Golden Whiskers with Scott Colby

Today’s episode is meaty in the best way—because we’re diving into cat nutrition with one of the best in the biz: Dr. Ruth Roberts, creator of The Original CrockPet Diet and a pioneer in holistic pet health. From kittens to senior cats with kidney disease, we cover what to feed your feline at every stage of life.Whether you’re still feeding kibble or are ready to make your own food from scratch, this episode is packed with easy-to-understand, practical tips to give your cat the best shot at longevity, vitality, and a very happy belly.🐾 In This Episode:* Why most cats should not eat starchy carbs (bye rice & potatoes 👋)* How to make a slow, safe transition from kibble to canned, then to cooked or raw* What to look for (and avoid) in canned cat food* Easy food upgrades for cats with kidney disease* Why feeding variety matters (and why too many proteins in one meal might be a problem!)* The truth about taurine—and how to make sure your cat gets enough* Toppers, supplements, and homemade tips for feline gut health* How to use fermented foods like yogurt and goat milk for better digestion* The one weird human food Dr. Ruth wants you to try adding to your cat’s bowl (spoiler: it's chewy!)📘 Dr. Ruth’s Recommendations for Cat Owners🧠 Start simple: If your cat’s been eating kibble for years, transition slowly to canned, then to cooked or raw🥩 Stick to one protein per meal to reduce food sensitivities and support gut health🛑 Avoid starches like peas, potatoes, and rice in your cat’s food💧 Moisture is everything—especially for cats with kidney disease. Add broth or water to food and use filtered water when possible🌈 Feed the rainbow: Add colorful veggies (cooked and pureed) to support the microbiome🧂 Use toppers like sardines, bone broth, or butter to make new foods tastier🧬 Use omega-3s and probiotics: especially helpful for cats with inflammation or digestive issues💪 For cats with kidney disease: prioritize moisture, avoid low-protein diets unless absolutely necessary, and explore phosphate binders if needed🔬 Want to cook at home? Check out training from Feed Real Institute, Dr. Ian Billinghurst, or work with one of Dr. Ruth’s certified Holistic Pet Health Coaches🌐 Where to Find Dr. Ruth Roberts* 💻 Website: drruthroberts.com* 📘 Facebook: The Original Holistic Pet Health Coach* 📸 Instagram: @dr.ruthroberts* 📺 YouTube: Dr. Ruth Roberts✨ Final Thought“Feeding your cat better doesn’t mean doing everything all at once. Start where you are—and take one small step forward. Even switching from kibble to canned is a big win.”— Dr. Ruth Roberts🎧 Listen now and give your cat the gift of a longer, healthier, happier life.💬 Got questions? Leave a comment and let us know.🐾 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow cat lover. The more we learn together, the longer and healthier our cats can live.See you next time on The Golden Whiskers Podcast! 😺💛 Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

If you've ever found yourself reacting to your cat’s health issues—rushing to the vet after symptoms show up—this episode is for you. I sat down with the one and only Pam Roussell, holistic health junkie and founder of Purrrfectly Holistic, to talk about how cat parents can finally stop playing symptom whack-a-mole and start taking a proactive approach to feline wellness.This episode is packed with wisdom, stories (including some about Mia, Niko, and Milo), and simple tips to help your cat thrive—not just survive.🐾 What We Talked About:* Why so many cat parents stay stuck in the “treat the symptom” cycle* The #1 question you should ask when your cat is having ongoing issues* What “proactive cat care” actually looks like in real life* How to spot when your cat isn’t truly thriving (even if they “seem fine”)* New diagnostic tools you can do from home 🧪* Why symptoms are actually your cat’s best ally* Pam’s holistic journey from fitness trainer to feline wellness expert📘 Pam’s Recommendations for Cat Owners:Pam shared several proactive tools and ideas you can start exploring today:✅ VDI Labs and Innovative Pet Labs – for at-home gut and health testing✅ AnimalBiome – for microbiome and poop testing✅ Raw & fresh food diets – ditch the kibble and nourish with real food✅ Energy healing modalities – like Reiki, Mind Body Spirit Release, and even Akashic Record readings for pets✅ Build a team – consider holistic vets, communicators, rehab specialists & more🥣 What’s In Pam’s Cat’s Bowl?Pam currently has 4 cats: Gunner (16), Aylen (9), and two 2-year-olds from different mamas. Here's what they're loving:* 🥩 Darwin’s Raw Food* 🧊 Simple Food Project freeze-dried crumbles* 🐟 Sardines in water—every morning!* 🍖 Northwest Naturals treats🌐 Where to Find Pam:🔗 Website + Blog: purrrfectlyholistic.com📸 Instagram: @purrrfectlyholistic📘 Facebook: Purrrfectly Holistic▶️ YouTube: Purrrfectly Holistic ChannelPam offers virtual services around the world including energy healing, mind-body-spirit release, animal communication, and more.💭 Final Thought:“Symptoms are like the check engine light on your dashboard—they're not your enemy. They’re your cat’s way of saying: Hey, something’s out of balance—help me! Don’t ignore it. Get curious.” —Pam Roussell🐾 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow cat lover. The more we learn together, the longer and healthier our cats can live.See you next time on The Golden Whiskers Podcast! 😺💛 Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

Did you know the colors in your home could be affecting your cat’s mood and well-being? 🎨 This week on The Golden Whiskers Podcast, we explore something a little unexpected but totally fascinating—color therapy for cats!I sat down with Julie-Anne Heart, holistic cat therapist, psychologist, and founder of Naturally Cats, to dive into how color therapy works, why it’s beneficial for your cat, and how choice is key in helping your cat feel better emotionally, energetically, and physically.We also swap stories about our own cats—from Julie-Anne’s late cat Pickle, who inspired her work, to how my boys Niko and Milo reacted after a stressful vet visit (hint: color therapy helped!).🐱 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:* What color therapy is and why it helps cats heal* The connection between chakras and your cat’s well-being* How to introduce color therapy (without forcing anything!)* Specific colors to support stress, anxiety, love, and grounding* How to let your cat choose what they need to heal* Everyday items you can use for color therapy (yes—even socks and pens!)📘 Julie-Anne’s Recommendations for Cat Owners:* Offer your cat a choice of colors:* Gather 7 items in the colors of the rainbow:❤️ Red (Root)🧡 Orange (Sacral)💛 Yellow (Solar Plexus)💚 Green (Heart)💙 Blue (Throat)💜 Indigo (Third Eye)🤍 Violet/White (Crown)* These could be scraps of fabric, socks, pens, or even Post-it notes!* Observe how your cat interacts:* Do they sit near or paw at one color? Do they avoid another?* Trust your cat’s instincts—they know what they need to heal!* Use color therapy for specific issues:* Stress/Anxiety? → Offer Red for grounding* Feeling disconnected? → Try Green for heart support* After vet visits (like Niko’s ER trip)? → Use Red for the stressed cat and Green for the companion* Want to learn more?* Check out Julie-Anne’s books:* The Aromatic Cat (with Nayana Morag)* Cat Chakras (available signed on her website or on Amazon)🔗 Connect with Julie-Anne Heart:🌐 Website: naturallycats.co.uk📖 Books: The Aromatic Cat and Cat Chakras📺 YouTube: Naturally Cats YouTube Channel📸 Instagram: @naturallycats📘 Facebook: Naturally CatsJulie-Anne also offers:✨ Cat Chakra Treatments✨ Soul Sensing Treatments✨ Become a Solid Cat Guardian Program (helping anxious cat parents feel more grounded and connected with their cats)💡 Your Action Step This Week:Try offering your cat a rainbow of colors and watch what they choose! 🐾I’d love to hear what happens—hit reply or comment below and tell me your cat’s favorite color, or tag me on social with your photos or stories!💭 Final Thought:When we open our hearts and truly listen to our cats, we discover that they’re not just companions—they’re teachers. Offering your cat the choice to engage with colors isn’t just about healing them—it’s about strengthening your connection and honoring their needs as sensitive, sentient beings. 💛Take a moment today to slow down, observe, and give your cat a voice in their own wellness journey.🎙️Loved This Episode?Subscribe to The Golden Whiskers Podcast and leave a review—it helps spread the word so more cat parents can help their furry friends live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

In today’s episode of The Golden Whiskers Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Amaya Espindola—a holistic veterinarian, feline nutrition specialist, and professional singer (yes, she sings to cats!). We’re diving into a topic every cat parent needs to hear:🐾 How to give your kitten the best possible start for a lifetime of health and happiness.Whether you’re adopting your first kitten or adding to a multi-cat household, this conversation is packed with vital tips on nutrition, behavior, and emotional well-being that can make all the difference.🐱 What You'll Learn:✨ Why your kitten’s earliest experiences (even before birth!) matter so much.✨ Key differences between adopting and buying a kitten—and how those choices affect long-term wellness.✨ Nutrition essentials: Why gut health and raw feeding can set your kitten up for success.✨ Preventing behavior problems: How to raise a confident, well-adjusted kitten without the chaos.✨ Introducing kittens to existing pets: Tips for smooth transitions in multi-cat households.📘 Dr. Amaya’s Top Recommendations for Cat Owners:* 🐾 Adopt in pairs: Kittens learn best from each other—consider bringing home two, not just one!* 🍼 Give kittens time with mom: Early separation can lead to long-term behavior and health issues. Let the mother cat lead the weaning process.* 🍖 Prioritize gut health: If possible, start kittens on raw food—it’s the most natural and bioavailable. For orphans, use colostrum to support immune health.* 😺 Avoid adding stress to senior or sick cats: Hold off on bringing in kittens if you have older or ill cats at home. It can do more harm than good.* 🕒 Make time for play and connection: Kittens need structure, attention, and interaction—they’re not as “low maintenance” as people think!🍽️ What’s In Dr. Amaya’s Cats’ Bowl?* Nilo & Gwyn Joplin are chowing down on raw chicken (though rabbit is their top pick!).* 🦁 Lion’s Mane Mushroom for Nilo to help manage his IBD and support gut health naturally.💻 Connect with Dr. Amaya Espindola:* 📸 Instagram: @felvetforcats* 📘 Facebook: Felvet For Cats* 🎶 Her Discord Community for cat parents—featuring sound therapy, feline lullabies, and support for nurturing happy, healthy cats. Join the community here.🐱 Final Thought:Your kitten’s health journey starts long before they curl up in your lap for the first time. From the environment they’re born into, to the food they eat, to the time they spend with their mother—these early choices can shape their future. The good news? With a little knowledge and heart (which you clearly have if you’re here), you can make a lasting difference in their life. 😻Thank you for being the kind of cat parent who cares deeply and keeps learning. 💛🎙️Loved This Episode?Subscribe to The Golden Whiskers Podcast and leave a review—it helps spread the word so more cat parents can help their furry friends live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

🐾 What This Episode Is AboutIn this heart-centered, eye-opening episode of The Golden Whiskers podcast, I’m joined by Melissa Sherman, a holistic pet health coach, animal communicator, and the founder of Calming Creek. Together, we explore how to move beyond the basics and truly tune in to your cat’s emotional and energetic world.Melissa shares the journey that started it all—her cat Jolie’s battle with hyperthyroidism—and how it opened her eyes to the power of curiosity, intuition, and holistic care. We also talk about how our own stress can affect our cats, and what we can do about it. Spoiler: it starts with slowing down. 🧘‍♀️🐈💡 In This Episode, You'll Learn:✅ What “unwanted behaviors” like peeing outside the litter box are really trying to tell you✅ How your cat may be mirroring your stress or grief—and how to help both of you✅ Easy ways to start meditating with your cat (even if you’ve never meditated before!)✅ Melissa’s go-to holistic strategies to support mind, body, and spirit✅ What’s in Melissa’s cat bowls—and why she adds powdered medicinal mushrooms 😮🍄✅ Life on her farm with cats, goats, pigs, chickens, and dogs—and how they all get along📘 Melissa’s Recommendations for Cat OwnersHere are a few of Melissa’s favorite tips for becoming a more conscious cat parent:🧘 Start with a 5-minute meditation with your cat—just breathe and observe📓 Journal your cat’s behaviors or moods—notice the patterns!🥩 Feed a species-appropriate diet (ditch the dry kibble and explore home-cooked or raw if possible)🎯 Look inward when your cat acts out—your energy may be the clue🐾 Spend intentional time with your cat—play, snuggle, connect🎶 Try sound healing (or even Cat TV with birdsong!) for calming vibes🌿 Explore herbs or natural remedies—with the guidance of a holistic pro🌐 Learn More About Melissa Sherman & Calming Creek📍 Website: CalmingCreek.com📸 Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing📬 Substack: Calming Creek on Substack🧘‍♀️ The Conscious Cat Parent: A live, 4-week experience to help you create a more grounded, holistic home for your cat—and yourself.🐱 Final ThoughtIf you’ve ever looked at your cat and thought, What are you trying to tell me?—this episode is for you. Melissa reminds us that our cats are always communicating... we just have to learn how to listen. 💛🎙️ Loved this episode?Please subscribe to the Golden Whiskers Podcast, leave a review, or share it with a fellow cat lover—it helps other cat parents find this show and learn how to give their cats the life they deserve. Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

Welcome to another episode of the Golden Whiskers Podcast! Today, we are joined by Dr. Rachel Geller, a renowned cat behavior specialist and the founder of the nonprofit All Cats All The Time. In this episode, we delve into common cat behavior issues that perplex many cat parents, including litter box challenges, furniture scratching, and the intricacies of cat-to-cat introductions.🔍 Key Topics Explored:* Understanding Cat Behavior: Why knowing the feline perspective is essential 🐱* Litter Box Solutions: Practical tips for common litter box issues 📦* New Cat Introductions: How to make bringing home a new cat smoother 🏡* Scratch Management: Preventing your furniture from turning into confetti 🛋️* Nighttime Troubles: Dealing with cats that disturb your sleep 🌜📘 Dr. Rachel’s Recommendations for Cat Owners:* Elevate Your Litter Box Game: Ensure your cat's litter box is open, easily accessible, and in a safe location. A plain, open box without high sides in a location that isn’t cornered can make all the difference. 🐈‍⬛* Scratching Post Essentials: Invest in a sturdy, tall (at least three feet), and sisal-wrapped scratching post. This setup encourages natural scratching behavior without damaging your furniture. 🪵* Peaceful Introductions: When introducing a new cat to your household, use a step-by-step approach with scent swapping and controlled visual exposure to ease the transition. 🚪* Addressing Behavioral Issues: For cats disrupting your sleep or overly seeking attention, engage in interactive play sessions that mimic hunting before bed. This can help reset their internal clock and reduce nighttime restlessness. 🌛* Utilize Puzzle Feeders: Keep puzzle feeders handy for early morning wake-ups or to keep your cat entertained while you're away. These encourage natural hunting instincts and keep your cat mentally stimulated. 🧩🎤 About Dr. Rachel Geller: Dr. Rachel is the heart and soul behind All Cats All The Time, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at reducing cat surrender through behavior counseling. With certifications galore and a house full of rescue cats, she's the go-to guru for all things cat behavior! 🌟💬 Notable Moments:* Dr. Rachel shares heartfelt stories about her rescue cats, Abraham and Sosil, showcasing the deep connections they share. 🐾* She offers expert advice on modifying challenging cat behaviors, ensuring our feline companions are both understood and cared for. 📘🌟 Dr. Rachel's Final Tip: Remember, understanding your cat's behavior from a feline perspective helps create a happier and more harmonious home. Be patient and consistent with your efforts, and don't hesitate to reach out for professional help if needed.