The Pet Parent Hotline

Amy Castro - Pet Parenting Expert & Animal Rescuer

You love your pets. But sometimes, living with them is a lot. From dog and cat behavior and training struggles to pet health, nutrition, vet decisions, rising costs, aging pets, adoption, mess, and the everyday chaos of sharing your home with animals, The Pet Parent Hotline helps you figure out what actually matters and what to do next. You got a pet to make life better, not to lose sleep, drain your bank account, second-guess every decision, or feel like you’re failing at something that was supposed to bring you joy. Most pet advice focuses only on the pet. This show focuses on you, the person trying to love them well while also keeping your life, your home, your money, and your sanity intact. I’m Amy Castro, a longtime animal rescuer who has fostered more than 5,000 animals. Each week, I share practical guidance, real-world strategies, and expert insight to help you handle behavior problems, training, pet health and nutrition, vet care, pet-care costs, aging pets, home life, and the curveballs nobody warned you about. You’ll learn how to make smarter decisions faster, spend your time and money where they matter most, create calmer routines, and build a life that works better for both you and your pets. On the first Wednesday of each month, you’ll also get a Pet Parent Power-Up, a short reset to help you think more clearly, set better boundaries, and make calmer decisions. Start with the episode that matches what you’re dealing with today.

  1. 2d ago

    Dog Won’t Take a Pill? 10 Rescue-Proven Tricks That Work

    Getting a dog to take a pill can turn into a ridiculous battle of wills, especially when they somehow eat everything except the medication. In this episode, Amy shares 10 tricks she’s learned from years of owning, fostering, rescuing, and medicating dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages. The key isn’t finding one magical food that works for every dog. It’s figuring out how your dog approaches food and choosing a strategy that fits. You’ll learn why a tiny, soft pill package may work better than a big chunk of something delicious, how to use decoy treats and momentum, why your dog may be reacting to your medication-prep routine before the pill even appears, and what to do when a trick that worked for months suddenly stops working. Amy also covers when it may be time to stop hiding the pill altogether and ask your veterinarian about a "pill popper", liquid or compounded medication, or another appropriate way to give it. And cat people, you’re not forgotten. Some of these tricks translate, but cats can present a whole different pill-giving challenge, so Amy also talks about when liquid, compounded, transdermal, or direct-pilling options may be worth discussing with your veterinarian. In this episode you'll learn: How your dog’s eating style affects which pill tricks may workWhy small, soft, easy-to-swallow bites can beat bigger treatsThe decoy-treat trick for slipping medication into the sequenceHow dogs learn our medication routinesUsing timing, momentum, and safe competition in multi-dog homesWhat to do when your dog figures out your favorite trickPill poppers and other direct-pilling optionsWhen to ask your vet about another medication formulationWhy pilling cats sometimes requires a completely different approachImportant: Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions for your pet’s specific medication. Don’t crush, split, open, dissolve, or otherwise alter medication unless your veterinarian has confirmed that it’s safe to do so. Got a pill trick that works on your dog or cat? Amy wants to hear it. Share your weirdest, sneakiest, or most successful strategy, and you might see it featured in a future Pet Parent Hotline episode or post. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

  2. Sep 6

    8 DIY Pet Health Checks to Do Every Month

    You see your pet every day, which means you’re in the best position to notice when something starts to change. The problem? Seeing them every day can also make gradual changes surprisingly easy to miss. In this episode of The Pet Parent Hotline, Amy walks through eight simple at-home pet health checks you can do about once a month to get more familiar with what’s normal for your pet and spot changes that may be worth mentioning to your veterinarian. This isn’t about diagnosing your pet at home or replacing regular veterinary care. Think of it as a 10-to-15-minute monthly check-in where you slow down, actually look at your pet, put your hands on them where it’s safe to do so, and pay attention. You’ll learn to check: Body condition, weight, and muscle changesLumps, bumps, swelling, and sensitive areasSkin, fur, hair, or feathersEyes, ears, teeth, gums, and mouthFeet, nails, claws, and paw padsMovement, stiffness, and mobilityEating and drinking habitsBathroom habits, energy, and behaviorAmy also shares how accidentally discovering a badly broken tooth in one of her own dogs made her realize just how much pet parents can miss when we’re not deliberately looking. The goal isn’t to catch everything. It’s to know your pet well enough that when something changes, you’re more likely to recognize that it’s new and give your veterinarian useful information about when it started. In This Episode Why everyday petting isn’t the same as deliberately checking your petHow gradual weight and muscle changes can sneak up on youA simple way to keep track of your pet’s lumps and bumpsWhy teeth and gums deserve a closer lookSmall mobility changes that may be easy to dismiss as “just getting older”Eating, drinking, and bathroom changes worth paying attention toHow to turn a monthly pet check into an easy habitWhat to ask your veterinarian so you can personalize the routine for your petStuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

  3. Sep 2

    Is Your Pet Acting Differently? 3 Questions to Ask | Pet Parent Power Up

    This month’s Pet Parent Power Up is a little different: no intro music, minimal editing, and recorded on the fly to follow up on an important question from Sunday’s episode. What should you do when you notice your pet doing something differently? Maybe your dog suddenly hesitates before jumping into the car, your cat starts sleeping somewhere new, or a pet who used to love a certain activity seems less interested. Before you panic or write it off as “just getting older,” Amy shares three questions that can help you decide whether you’re seeing a simple preference, a pattern worth watching, or a change that deserves a conversation with your veterinarian: Is this actually new for my pet?Is it happening consistently?Is it interfering with something my pet normally wants or needs to do?You’ll also learn why knowing your individual pet’s normal matters, how videos and a few simple notes can help your veterinarian, and why aging, moving, stress, or other life changes shouldn’t automatically be used to explain away new behavior. This episode builds on Sunday’s conversation about treating pets as individuals and paying attention to what each animal actually needs. Veterinary Disclaimer: The Pet Parent Hotline is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or another qualified pet-care professional about questions or concerns related to your individual pet’s health, behavior, diet, mobility, or care. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

  4. Aug 30

    Fair Isn’t Equal: What Your Pet Really Needs

    Treating your pets fairly doesn’t mean treating them all the same. In this episode, Amy looks at how age, health, mobility, personality, behavior, and even personal preferences can mean very different needs for pets living under the same roof. From secret extra meals for a skinny senior cat to different exercise, rules, accommodations, and attention, the goal isn’t perfect equality. It’s paying attention to the individual animal in front of you. And this isn’t just for people with a houseful of animals. Whether you have one pet or six, it’s about recognizing what that pet needs instead of comparing them to other animals or even to who they used to be. She also tackles a harder question: Are you giving your pet what they actually enjoy and need, or trying to turn them into the pet you imagined having? Plus, try this week’s simple Pet Parent Hotline challenge to learn something new about your own pet. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

  5. Aug 23

    A New Home With Pets: I Need Your Help!

    What happens when the person who usually answers the Pet Parent Hotline needs help from the listeners? Amy is finally in her new house (new to her, but built in 1957), but "moved in" might be a generous description. Most of the furniture and pet gear are still in storage, the floors and painting aren't done, she needs a new roof, and she's currently recording from an echoey bedroom furnished with a semi-deflated air mattress. More importantly, the pets are adjusting too. So this week, Amy is turning the tables and asking fellow pet parents for the practical, real-life solutions they've discovered through experience. In this episode, Amy wants to hear from you about:  Helping senior pets safely handle stairs  Acclimating a blind pet to a new house, especially a multi-level one  Helping pets settle in and recognize a new place as home  Cheap, temporary pet-friendly fixes that work while you're waiting on permanent solutions  Managing contractors, noise, renovations, and escape risks with pets in the house Bonus: finding the fun pet-friendly places and activities when you're new to an area This isn't about replacing expert advice. It's about those little things another pet parent figured out because they were standing in the exact same situation. Amy really does want your help. If you've dealt with even one of these challenges, share what worked, what didn't, or what you wish you'd known sooner. Comment on the episode if your listening platform allows it, find The Pet Parent Hotline on Facebook or Instagram, or reach out at PetParentHotline.com. If enough of you respond, Amy may share the best listener advice in a follow-up episode. Because sometimes the answer you need is already sitting in another pet parent's house. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

  6. Aug 16

    Before Fall Gets Busy: Get Your Pet Care in Order

    Summer has a way of knocking routines loose and pushing pet care tasks to “later.” Before fall gets busy, this is a good time for dog, cat, and other pet parents to catch up on the things that have quietly slipped down the list. In this solo episode, Amy covers the pet care tasks worth handling now, from vet appointments and grooming to pet boarding, pet sitting, holiday travel, and changing routines. The goal isn’t to create another giant checklist. It’s to take care of a few things now that could save you time, money, and stress later. In this episode: Pet health issues and appointments you’ve been meaning to handleGrooming, gear, and basic maintenance that may have gotten away from youWhy now is the time to think about boarding, pet sitting, and holiday travelHelping pets adjust as fall routines changePlanning pet care around your real life before something becomes urgentNeed help figuring out what your pet needs, what to prioritize, or how to make it all work with your life? Learn more about a Pet Parent Hotline consultation at petparenthotline.com/consult. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

  7. Aug 9

    What Your Pet Food Label Is Really Telling You

    Pet food labels are packed with reassuring words like real chicken, high protein, complete and balanced, and superfoods. But what do those words actually tell you about the food inside the bag? Dr. Angie Boyer, founder of Grain & Grace Consulting and a trained multi-species nutritionist, returns to help us work through a pet food label from front to back to identify what's really in our pet food. In this episode, we cover:  What “complete and balanced” means and where AAFCO fits in  How words like “with” and “may support” can change the meaning of a front-of-package claim on pet food How to use the guaranteed analysis when comparing foods  What meat, meal, byproducts, and meat-and-bone meal actually tell you  How to identify protein, fat, fiber, vitamin, and mineral sources  Why pet food feeding guidelines are only a starting point  How treats and other foods affect your pet’s total daily intake  What to consider about where pet food is produced and ingredients you may want to investigate  Why the “best” pet food also has to work for your individual pet, budget, and real life The goal isn’t to find one perfect pet food. It’s to understand enough of the label to make a more informed choice for the pet in front of you. Guest: Dr. Angie Boyer, founder of Grain & Grace Consulting And if you missed our August Pet Parent Power Up on specialty diets like sensitive stomach, urinary care, and hairball control, listen to that episode for even more help interpreting what pet food packaging is promising. As always, talk with your veterinarian about your individual pet’s medical and nutritional needs before making changes to their diet. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

  8. Aug 5

    Do Special Pet Diets Do What They Claim? | Pet Parent Power Up

    Sensitive stomach. Weight management. Hairball control. Urinary care. Pet food labels make these diets sound highly specific, but not every claim on the package means the same thing. In this Pet Parent Power Up, Dr. Angie Boyer explains the difference between formulas built around certain ingredient choices and claims that require more testing and scientific support. You’ll learn: What makes sensitive skin and stomach foods differentHow weight-management foods reduce caloriesWhy hairball-control and urinary-care claims are treated differently on pet food labelsWhat phrases like “may support” really promise on your pet food labelHow to check whether the ingredients support the claim on the front of the packageNote: Always talk with your veterinarian about your individual pet’s medical and nutritional needs before changing foods, especially when managing a diagnosed health condition. Dr. Angie Boyer is the founder of Grain & Grace Consulting and a trained multi-species nutritionist whose work spans livestock, companion animals, and horses. Angie returns in the next full episode to help us read a pet food package from the claims on the front to the label on the back. Learn more about Dr. Angie Boyer and Grain & Grace Consulting: Website: Grain & Grace ConsultingContact: Submit an inquiryLinkedIn: Grain & Grace ConsultingGet Your Free Pet Food Guides! Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Support the show Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify Each week, get practical help with dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, vet decisions, rising pet-care costs, aging pets, and the everyday challenges of life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro

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4.9
out of 5
63 Ratings

About

You love your pets. But sometimes, living with them is a lot. From dog and cat behavior and training struggles to pet health, nutrition, vet decisions, rising costs, aging pets, adoption, mess, and the everyday chaos of sharing your home with animals, The Pet Parent Hotline helps you figure out what actually matters and what to do next. You got a pet to make life better, not to lose sleep, drain your bank account, second-guess every decision, or feel like you’re failing at something that was supposed to bring you joy. Most pet advice focuses only on the pet. This show focuses on you, the person trying to love them well while also keeping your life, your home, your money, and your sanity intact. I’m Amy Castro, a longtime animal rescuer who has fostered more than 5,000 animals. Each week, I share practical guidance, real-world strategies, and expert insight to help you handle behavior problems, training, pet health and nutrition, vet care, pet-care costs, aging pets, home life, and the curveballs nobody warned you about. You’ll learn how to make smarter decisions faster, spend your time and money where they matter most, create calmer routines, and build a life that works better for both you and your pets. On the first Wednesday of each month, you’ll also get a Pet Parent Power-Up, a short reset to help you think more clearly, set better boundaries, and make calmer decisions. Start with the episode that matches what you’re dealing with today.

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