Golden Whiskers with Scott Colby

This week on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, I’m re-sharing one of the most downloaded episodes from last year — my conversation with feline longevity expert Penny Wood, also known as Dr. Zoolittle.
I wanted to bring this episode back because dental health is one of those topics many of us know is important for our cats… but we still may not really know what to do with it.
Honestly, I learned a lot of this the hard way with Nomar and Mia.
Nomar ended up needing teeth pulled later in life. Mia also had dental problems, but by the time they were discovered, she was already dealing with kidney disease and other health challenges, and we had to make some very difficult decisions around treatment and anesthesia.
Now with Niko and Milo, I’m trying to approach things differently and be more proactive instead of reactive. And as I listened back to this interview myself, I realized I still haven’t fully acted on some of the things Penny shared. So this re-release is a reminder for me too.
🎧 In This Episode
Penny and I discuss:
* Why dental health is connected to the entire body
* How oral bacteria can affect the kidneys, liver, and overall health
* Signs of dental problems cat parents often miss
* Why brushing your cat’s teeth may not be the only option
* The myth that kibble naturally cleans cats’ teeth
* How wild cats naturally maintain healthier teeth
* Natural approaches to prevention and tartar support
* What Penny feeds her own cats, Merri and Pippin
😳 One of the Biggest Takeaways
One thing that really stuck with me is Penny explaining why dry food doesn’t necessarily clean cats’ teeth the way many of us were told.
She compares it to trying to clean your own teeth with candy or toffee — technically abrasive, but still loaded with carbohydrates and sugars that bacteria love. It was one of those “wait… what?” moments for me.
🌿 About Penny Wood (Dr. Zoolittle)
Penny is a longevity zoologist, zoo welfare consultant, mammal trainer, and pet health concierge specializing in animal longevity, cognitive enrichment, and holistic wellness.
You can learn more about her work here:
* DrZoolittle.co
* @DrZoolittle on Instagram
💬 Final Thought
Dental issues are now one of the most common reasons pets visit the vet — and according to Penny, cats as young as two are already showing signs of dental disease.
If you’ve ever wondered:
* “Should I brush my cat’s teeth?”
* “Does kibble actually help?”
* “What are realistic things I can do?”
…this episode is worth a listen.
And if you already have a dental routine that’s working for your cat, I’d genuinely love to hear about it.
Grab Penny’s free dental care guide for cats, a must-read for starting preventive measures or tackling existing dental issues. 📚 You can download the guide here.


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Have you ever felt like your cat is trying to tell you something… but you’re not quite sure what it is?
In this episode, we explore a different way of understanding our cats—one that goes beyond behavior and into energy, emotion, and connection.
I’m joined by Blair Hope, an animal communicator and animal hospice practitioner, who shares how our cats are constantly communicating with us… and how our own emotions may be shaping their behavior more than we realize.
Whether you’re fully on board with this idea or just curious, this conversation might shift how you see your relationship with your cat.
🐾 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
* How cats communicate beyond meows and body language
* Why your emotional state can directly impact your cat’s behavior
* Hidden reasons behind common behavior issues
* What your cat might be trying to tell you when something feels “off”
* How to build a deeper, more intentional connection with your cat
* Gentle insights into end-of-life care and understanding your cat’s needs
📘 Recommendations for Cat Owners:
🗣️ Start talking to your cat more intentionally—your tone and energy matter
👀 Notice behavior changes as communication, not “bad behavior”
🤔 Before reacting, ask: what might my cat be trying to tell me?
🌿 When things feel off, look at both your cat’s environment and your own energy
🧘‍♂️ In stressful situations (like vet visits), focus on calming yourself first
🎙️ About Our Guest:
Blair Hope is an animal communicator, Healing Touch for Animals practitioner, and certified animal hospice practitioner. She helps pet parents better understand their pets, navigate behavior challenges, and make compassionate end-of-life decisions.
You can learn more about her work at:👉 www.blairhope.com
🐱 Final Thought:
Your cat may not use words…
…but they’re always communicating.
The more we slow down and pay attention—the more we start to understand what they’ve been saying all along.🎧 Listen now and let me know what stood out to you.
🐾 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow cat lover. The more we learn together, the longer and healthier our cats can live.
See you next time on The Golden Whiskers Podcast! 😺💛


Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

Encore Presentation: One of the most important conversations we’ve had on feline nutrition.
If you’re feeding your cat kibble—or even if you think you’re doing everything “right”—this episode might change the way you think about your cat’s food.
In this encore presentation, we’re diving into cat nutrition with one of the best in the field: Dr. Ruth Roberts, creator of The Original CrockPet Diet and a pioneer in holistic pet health.
Whether you’re feeding kibble or already trying to upgrade your cat’s diet, this episode is packed with practical, easy-to-understand ways to support their health and longevity.
🐾 In This Episode:
* Why most cats should not eat starchy carbs (bye rice & potatoes 👋)
* How to make a slow, safe transition from kibble to canned, then to cooked or raw
* What to look for (and avoid) in canned cat food
* Easy food upgrades for cats with kidney disease
* Why feeding variety matters (and why too many proteins in one meal might be a problem!)
* The truth about taurine—and how to make sure your cat gets enough
* Toppers, supplements, and homemade tips for feline gut health
* How to use fermented foods like yogurt and goat milk for better digestion
* The one unexpected human food Dr. Ruth recommends adding to your cat’s bowl
📘 Dr. Ruth’s Recommendations for Cat Owners
* 🧠 Start simple: If your cat’s been eating kibble for years, transition slowly to canned, then to cooked or raw
* 🥩 Stick to one protein per meal to reduce food sensitivities and support gut health
* 🛑 Avoid starches like peas, potatoes, and rice in your cat’s food
* 💧 Moisture is everything—especially for cats with kidney disease. Add broth or water to food and use filtered water when possible
* 🌈 Feed the rainbow: Add colorful veggies (cooked and pureed) to support the microbiome
* 🧂 Use toppers like sardines, bone broth, or butter to make new foods tastier
* 🧬 Use omega-3s and probiotics: especially helpful for cats with inflammation or digestive issues
* 💪 For cats with kidney disease: prioritize moisture, avoid low-protein diets unless absolutely necessary, and explore phosphate binders if needed
* 🔬 Want to cook at home? Check out training from Feed Real Institute, Dr. Ian Billinghurst, or work with one of Dr. Ruth’s certified Holistic Pet Health Coaches
🌐 Where to Find Dr. Ruth Roberts
* 💻 Website: drruthroberts.com
* 📘 Facebook: The Original Holistic Pet Health Coach
* 📸 Instagram: @dr.ruthroberts
* 📺 YouTube: Dr. Ruth Roberts
✨ Final Thought
“Feeding your cat better doesn’t mean doing everything all at once. Start where you are—and take one small step forward. Even switching from kibble to canned is a big win.”— Dr. Ruth Roberts
This is one of those episodes I’d bookmark and come back to.
🎧 Listen now and let me know what stood out to you.
🐾 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow cat lover. The more we learn together, the longer and healthier our cats can live.
See you next time on The Golden Whiskers Podcast! 😺💛


Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

🐾 Episode Overview
This episode is a little different.
No guest. No expert interview.
Just me taking a moment to reflect, celebrate, and say thank you.
A few days ago marked one year since the very first episode of the Golden Whiskers podcast—and it also marked two years since I adopted Niko and Milo. Both of those moments are connected, and both have shaped everything this podcast has become.
When I started this show, it was coming out of loss. After losing Mia and Nomar, I wanted to do something meaningful to honor them. That led to the Feline Wellness Summit… which then became this podcast.
And here we are, one year later.
Over 21,000 downloads.Dozens of expert conversations.And a growing community of people who truly care about giving their cats the best life possible.
That part means a lot to me.
❤️ What This Podcast Has Been About
From the beginning, this wasn’t about me being the expert.
It was about learning.
Learning from people who know more than I do.Learning from mistakes I made with Nomar and Mia.And applying everything I can with Niko and Milo so they can live longer, healthier, happier lives.
This podcast has also helped me in real time.
Whether it’s figuring out behavior challenges…nutrition…or even something as simple as reintroducing two bonded cats after a stressful vet visit…
There have been moments where I genuinely didn’t know what to do—and this community, and these conversations, helped guide me.
🙏 Thank You
I just want to say this clearly:
Thank you for being here.
Whether you’ve listened from the beginning or just found the podcast recently…whether you’ve shared an episode, reached out, or quietly tuned in each week…
You’re the reason this exists.
And it means a lot to know there are people out there who care this much about their cats.
🌙 What I’m Excited About
I’ve also been working on something new that I’m really excited about.
It’s called The Whiskers Sanctuary.
It’s very different from this podcast—slower, quieter, more of an experience than a conversation.
They’re sleep stories for cat lovers.
I created it because I’ve struggled with waking up in the middle of the night, and I know how helpful calming audio, stories, and sound can be. I wanted to create something specifically for people like us—people who love cats and want more calm and peace in their lives.
If that sounds like something you need, you can check it out at:
👉 https://thewhiskerssanctuary.com/
I’ve been releasing multiple stories each week, and I really think it’s some of the best work I’ve put out there.
🐱 Final Thought
At the end of the day, this podcast started as a way to help people take better care of their cats.
But it’s also been a way for me to stay connected—to Nomar and Mia, and to the kind of cat dad I want to be for Niko and Milo.
I’m really glad you’re here.
📘 Recommendations for Cat Owners
* Keep learning—small changes over time can make a big difference in your cat’s health and quality of life
* Don’t be afraid to ask for help (from vets, experts, or even this community)
* Focus on the basics: nutrition, hydration, play, and connection
* Pay attention to behavior changes—they often tell you more than you think
* Most importantly, enjoy your time with your cat. That’s what it’s all about
🐾 Final Thought
One year in… and we’re just getting started.
With gratitude,Scott


Get full access to Golden Whiskers at www.goldenwhiskerslove.com/subscribe

This episode came from a moment that honestly caught me off guard.
Niko went to the vet. He came home. And Milo—his bonded brother, his constant companion—looked at him like he had never seen him before.
There was hissing. There was tension. There was that uncomfortable feeling of watching something that shouldn’t be happening… happen anyway.
If you’ve ever had two cats suddenly turn on each other, you know how unsettling that can feel.
So instead of guessing my way through it, I brought in someone who truly understands feline behavior—Dr. Rachel Geller—to break down exactly what was going on and how to fix it.
What unfolded was not just reassuring—it was eye-opening.
🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
We talk through what’s actually happening when cats suddenly “forget” each other, and why this situation is much more common than most cat parents realize.
Dr. Rachel explains that this behavior has a name—feline non-recognition aggression—and it has nothing to do with your cats suddenly disliking each other. It’s about scent, confusion, and instinct.
You’ll hear:
* Why your cat may come home from the vet smelling like a complete stranger
* How scent—not sight—is the primary way cats recognize each other
* Why hissing is usually fear, not aggression
* The key body language signs that tell you whether things are escalating or not
* When to wait it out… and when to step in
🔄 The Step-by-Step Reintroduction Process
We walk through exactly what I did (with Dr. Rachel guiding me behind the scenes) to help Niko and Milo get back to normal.
This includes:
* Why the returning cat should go into a sanctuary room (not the other way around)
* How to do scent swapping with a damp towel to reintroduce familiarity
* Using food as a positive association tool to rebuild trust
* How to safely start short “togetherness sessions” and build from there
* Why going slow is everything—and how rushing can actually set you back
This wasn’t instant. It took patience, structure, and a lot of awareness.
But it worked.
❤️ The Moment Everything Shifted
After a few days of following the process, something changed.
They started relaxing around each other. The tension eased.
And then one night, I woke up to both of them sleeping on me… and grooming each other again.
That was the moment I knew their bond was still there.
It hadn’t been broken. It just needed to be rebuilt.
🛠️ Recommendations for Cat Owners
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here are a few key takeaways:
* Always assume scent changes will happen after a vet visit—and plan for it
* Use a sanctuary room immediately when your cat returns home
* Start scent swapping early instead of waiting for a problem
* Keep interactions gradual and structured
* Don’t panic over a hiss—it’s often fear, not a fight
* Trust the process and give your cats time to recalibrate
🌎 About Dr. Rachel’s Work
Dr. Rachel also shares her incredible work through her nonprofit All Cats All the Time, where she helps keep cats in their homes by providing free behavior support and financial assistance for cat parents in need.
It’s a powerful reminder that many behavior issues can be resolved—with the right guidance.
🐱 Final Thought
If your cats ever seem like strangers overnight, it doesn’t mean their bond is gone.
It just means something changed in how they recognize each other.
And with a little patience, structure, and understanding… they can find their way back.
💌 Never Miss an Episode
For weekly feline wellness conversations—ranging from health and behavior to the deeper emotional bond we share with our cats—head to GoldenWhiskersLove.com and subscribe.
Every Friday, a new episode lands in your inbox… along with practical, heartfelt insights to help your cat live a longer, healthier, and happier life.


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