🔗 Connect with Dr. Rachel Geller:* Website: Dr. Rachel Cat Behavior* Follow: Find links to her social media on her website for daily tips and cat tales! 📲InstagramFacebook🤝 Support All Cats All The Time: Help keep cats in their loving homes by supporting Dr. Rachel's nonprofit, which provides essential support for cat owners facing challenges. Learn more and donate here: All Cats All The Time. ❤️👏 Closing Thoughts: Dr. Rachel's passion and expertise not only educate but inspire all cat parents to better understand and bond with their cats. If you found this episode enlightening, don't forget to subscribe and help us share more feline wisdom with the world! 🌍🙏 Thank You for Listening! Catch our next episode for more insights into feline wellness. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our channel to help us reach more cat enthusiasts 🐱. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and don't forget to join us next time for more feline wellness insights! 💬😺 Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Golden Whiskers podcast, we're diving into the world of feline dental health with Penny Wood, aka Dr. Zoolittle. As a celebrated longevity zoologist and animal welfare consultant, Penny shares invaluable insights on keeping our cats teeth healthy.🔍 Key Points Discussed:* 🦷 Preventative Dental Care: Learn why the mouth is a crucial gateway to overall health and how holistic practices can prevent numerous issues. 🌿* 👀 Recognizing Dental Problems: Penny points out subtle signs that might indicate dental problems in cats and explains why early intervention is so critical. 🚨* 🌱 Natural Dental Hygiene: Explore alternatives to brushing, such as dietary adjustments and natural supplements that mirror the dental care practices of wild animals. 🍃* 👵 Senior Cats and Dental Health: Get strategies for managing and improving dental health in older cats, with a focus on prevention and holistic remedies. 🐈‍⬛* 😺 Penny’s Personal Touch: Enjoy the quirky stories of Penny’s cats, Merri and Pippin, and learn how her personal experiences shape her professional advice. 🎉📘 Penny’s Recommendations for Cat Owners:* Integrate dental care into daily routines without the stress for you or your cat. 😌* Use natural products like kelp and herbal tinctures to maintain oral health. 🌊* Ensure a diet that supports both dental and overall health, rich in essential minerals and nutrients. 🥦🔗 Connect with Penny Wood:* Visit her website at DrZoolittle.co* Follow her on Instagram: @DrZoolittle* Grab Penny’s free dental care guide for cats, a must-read for starting preventive measures or tackling existing dental issues. 📚 You can download the guide here. 🌟 Closing Thoughts: Penny reminds us that dental health is not optional but essential for our cats. Her practical advice can save thousands of dollars and prevent needless suffering for our pets. 🏥Thank you for tuning into the Golden Whiskers Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our channel to help us reach more cat enthusiasts 🐱. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and don't forget to join us next time for more feline wellness insights! 💬 Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

In this special intro episode, host Scott shares the story behind Golden Whiskers — and why this podcast exists for cat parents who want to feel confident in the care they’re giving.You’ll hear:* What inspired this show (and how two senior cats changed everything)* Who this podcast is for — whether you’re raising a kitten or loving a wise old soul* What to expect in each episode (short, practical, expert-led, and fun)* How Scott is applying everything he learns with his current cats, Niko and Milo* Why this podcast goes beyond cat care — and into love, longevity, and legacyIf you love your cat like family and want to give them the healthiest, happiest life possible, you’re in the right place.👉 Subscribe now, share this with a fellow cat lover, and join the newsletter at goldenwhiskerslove.com for episode summaries, live Q&As, and more. Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe