Best Cat Enrichment Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 265: Using Communities to Create Opportunities 43:13

5h ago43:13

43:13

Ari catches us up on her time at Croc School before our hosts tackle an email asking for ideas about how to create opportunities in the professional animal care field for yourself when 1) you've moved somewhere where the immediately employment opportunities might be limited - or non-existent - or 2) you've taken a temporary break from the field and…

1
#114 - Sami Griffin: Beyond Performative - Effective Gender Inclusivity for Pet Professionals 54:41

3d ago54:41

54:41

What does gender inclusivity have to do with pet behavior consulting? (Spoiler: everything.) In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong (she/they) chats with Sami Griffin (they/them), a cat and dog behavior consultant with a passion for creating safer, more inclusive spaces—for pets and their people. Sami helps us move beyond su…

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Episode 264: What Does It Mean To "Prioritize Training"? (Live from the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference) 35:26

7d ago35:26

35:26

Ari Bailey is busy doing cool reptile stuff at Croc School at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, so Chris takes the opportunity to share the audio from his presentation, "What Does It Mean to 'Prioritize Training'?" from last week's ABMA Annual Conference! He shares some antecedent and consequence conditions that he's seen great teams utilize to mak…

1
#113 - Q&A: Enrichment Overload- When Is It Too Much? 39:50

10d ago39:50

39:50

Ever find yourself second-guessing if you’re “doing enrichment right”? You’re not alone—and this episode is here to clear things up. In this Q&A session, Allie Bender (she/her), Emily Strong (she/they), and Ellen Yoakum (she/her) tackle real questions from listeners who are curious (and maybe a little confused) about enrichment. They break down com…

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Episode 263: Zen and the Art of Networking (Live from the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference Zoo Day) 44:26

14d ago44:26

44:26

Chris is LIVE from Zoo Day at the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas! Whilst wandering the grounds of our host facility, Moody Gardens, we chat with Chase Alsup from the Colorado State University Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management Graduate Program, Rae Simmons and Aubrey Wilson from the Moorpark College Animal Care and Traini…

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#112 - Try It: Teach Your Dog "Find It" From Scratch 18:15

17d ago18:15

18:15

Looking for an easy way to enrich your dog’s life and support your behavior goals? “Find It” might be your new favorite go-to. In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong (she/they) walks you through exactly how to teach “Find It” from scratch—even if your dog has never done scent work before. You’ll get a step-by-step guide that…

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Why No Kill is Failing: The Case for a Smarter Approach to Rescue 53:34

18d ago53:34

53:34

The no-kill movement promised to revolutionize animal sheltering by saving lives and ending unnecessary euthanasia. But behind the catchy slogans and glowing statistics, a different reality lurks – one that’s rarely discussed. In this eye-opening conversation with animal welfare expert Daniel Ettinger, we dig deep into the issues plaguing some shel…

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Episode 262: A Feedback Loop About Feedback Loops 39:31

21d ago39:31

39:31

Chris is in the editing (and possibly scrapping-and-starting-over) phase of his upcoming ABMA workshop "Your Feedback Loop: Evolving the Way We Give Feedback to Peers," so he decided to reach out to one of the smartest feedbackers around - Ari Bailey - and see how their notes compared when she was given the assignment to jot down what she considere…

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#111 - Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household 42:48

24d ago42:48

42:48

Simple, flexible scent games that help your dog thrive—and give you a well-earned breather. If you’ve ever needed your dog to do something enriching without needing your full attention, or wanted to build your relationship through fun, sniffy games, this episode is your new best friend. In this week’s episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Allie…

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Episode 261: Is Your Animal Doing What You Want? (TEC Talk Throwback to The Official Chris Jenkins Super Simplified Guide to Behavior™) 43:02

28d ago43:02

43:02

It's consulting time! Chris is back at the Little Rock Zoo working with a team of eight trainers from around the zoo to get everyone working with people and animals they don't normally get a chance to, with the hopes that it might help them be better "training trainers" for new staff in the future! This has meant a lot of conversations about how yo…

1
The Day Rescue Broke Me: A Hard Truth About Helping Too Much 9:29

1M ago9:29

9:29

I broke down in the middle of a hurricane—sobbing, soaked, and desperately trying to keep my barn from blowing away—while sick kittens cried in a barely-secured shed. That’s when I realized: something had to change. In this raw, no-holds-barred solo episode, I share the story kept quiet for too long—the mental, emotional, and physical toll of being…

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Episode 260: The Guinea Pigs Have Arrived! (with Hayley Dougherty and Taylor LaTulipe, Natural Encounters, Inc.)) 39:20

1M ago39:20

39:20

Chris and Ari share two microphones with their newest coworkers, Hayley Dougherty and Taylor LaTulipe! Hayley and Taylor share their immediate feelings after their first interviews, get quizzed to see how much they know about the show sections they started learning less than 2 days ago, reflect on how they felt coming out of their first interviews,…

1
Heartworm Prevention Myths That Could Cost Your Pet’s Life 37:49

1M ago37:49

37:49

Heartworm Truths Every Pet Owner Needs to Hear with Dr. Zoo 💔 Heartworm disease is slow, painful, and entirely preventable. So why are pets still dying from it? In this essential episode of Muddy Paws and Hairballs, Dr. Zoo shares two real-life cases that hit hard: a young German Shepherd in kidney failure at just two years old after his owners sto…

1
Episode 259: Okay - I'm Going to Get a Degree, Then I'm Going to Come Back and Run This Place (with Kimm Hunt, International Animal Training Certification Board) 1:02:02

1M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

Ari sits down with Kimm Hunt, President of the International Animal Training Certification Board (IATCB), to dive into the IATCB certification exam—how it’s developed, maintained, and what it means for animal trainers. They also explore Kimm’s work with shelter dogs, tackling tough topics like behavioral euthanasia and the importance of understandi…

1
Calm Your Reactive or Aggressive Dog with "Look at That" Training 31:19

1M ago31:19

31:19

Text Me Your Questions Certified canine behaviorist Will Bangura shares a powerful force-free approach to help dogs with reactivity or aggression without using corrections or punishment. • Understanding that reactive behavior stems from anxiety, stress, and fear • Why corrections and punishment only suppress behavior without changing emotional stat…

1
Feeding Pets, Supporting Families: How PAWSitive Pantry is Fighting Pet Hunger 45:56

1M ago45:56

45:56

What if feeding your pet meant you couldn’t feed yourself? For thousands of struggling families, that’s reality—and it’s driving heartbreaking surrenders. But one organization is changing the game. In this episode, Amy Castro talks with Stacey LeBaron, founder of PAWSitive Pantry and host of The Community Cats Podcast, about how her team is tacklin…

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Episode 258: Don't Panic! Let Your Weird Flagg Fly! (with Josh Flagg, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 36:43

2M ago36:43

36:43

Chris is off at the AZA mid-year meeting, so Ari is joined by NEI Senior Trainer Josh Flagg for this episode! They dive into the challenges and joys of being the new person on a zoo team. From making new staff feel safe and welcome to knowing when (and when not) to let your "weird flag" fly, Josh and Ari explore ways to set teams up for success. Th…

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Nature's Shapes - Dave Gorman, Sarah Hart and Thomas Woolley 42:27

2M ago42:27

42:27

Brian Cox and Robin Ince unpick the hidden codes behind the shapes we see in nature with mathematicians Sarah Hart & Thomas Woolley and comedian Dave Gorman. The panel marvel at how evolution so often beats mathematicians to finding the most elegant solutions, after all, it’s had millennia to experiment. How do trees achieve the optimal distributio…

1
Healing the Guilt of Pet Loss: Letting Go Without Regret 53:14

2M ago53:14

53:14

Losing a beloved pet is heartbreaking, but for so many of us, grief is tangled up with guilt. Did I do enough? Was it too soon? Too late? Did I fail them? These thoughts can haunt us, making it even harder to heal. I know this feeling all too well. When I had to make the devastating decision to euthanize our 34-year-old rescue horse, Cherokee, I fo…

1
#110 - Q&A: Enrichment Strategies for Pets with Allergies 36:04

2M ago36:04

36:04

Anyone who has a pet with allergies knows that it can be rough to create an enrichment strategy that fits their needs. Depending on the type and severity of that allergy there can be a lot of restrictions. In this episode, we discuss the allergy journies we've gone on with our own dogs and how we've created enrichment strategies around allergy rest…

1
10 Critical Mistakes That Sabotage Your Dog Training (And How to Fix Them) 36:04

2M ago36:04

36:04

Text Me Your Questions Support the show If you need professional help please visit my Dog Behaviorist website. Go here for Free Dog Training ArticlesBy Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP is a World Renowned Dog Behaviorist, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Fear Free Certified Professional with over 36 years of experience with the most difficult

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Episode 257: What Does Goal-Based Enrichment Look Like For People? 28:32

2M ago28:32

28:32

Chris once again ambushes Ari with a surprise topic for discussion, thanks to a great email we received: now that the definition of "enrichment for animals" has evolved, what might "modern, goal-based enrichment" look like for the humans we work alongside in the professional animal care field? We chat about the staff-driven professional development…

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The Sound of Music - Brian Eno, Sam Bennett and Trevor Cox 42:43

2M ago42:43

42:43

Brian Cox and Robin Ince explore the history of music recording, joined by acoustics professor Trevor Cox, music professor Sam Bennett and musician and producer Brian Eno. Together they guide us through the evolution of sound recording, a space in which technology hasn’t stood still since its advent in the mid-1800s. We hear the very first recognis…

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You’ve Been Lied To: Hairballs Aren't Normal – How to Stop Your Cat’s Vomiting 35:20

2M ago35:20

35:20

If you think hairballs are just part of life with cats, think again! Frequent hairballs can signal serious health issues like digestive problems, excessive grooming due to stress or allergies, or even conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and pancreatitis. In this episode of Muddy Paws & Hairballs, veterinarian Dr. Linda Atkins breaks do…

1
#109 - Assessing Risk for the Safety Enrichment Category 57:19

2M ago57:19

57:19

We're asked all the time about enrichment that isn't related to food. Well, here we are, folks! Today's episode is all about the safety category of enrichment. We'll discuss how to perform a risk assessment for your pet's enrichment strategy. You can find the full episode show notes here. PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a f…

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Episode 256: What Do Great Trainers Actually DO? (with Steve Martin, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 34:28

2M ago34:28

34:28

Ari and Chris steal a bit of time out of a busy day to chat with NEI's Steve Martin to follow up on last week's episode and talk about the practical, observable, and trainable behaviors that we see great trainers do. Focusing both on skills people can build in themselves and help build in others, the trio talks about meeting people where they're at…

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Saturn v Jupiter - Katherine Parkinson, Paul Abel and Michele Dougherty 42:21

2M ago42:21

42:21

Brian Cox and Robin Ince referee as Saturn and Jupiter square up to each other in a planetary face-off. Representing Team Saturn is space physicist Professor Michele Dougherty, and in the opposite corner is Dr Paul Abel on Team Jupiter. Katherine Parkinson judges this cosmic contest, casting the final vote to decide who will be awarded the coveted …

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Are You Meeting Your Pet’s REAL Needs? What Every Pet Parent Should Know 43:48

2M ago43:48

43:48

Should You Treat Your Pet Like a Child? A Veterinary Psychiatrist on Finding the Right Balance for a Happy, Healthy Pet I used to worry about people who consider their pets their “children”. Was treating them like humans harming them? Were they making them anxious or frustrated by expecting them to be something they’re not? I still worry a little, …

1
Stop Dog Jumping: A Positive Approach to Stopping Dog Jumping Without Punishment 22:54

2M ago22:54

22:54

Text Me Your Questions Jumping behavior in dogs is completely manageable through positive reinforcement techniques rather than punishment-based methods that cause fear, pain, or intimidation. Using differential reinforcement, you can teach your dog to sit for greetings instead of jumping, creating a lasting behavior change that preserves your relat…

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#108 - Debbie Martin: The Behavior Specialist You Didn't Know You Needed 1:30:11

2M ago1:30:11

1:30:11

What the heck is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behavior? Find out in this week's episode with Debbie Martin! Plus, sound sensitivities, risk assessments, and puppy socialization. Buckle up! You can find the full episode show notes here. PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed …

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Episode 255: Grab Your Trowel, We're Cultivating Trainers! 49:12

2M ago49:12

49:12

With Chris busy being immersed in our Immersion Workshop, Ari is joined once more by Adam Geltz (Senior Trainer, Natural Encounters, Inc.) to discuss a listener email asking us to share some thoughts about cultivating great animal trainers. They start by talking about setting up strong antecedents to foster a safe environment for learning, move on …

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Adventures on Ice - Darren Harriott, Liz Morris, Christoph Salzmann and Felicity Aston 42:32

2M ago42:32

42:32

Robin Ince and Brian Cox venture into the captivating and surprisingly mysterious realm of ice. Joining them on this cool adventure are former ice dancer Darren Harriott, glaciologist Liz Morris, polar explorer Felicity Aston and ice chemist Christoph Salzmann. From beautifully formed snowflakes to ice shelves in Antarctica, our guests discuss the …

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Before You Get a Dog, LISTEN to This! Expert Guidance for Choosing the Right Dog for You 50:15

2M ago50:15

50:15

🐾 Thinking about getting a dog? Hold that thought! Before you bring home a pup based on a cute face or a trending breed, let’s talk about what really matters when choosing the right dog for your life. This week on Muddy Paws and Hairballs, I sit down with Pete Campione to expose the biggest mistakes people make when picking a dog—and how to avoid t…

1
#107 - How to Better Support Clients 38:46

2M ago38:46

38:46

This one's for the pet professionals! Clients are integral to what we do and that means we need to make sure they're well-supported throughout the journey. In this episode, we explore the foundations of exemplary client care, including some tips to help you better support your clients even more. You can find the full episode show notes here. PETPro…

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Episode 254: Changing Jobs and Continuing Connections (with Ramon Castillo, St. Augustine Alligator Farm) 45:18

3M ago45:18

45:18

Chris and Ari sit down with Ramon Castillo, who Ari first connected with through NEI’s work with Bearizona Wildlife Park—when he reached out to chat about reptile training! They discuss his time at Bearizona, his transition to The St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and how he’s working to make animal programs more accessible in both English and Spanish.…

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How selfish are we really? - Jo Brand, Matti Wilks and Steve Jones 42:26

3M ago42:26

42:26

Brian Cox and Robin Ince kindly open the door for each other as they step into understanding altruism, asking why humans have evolved to help each other. Joining them to explore the human tendency to be kind is evolutionary biologist Steve Jones, psychologist Matti Wilks and comedian Jo Brand. Starting with the animal kingdom, we probe the biologic…

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How to Exercise Your Dog Safely (and Prevent Costly Injuries) 40:03

3M ago40:03

40:03

🐾 Is Your Dog Getting the Right Amount of Exercise? Or Are They at Risk for Injury? 🦴 Whether your dog is a non-stop zoomer, a weekend warrior, or a laid-back couch cuddler, keeping them fit, active, and injury-free is key to their long-term health. But how do you know when to push them—and when to let them rest? 🤔 In this episode of Muddy Paws and…

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#106 - Dr. Kelly Ballantyne: Combating Caregiver Burden 1:09:32

3M ago1:09:32

1:09:32

We've said it before and we'll say it again- it's hard to care for individuals who need specialized care, and that includes pets with behavior challenges! In this episode, Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Kelly Ballantyne provides tips for combating caregiver burden, discusses the link between pain and behavior, and gives up-to-date infor…

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Episode 253: Ego, Influence, and "Extreme Ownership" 58:15

3M ago58:15

58:15

With Ari out conferencing in Tennessee, Chris is joined by fellow NEI'er Adam Geltz to talk about their takeaways from Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babbin. They chat about the importance of recognizing when your ego gets in the way of making decisions that are best for the team, how vulnerability and…

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Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Phil Wang, Ana Ferreira and Chris Jackson 42:40

3M ago42:40

42:40

Brian Cox and Robin Ince slice deep into the lesser-explored world beneath us. To join them on the journey from the crust to the core they are joined by seismologist Ana Ferreira, geologist Chris Jackson and comedian Phil Wang. School children learn about the make-up of the Earth with an image depicting the Earth's core, mantle and crust layered ne…

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Thinking About Getting Goats? The Messy Truth You Need to Hear 51:15

3M ago51:15

51:15

Thinking about owning goats? Forget the picture-perfect Instagram posts—goat ownership is messy, demanding, and far from easy. In this episode of Muddy Paws and Hairballs, goat expert and homesteader Deborah Niemann debunks common myths and reveals what it really takes to raise happy, healthy goats. We dive into essential topics every prospective g…

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Puppy Training, Socialization, Critical Stages of Development: Everything You Need to Know 2:40:44

3M ago2:40:44

2:40:44

Text Me Your Questions Raising a puppy successfully relies heavily on early training and socialization, with the first year of a dog’s life setting the stage for their future behavior. The episode highlights the critical developmental stages of puppies, key socialization methods, the benefits of cooperative care training, and the importance of mode…

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#105 - But, Like, What Even Is Training, Anyway? 52:21

3M ago52:21

52:21

We talk about training a lot. But, like, what even IS training? Does it have to involve a treat pouch and clicker? Or, perhaps, could it involve Allie bear crawling up a platform and nothing more? Check out today's episode to find out. You can find the full episode show notes here. PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framewor…

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Brian and Robin introduce the new series 4:08

3M ago4:08

4:08

Brian Cox and Robin Ince look ahead to the topics and guests you can enjoy in Series 32 of The Infinite Monkey Cage. Listen first on BBC Sounds from Wednesday 19 February, 2025.By BBC Radio 4

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Episode 252: Accelerate Your Growth Arc (with Adam Geltz and Shay Gruman, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 44:00

3M ago44:00

44:00

With Chris busy teaching at NEI's Professional Contemporary Animal Training and Management Workshop, Ari gets some coworker support and is joined by special co-host Adam Geltz and returning guest Shay Gruman! The three talk about how they've each been working on their personal and professional growth outside of NEI, reflecting on how breaking goals…

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Lifesaving Pet First Aid Tips with Master Instructor Arden Moore 41:16

3M ago41:16

41:16

🚨 Are you prepared to save your pet in an emergency? Join us for this episode of Muddy Paws and Hairballs with Arden Moore, a master-certified pet first aid and CPR instructor, award-winning author, and the host of two popular pet podcasts, Oh Behave on Pet Life Radio and Four-Legged Life. Arden brings her wealth of knowledge to share essential tip…

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#104 - Ayoka Bubar: Dog Sports as Enrichment 55:21

3M ago55:21

55:21

Flyball, Agility, Tracking, Rally Obedience, Trick Titling, Conformation, Herding, Mondioring, Obedience, oh my! If you're into canine sports or looking to learn more about them, Ayoka is your person. Get ready to step into the world of R+ dog sports! You can find the full episode show notes here. PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community,…

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Essential Oils and Self-Medication: How Cats Know What They Need | The Feline Wellness Summit with Caroline Ingraham 4:52

3M ago4:52

4:52

This is a clip of my interview with Caroline Ingraham for Thrive: The Feline Wellness Summit, taking place on February 10-13, 2025. We talked about what it means for a cat to self medicate and how cats can use essential oils to support their health. You can listen to the full interview and interviews with 20 other feline wellness experts at our fre…

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Caring for Senior Cats: Unlocking Health, Mobility, and Vitality | The Feline Wellness Summit with Michael Daly 4:44

3M ago4:44

4:44

This is a clip of my interview with Michael Daly for Thrive: The Feline Wellness Summit, taking place on February 10-13, 2025. We talked about how to keep our senior cats happy and healthy and some things we can do to help manage kidney disease in our senior cats. You can listen to the full interview and interviews with 20 other feline wellness exp…

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The Playful Cat: Unlocking Your Feline's Inner Hunter | The Feline Wellness Summit with Dr. Rachel Geller 5:01

3M ago5:01

5:01

This is a clip of my interview with Dr. Rachel Geller for Thrive: The Feline Wellness Summit, taking place on February 10-13, 2025. We talked about how interactive play with a fishing pole or wand toy can completely transform a cat’s behavior and enrich their lives. You can listen to the full interview and interviews with 20 other feline wellness e…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cat Enrichment Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen