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Hiss & Tell: Cat Behavior and Beyond

Kristiina Wilson

Welcome to "Hiss & Tell" a cat podcast where we delve deep into the fascinating world of feline behavior with your host, Kristiina Wilson, MA, CCBC, a professional animal behaviorist with years of experience in understanding our feline friends.

Each episode of "Hiss & Tell" features insightful discussions with a diverse range of guests, including leading veterinarians, renowned social media cat personalities, dedicated researchers and scientists, talented cat photographers, experts in cat behavior and training and so much more.

Join us as we explore a myriad of topics, from decoding the complexities of pet loss to unraveling the mysteries of feline health and behavior. Discover the latest research findings, practical tips for training your cat, and heartwarming stories that highlight the unique bond between cats and their human companions.

Whether you're a seasoned cat owner, a feline enthusiast, or simply curious about the inner workings of our purring companions, "Hiss & Tell" is your go-to podcast for all things cat behavior. So grab your favorite feline friend, cozy up, and let's embark on this enlightening journey together!

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S3 · E51
July 10 · 50 min
Why We Keep Underestimating Cats With Dr. Monique Udell
Send us Fan Mail Cats have a reputation for being mysterious, stubborn, and “low maintenance” but that story falls apart fast when you look at the science. I’m joined by Dr. Monique Udell, professor at Oregon State University and director of the Human Animal Interaction Lab, to unpack what research reveals about feline cognition, cat communication, and the everyday ways cats pay attention to us. We talk about why dog cognition has dominated the spotlight, how early psychology research actually relied on cats, and what changes when we design studies that make sense to feline motivation. Dr. Udell shares what her lab is learning about cats in training classes, cat assisted interventions, and cat child partnerships, plus the surprisingly important role of social rewards. If you’ve ever felt like your cat “gets bored” with treats or quits after a few reps, you’ll understand why that can be normal cat behavior, not a personality flaw. Then we dive into the signals many of us miss: subtle body language, consent cues during petting, how cats respond to human attention, and why scent, sound, and even learned words matter in a cat’s world. We also break down persistent myths that harm cat welfare, from the idea that cats can’t be trained to the belief that indoor cats don’t need daily enrichment. You’ll leave with concrete, evidence-based ideas for enrichment, play, and foundational skills like carrier training and harness training that can make vet care and emergencies safer. Subscribe for more science-backed cat behavior conversations, share this with a fellow cat person, and leave a rating or review if it helped you see your cat differently.
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S3 · E50
June 22 · 58 min
Why Pet Loss Hurts: Grief, Love, and the Cats We Carry with s.e. smith
Send us Fan Mail Grief gets policed in ways we rarely admit, and pet loss is where that policing shows up fast. When someone says “it was just a cat,” they’re not only dismissing your relationship, they’re dodging the reality that love creates responsibility and loss. I’m joined by journalist and author s.e. smith to talk about their upcoming book, *All My Dead Cats and Other Losses*, and how pet bereavement can open the door to deeper, more honest conversations about mourning in the United States. We dig into why our culture struggles to validate grief, why people often show up briefly and then disappear, and how capitalism pressures us to return to work and “be normal” before we’ve processed anything. s.e. breaks down the bias in how people respond to dog loss versus cat loss, how pets can represent entire eras of our lives, and what it means to treat grief as a collective project instead of a private burden you’re supposed to handle alone. We also get practical about end-of-life care: euthanasia guilt, the myth of the peaceful “natural death,” quality-of-life tracking, and the value of planning ahead so you’re not forced into a crisis goodbye. Then we talk rituals that actually help, from memorials and viewings to altars and carrying small mementos, plus how social media can both normalize grief and complicate it with parasocial intensity. If you’ve ever felt ashamed of how deeply you grieve an animal companion or unsure how to support someone who is hurting, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves their pets, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show.
