent Power-Up bonus episode dropping Wednesday, January 7, on the one question you can ask yourself to protect your time and energy, and choose what’s actually worth your effort.

Your next step: send me your one-sentence Pet Plan. Email, DM, or leave a voicemail at petparenthotline.com.

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Want a pet friendly home that still looks good, feels organized, and is comfortable to live in? In this episode, award-winning designer Pamela O’Brien shares practical home design tips for living with pets, without your space feeling taken over by fur, clutter, or constant wear and tear.

You’ll hear simple, real-life upgrades, from pet proof flooring and durable fabrics to entryway organization, feeding station setups, and storage ideas that actually stick. This is for pet parents who want a home they feel good inviting people into, while keeping pets part of the family.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
 • Which fabrics and flooring hold up best in real homes with pets
 • How to organize entryways and feeding areas so clutter doesn’t take over
 • Simple design upgrades that protect your furniture, rugs, and sanity

If you’ve ever hesitated to invite people over because of fur, mess, or wear and tear, this episode will help you feel more confident in your home without pushing your pets out of the picture.

CONNECT WITH PAMELA O’BRIEN
Website | PamelaHopeDesigns.com

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Stop Buying Useless Pet Care Supplies. Here’s What You Actually Need. Most “must-have" pet care supply lists focus on gimmicks and generic basics, missing the pet-care essentials that actually make daily life easier and safer. 

You probably have the basics for pet care, like bowls and a bed, but in this episode, Amy Castro and Bev Brooks share 10 rescue-tested pet essentials they can’t live without, five dog essentials and five cat essentials, plus a few bonus items pulled from decades of real-world rescue and pet parenting. These are the same practical pet care supplies Amy recommends to adopters to help pets succeed once they’re home.

 These aren’t trendy pet care products or influencer favorites. They’re simple tools that support safety, behavior, and day-to-day management, the kind of stuff you don’t think about until you really need it.
 

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

• The overlooked pet supplies that help you handle messes, stress, and unexpected situations
• Why “boring” essentials often matter more than expensive gear
• How the right setup prevents small issues from becoming bigger problems
• Which pet supplies are worth buying, and which ones are not

Whether you’re shopping for a last-minute gift, building a new pet checklist, or realizing your current setup has gaps, the pet advice in this episode will help you stop wasting money on the wrong stuff. 

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

PS- we don't name a bunch of specific brands in this episode, but we do mention 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!)

FURBO: The Trainer's Choice Pet Cameras
Designed for pets. See, talk, and toss treats to your pets from anywhere.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Expert Pet Advice for busy pet parents!

Love the show? Leave a 5-star review so more pet parents can find us, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

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

Pet care gets crazy when you're facing behavior issues, rising costs, and confusing pet advice. You need real pet parenting solutions, pet behavior help, and pet budgeting tips you can use every day.

Each week you'll hear 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'll help you manage puppy biting, cat aggression, separation anxiety and cat anxiety, emergency vet decisions, and show you how to stay ahead of issues that create stress for pets and their pet parents.

No fluff, no guilt, just practical pet care advice and pet cost hacks to save money, avoid pet parent guilt, and enjoy life with pets.

Follow to stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: [email protected]

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro