The Hissing Feline

We would enjoy hearing from you.Have you wondered what a cat feels when its paws touch cool grass or a crunchy leaf? When it hears the buzz of an insect…or comes face-to-face with a human? There’s a new book that lets you sense and think like a cat. Kat McCarthy is my guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline. She is an author and a member of the Cat Writers Association. Kat talks about her novel, “The Wild Side of the Wall: A Cat's Tale of Courage, Kinship, and Joy.”On this episode, Kat discusses the background of her book, what inspired the novel, what she hopes readers take away from it, and how listeners can obtain a copy of her book.Her goal for writing the bookInitial thoughts before starting the book projectInspiration for writing the bookHow research about cats informed the book, including examples of findings from researchWhat Kat learned from writing the bookWhat people can learn about cats from reading the novelHow interested listeners can get a sample of the bookHow people can obtain the full bookGet more information about Kat's novel by visiting her website at thecatstale.com/wild-kin-press/the-wild-side-of-the-wall.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Chronic Kidney Disease is one of the most common health issues cat owners face, especially in older cats. What symptoms might cat parents observe that point to kidney disease? How is the disease diagnosed? What treatment methods are available? Dr. Jessica Quimby joins me on this episode of The Hissing Feline to talk about feline chronic kidney disease. She is Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University. Dr. Quimby is a board certified internal medicine specialist.During the show, Dr. Quimby discusses several aspects of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD):Explanation of Chronic Kidney DiseaseRisk factors and causes of kidney diseaseCats that are most susceptible to the disease Symptoms cat owners might observeEffects of feline kidney diseaseDiagnosis/screeningImportance of seeing a veterinarian early if an ailment is suspectedVeterinary treatment methods, including new methods and technologiesWhat cat owners can do at homeOngoing monitoring when a cat has CKDPrognosis of CKDEnd-stage CKDFind out more about the work of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Some great changes are coming to The Hissing Feline podcast in September:Same excellent cat expert interviews.New podcast logo.Inspiring Cat Stories after each interview, with stories from listeners.The Hissing Feline website that has links to current and previous episodes, the Cat Stuff blog, profiles of the podcast crew, and a contact page with information about how to submit an Inspiring Cat Story.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and other podcast platforms.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Watching our cats age is not easy, especially when they have chronic pain, kidney disease, weight loss, arthritis, and other debilitating conditions. Some cats experience mental decline also known as Feline Cognitive Dysfunction.This episode features a visit with Dr. Melissa Boldan about feline dementia. Dr. Boldan is associate veterinarian at Trailside Animal Hospital in Columbia, MO. She also is a contributing author of articles about cat and dog health topics to PetMD. Here are some of the topics discussed on this podcast:Feline dementia defined. Cats most likely to get dementia. Symptoms cat owners might observe.Veterinarian diagnosis process.Medication-related treatments for feline dementia.Feline dementia treatments outside of medicationsPrognosis for cats with dementia.What cat owners can do to support their cat as it declines.Resources for understanding and managing dementia. Click here to learn more about Trailside Animal Hospital in Columbia, MO.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Very popular types of online videos feature cats. They are everywhere on social media. People simply cannot get enough of cats being cats. The guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline is Will Braden, director of the Cat Video Fest. On the podcast, Will discusses a number of topics about the Fest:Fest history and Will's involvementGrowth of the Fest in the USInternational aspect of the FestTypes of videos that are included in the productionThe process of receiving, sorting through entries, and selection criteriaHow the Fest helps local shelters with part of the proceedsFor more information about the Fest, visit CatVideoFest.com.Learn more about CVF Director Will Braden by clicking here. 