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S3 · E49
June 11 · 47 min
What Your Cat's Litter Box Behavior Is Really Telling You With Dr. Jacklyn Ellis
Send us Fan Mail Cat pee on the rug. Poop beside the box. A cat who “always used it before” and suddenly won’t. Those moments feel personal, but they’re usually biology, stress, or a litter box setup that isn’t working anymore. I’m joined by Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, Director of Behavior at the Toronto Humane Society, to get uncomfortably specific about what cats are doing in the litter box and what they’re trying to tell us. We unpack the science of feline elimination behavior, including how researchers build an ethogram to capture dozens of distinct “micro behaviors” that most of us never notice. Dr. Ellis explains what changes when cats move between an enriched environment and a restrictive, clinic-like one and why holding urine can be more than a behavior issue. We also talk about the subtle signs of discomfort, from pawing at the wall to repeated aborted attempts, and when a vet visit matters even if your cat seems “fine,” especially with conditions tied to FLUTD and hidden pain. Then we dive into her multicat household litter box research: clean vs dirty boxes, whether cats care who used it, and the surprising difference between odor and physical obstruction. If you’ve ever wondered how often to scoop, whether scented litter helps, or how “one box per cat plus one” actually plays out in real homes, you’ll leave with clear, practical guidance, including how to run a simple preference test and why box size is often the biggest win. If this helped you see your cat differently, subscribe, share the episode with a fellow cat person, and leave a rating or review so more owners can solve litter box problems with empathy and evidence.
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S3 · E48
May 26 · 36 min
Cat Anxiety, Aggression & Medication with Dr. Sagi Denenberg
Send us Fan Mail Cat aggression, overgrooming, and litter box “problems” are easy to label and surprisingly hard to solve, especially when we treat the behavior as the diagnosis. We sit down with veterinary psychiatrist Dr. Sagi Dennenberg to get underneath the label and into what’s actually driving the cat’s behaviors: fear, anxiety, frustration, learned patterns, pain, and even underdiagnosed skin disease. We talk about why behavior and physical health are inseparable in cats, including how stress can skew vital signs and lab results and why “my cat is not herself” can be an early warning sign before anything obvious shows up on an exam. Sagi explains what a true behavioral diagnosis looks like, why home observation and video can reveal subtle pain, and how clinicians can avoid the trap of calling something “psychogenic” too quickly. Then we demystify psychoactive medications for cats. We cover what meds can realistically do (normalize biological behaviors and lower emotional intensity) and what they cannot do (teach skills or replace behavior modification). You’ll hear how diagnosis guides medication choice, what to expect from SSRIs like fluoxetine, how to think about timelines and tapering, and why many “side effects” are actually a return to normal sleep and eating patterns. We also get practical about dosing challenges, including when transdermal medications may help and when they can backfire, especially in multicat homes. If you’ve felt unsure about cat behavior meds, worried about side effects, or stuck with an ongoing behavior issue, this conversation will give you a clearer framework and more confidence in your next steps. Subscribe for more, share this with a fellow cat person, and leave a rating or review so more listeners can find the show.
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S3 · E47
May 12 · 38 min
Cat Body Language & Stress Signals with Dr. Serenella d'Ingeo
Send us Fan Mail Your cat is “telling you” what they feel. The problem is that most of us are listening with the wrong cues. I sit down with Professor Serenella d'Ingeo, an animal physiology and behavior researcher, to unpack what the science of feline communication actually says and why humans routinely miss stress signals that are right in front of us. We talk about why cats can seem aloof or unreadable compared with dogs, including their different domestication history and the fact that cats are facultatively social. From there, we dig into research findings that are a little uncomfortable but incredibly useful: people are only slightly better than chance at identifying whether a cat is relaxed, tense, or fearful, and the observer’s characteristics and experience can matter more than the cat’s behavior itself. If you live with an indoor cat whose environment depends on you, that gap in understanding has real consequences for welfare, chronic stress, anxiety, and behavior problems. Then we get practical with cat body language and petting consent. We break down what to watch across the whole body, how pupil size can be an early indicator of arousal, and why “staying still” during petting is not the same as enjoying it. I also share an easy tool for cat parents: record your petting sessions on your phone and replay them to catch the tiny moment your cat says “enough” before it turns into petting aggression. We also explore multicat household dynamics and when to intervene, plus one of the most fascinating studies on cat scent and brain lateralization, including a nostril preference linked to stress processing. If you care about cat behavior, feline stress signals, and building a calmer home, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a fellow cat person, then leave a rating or review so more listeners can find the show.
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S3 · E46
April 28 · 52 min
How to Help Your Cat Live Longer with Dr. Kevin Toman
Send us Fan Mail Your cat isn’t “fine” just because they’re quiet! Cats are built to hide pain, and that’s exactly why so many chronic issues like kidney disease, dental disease, arthritis, hypertension, and even heart disease get missed until they explode into a crisis. I sit down with veterinarian Dr. Kevin Toman, who has 40 years in practice and now focuses on pet longevity science, to talk about how to help cats not only live longer but live better. We dig into the subtle at-home signals that matter most, why litter box changes often point to medical problems, and how simple diagnostics like SDMA, urinalysis, blood pressure checks, and the Pro-BNP test can act as an early warning system. If you’ve ever wondered whether your cat’s “aging” is actually treatable pain, this conversation gives you a practical framework. We also tackle the confusing stuff: supplement hype versus evidence, nutrition marketing that targets humans instead of feline biology, and the most reliable longevity lever most households can actually implement: calorie control paired with better enrichment. Then we get into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition Dr. Toman says may affect up to one in six cats, and what’s changed recently with rapamycin and other prescription longevity drugs. We close with clear, actionable steps and the kinds of “why” questions to ask your vet so your cat’s care fits their real risk. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with another cat guardian, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show. What’s one health topic you want us to go deeper on next?
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S3 · E45
April 14 · 53 min
How to Find a Lost Cat with Cat Detective Kim Freeman
Send us Fan Mail Your cat is missing and everyone has advice, but a lot of it can make things worse. I sit down with Kimberly Freeman, a professional lost cat finder who has reunited cats with their families across nearly every state and more than 24 countries, to lay out what actually works when a missing cat disappears into stress mode. We dig into lost cat behavior: why cats often hide in silence, why they may not come when called, and why a friendly cat can still hiss or bite when you finally find them. Kimberly breaks down the biggest myths in the lost pet world, including putting a litter box outside, relying on social media alone, and assuming a cat is dead after just a few days. We also talk about how far indoor-only cats typically go, why some cats get trapped in basements, garages, and sheds, and the surprisingly common “transport” scenario where a cat rides under a car and jumps out miles away. You’ll hear a practical, science-based approach to searching: how to profile your specific situation using indoor vs outdoor history, personality, weather, and neighborhood layout, plus the real clues most people miss like fur, paw prints, fence marks, and patterns of movement. We clear up microchip misconceptions (it’s ID, not GPS), compare GPS collars, RFID, and AirTags, and share what to do in the first hour, including how to avoid lost pet scams. If you want a calm, systematic missing cat search plan you can act on immediately, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more cat behavior help, share this with a friend who loves cats, and please leave a rating or review so more cat parents can find the show.
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S3 · E44
March 31 · 54 min
Inside the Science of Cat Happiness with Dr. Zazie Todd
Send us Fan Mail “My cat is being difficult” is one of the most common lines I hear as a clinical feline behaviorist, and it’s usually pointing to something deeper than “bad behavior.” I’m joined by Dr. Zazie Todd, psychologist, animal behavior expert, psychologist and author of Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy, to unpack what’s really going on when cats swat, bite, hide, scratch the wrong things, or seem moody and unpredictable. We get practical fast: how to set up your home for feline well-being with simple hiding spots and perches, how boredom shows up in indoor cats, and why choices and control matter so much to cat welfare. We also dig into reward-based training and clicker training, including how to teach a cat to feel safe in a carrier so vet visits don’t turn into a wrestling match. Along the way, we talk about why punishment and dominance myths harm the human-cat bond and can increase fear, anxiety, and aggression. Then we zoom in on communication. We break down the body language that people miss, why the “belly flop” isn’t always an invitation, and what to watch for when petting turns into overstimulation. If you live with multiple cats, we cover how to tell real fighting from play by looking for role swaps, loose bodies, pauses, and whether claws are out. We also share where feline behavior research is growing and what we still need to learn, especially about kittens and socialization. If you want a calmer home and a happier cat, listen, share it with a fellow cat guardian, and please subscribe and leave a rating or review so more people can find science-based cat behavior help.
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S3 · E43
March 17 · 59 min
All Cats Are Cute: Music, Cats, and the Art of Being Present with CatBeats
Send us Fan Mail Kindness is having a weird moment right now, and I mean that as a compliment. I sit down with CatBeats, a cat-loving electronic musician (and my longtime friend), to talk about how cats can pull us out of our heads and back into the present, whether that shows up as music, meditation, or just learning to live by consent and patience. We dig into how CatBeats began: two cats, a noisy news cycle, and a need for healing music. From there, we get real about grief and what cat grief can look like after a loss, including why animals can struggle quietly in ways people often overlook. We also explore “music for cats,” including research and shelter use cases, and why purring, rhythm, and familiar sound cues may matter more than we think. Then we pivot to community and impact: the All Cats Are Cute charity vinyl and why we chose Brooklyn Animal Action, plus how rescue, TNR, and community cat support depend on humans who rarely get enough backup. We also hit punk history, ethical questions around exotic cats and animal cafes, and a very practical cat behavior tip for stopping nighttime foot attacks (yes, it works, and yes, it takes commitment). If you care about cat behavior, animal welfare, cat rescue, and the oddly healing power of a good purr, you’ll find a lot here. Subscribe for more, share this with a cat person in your life, and please leave a rating or review so the show can reach more listeners.
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S3 · E42
March 5 · 47 min
Feline Hyperesthesia Causes, Symptoms & Treatment with Dr. Stefania Uccheddu
Send us Fan Mail A cat’s skin ripples, the tail whips, and suddenly the whole house feels on edge. We sit down with Dr. Stefania Uccheddu, a veterinary behaviorist and diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioral Medicine, to decode feline hyperesthesia - a condition that blurs the boundaries between neurology, dermatology, and behavior. We share what caregivers actually see - rolling skin, flank licking, tail chasing, self-directed aggression - and why these events often ride a wave of predatory frustration and low resilience. Drawing on Dr. Uccheddu's long-term study, we compare three practical paths: medication alone, behavior modification, and their combination. The headline: both meds and behavior change work, but environmental and behavioral adjustments drive stronger long-term stability. Gabapentin offers fast relief for sensory-pain arousal; fluoxetine supports emotional regulation. Used together with targeted enrichment, they give sensitive cats a calmer baseline and a safer way to live in busy human homes. If you’re navigating hyperesthesia, this conversation delivers a blueprint. We walk through the five pillars of a cat-friendly home, consent-based handling, and play that mimics prey from stalk to catch. You’ll hear how to identify and defuse triggers, create quiet retreats, use puzzle feeders to channel focus, and prevent episodes before they crest. We also unpack early socialization gaps, orphaned kittens, and why modern indoor life can overwhelm genetically sensitive cats - plus how to taper medication after a stable year and keep gabapentin as an “emergency kit” for moves, visitors, and big changes. Come for the science, stay for the hope. With careful observation, smart enrichment, and humane use of medication, even severe cases can turn the corner. If this helped you or someone you know, subscribe, leave a review, and share your cat’s biggest trigger - we’ll feature tips and updates in future Ask the Behaviorist segments.
