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 [email protected] 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 lying near a box keep a cat from using it? Why do cats generally prefer a sandy, unscented substrate? And why might that fancy self-cleaning litter box you love be terrifying your cat? We'll talk about cleanliness, escape routes, covered versus uncovered boxes, when to replace an old box, and the simple little things you can do to make your cat's bathroom more comfortable, predictable and secure. Because when it comes to litter boxes, your cat isn't being difficult—they're communicating.

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 automatically want another cat. Molly explains why cats rely so heavily on predictability and routine, how grief and environmental change can affect a senior cat, why a 15-year-old cat and a one-year-old cat may have very different ideas about what constitutes a good time, and why liking one cat does not mean liking all cats. She also tackles what to do if you've already brought home a new cat and the introduction has gone badly—including why repeated chasing and fighting can create lasting negative associations and why sometimes the best solution is to go all the way back to the beginning. Before you decide to "replace" your senior cat's companion, listen to this episode. Your cat may need another feline friend—or they may need something completely different.

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 titers, three-year versus annual vaccination, and the confusing patchwork of rabies laws across the U.S. We'll also tackle some of the myths that surfaced in the comments—including the idea that rabies isn't real, that cats are born with rabies, and that cat-scratch disease is the same thing as rabies. This isn't about telling you what to think. It's about giving you better information so you can ask better questions and make informed decisions for your cat. You asked. Molly dug into the facts. Now let's talk rabies. Again.

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 rabies titers? This isn't an episode telling you what decision to make. Instead, it's designed to help you understand the science, the public health considerations, and the questions every cat owner should ask their veterinarian before the next rabies vaccine appointment. You'll learn: Why rabies is treated differently than other feline diseases. The realistic ways an indoor cat could be exposed. The true risk of injection-site sarcomas. Why some cats seem "grumpy" after vaccination. What rabies titers can—and can't—tell you. The best questions to discuss with your veterinarian. Knowledge leads to better conversations—and better care for your cat.

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'll discover: Why cats aren't true grazers How healthy hunger activates the feline brain The role dopamine plays in anticipation and mealtime excitement Why "working" for food improves emotional well-being How meal feeding strengthens your relationship with your cat Why scheduled meals make training and behavior modification easier Practical ways to transition from free feeding to meal feeding without stress If you want a happier, healthier, more engaged cat, this episode may completely change the way you think about the food bowl.