Are you sure your home is ready for the holidays, or are there hidden dangers for your pet that you haven’t thought about yet?

Most pet parents prep for the obvious hazards, but the real risks are the ones you never see coming. In today’s episode, veterinarian Dr. Zoo joins me for a walk-through of the surprising holiday hazards that slip into your home without you realizing it. From toxic treats to vintage décor to medications in bags and purses, we’re breaking down the early warning signs that something is wrong and why timing matters more than most people realize.

To raise awareness of common, current-day hazards, we discuss a wide range of items and substances that may appear in homes during the holidays, including some that may be legal in some places and illegal in others. No matter where you live, anything intoxicating or medicinal should always be kept securely out of reach of pets.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:
• How to spot the subtle early signs of toxicity before they escalate
• Why some holiday substances become dangerous long before symptoms appear
• What to do immediately if you find evidence your pet got into something
• The one resource every pet parent should save in their phone for emergencies

Holiday chaos is stressful enough without a trip to the emergency vet. This episode gives you the insight you need to catch problems early and keep the season safe for your pets.

CONNECT WITH DR. ZOO
Family Animal Hospital | Website

OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435

Support the show

Love the show? Share it with someone navigating the chaos of pet parenting, and please leave a 5-star review so others can find the pet advice they need.

Follow:🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Pet parenting can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling behavior issues, unexpected costs, or conflicting information. Every week, you’ll get clear, expert pet advice with simple steps you can actually use NOW, plus pet cost hacks that help you save money without sacrificing your pet’s wellbeing.

We cover training and behavior guidance, nutrition insights, stress-free vet visit tips, cleaning and home routines, and smart ways to manage life in multi-pet households. Everything is practical, supportive, and built for real life.

No fluff, no guilt, just real pet parenting advice with expert guidance and practical tools you can use today, plus easy ways to plan and budget so pet expenses don’t derail you.

Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Do your holiday guests expect your pets to be quiet, invisible, or perfectly behaved on command?
If you have friends or family visiting who are not big pet lovers, it can put pressure on you and cause a lot of confusion for your pets. This "Quick Fix" episode breaks down simple ways to keep the peace, protect your pets’ emotional safety, and avoid the uncomfortable moments that happen when visitors expect your animals to disappear.

A lot of pet parents feel guilty when guests complain about barking, hair, or normal pet behavior, but guilt leads to last-minute scrambling and stressed-out pets. You’ll learn how to set expectations, guide your guests, and prevent holiday chaos before it starts.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
• How to set expectations with guests before they arrive
• Simple scripts that stop people from correcting or confusing your pets
• How to create a calm zone that reduces holiday stress for everyone

A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your holidays calm and keeping your pets happy, safe, and understood.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Don't Be THAT Person: How To Be a Great Houseguest When You Bring Your Pets Along

Holiday guests coming who don’t love your pets? Don’t miss the December 3rd Quick Fix bonus episode. Amy shares simple ways to set expectations, create boundaries, and shut down holiday drama before it even starts. Listen in and keep everyone in your house off the naughty list.

Support the show

Love the show? Share it with someone navigating the chaos of pet parenting, and please leave a 5-star review so others can find the pet advice they need.

Follow:🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Pet parenting can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling behavior issues, unexpected costs, or conflicting information. Every week, you’ll get clear, expert pet advice with simple steps you can actually use NOW, plus pet cost hacks that help you save money without sacrificing your pet’s wellbeing.

We cover training and behavior guidance, nutrition insights, stress-free vet visit tips, cleaning and home routines, and smart ways to manage life in multi-pet households. Everything is practical, supportive, and built for real life.

No fluff, no guilt, just real pet parenting advice with expert guidance and practical tools you can use today, plus easy ways to plan and budget so pet expenses don’t derail you.

Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

Are you wondering whether your child is actually ready for a pet, or are they just deep in the “please please please” phase? Most parents hear “Can we get a dog?” on loop, but pet parenting isn’t as simple as saying yes. When kids aren’t truly ready, it can create pet behavior issues, safety concerns, and a whole lot of pet care stress for the adults.

In today’s episode, parenting expert and children’s book creator Dori Durbin joins me to break down six signs of true pet readiness so families can make confident decisions before bringing a new pet home. This conversation gives you practical pet help you can actually use, especially if you want to avoid common pet behavior problems in those early weeks.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:
• Emotional Control: Why kids need to regulate big feelings and excitement before adding a new pet to the family
• Respect for Boundaries: How understanding personal space and basic animal body language keeps kids and pets safe
• Realistic Responsibility: What age-appropriate responsibility looks like and how to tell whether your child can consistently follow through with daily pet care
• Empathy: How helping kids connect a pet’s needs to real-life experiences builds long-term commitment and better pet behavior outcomes
• Handling Frustration With Support: Why kids must be able to manage frustration when pets don’t cooperate, especially during training or behavior hiccups
• Family Readiness: How family routine, stability, and financial capacity shape success more than your child’s excitement alone

If you’re trying to decide whether your child is ready for a dog or cat, this episode gives you clear pet advice, next steps, and practical ways to prepare your home for a calmer, safer experience with family pets.

CONNECT WITH DORI DURBIN
Website | www.doridurbin.com
Podcast | That’s Good Parenting: Episode with Amy on What Parents Should Know Before Getting a Pet

Support the show

Love the show? Share it with someone navigating the chaos of pet parenting, and please leave a 5-star review so others can find the pet advice they need.

Follow:🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify

Pet parenting can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling behavior issues, unexpected costs, or conflicting information. Every week, you’ll get clear, expert pet advice with simple steps you can actually use NOW, plus pet cost hacks that help you save money without sacrificing your pet’s wellbeing.

We cover training and behavior guidance, nutrition insights, stress-free vet visit tips, cleaning and home routines, and smart ways to manage life in multi-pet households. Everything is practical, supportive, and built for real life.

No fluff, no guilt, just real pet parenting advice with expert guidance and practical tools you can use today, plus easy ways to plan and budget so pet expenses don’t derail you.

Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying your pets again.

Contact: Amy@petparenthotline.com

©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro