Cat Talk Radio

Have you ever called your cat, watched them look directly at you…and then watched them walk away?
Or taught your cat to come when called, only to have them completely ignore you when something more interesting is happening?
Does that mean your cat is stubborn, defiant, or simply choosing to ignore you?
Not necessarily.
In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss explains why knowing a behavior and choosing to perform it are two very different things. Your cat's motivation, the environment, the value of the available rewards, and even the attention you give them can all influence what they do in a particular moment.
You'll learn:
Why a cat can understand a cue without responding every time
Why the squirrel outside may beat your best treat
Why "attention-seeking" isn't necessarily a bad thing
How we can accidentally reinforce behaviors we don't want
Why "no" doesn't actually tell your cat what you want them to do
How to make desired behaviors easier and more rewarding
Why a behavior that works at home may fall apart in a more distracting environment
The five questions to ask when your cat suddenly "doesn't listen"
Because your cat isn't necessarily saying, "No, Molly. I refuse."
They may simply be saying:
"I have a better offer."

What if you love cats—but someone in your family is allergic?
Does that automatically mean you can't have a cat?
Not necessarily.
In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly answers a question from 10-year-old Aurora, whose dad has allergies but who hopes to welcome a new kitten into the family. Molly explains what actually causes cat allergies, about "hypoallergenic cats", how allergen-reducing cat foods and toppers work, and the environmental changes that can help reduce allergen exposure.
Most importantly, she explains why there isn't one magic solution. From specialized food and HEPA filtration to keeping the bedroom cat-free, smart cleaning, grooming, hand washing, and working with an allergist, cat allergy management is about reducing exposure at multiple points—not eliminating the cat.
And if you're considering bringing a particular cat into an allergy-sensitive household, Molly has one especially important recommendation: Test before you commit.

You've probably heard that probiotics can support your own gut health—but what about your cat?
Your cat's gut is home to a complex community of bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that make up the feline gut microbiome. And that microbiome may have connections far beyond digestion, including the immune system, nutrient metabolism, and the gut-brain axis.
But with so many probiotic products and big claims out there, how do you know what actually matters?
In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly talks with Angel Romero from Buddy Biotics about the feline microbiome, dysbiosis, probiotics vs. prebiotics, multiple probiotic strains, CFUs, shelf stability, diet, appetite, stress, and when a probiotic or prebiotic might make sense for a cat.
And because the gut is connected to so many aspects of feline health, they explore where the science ends and marketing hype begins.
Listen to the episode to get the full conversation—and a clearer understanding of what probiotics may actually be doing inside your cat.
Find Buddy Biotics in the Cat Behavior Solutions online store.

Your cat's face, paws, body, and even their scratching behavior are all part of a sophisticated scent-communication system—but most of us barely notice it.
Cats use scent to communicate with other cats, create familiarity, mark important spaces, and make their environment feel safe. So when your cat rubs their face against your legs, scratches the sofa, or repeatedly returns to certain places, they may be doing much more than simply being cute—or destructive.
In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly explains the fascinating world of feline scent glands and scent marking, including where these glands are located, what cats are communicating when they use them, and why understanding scent can change the way you look at everyday cat behavior.
You'll also learn why removing every trace of your cat's scent may actually work against them—and where pheromone products such as Feliway fit into the picture.
Because once you understand how cats communicate through scent, a whole lot of "weird cat behavior" starts to make sense.

You may think your cat's litter box is just a box filled with litter—but to your cat, it's a bathroom, a vulnerable moment, a resource, and sometimes even a potential ambush site!
In this episode of Cat Talk Radio, Molly DeVoss digs into the why behind the recommendations in our Purrfect Litter Box handout (email Molly@cattalkradio.com to get a copy of it.)
Why does size matter? Why should litter boxes be spread throughout the house instead of lined up together? Why can another cat simply lying near a box keep a cat from using it? Why do cats generally prefer a sandy, unscented substrate? And why might that fancy self-cleaning litter box you love be terrifying your cat?
We'll talk about cleanliness, escape routes, covered versus uncovered boxes, when to replace an old box, and the simple little things you can do to make your cat's bathroom more comfortable, predictable and secure.
Because when it comes to litter boxes, your cat isn't being difficult—they're communicating.