The Hissing Feline
Each week on The Hissing Feline podcast, Clark Greer interviews cat experts across the United States who share their knowledge and perspectives about cats. You'll hear from university professors, directors of animal shelters and cat organizations, veterinarians, and individuals who can speak to the daily needs of cats. Guests on the podcast discuss everything from kittens to community cats, health concerns to cat stress, and adoption to training and behaviors.
Gray whiskers, golden hearts: Caring for cats in their senior years
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Depending on health and other factors, in-door cats can live into their mid- to upper teens. Some cats exceed that average, even living into their twenties. Senior cats are special, but they can have many needs. This edition of The Hissing Feline podcast focuses on geriatric cats…their health, characteristics, and care.
Joining me today on this edition of the show is Dr. Grant Jacobson, founder of The Hometown Veterinarian in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Here are some topics discussed in the show:
Age segments of cats and rel...Get a sneak preview of the Cat Writers’ Association 2026 conference
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Are you a shelter worker or a part of the cat writing community? The annual conference of the Cat Writers’ Association is designed for you.
This episode of The Hissing Feline gives you details about the event that takes place November 6 and 7 in the Dallas – Ft. Worth airport area.
My guest on this episode is Dusty Rainbolt, a winning author of fiction and nonfiction books, a cat behavior consultant, and a blogger. She is a past president of the Cat Writer’s Association and is co-chair of the 2026...
Retroviruses in kittens: What every cat parent should know
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This week's podcast focuses on feline retroviruses, particularly those conditions in kittens.
Returning to the podcast is Dr. Emily Coleman. She is a veterinarian and the executive director of The National Kitten Coalition.
This episode of the podcast features several topics, including the following:
What constitutes a retrovirusTypes of retroviruses in kittens Cat owner knowledge and awareness of retroviruses in a kittenWhat is physically happening to a kitten with a retrovirusHow retroviruses are spreadPrognosis for kittens with a retrovirusEarly versus late detection implicationsWhat makes kittens susceptible to...How to give your cat a stress-free visit to the vet
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Taking your cat to the veterinarian can be a challenge. Putting your four-footed child into its carrier is just the start. Then, there is the battle of giving your cat a pill if the vet prescribes medication.
“There must be a better way to deal with those situations,” you tell yourself.
Yes, there is! You’ll hear about solutions to those problems on this episode of The Hissing Feline podcast.
Joining me on this podcast is Dr. Elizabeth Chapman, owner and medical director of Just Cats Cl...
Unlocking the physical and mental health benefits of cats
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Cats offer a lot of enjoyment to our lives. Watching Fluffy play with a toy mouse or scamper across the floor to catch a ball is as entertaining for us as it is for the cat.
This edition of The Hissing Feline focuses on the ways cats benefit humans. My guest for this episode is Dr. Erica Monaco, owner and medical director of Highlands Animal Care in Henderson, NV.
Show highlights:
Different perspectives of cat vs. dog interactionCat-human bondingHow cats demonstrate connections with their humansMental health be...What your cat is really saying: Decoding feline communication
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Do you talk to your cat? Did you know that your cat also communicates with you?
On this episode of The Hissing Feline podcast, you’ll learn about how cats use vocalizations and body language to express themselves to humans and other cats.
My guest is Dr. Sarah Bruggeman, Senior Associate Veterinarian at Billings Animal Family Hospital in Billings, MT, and a member of the Feline Veterinary Association.
Dr. Bruggeman discusses topics, including those listed below, about feline communication:
Vocal communication
Mother cat to ki...Step into a cat's world in a captivating new novel
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Have you wondered what a cat feels when its paws touch cool grass or a crunchy leaf? When it hears the buzz of an insect…or comes face-to-face with a human? There’s a new book that lets you sense and think like a cat.
Kat McCarthy is my guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline. She is an author and a member of the Cat Writers Association. Kat talks about her novel, “The Wild Side of the Wall: A Cat's Tale of Courage, Kinship, and Joy.”
On this...
Cat kidney disease: Symptoms, causes, and treatments every owner should know
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Chronic Kidney Disease is one of the most common health issues cat owners face, especially in older cats.
What symptoms might cat parents observe that point to kidney disease? How is the disease diagnosed? What treatment methods are available?
Dr. Jessica Quimby joins me on this episode of The Hissing Feline to talk about feline chronic kidney disease. She is Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University. Dr. Quimby is a board certified internal medicine specialist.
...
Exciting changes coming soon to The Hissing Feline podcast
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Some great changes are coming to The Hissing Feline podcast in September:
Same excellent cat expert interviews.New podcast logo.Inspiring Cat Stories after each interview, with stories from listeners.The Hissing Feline website that has links to current and previous episodes, the Cat Stuff blog, profiles of the podcast crew, and a contact page with information about how to submit an Inspiring Cat Story.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and other podcast platforms.
Cat dementia: Signs, causes, and essential care tips
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Watching our cats age is not easy, especially when they have chronic pain, kidney disease, weight loss, arthritis, and other debilitating conditions. Some cats experience mental decline also known as Feline Cognitive Dysfunction.
This episode features a visit with Dr. Melissa Boldan about feline dementia. Dr. Boldan is associate veterinarian at Trailside Animal Hospital in Columbia, MO. She also is a contributing author of articles about cat and dog health topics to PetMD.
Here are some of the topics discussed on this podcast:
Feline dementia defined. Ca...Hooked on cat videos? Go behind-the-scenes of the Cat Video Fest with Director Will Braden
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Very popular types of online videos feature cats. They are everywhere on social media. People simply cannot get enough of cats being cats.
The guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline is Will Braden, director of the Cat Video Fest. On the podcast, Will discusses a number of topics about the Fest:
Fest history and Will's involvementGrowth of the Fest in the USInternational aspect of the FestTypes of videos that are included in the productionThe process of receiving, sorting through entries, and selection criteriaHow the Fest helps l...Finding Love in Cats with Special Needs: A visit with Nikki Healy, executive director of the Good Mews Animal Foundation
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There are many shelter cats that are considered "unadoptable" or overlooked. They are felines that are more difficult to adopt out due to various circumstances. That includes cats that might have either a shy or aggressive personality, those that are undersocialized, felines with medical situations (e.g., feline leukemia, diabetes, and cancer), special needs cats, and cats that are in their senior years.
This episode of The Hissing Feline podcast features an interview with Nikki Healy, executive director of the Good Mews Animal Foundation in Marietta, Georgia. In this...
Cat diabetes: What to know about symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis, types of treatment, and management
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One big health concern of cat owners is feline diabetes. What are symptoms that cat parents can recognize? What treatments are available for the disease? How can diabetes be managed in cats?
This episode of The Hissing Feline features a discussion with Dr. Elizabeth Chapman about feline diabetes. Dr. Chapman is owner and medical director of Just Cats Clinic in Reston, VA.
The show focuses on topics such as factors that contribute to feline diabetes, signs of diabetes that cat owners might observe, and detection methods and...
Cat first aid: How to know if your cat is in distress, respond to those situations, and prepare for emergencies
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Cat emergencies can happen anytime and with little or no warning. On this episode, well known pet first aid expert Arden Moore talks about recognizing when a cat is in distress and what to do in those instances. She discusses the most common types of situations that require feline first aid and how to prepare for emergencies.
For more information about Arden Moore's Pet First Aid 4U, visit https://www.petfirstaid4u.com/
Considering fostering kittens? What are the challenges, requirements, and benefits?
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Fostering kittens is more than feeding and caring for them over a period of time. Fostering plays an important role in the growth and life of a cat. It helps with socialization and prepares cats to be adopted into their forever homes. It’s kind of like a cat internship.
My guest on this episode is Summer Preuit, the kitten fostering coordinator at The Cat House in Lincoln, NE. Summer discusses foster parent requirements and preparation, including having a proper environment for fostering. She also talks about the supplies nee...
Yes! Cats can be trained: Reasons and methods for training with Allison Hunter-Frederick, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and Trainer
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Today's guest is Allison Hunter-Frederick. She is a certified cat behavior consultant and trainer located in Lincoln, NE, and owner of Allison Helps Cats.
On the podcast, Allison talks about whether the type of cat relates to trainability. She also shares some of the most asked questions she has received about cat training and reasons people have for wanting to train a cat.
In the second segment of the podcast, Allison discusses strategies for training, including having a positive approach and preparing for setbacks.
Find...
How to deal with community cats: Learn about the efforts of Friends of Feral Felines in Charlotte, NC.
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Community cats are a big concern of neighborhoods across the US. There are many cat-related organizations in towns and cities that are dedicated to dealing with populations of feral and stray cats. Their efforts not only focus on trap, neuter, and release programs, but also on the importance of educating the public about community cats.
My guest on today's podcast is Cindy Campbell, board member and volunteer at Friends of Feral Felines in Charlotte, North Carolina. She first discusses the history and mission of the organization. Cindy encourages people...
Understanding acute and chronic pain in cats, and treatment options: A discussion with Dr. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center
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Cats are skilled at hiding illness and pain. Determining if your cat is experiencing pain can be difficult. What are the signs? What are different sources of cat pain? What treatments are available to deal with their discomfort? Those are some of the questions this episode of The Hissing Feline will address.
Returning to the show is Dr. Bruce Kornreich. He is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
In this episode, Dr. Kornreich dis...
Cats and coffee: Learn about Coffee Cats, the first cat cafe in Iowa
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Imagine having a warm cup of coffee, a tasty snack, and an opportunity to visit with cats all in the same location. It’s the perfect combination.
Across the United States there are an estimated 300 cat cafés, many of which give patrons a chance to enjoy their favorite café amenities while checking out cats from local shelters for adoption.
This episode of The Hissing Feline podcast features and interview with Mary Jankowski, owner of Iowa’s first cat café, known as Coffee Cats. The cafe is located...
Cats and cancer: A visit with veterinarian and board-certified veterinary oncologist Dr. Karen Oberthaler about types of feline cancers and their treatment
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Cancer touches just about everyone – family, friends, and us. Different kinds of cancers also can affect our four-footed family members.
My guest on today's podcast is Dr. Karen Oberthaler, veterinarian and board-certified veterinary oncologist. She is co-founder of Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care in both Boulder and Eagle, Colorado.
In this episode, Dr. Oberthaler discusses common types of feline cancers, including where cancers in cats are most likely to appear. She talks about methods of cancer diagnosis and treatments. Also, Dr. Oberthaler visits with me about differences between hum...
Kittens, kittens everywhere: What to consider when adopting a kitten and how to prepare your house (and yourself and family) to bring a kitten into your home.
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Just about everywhere we look this time of year there are baby animals. My wife and I have seen baby groundhogs, goslings, calves, and, of course, kittens.
Kitten season lasts from spring to late fall, but now is the peak time of the year for their arrival. It’s also when shelters take in large numbers of the babies, along with mother cats.
With me on the podcast today to visit about kittens, health, and adopting them is Carol Griglione, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in D...
Vacation time and pet sitting: Revisiting an earlier episode of The Hissing Feline with pet sitter Crystal Jolly
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This episode of The Hissing Feline revisits an earlier show on which I interviewed Crystal Jolly, a pet sitter with 15 years of full time experience and 25 years part time work in the field. Topics include how Crystal became interested in pet sitting, differences between dogs and cats for sitters, and the personalities of different types of cats.
In the second segment, Crystal discusses deciding whether to employ a pet sitter or boarding an animal when an owner will be away. She also talks about what a person should consider w...
Helping communities manage community cats: The work of Community Cats Central
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In the US, there are millions of un-homed cats, often referred to as community cats. What is a community cat? How do people care for them? How can people become involved with those cats? Those are just a few of the questions this episode of The Hissing Feline podcast will address.
This episode features an interview with Stacy LeBaron, founder of Community Cats Central in Vermont. The organization offers a wealth of online information, training, a podcast, and other ways to help deal with community cats.
In t...
Cats as therapy animals? Research findings about the possibilities
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You are probably familiar with therapy dogs that are specially trained to give comfort and emotional help to people in medical settings, schools, and care facilities. But did you know that cats might also offer the same benefits?
My guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline is Dr. Patricia Pendry, professor of Human Development in the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences at Washington State University. Her research examines human-animal interaction, including a study about cats as therapy animals. On today's show, Dr. Pendry talks about a...
The cat buddy system: How to tell if cats are bonded buddies and why it is important to keep them together
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Do you remember meeting someone with whom you immediately clicked? Maybe the person was a classmate or a work colleague. You knew the friendship would last for years.
Those types of connections are not just for humans. Animals also develop similar relationships. They are referred to as bonded buddies.
My guest today to talk about that topic is Carol Griglione, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines, IA.
During this show, Carol defines the concept of bonded buddies and how to recognize t...
How to recognize and address stress in cats and causes of stress
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It doesn’t take long for cat owners to discover that their feline is easily startled by noises inside the home or outside, such as thunder. A cat can also become stressed during a trip to the vet.
Those situations are only a small number of cat stressors. Stress can also bring about long-term problems. How can you recognize a cat is stressed? And what can be done in those situations?
Today's guest on The Hissing Feline is Dr. Grant Jacobson, founder of The Hometown Veterinarian in Ma...
From feral kitten to cherished senior cat: Sadie's story
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This is a special episode of The Hissing Feline. My guest today is my wife Georgia, who is the producer of this podcast. The show focuses on visiting about raising our cat, Sadie. We adopted her as a feral kitten, and she lived to be nearly 21-years old.
During the podcast, we reminisce about Sadie's younger years and how she got her name. We discuss her personality as a youngster and some of the biggest challenges of having a feral cat.
Sadie mellowed as she grew older, b...
How to add enrichment and adventure to your cat's life: A visit with Emily Hall of KittyCatGO
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Joining me on this episode of The Hissing Feline is Emily Hall, founder of KittyCatGO, a company that specializes in cat enrichment, training, feline travels, and adventures. Emily is a certified cat trainer, host of the KittyCatGO Adventure podcast, and educator of cat parents.
Emily discusses cat enrichment and why cats need exercise. She also talks about ways to add adventure to a cat’s life, including both indoor and outdoor activities.
Contrary to some people's perception of cats, felines are trainable. Part of that is harness and...
Addressing cat behavior problems: A visit with Allison Hunter-Frederick, owner of Allison Helps Cats
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Does your cat not always use the litter box? Maybe your feline runs and hides each time the doorbell rings. Those are two of many behavior problems you might encounter with your cat.
On this episode of The Hissing Feline, I visit with Allison Hunter-Frederick, a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Allison Helps Cats in Lincoln, NE. She discusses common feline behavior issues that prompt cat owners to contact her, and how she works with cats who have various behavior issues.
For more information about ca...
Improving the world for all cats: The mission and work of the Cornell Feline Health Center
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Dr. Bruce Kornreich is the guest on this episode of The Hissing Feline. He is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
In this episode, Dr. Kornreich discusses the three components of the Center's mission: research, outreach, and education. He also highlights the kind of collaborative research the Center involved in, talks about the Center's CatGPT, and discusses cat-related research.
Visit the Cornell Feline Health Center here.
Springtime is kitten time: A visit with The National Kitten Coalition
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My guest today is Dr. Emily Coleman, a veterinarian and the executive director of The National Kitten Coalition.
Dr. Coleman talks about the organization, including its history, when it was started, and its purpose and goals. In addition, She discusses The National Kitten Coalition's educational programs and the most pressing concerns of the organization.
Next, Dr. Coleman helps listeners understand why fostering kittens is crucial, as well as why people should consider fostering. She explains what potential foster parents should consider before bringing kittens in their home...
How students in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University are meeting the health needs of shelter cats and dogs
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The guest on this episode is Dr. Joyce Carnevale, director of the Community Outreach Program at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
In the first segment of the show, Dr. Carnevale discusses the beginning of the Community Outreach Program and the goals of the program. She compares the growth of the program over the years and talks about how local shelters in mid-Iowa become involved.
The second segment focuses on the student side of the Community Outreach Program. Dr. Carnevale discusses the types of surgeries a...
Cat sitting: Experiences of a Long-time Pet Sitter
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The guest on this episode is Crystal Jolly, a pet sitter with 15 years of full time experience and 25 years part time work in the field.
Topics on the show include how Crystal became interested in pet sitting, differences between dogs and cats for sitters, and the personalities of different types of cats.
In the second segment, Crystal discusses deciding whether to employ a pet sitter or boarding an animal when an owner will be away. She also talks about what a person should consider when selecting a s...
The CatSnip program at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa
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Today's guest is Carol Griglione, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines, IA. Carol oversees ARL operations and directs the leadership team. She has been involved with the ARL since 1993, including serving for 30-years as board president.
In this episode, you will learn about the work of the ARL, its background, and community outreach. Carol also discusses the approximate numbers and types of animals received and cared for each month. Sometimes there are sudden increases in numbers due to rescue situations. Examples from December 2025, include one s...
Getting to know Noah's Ark Animal Foundation in Fairfield, Iowa
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This week's guest on The Hissing Feline is Dawn Poetting, the director of Noah's Ark Animal Foundation in Fairfield, IA. In this episode, Dawn talks about the history of the organization and its growth, as well as challenges of shelters in smaller communities. She also discusses the importance of the organization's volunteers.
Check out Noah's Ark Animal Foundation here.
Reuniting cats and owners: Grimes Feline Finders
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My guest for this episode is Tonya Headlee, who is with the Grimes Feline Finders in Iowa. Tonya talks about how the people with Feline Finders are helping reunite cats with their owners. She also explains the steps individuals can take if their cat is lost.
The Hissing Feline promotion
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The Hissing Feline is about everything cats. The podcast features cat experts and other aficianados who share their knowledge and perspectives about dealing with various cat topics…from strays and ferals to adoption, health, enrichment, behaviors, and cat psychology.
Listen each week for helpful and interesting insights into the world of cats. The podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform.
