Oh Behave
Launched in 2007, Oh Behave is the world’s longest continuously running pet podcast, with over 400 episodes in the vault. “The show’s focus then and still today is to edu-tain listeners,” says host Arden Moore. Guest vets and behaviorists mingle with celebrities, with highlight episodes including a banter-filled session with actress Betty White and a segment starring Garfield creator Jim Davis.
Visit → petliferadio.com/behave.html
Arden Moore, who also happens to be a Catster contributor, has been “edu-taining” listeners on her Oh Behave podcast since 2007.
The Community Cats Podcast
After leaving the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society in 2014, Stacy LeBaron launched community cat programs. When she realized there were over 400 groups on her waiting list, she started a feline advocacy podcast to “inspire folks to turn their passion for cats into action.” One of Stacy’s favorite episodes covers “the changing way we are thinking about sheltering our cats” with guest Dr. Michael Blackwell.
Visit → communitycatspodcast.com
Catexplorer Podcast
Broadcast from Australia, the Catexplorer Podcast transports listeners inside the daring world of adventure cats. Guides on safely navigating the outdoors with kitty are paired with tips for bringing your cat to brunch. Hosted by self-styled “chief explorers” Hasara and Daniel Lay, the show also offers advice on the best ways to showcase your feline’s excursions on social media.
Visit → catexplorer.co/podcast
The Purrrcast
Debuting in 2015, The Purrrcast is hosted by Sara Iyer and Steven Ray Morris and specializes in delivering breezy cat chat and comedic kicks. A key recurring segment involves the hosts commenting along to cat-centric episodes of TV shows and movies including Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Futurama and Disney’s The Aristocats.
Visit → exactlyrightmedia.com/the-purrrcast
Cattitude
Cattitude was one of Pet Life Radio’s inaugural podcasts, launching in 2007. It’s hosted by Michelle Fern, who says the show’s goal is to “educate, inform and entertain the cat pet parent.” Michelle handpicks self-funded rescuer Sassee Walker as her most memorable guest: “She traps in the rougher areas of Brooklyn — she is so dedicated to saving the lives of feral cats in her community.”
Visit → petliferadio.com/cat.html
Nine Lives With Dr. Kat
Dr. Kathryn Primm’s show debuted in 2017 with the aim of empowering listeners with advice they can “implement at home to make their cats happy and healthy.” The podcast also invited National Geographic author Erika Engelhaupt to address the pressing issue of whether your cat might be tempted to eat you if you passed away.
Visit → petliferadio.com/ninelives.html
Pet World
Veteran cat behavior specialist Steve Dale’s Pet World digs deep into a range of feline issues and relays expert advice on medical and scientific dilemmas. Keeping the show topical, a recent run of episodes explored the possibility of a successful COVID-19 vaccine for cats.
Visit → wgnradio.com/steve-dales-pet-world
Let’s Get Fur-Real
After successfully launching CatCon, Susan Michals noticed there was “a void in how cats and dogs reflect our lives and our culture.” So she started her own podcast with an expansive feline scope. “It’s not about training, it’s about the effect [pets] have on every facet of the way we live now,” Susan says. “We’ve covered everything from the comfort of animals during times of crisis to cat poetry!”
Visit → letsgetfurreal.com
The Pet Show
You might associate Dennis Quaid with his roles in classic ‘80s flicks, but these days the actor has expanded his portfolio to include co-hosting The Pet Show with Jimmy Jellinek. Focusing on pet culture, the show has amassed a roster of celebrity guests like reality-show regular Tyler Henry, Outkast rapper Big Boi and activist Carole Baskin from the cult Tiger King documentary.
Visit → audioup.com/shows/thepetshow19
Cats and Counting
Along with carrying out her duties as a cat mom to 19 rescues, cat behaviorist Rita Reimers hosts a podcast that pries into the ups and downs of cat parenting. A standout episode features actress Mayim Bialik. “Hearing how passionate she is about cats and causes related to cat care really warmed my heart,” Rita says. “Mayim is a real asset for the betterment of life for our felines.”
Visit → petliferadio.com/19catsandcounting.html
PRO TIPS TO START YOUR OWN PET PODCAST
Looking to begin cat-casting? James Jacobson, the founder of the Dog Podcast Network, reveals five insider secrets…
James Jacobson is the founder of the Dog Podcast Network.
Record in the closet: Sound quality really matters. A trick a lot of professional voice-over people use is to record in a clothes closet — the fabric absorbs the sound!
Keep it focused: My opinion is an episode should not be a moment longer than it needs to be. Our episodes of Dog Edition are 20 to 30 minutes long.
Get feedback from friends: Ask a friend to record a video of them listening to the podcast so you’re able to see their eyes and they can pause it to comment.
Let the cats in! If you’re talking to a pet audience, they will very much understand a dog bark or a cat walking over the mic. That’s part of the intimacy of the medium.
Stick to a schedule: Weekly episodes are optimal but don’t go longer than every other week.
Phillip Mlynar spends his days writing about cats, hip-hop and food, often while being pestered by his rescue, a mackerel tabby named Mimosa. His work appears in Vice, Pitchfork, Red Bull, Bandcamp, VinePair and Catster. He’s won various awards at the Cat Writers’ Association Communication Contest.