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S3 · E41
February 20 · 53 min
Sterling “TrapKing” Davis on Diversity, Masculinity, and Breaking Stereotypes in Animal Rescue
Send us Fan Mail What happens when a rising hip-hop artist swaps tour buses for cat traps? Sterling “Trap King” Davis joins us to break down humane TNR with uncommon clarity and even rarer heart. We dig into how trap, neuter, return actually works, why the R is essential for cat safety, and how colony maintenance - shelters, feeding stations, heated water, and quiet routines - turns chaos into calm. If you’ve ever wondered how to start, what gear to use, or how to keep neighbors supportive, this conversation gives you practical moves and a mindset shift. Sterling also tackles the stereotypes that keep people out of animal welfare. Men and cats? Yes. Black rescuers in a cat world? Absolutely. He explains how visibility can rewrite the script for boys raised on hypermasculinity, and why “cat dad” often means a man who understands consent and boundaries. We talk about building trust in underserved communities through “in-reach,” partnering with local voices instead of parachuting in with rules and fines. You’ll hear how kids become trap spotters, how one friendly face can change a block’s culture, and how education outperforms enforcement. Burnout gets real here. Costs have spiked, low-cost spay/neuter slots are scarce, and rescuers can be hardest on one another. Sterling’s One United Paw campaign aims to fix the human side: less competition, more collaboration, and a stronger, more diverse movement. We share feral behavior insights, post-TNR changes, and the myths that refuse to die - black cat “bad luck,” “gay” cats, and the “crazy cat lady” trope. By the end, you’ll see how compassion is not soft - it’s strategy. Listen, learn the ropes of humane TNR, and walk away with new tools for your colony, your city, and your sanity. If this resonated, subscribe, rate, and leave a review—then share with someone who loves cats or wants to help but doesn’t know where to start.
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S3 · E40
February 5 · 48 min
Peeing Outside the Litter Box? It Might Be FLUTD, Not a Behavior Problem
Send us Fan Mail A cat peeing outside the box isn’t a grudge - it’s often pain. We bring back Dr. Gina Rendon, Medical Director of Williamsburg Vets, to decode FLUTD and idiopathic feline cystitis and show how stress biology, environment, and hydration collide to shape behavior. If you’ve wrestled with “inappropriate urination,” this conversation reframes the problem with compassion and clear next steps. We break down how stress hormones can strip the bladder’s protective layer, why male cats face higher obstruction risk, and the subtle signs most people miss - over-grooming, tiny clumps, frequent box trips, or blood in the urine. We also explain exactly when urinary signs become an emergency, what evidence-based diagnostics look like, and why “just give antibiotics” is outdated and risky in an era of antimicrobial resistance. From there, we get practical. Hydration-first management, wet food over dry, and multiple water stations can transform outcomes by reducing urine concentration. Environmental enrichment matters just as much: tall perches, safe pathways, duplicated resources, and daily play that taps a cat’s predatory motor pattern. For bright, anxious cats, clicker training adds mental work and predictable rewards. We also explore short-term anxiolytics for predictable stressors like travel or holidays and how multi-cat micro-tensions can quietly undermine litter box habits. You’ll leave with a checklist you can act on today and trusted resources like the Ohio State Indoor Cat Initiative and iCatCare to go deeper. If this helped, subscribe, share with a fellow cat guardian, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Your support keeps these evidence-based conversations coming.
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S3 · E39
January 21 · 50 min
The Science Of Feline Hellos With Dr. Kaan Kerman
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why your cat saves their biggest “hello” for you at the door—and why some people get louder greetings than others? We sit down with Dr. Kaan Kerman to unpack a new study showing that cats vocalize more during greetings when their caregiver is male. The result surprised the team and opens a fresh window into human – cat communication, where meows, trills, and chirps act less like food requests and more like social glue. We walk through how citizen science made this research possible — real homes, real cats — and why greeting deserves its own category in feline behavior. You’ll hear how vocalizations did not correlate with other affiliative signals like tail-up or rubbing, suggesting parallel channels rather than a single measure of affection. We also confront the hard part: classifying cat sounds is messy, and context matters. That’s why the study coded vocalizations broadly while urging deeper audio analysis across repeated greetings. Our conversation digs into potential reasons for the male-caregiver effect, from differences in how people typically talk to cats to how cats learn what works with specific humans. Culture may play a role, so we sketch research ideas for cross-cultural comparisons and for measuring caregiver behavior—voice, posture, timing — during controlled greeting scenarios. Along the way, we touch on kneading, comfort vs function, and the pitfalls of anthropomorphism, keeping focus on what the data supports. If you want to strengthen your bond, start at the threshold. Notice who your cat greets first, how they sound, and what changes when you mirror their pace, soften your voice, and make your responses consistent. Subscribe for more science-driven insights, share this with a fellow cat person, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s your cat’s signature hello—and who gets it the loudest?
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S3 · E38
January 8 · 39 min
How Stress and Inflammation Shape the Aging Feline Brain with Dr. Federica Pirrone
Send us Fan Mail Senior cats rarely complain, but their brains may be asking for help. We sit down with ethologist Dr. Federica Pirrone from the University of Milan to unpack new research that ties subtle stress behaviors and low-grade inflammation to measurable changes in feline cognition. Using simple, at-home tests — a spatial memory task and an “unsolvable” problem that tracks gaze alternation — her team found that many older cats display greater social flexibility, a kind of earned wisdom. Yet when age intersects with heightened inflammatory markers like interleukin-1β, that flexibility drops, and cats are less likely to look to their caregiver for information or help. We explore what inflammaging actually is and how a persistent, low-level inflammatory state can reach the brain, slowing neural signaling, blunting motivation, and making complex social cues harder to process. You’ll hear practical, science-backed ways to support cognition: predictable routines without boredom, short play sessions, gentle food puzzles, three-dimensional spaces with perches and hiding spots, and consistent nutrition that maintains a healthy body condition. We also share why twice-yearly vet visits for seniors are non-negotiable and how to track “that’s different” moments before they snowball. There’s a hopeful thread through it all: early support can slow decline and extend health span. We talk through a real case where small environmental changes and added food bowls restored confidence and weight in a 14-year-old cat who had started to give up on simple tasks. We also dig into why cats are underrepresented in cognition research, how a supervised, video-based citizen science approach kept cats calm at home, and what longitudinal studies could unlock next. If this conversation helps you spot one subtle shift sooner, share it with a fellow cat guardian, subscribe for more evidence-based insights, and leave a review to help others find the show.
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S3 · E37
Dec 24, 2025 · 45 min
How Pet Owners Power Cat Science with Darwin's Ark
Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what your cat’s DNA can tell us about fetching, affection, and health? We teamed up with Dr. Elinor Karlsson, chief scientist at Darwin’s Ark and professor at UMass Chan and the Broad Institute, to unpack how a simple fur-combing kit and smart surveys can unlock big answers about everyday feline life. No lab coats at home required - just your observations, your cat’s fur, and a few minutes of thoughtful reporting. We dig into why cats are such a powerful, understudied genetic model compared with dogs. Because most cats aren’t shaped by recent, narrow breed histories, their diversity offers cleaner signals for behavior genetics and disease research. That opens the door to questions we’ve struggled to answer: Are fetching and other elements of the predatory sequence strongly heritable? How does early socialization change adult confidence and play? Which common diseases in cats have measurable genetic risk, and which are driven by environment? We also confront internet myths with data. The “orange cats are dumb” trope? Not supported by early looks, and ongoing work aims to test these claims at scale. Affection comparisons with dogs? Careful measures suggest cats are just as attached as many guardians know firsthand. Best of all, Darwin’s Ark is open data, so researchers everywhere can build on these findings - and your contributions fuel that progress. If you’re ready to help, there’s a limited-time $50 sequencing offer (use code Hiss&Tell25) using a gentle fur comb, making participation easier and less stressful for cats. Join us as we connect guardian insights with modern genomics to advance feline science. Subscribe, share this episode with a cat-loving friend, and leave a review so more people discover the project - and consider enrolling your cat at darwinsark.org with the code shared on the show. Your cat’s fur might change what we know about cats forever.
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S3 · E36
Dec 9, 2025 · 55 min
The Secret Lives of Historical Cats With Jodie Stewart
Send us Fan Mail A rescue cat walks into a historian’s life and suddenly the archive looks different. That’s the spark behind this wide-ranging conversation with cat historian Jodie Stewart, who explores how felines traveled with colonists, curled up in family photos, comforted soldiers, and later became flashpoints in conservation and culture wars. If you’ve ever wondered why cats provoke such strong feelings — or why they’re often missing from national stories — this is a tour through the ships, letters, laws, and myths that shaped Australia’s relationship with its most polarizing companion animal. We dig into the big questions: competing theories of how cats reached Australia and the DNA that points to European origins; the Victorian-era “cult of the cat” and how British tastes crossed oceans; and the moment Federation recast native fauna as national symbols while introduced animals fell down a perceived hierarchy. Jodie unpacks the 1990s Great Cat Debate — cat curfews, containment, registration, household caps — and the warlike language that still colors public policy. Along the way, we meet Trim, the seafaring cat immortalized by Matthew Flinders, and discover archival glimpses of veterans holding their cats as they recover, proof that emotion belongs in the historical record. This episode invites you to see cats as historical agents — observers and participants whose presence reveals how identity, ecology, and policy intertwine. We talk evidence vs. rhetoric, why lethal control keeps failing, and how better language and community-centered strategies could improve both conservation outcomes and public trust. Whether you’re a cat lover, cat skeptical, or simply curious about Australian history, you’ll leave with a richer sense of how private affections shape public narratives and why love itself has a history. If this resonates, tap follow, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick rating or review to help others find the show. Your thoughts matter—tell us how cats show up in your family’s story.
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S3 · E35
Nov 21, 2025 · 59 min
Gut Feelings: How Microbes Shape Cat Behavior with Dr. Tom Gilbert
Send us Fan Mail What if the path from feral to friendly begins in the gut? We sit down with evolutionary biologist Dr. Tom Gilbert to explore how cat microbiomes act like tiny chemical factories, converting food into signals that can shape fear, calm, vigilance, and even training success. Drawing on a global shelter study across Denmark, Malaysia, Cabo Verde, Brazil, Spain, and Aruba, Tom explains why geography and diet change which microbes take root—yet similar biochemical functions keep showing up in feral versus household cats. That pattern hints at a quiet engine behind behavior: microbial metabolites that reach the brain and nudge temperament at the edges. We unpack why domestic cats often host carbohydrate-digesting microbes, how feral diets drive broader microbial toolkits, and why early-life seeding can set long-lasting trajectories. The conversation turns practical for rescuers and guardians: could slow, thoughtful diet shifts and prebiotic strategies reduce arousal and stress in shelters or at home? What are the real limits of probiotics, and when does the “garden” of gut microbes resist change without a reset? Along the way, we wrestle with ethics—should we try to calm animals through diet—and examine obesity, energy harvest, and the challenge of tailoring nutrition to an individual cat’s biology. The bigger story reaches into domestication. If microbes could buy time for genetic change, did they help early humans live alongside once-wary animals? We compare cats and canids, question what “tame” really means, and consider how behavior, diet, and environment entangle over generations. Whether you work in shelters, foster kittens, or want a healthier, happier home for your cat, this conversation blends fresh science with grounded advice you can test gently and safely. If this sparked new questions for you, follow, share with a cat-loving friend, and leave a review—then tell us: what would you try first to nudge a microbiome toward better welfare? If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review wherever you listen For more information and to support our podcast, check out our website at hissandtellpodcast.com You can also find us on Instagram @hissandtellpodcast. To book my services as a cat behaviorist go to https://www.cattitude-adjustment.com/
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S3 · E34
Nov 4, 2025 · 50 min
Wobbly Cats, Big Hearts: Cerebellar Hypoplasia with Dr Gina Rendon
Send us Fan Mail A wobbly step can still lead to a full, joyful life. We invited Dr. Gina Rendon, medical director at Williamsburg Vets, to demystify cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) and share how cats with this condition learn, adapt, and thrive. From the cerebellum’s real job in refining movement to the viral roots of CH through panleukopenia, we break down the science without losing sight of daily life at home. You’ll hear how to recognize early signs beyond normal kitten wobble, what makes CH different from vestibular issues, and why the condition is non-progressive—meaning time, smart setups, and practice truly pay off. We also walk through practical, budget-friendly solutions you can use right away. Think traction over tile, foam tiles over hardwood, and soft bumpers where enthusiastic sprints end. Learn how to build simple standing troughs for balance training, use passive range-of-motion to keep limbs limber, and pick feeding stations with the right height and tilt to reduce mess and frustration. We share litter strategies—from low-entry boxes to mats with lips—that support independence, plus the surprising tail-base stabilization trick some caregivers use to help kittens practice standing. Along the way, meet Egg, our fearless CH kitten who turned wobble into willpower, teaching us why these cats are resilient, social, and often hilariously bold. If you’re considering adopting or fostering a CH cat, we’ve got you covered on commitment and real expectations. You’ll get straight talk on home prep, cleaning routines, and the small accommodations that make a big difference. We also point you toward active CH communities packed with DIY ideas, gear tips, and vet recommendations. Whether you’re here for animal behavior insights, feline neurology, or heartwarming rescue stories, this episode offers tools and hope in equal measure. Subscribe, share with a cat-loving friend, and leave a review to help more people discover how special-needs cats shine.
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S2 · E33
Apr 9, 2025 · 50 min
From Panic to Purrs: Getting Unstuck with Canopy Cat Rescue
Send us Fan Mail Sean from Canopy Cat Rescue takes us behind the scenes of an extraordinary mission—saving cats from towering trees across Washington State. As a professional arborist and mountain guide, Sean reveals how he and his partner Tom turned their climbing expertise into a specialized rescue organization that's saved nearly 8,000 feline lives. The conversation unpacks the fascinating intersection of technical climbing and feline behavior—how expert rescuers interpret a cat's meows, ear positions, and tail movements to predict whether a terrified feline will accept help or climb higher to escape. Sean explains the startling reality that fire departments rarely rescue cats from trees, leaving desperate pet owners searching for solutions when their companions climb too high. Through vivid storytelling, Sean debunks persistent myths about cats in trees. No, cats don't reliably come down when they're hungry—Sean has rescued cats stuck for over 23 days. Leaving food at the tree's base won't work and may attract predators. And the classic claim that "you never see cat skeletons in trees" misses the simple fact that deceased animals fall or are scavenged. For pet owners, the episode offers practical prevention strategies, from creating secure outdoor catios to understanding why cats climb trees in the first place. Sean shares touching stories of "repeat climbers" (the record is seven rescues for a single cat!) and explains how the organization has expanded to rescue everything from iguanas and parrots to helping wildlife rehabilitators return fallen owlets to nests. What began as occasional rescues has blossomed into a full-time non-profit service performing around 800 rescues annually. Whether you're a cat lover, fascinated by specialized rescue operations, or simply appreciate dedicated people using unique skills to help animals in distress, this conversation will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the heroes who climb toward the sky to bring our feline friends safely back to earth.
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S2 · E32
Mar 27, 2025 · 53 min
Cat Minds Decoded with Dr. Kristyn Vitale
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what's really going on inside your cat's mind? Prepare to have your understanding of feline behavior completely transformed in this captivating conversation with Dr. Kristyn Vitale, a certified applied animal behaviorist and pioneering researcher in feline social cognition. Dr. Vitale dismantles the persistent myth that cats are solitary creatures, revealing compelling evidence of their complex social lives. She explains how domestic cats have evolved far beyond their wildcat ancestors, developing remarkable flexibility to thrive in diverse social environments. From free-ranging colonies to multi-cat households, cats form sophisticated social networks with clear preferences for certain companions over others—just like we do. The conversation explores fascinating discoveries about cats' cognitive abilities that rival those of dogs. Your feline companion can actually read your emotions, follow your pointing gestures, and adjust their behavior based on your reactions to new situations. That "tail up" greeting isn't just cute—it's a deliberate social signal communicating confidence and friendliness. Dr. Vitale reveals the subtle cues cats use to communicate with each other and with us, often through signals so delicate that most humans miss them entirely. For multi-cat households, this episode offers practical wisdom to reduce tension and conflict. Learn why resource distribution trumps dominance hierarchies, why rushing introductions between cats often backfires, and how to tell the difference between play and aggression. Dr. Vitale's research-backed insights will transform your relationship with your cat, helping you create an environment where they can express their natural behaviors and thrive socially. Whether you're a devoted cat parent or simply curious about these mysterious creatures, this episode will forever change how you view feline behavior. Join us to discover the extraordinary social intelligence of cats and gain a deeper understanding of what your cat is really trying to tell you. Check out Dr. Vitale's work at maueyes.com or follow her on social media to continue exploring the fascinating world of feline cognition.
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