Cat Talk Radio

What if you love cats—but someone in your family is allergic? Does that automatically mean you can't have a cat? Not necessarily. In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly answers a question from 10-year-old Aurora, whose dad has allergies but who hopes to welcome a new kitten into the family. Molly explains what actually causes cat allergies, about "hypoallergenic cats", how allergen-reducing cat foods and toppers work, and the environmental changes that can help reduce allergen exposure. Mo

You've probably heard that probiotics can support your own gut health—but what about your cat? Your cat's gut is home to a complex community of bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that make up the feline gut microbiome. And that microbiome may have connections far beyond digestion, including the immune system, nutrient metabolism, and the gut-brain axis. But with so many probiotic products and big claims out there, how do you know what actually matters? In this episode of Cat Talk Radio

Your cat's face, paws, body, and even their scratching behavior are all part of a sophisticated scent-communication system—but most of us barely notice it. Cats use scent to communicate with other cats, create familiarity, mark important spaces, and make their environment feel safe. So when your cat rubs their face against your legs, scratches the sofa, or repeatedly returns to certain places, they may be doing much more than simply being cute—or destructive. In this episode of Cat Talk Radio,

You may think your cat's litter box is just a box filled with litter—but to your cat, it's a bathroom, a vulnerable moment, a resource, and sometimes even a potential ambush site! In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss digs into the why behind the recommendations in our Purrfect Litter Box handout (email Molly@cattalkradio.com to get a copy of it.) Why does size matter? Why should litter boxes be spread throughout the house instead of lined up together? Why can another cat simply lyin

When a senior cat loses a longtime feline companion, it's natural for us to think, "They're lonely. They need another cat." But is that really what your cat needs? In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explores what happens when an older cat loses a bonded companion—and why bringing home a kitten or young cat can sometimes make things much worse. Cats can form meaningful social bonds and show behavioral changes following the loss of a companion, but that doesn't mean they automaticall

Last week's episode, "My Cat Never Goes Outside — Does It Really Need a Rabies Vaccine?", sparked a LOT of conversation—and some pretty strong opinions! So we're following up. Molly dives into the questions, concerns, and claims that came up after the episode, including whether indoor cats really need rabies vaccination, whether vaccines can cause serious reactions, the truth about mRNA and newer rabies vaccines, rabies in mice and rats, goats and opossums, bats getting into homes, vaccine titer

Just because your cat never goes outside doesn't mean the conversation about rabies vaccination is simple. In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss takes an evidence-based look at one of the most misunderstood topics in feline medicine. Why are indoor-only cats still vaccinated? How could they realistically be exposed to rabies? What do we know—and not know—about vaccine reactions, injection-site sarcomas, and post-vaccination behavior? Are non-adjuvanted vaccines different? What about r

For decades, cat owners have been told that cats are "natural grazers," so keeping a bowl of food available 24/7 seems like the kindest, most natural thing to do. But is it really? In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explores the psychology behind how cats eat—not just what they eat. Learn why free feeding can unintentionally reduce mental stimulation, weaken food motivation, contribute to boredom, and disrupt the natural hunt-eat-groom-sleep cycle that cats evolved to follow. You'

Most cat guardians know their cat loves to hunt—but few realize why. In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explores the fascinating brain chemistry behind feline behavior and explains how neurotransmitters like dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin influence your cat's motivation, satisfaction, emotional balance, and relationships. Discover why the hunting sequence is about much more than food, how indoor cats can become frustrated when they don't have opportunities to complet

What if the behavior you're trying to stop isn't actually the problem? In this episode, Molly DeVoss introduces a brand-new way of thinking about feline behavior with Triggerology™—the study of what triggers a cat's emotional and behavioral responses. You'll discover why behavior never happens "out of nowhere," how cats develop both positive and negative emotional associations, and why finding the trigger is often the key to solving behavior problems. From redirected aggression and litter box

Most people assume that a quiet cat is a happy cat—but is that really true? In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explores one of the most overlooked welfare issues affecting indoor cats: understimulation. Learn why boredom is about much more than having enough toys, how cats are biologically programmed to hunt, solve problems, and make decisions, and why meeting a cat's physical needs isn't always enough to meet their behavioral needs. Molly explains the difference between an unders

Have you ever been petting your cat when they suddenly bite your hand? Or watched them go from calm to explosive in what seemed like an instant? Contrary to popular belief, cats aren't unpredictable—they're communicating. In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explains what overstimulation really is and why it's much more than "petting aggression." Learn what happens inside a cat's nervous system when sensory, emotional, social, or environmental input becomes too much to process, why a