We would enjoy hearing from you.There are many shelter cats that are considered "unadoptable" or overlooked. They are felines that are more difficult to adopt out due to various circumstances. That includes cats that might have either a shy or aggressive personality, those that are undersocialized, felines with medical situations (e.g., feline leukemia, diabetes, and cancer), special needs cats, and cats that are in their senior years.This episode of The Hissing Feline podcast features an interview with Nikki Healy, executive director of the Good Mews Animal Foundation in Marietta, Georgia. In this show, Nikki talks about overlooked cats and discusses some people's perception about adopting those cats.Nikki talks about the benefits both to adopters and felines of adopting overlooked cats. She also explains what adopters of these cats need to know.Finally, Nikki discusses the importance of people educating themselves about adopting overlooked cats and lists some resources for more information about those types of cats.You can learn more about the Good Mews Animal Foundation by visiting the organization's website at https://www.goodmews.org.

We would enjoy hearing from you.One big health concern of cat owners is feline diabetes. What are symptoms that cat parents can recognize? What treatments are available for the disease? How can diabetes be managed in cats?This episode of The Hissing Feline features a discussion with Dr. Elizabeth Chapman about feline diabetes. Dr. Chapman is owner and medical director of Just Cats Clinic in Reston, VA.The show focuses on topics such as factors that contribute to feline diabetes, signs of diabetes that cat owners might observe, and detection methods and diagnosis by veterinarians. Dr. Chapman also talks about complications of feline diabetes and methods to manage the condition. She provides important resources to learn more about feline diabetes.Find out more about Just Cats Clinic at justcatsclinic.com.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Cat emergencies can happen anytime and with little or no warning. On this episode, well known pet first aid expert Arden Moore talks about recognizing when a cat is in distress and what to do in those instances. She discusses the most common types of situations that require feline first aid and how to prepare for emergencies.For more information about Arden Moore's Pet First Aid 4U, visit https://www.petfirstaid4u.com/

We would enjoy hearing from you.Fostering kittens is more than feeding and caring for them over a period of time. Fostering plays an important role in the growth and life of a cat. It helps with socialization and prepares cats to be adopted into their forever homes. It’s kind of like a cat internship.My guest on this episode is Summer Preuit, the kitten fostering coordinator at The Cat House in Lincoln, NE.  Summer discusses foster parent requirements and preparation, including having a proper environment for fostering. She also talks about the supplies needed for fostering kittens. Summer discusses the challenges of fostering and benefits of fostering (for cats and the fostering person). She includes a fostering success story about a mother cat that lost her kittens paired with kittens that lost their mother.Finally,  Summer lists several resources if listeners want more information about fostering.https://thecathouse.org/

We would enjoy hearing from you.Today's guest is Allison Hunter-Frederick. She is a certified cat behavior consultant and trainer located in Lincoln, NE, and owner of Allison Helps Cats.On the podcast, Allison talks about whether the type of cat relates to trainability. She also shares some of the most asked questions she has received about cat training and reasons people have for wanting to train a cat.In the second segment of the podcast, Allison discusses strategies for training, including having a positive approach and preparing for setbacks.Find out more about Allison Helps Cats here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Community cats are a big concern of neighborhoods across the US. There are many cat-related organizations in towns and cities that are dedicated to dealing with populations of feral and stray cats. Their efforts not only focus on trap, neuter, and release programs, but also on the importance of educating the public about community cats.My guest on today's podcast is Cindy Campbell, board member and volunteer at Friends of Feral Felines in Charlotte, North Carolina. She first discusses the history and mission of the organization. Cindy encourages people to look at cats differently and to consider a "back-to-basics" approach to dealing with community cats. She also talks about the importance of community involvement and some of the biggest issues communities face regarding community cats www.friendsofferalfelines.org

We would enjoy hearing from you.Cats are skilled at hiding illness and pain. Determining if your cat is experiencing pain can be difficult. What are the signs? What are different sources of cat pain? What treatments are available to deal with their discomfort? Those are some of the questions this episode of The Hissing Feline will address. Returning to the show is Dr. Bruce Kornreich. He is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.In this episode, Dr. Kornreich discusses signs that a cat is experiencing pain. He also differentiates between acute and chronic pain. Regarding chronic pain, Dr. Kornreich talks about osteoarthritis in cats and various treatment options. He also notes the importance of veterinary care for suspected cat pain and having a pain management plan in conjunction with the cat owner’s veterinarian.Find out more about the Cornell Feline Health Center here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Imagine having a warm cup of coffee, a tasty snack, and an opportunity to visit with cats all in the same location. It’s the perfect combination. Across the United States there are an estimated 300 cat cafés, many of which give patrons a chance to enjoy their favorite café amenities while checking out cats from local shelters for adoption.This episode of The Hissing Feline podcast features and interview with Mary Jankowski, owner of Iowa’s first cat café, known as Coffee Cats. The cafe is located in the Valley Junction community of West Des Moines, IA.On the show, Mary talks about how Coffee Cats was started and what went into planning for and starting the cafe. She discusses benefits of the cafe to both visitors and the cats, which are available for adoption from the Animal Rescue League. Mary also talks about different types of events the cafe has that connect visitors with the cats.See the Coffee Cats website here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Cancer touches just about everyone – family, friends, and us. Different kinds of cancers also can affect our four-footed family members. My guest on today's podcast is Dr. Karen Oberthaler, veterinarian and board-certified veterinary oncologist. She is co-founder of Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care in both Boulder and Eagle, Colorado.In this episode, Dr. Oberthaler discusses common types of feline cancers, including where cancers in cats are most likely to appear. She talks about methods of cancer diagnosis and treatments. Also, Dr. Oberthaler visits with me about differences between human cancer treatments and those of cats.Get more information about TreelineVeterinary Care here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Just about everywhere we look this time of year there are baby animals. My wife and I have seen baby groundhogs, goslings, calves, and, of course, kittens. Kitten season lasts from spring to late fall, but now is the peak time of the year for their arrival. It’s also when shelters take in large numbers of the babies, along with mother cats. With me on the podcast today to visit about kittens, health, and adopting them is Carol Griglione, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines, IA.Carol discusses a number of important aspects of kitten adoption, including the biggest challenges of bringing a little feline into the home. She also talks about whether adopters have specific criteria for what they want in a kitten. In addition, she discusses what to look for regarding the health of a kitten before adopting it and common signs that might indicate there is a health issue with the animal. Carol also talks about how adopters can prepare their home for a kitten.

We would enjoy hearing from you.This episode of The Hissing Feline revisits an earlier show on which I interviewed Crystal Jolly, a pet sitter with 15 years of full time experience and 25 years part time work in the field. Topics include how Crystal became interested in pet sitting, differences between dogs and cats for sitters, and the personalities of different types of cats. In the second segment, Crystal discusses deciding whether to employ a pet sitter or boarding an animal when an owner will be away. She also talks about what a person should consider when selecting a sitter for their pet.From the standpoint of pet parents, Crystal talks about how best to prepare for a pet sitter, such as what should be included in the instructions for a sitter. She also discusses what a sitter can do during the time they are sitting, such as providing photos of the pet through daily text or emails.  

We would enjoy hearing from you.In the US, there are millions of un-homed cats, often referred to as community cats. What is a community cat? How do people care for them? How can people become involved with those cats? Those are just a few of the questions this episode of The Hissing Feline podcast will address.This episode features an interview with Stacy LeBaron, founder of Community Cats Central in Vermont. The organization offers a wealth of online information, training, a podcast, and other ways to help deal with community cats. In this episode, Stacy talks about how and why the organization was started and its outreach. She also notes the importance of veterinarians to the efforts of Community Cats Central and communities across the country. One section of the organization's website features The Community Cat Pyramid, which delineates the four aspects of decreasing community cat population.For more information, visit the organization's website at https://communitycatscentral.com

