On this festive episode of Best Bets for Pets, Michelle Fern and Cheryl Kaye (from Unleashed on Pet Life Radio) and bring the holiday cheer to your pet gift-giving plans! Michelle and Cheryl dive into the world of pet presents, sharing their top picks for gifts that are sure to make your fur babies' holidays memorable. From high-tech toys and interactive feeders to cozy beds and the latest in pet fashion, they cover a range of creative ideas for every type of pet personality. Listen in as they share insights on what makes each item a perfect holiday treat, along with some hilarious stories from their own experiences in finding the ideal gifts for their pets. Michelle and Cheryl have got a bag of holiday tricks up their sleeve to make sure every pet’s season is merry and bright. So, pour yourself some eggnog, get cozy, and tune in to this jolly episode of Best Bets for Pets —the ultimate guide to giving your pets a holiday season they’ll never forget!

EPISODE NOTES: Bow-Wow! Meow-valous Holiday Gift Ideas for Presents for Your Pets!

This week Michelle Fern is joined by Dexter Blanch, the inventor of the Hydro Leash, which allows you to keep your dog hydrated while they are being walked. The Hydro Leash features a unique design where a mouthpiece and stem sit on their side and when your dog needs a drink, they can get one themselves!

EPISODE NOTES: The Hydro Leash

Michelle Fern welcomes Dr. Kwane Stewart, chief veterinary officer for Kismet pet food. Created by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kismet an extraordinary pet lifestyle brand.

Food is such an important part of their lives, and as such, was a no brainer when it came to their fur babies. All products are formulated by a team of board certified veterinary nutritionists and expert formulators to develop a high quality food for dogs that's as nutritious as fresh – but more convenient and accessibly priced. Meaning all foods are made with real animal proteins, nutrient rich superfoods, essential vitamins and minerals, pre and probiotics for healthy digestion, plus freeze-dried chicken or beef and sweet potato nuggets (a.k.a. nugs). They’ve even tapped Dr. Kwane Stewart, 2023 CNN Hero of the Year award winner and founder of Project Street Vet, as the brand’s Chief Veterinary Officer for his experience in medicine and commitment to animal welfare.

Aside from food and treats Kismet has also designed a line of hype-worthy merchandise for the pet parent with oversized sweatshirts, t-shirts and sweats with iconic pet imagery. 

EPISODE NOTES: This Isn’t Kibble, it’s Kismet!

This week Michelle Fern welcomes Ashley Hejlik and Lee Kaufman, Co-Founders of SoyKitty. Cat owners who demand an odor-free household without hurting the planet choose SoyKitty; a nontoxic, sustainable cat litter made of plant byproducts. Peace of mind for a fresher home and a healthier planet. SoyKitty litter uses simple ingredients made by Mother Nature: soybeans, guar gum, and cornstarch. It's all-natural, renewable, and sustainable. It's completely free of toxins, or harmful additives, offering cat parents a high-quality litter that’s safe for pets, people, and the planet.

EPISODE NOTES: SoyKitty Cat Litter - A Cleaner Box for Them, A Clear Conscience For You

This week Michelle Fern is joined by Vanessa Woods, co-author of Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog. Written with Brian Hare, Puppy Kindergarten is the first book about raising puppies to be written by evolutionary scientists - moreover, Duke University’s Puppy Kindergarten is the first large-scale study tracking puppy development since 1950.

This husband-and-wife team, along with a retired service dog named Congo, have meticulously observed and documented the growth of one hundred and one puppies at the Duke Puppy Kindergarten. Their mission was to unravel what it truly takes to raise a great dog, and the findings are as enlightening as they are charming.

EPISODE NOTES: Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog

This week Michelle Fern chats with Dr. Andria Beal the founder of EpiPaws Pet Age Test that helps pet owners find peace of mind by discovering their pet's age with an easy at-home epigenetic (DNA) test. Customers simply obtain a kit online or through a retailer, do an easy mouth swab on their pet, and send in the sample for analysis. Results are provided online and are downloadable, and include an age estimation, suggested birthday, life stage designation, and health insights catered to the life stage.

EPISODE NOTES: EpiPaws – Age is More Than a Number!

This week Michelle Fern highlights a new card game for training your dog! Discover the joy of training your dog with Bruno’s Pawsitive Dog Coaching Cards. This engaging card game set, inspired by our smart and adorable Bruno, includes Basic Commands, Advanced Commands, Fun Tricks, and Action Cards, offering a dynamic training experience. It's a perfect activity for family, friends, and your furry companion, enhancing bonding while teaching essential skills.

Then Michelle welcomes Julianna Carella, creator of Treatibles -The Original Pet CBD for pets. Treatibles Organic Full Spectrum Hemp CBD Oil Hard Chewables for small and large dogs help support your pet’s digestive tract and immune system, enhances the function of joints and promotes relaxation, all in a delicious pumpkin flavor that your dog will love.

EPISODE NOTES: Bruno’s Place & TreatIbles

Michelle Fern chats with Cheryl Kaye, host of Unleashed on Pet Life Radio about keeping your pets safe and cool for the summer! From traveling with your pets to just going outside during the hottest months of the year, you won’t want to miss helpful hints for your pets.

EPISODE NOTES: What’s in Store for Summer? Hot Tips to Keep Your Pets Cool!

This week Michelle Fern is joined by Dr. Amy Attas - pet expert and founder of City Pets, and author of the new book, Pets and the City: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian. Drawing from her extensive career spanning over three decades as a house call veterinarian in New York City, Dr. Attas takes readers from Park Avenue to the city projects, sharing the shocking, sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, life-affirming experiences she has faced through her storied career, treating the cats and dogs for more than 700,000 Manhattan families. A fascinating book and an interview you won’t want to miss!

EPISODE NOTES: Pets and the City

Michelle Fern welcomes Rachel Markowitz, Marketing Manager at Brightkins this week to chat about Brightkins products including the new Brightkins Tough & Tumble durable treat dispenser line. Brightkins offers a range of playful training activity kits, enrichment tools, and interactive treat puzzles designed to keep your furry friends engaged and entertained.

EPISODE NOTES: Brightkins – Bright Ways for Pets to Play!

Michelle Fern welcomes Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy, authors of OUR KINDRED CREATURES: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals. This fascinating work of nonfiction dives into the three decades after the Civil War when the attitude of the American public towards animals radically changed. OUR KINDRED CREATURES makes a case for seeing the fight over animal cruelty as a crucial thread in America's history. Readers are introduced to the activists, scientists, and moguls who helped create our modern views on animals, with our intense compassion for certain species and ignorant disregard for others.

EPISODE NOTES: Our Kindred Creatures