Episodes

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...

Did your cat stop jumping onto the bed? Are they sleeping more, grooming less, or suddenly avoiding the litter box? Many cat owners assume these are normal signs of aging—but they may actually be signs of chronic pain. In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explores feline arthritis, one of the most common—and most overlooked—medical conditions affecting cats. Learn why approximately 60% of cats over six years old and nearly 90% of cats over twelve have arthritis, why cats are so good ...

Have you ever watched your cat walk into a room and immediately start sniffing… everything? Shoes. Bags. Your face. Your groceries. Even the air itself. In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss breaks down the fascinating truth behind one of the most common feline behaviors: sniffing. Your cat isn't being nosy—they're gathering information, reducing stress, and making decisions based on scent long before they ever act. From why cats sniff new people and dirty laundry to why they invest...

We solve problems in our homes every day—mice in the pantry, bugs in the kitchen, odors in the air, dust on the floor. We often reach for the fastest and most convenient fix. But have you ever stopped to ask what those solutions feel like from your cat's perspective? In this episode, we explore the unintended side effects of common household "fixes" through the lens of feline biology and behavior. From ultrasonic pest repellents, to rodenticides, glue traps, harsh disinfectants, automated litter...

A recent news story about cat fleas and a potentially serious human disease has many cat lovers asking the same question: Should we be worried? In this episode, Molly DeVoss breaks down the science behind the headlines and explains what the latest Texas study actually found. You'll learn how murine typhus is transmitted, why cats are getting blamed for a much larger ecological issue, why Galveston has become a hotspot, whether indoor cats are at risk, and what practical steps you can take to pro...

Do cats really need water fountains, or is it just clever pet industry marketing? In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss dives into the science of feline hydration. Learn why cats evolved to get most of their water from prey, why dry food changes the equation, and what happens when cats don't get enough moisture. Molly explores whether cats truly prefer running water, the surprising role of biofilm in water bowl rejection, and why your cat's nose may be detecting problems long before y...

Cats have been worshipped, feared, smuggled onto ships, awarded military medals, and even used in ancient warfare. In this solo episode, Molly dives into some of the most obscure, surprising, and downright unbelievable cat facts from history, science, and culture. Learn how cats helped win battles, why some cats have "extra toes," how felines may manipulate humans with their purrs, and the strange reason cats survived a shipwreck only to become famous. If you think you already know everything ab...

Cats, cancer, glyphosate, and… Agent Orange?! A viral social media comment claimed that glyphosates used on grains are "a version of Agent Orange" and blamed them for rising cancer rates in pets. But is that actually true? In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss separates fear from fact and dives into: what glyphosate actually is why it is NOT Agent Orange where the myth came from the real scientific debate surrounding glyphosate whether there's evidence linking pet food to cancer ...

Cats aren't trying to control you—they're trying to feel safe. In this episode, Molly DeVoss breaks down how a cat's sense of control directly impacts their confidence, behavior, and relationship with you. From scent marking and routine to shelter strategies and real-life household habits, you'll learn how to reduce stress, prevent behavior issues, and build trust by giving your cat what they truly need: predictability and choice.

Is your cat "acting out"… or trying to tell you something? In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly sits down with veterinarian Dr. Kevin Toman to explore the often-overlooked connection between chronic medical issues and feline behavior. From litter box problems to aggression and withdrawal, many behaviors we label as "bad" may actually be signs of pain, discomfort, or underlying illness. With decades of clinical experience, Dr. Toman shares how conditions like arthritis, gastrointestinal iss...

On this hilarious episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss sits down with comedian Matt Koff to talk about his new comedy special Cat Man — an hour of stand-up centered around divorce, middle age, and yes… cats. Matt believes society has a strange bias against men with cats, saying: "People love cats, but men with cats make people uncomfortable. Including me." Molly and Matt dive into why cats challenge masculinity stereotypes, why cat people are often misunderstood, and how living with cats ca...

Your cat isn't just cute—they're a highly specialized predator with a lot in common with one of history's most iconic hunters: Tyrannosaurus rex. In this episode, Molly breaks down the surprising similarities between cats and T. rex—from ambush hunting and jaw mechanics to sensory superpowers and energy conservation (aka sleeping all day, chaos all night). If you've ever been ambushed in a hallway, stared down from across the room, or judged for your life choices… this episode will make a lot of...

What if the biggest health risk in your cat's bowl isn't what's listed on the label… but what's created during processing? In this eye-opening episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explores the potential dangers of charred kibble and what those dark, burnt bits could mean for your cat's long-term health. High-heat processing methods used to make dry food can create harmful compounds like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs)—both linked to cancer and chronic di...

What happens when a cat survives something unimaginable—and finds their way to joy? In this powerful episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss speaks with Deborah Felin Magaldi, Director of Cat PAWS, about the incredible story of Benny—a cat who was found with a broken jaw and has since made a remarkable recovery… complete with a birthday celebration. But Benny's story is about more than survival. It highlights an important and often under-discussed reality: 👉 animal abuse and domestic violence...