We would enjoy hearing from you.You are probably familiar with therapy dogs that are specially trained to give comfort and emotional help to people in medical settings, schools, and care facilities. But did you know that cats might also offer the same benefits?My guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline is Dr. Patricia Pendry, professor of Human Development in the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences at Washington State University. Her research examines human-animal interaction, including a study about cats as therapy animals. On today's show, Dr. Pendry talks about a research study she co-authored that focused on cat traits that might help with having cats in therapy situations. She also discusses what is next in research about cat therapy.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Do you remember meeting someone with whom you immediately clicked? Maybe the person was a classmate or a work colleague. You knew the friendship would last for years.  Those types of connections are not just for humans. Animals also develop similar relationships. They are referred to as bonded buddies.My guest today to talk about that topic is Carol Griglione, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines, IA.During this show, Carol defines the concept of bonded buddies and how to recognize those connections between cats. She talks about reasons why cats become bonded and the benefits of those relationships to the animals. Carol also notes the importance of keeping bonded pairs together when adopting cats.Carol says cats can bond if they are from the same litter, but also when they are from different backgrounds. Also, she says they can bond at any age–from kittens to older cats. Additionally, Carol notes that cats will stay bonded for life.Find out more about the Animal Rescue League of Iowa here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.It doesn’t take long for cat owners to discover that their feline is easily startled by noises inside the home or outside, such as thunder. A cat can also become stressed during a trip to the vet.Those situations are only a small number of cat stressors. Stress can also bring about long-term problems. How can you recognize a cat is stressed? And what can be done in those situations?Today's guest on The Hissing Feline is Dr. Grant Jacobson, founder of The Hometown Veterinarian in Marshalltown, Iowa. Dr. Jacobson has thirty years of expertise and shared his knowledge on the podcast.Dr. Jacobson not only talks about stress, but notes that stress can result in illness and long-term health problems. There are many types of stressors, including environmental causes, bringing another animal into the home, medical conditions, changes in the home, and over-handling.Moving to a new residence is certainly stressful for humans. Relocating homes can also affect felines. Dr. Jacobson discusses ways to prepare for a move: before, during, after. Visit the website of The Hometown Veterinarian by clicking here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.This is a special episode of The Hissing Feline. My guest today is my wife Georgia, who is the producer of this podcast. The show focuses on visiting about raising our cat, Sadie. We adopted her as a feral kitten, and she lived to be nearly 21-years old. During the podcast, we reminisce about Sadie's younger years and how she got her name. We discuss her personality as a youngster and some of the biggest challenges of having a feral cat.Sadie mellowed as she grew older, but she always had the same spirited personality. She never became accustomed to having someone new in the house. Sadie was not a lap cat and did not like to be held. Then there was the day we brought home a new cat (Bridget) when Sadie was 15. It took many months, but Sadie and Bridget became close companions. Sadie story, The Striped Tornado, is available in paperback through Amazon.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Joining me on this episode of The Hissing Feline is Emily Hall, founder of KittyCatGO, a company that specializes in cat enrichment, training, feline travels, and adventures. Emily is a certified cat trainer, host of the KittyCatGO Adventure podcast, and educator of cat parents.Emily discusses cat enrichment and why cats need exercise. She also talks about ways to add adventure to a cat’s life, including both indoor and outdoor activities. Contrary to some people's perception of cats, felines are trainable. Part of that is harness and leash training.  Road trips are one way to let a cat experience the outdoors. Emily talks about pre-travel preparation and during-travel guidelines. In addition, she discusses some of the types of locations that are best for cats, including seasonal opportunities.Check out KittyCatGO by clicking here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Does your cat not always use the litter box? Maybe your feline runs and hides each time the doorbell rings. Those are two of many behavior problems you might encounter with your cat. On this episode of The Hissing Feline, I visit with Allison Hunter-Frederick, a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Allison Helps Cats in Lincoln, NE. She discusses common feline behavior issues that prompt cat owners to contact her, and how she works with cats who have various behavior issues. For more information about cat behavior problems, visit the website of Allison Helps Cats here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.Dr. Bruce Kornreich is the guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline. He is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.In this episode, Dr. Kornreich discusses the three components of the Center's mission: research, outreach, and education. He also highlights the kind of collaborative research the Center involved in, talks about the Center's CatGPT, and discusses cat-related research.Visit the Cornell Feline Health Center here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.My guest today is Dr. Emily Coleman, a veterinarian and the executive director of The National Kitten Coalition.Dr. Coleman talks about the organization, including its history, when it was started, and its purpose and goals. In addition, She discusses The National Kitten Coalition's educational programs and the most pressing concerns of the organization.Next, Dr. Coleman helps listeners understand why fostering kittens is crucial, as well as why people should consider fostering. She explains what potential foster parents should consider before bringing kittens in their home, plus special preparations kitten fosters need to make for kittens in their home. She also talks about her recommendations for daily monitoring of a kitten. The National Kitten Coalition website has an article about potential health issues when mixing kittens from different litters. Dr. Coleman explains why that is an important concern. She also discusses the kinds of health issues kittens are susceptible to and how can parents of kittens can reduce the chance of illnesses in kittens. Finally, Dr. Coleman talks about how can people deal with allergies to kittens.Visit the National Kitten Coalition website here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.The guest on this episode is Dr. Joyce Carnevale, director of the Community Outreach Program at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In the first segment of the show, Dr. Carnevale discusses the beginning of the Community Outreach Program and the goals of the program. She compares the growth of the program over the years and talks about how local shelters in mid-Iowa become involved.The second segment focuses on the student side of the Community Outreach Program. Dr. Carnevale discusses the types of surgeries and health issues that students address. She talks about the biggest health issues students might encounter with cats. Additionally, she notes how students can become more involved in feline health through student chapters of two organizations: The Feline Veterinary Medical Association and The Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and how involvement helps students prepare for careers in veterinary medicine.Find out more about the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.The guest on this episode is Crystal Jolly, a pet sitter with 15 years of full time experience and 25 years part time work in the field.Topics on the show include how Crystal became interested in pet sitting, differences between dogs and cats for sitters, and the personalities of different types of cats. In the second segment, Crystal discusses deciding whether to employ a pet sitter or boarding an animal when an owner will be away. She also talks about what a person should consider when selecting a sitter for their pet.From the standpoint of pet parents, Crystal talks about how best to prepare for a pet sitter, such as what should be included in the instructions for a sitter. She also discusses what a sitter can do during the time they are sitting, such as providing photos of the pet through daily text or emails.  

We would enjoy hearing from you.Today's guest is Carol Griglione, executive director of the Animal Rescue League  in Des Moines, IA. Carol oversees ARL operations and directs the leadership team. She has been involved with the ARL since 1993, including serving for 30-years as board president.In this episode, you will learn about the work of the ARL, its background, and community outreach. Carol also discusses the approximate numbers and types of animals received and cared for each month. Sometimes there are sudden increases in numbers due to rescue situations. Examples from December 2025, include one situation that involved more than 60 cats and another that rescued just over 30 cats.A highlight of the show is the ARL's CatSnip program, a Trap-Neuter-Release (TRN) program. Discover what is involved the program. Carol also talks about cat adoption: How much it costs to adopt a cat and what is included in an adoption (e.g., exam, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and spayed/neutered).Find out more about the Animal Rescue League of Iowa here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.This week's guest on The Hissing Feline is Dawn Poetting, the director of Noah's Ark Animal Foundation in Fairfield, IA. In this episode, Dawn talks about the history of the organization and its growth, as well as challenges of shelters in smaller communities. She also discusses the importance of the organization's volunteers.Check out Noah's Ark Animal Foundation here.

We would enjoy hearing from you.My guest for this episode is Tonya Headlee, who is with the Grimes Feline Finders in Iowa. Tonya talks about how the people with Feline Finders are helping reunite cats with their owners. She also explains the steps individuals can take if their cat is lost.

We would enjoy hearing from you.The Hissing Feline is about everything cats. The podcast features cat experts and other aficianados who share their knowledge and perspectives about dealing with various cat topics…from strays and ferals to adoption, health, enrichment, behaviors, and cat psychology. Listen each week for helpful and interesting insights into the world of cats. The podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform.