Golden Whiskers with Scott Colby

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marci Koski, a certified feline behavior and training consultant and the founder of Feline Behavior Solutions.
Together, we dive into senior feline behavior — and why play, enrichment, and understanding your cat’s preferences become even more important as cats age. Marci shares practical, realistic ways to support older cats who may be slowing down physically but still need mental stimulation, agency, and connection.
We talk about how to adapt play for senior cats, why behavior is communication (not defiance), how clicker training works for cats of any age, and why so many behavior challenges can be improved by changing the environment — not the cat.
👉 If you’re caring for a senior cat — or want to set your younger cat up for healthier golden years — this episode is packed with insight you can use right away.
✨ Episode Snapshot
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🐾 Why Play Still Matters for Senior Cats
Play supports both physical health and cognitive function, even as cats slow down. Senior cats don’t need to sprint like kittens — they need thoughtful, adapted enrichment that keeps their minds engaged and their bodies gently moving.
🧠 The Prey Sequence (and How to Use It at Any Age)
Marci breaks down the four stages of the prey sequence:stare → stalk/chase → pounce/grab → kill bite — and explains how you can recreate each phase in ways that work for older cats using wand toys, rolling balls, kicker toys, and even visual stimulation like bird watching.
🎯 How to Close the Loop on Play
Why it’s important to finish play sessions properly — moving from play to a snack — to support the natural hunt → eat → groom → sleep cycle that cats instinctively crave.
🖱️ Clicker Training for Cats (Yes, Really)
Cats are trainable. Marci explains how clicker (or marker) training works, why it’s powerful mental enrichment for senior cats, and how to use simple cues — even without a physical clicker.
🔥 Comfort Matters: Senior-Friendly Home Adjustments
Heated cat beds, lower-sided litter boxes, easy access, and reduced obstacles can dramatically improve quality of life for aging cats — especially those with arthritis or mobility changes.
🚽 Litter Box Challenges & Senior Cats
Why litter box issues often stem from pain, stress tolerance, or environment, not “bad behavior.” Marci shares what cats actually prefer when it comes to box size, litter type, placement, and accessibility.
🤍 Behavior Is Communication
One of the most important takeaways: cats are responding to the environment we give them. Change the environment, reduce stressors, and behavior often improves — helping keep cats in loving homes and out of shelters.
📘 Marci’s Recommendations for Cat Owners
* Keep play in your daily routine — at any age. Adapt it to your cat’s mobility, but don’t eliminate it.
* Use the prey sequence as your guide. Play doesn’t have to be intense to be fulfilling.
* Close the loop on play. Follow stimulation with a physical outlet and a small meal or treat.
* Provide warmth and comfort. Heated cat beds and mats can be incredibly soothing for senior cats.
* Make litter boxes easy and inviting. Large boxes, low sides, unscented clumping clay litter, good lighting, and easy access matter.
* Give cats choice and agency. Respect when they want interaction — and when they don’t.
* Create “looky, no touchy” zones. Safe spaces help cats feel secure and reduce stress.
* Remember: behavior can be changed. Cats are trainable, adaptable, and deeply responsive to their environment.
🌍 Where to Find Dr. Marci
* Website: https://www.felinebehaviorsolutions.com
* Facebook Page: Feline Behavior Solutions
* Facebook Group: Feline Behavior Solutions (Private Group)
* Instagram: @felinebehaviorsolutions
✨ Final Thought
Senior cats aren’t “less” — they’re simply different. When we slow down, pay attention, and meet them where they are, we deepen the bond in ways that matter most. Play doesn’t end with age. Choice doesn’t disappear. And connection grows strongest when it’s rooted in understanding.
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In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Julie‑Anne Heart, founder of Naturally Cats. Julie-Anne is a holistic cat therapist who specializes in supporting anxious cats — and anxious guardians — through emotional and energetic approaches.
Together, we dive into one of the most common (and quietly stressful) challenges cat parents face: how to help cats actually be happy in a multi-cat home — not just coexist.
We talk about why “one-size-fits-all” approaches often backfire, how emotional needs drive behavior, the role we play as guardians, and simple ways to create more harmony without adding complexity.
Julie-Anne also shares personal stories about her cats Leo and Baby Max (and her late cat Pickle), while I reflect on what I’ve learned living with bonded brothers Niko and Milo — and previously, Nomar and Mia.
👉 If you’ve ever wondered whether your cats are truly content, or felt overwhelmed trying to keep the peace, this episode is for you.
✨ Episode Snapshot
In this episode, you’ll learn:
😺 What “Happy” Actually Looks Like in CatsWhy happiness isn’t about silence or compliance — and how confidence, safety, engagement, and emotional regulation show up differently in every cat.
🧠 Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t WorkHow treating cats as interchangeable (even bonded cats) leads to emotional stress, behavior challenges, and missed needs.
🐾 Behavior Is CommunicationWhy scratching, fighting, hiding, or food issues are signals — not problems — and how emotion always sits beneath behavior.
🏠 Multi-Cat Stress Points You Can FixThe most common environmental pressure points in shared spaces, including litter boxes and feeding routines — and how small adjustments make a big difference.
💞 The Guardian’s Role (Yes, That Means Us)How our stress, emotions, and energy affect our cats more than we realize — and why caring for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s supportive.
🎨 Color Therapy as Emotional SupportA simple, accessible way to help cats self-regulate emotionally by giving them choice — without forcing anything. Check out my other interview with Julie-Anne on color therapy.
🌱 Small Changes That Restore HarmonyWhy progress doesn’t come from perfection, but from awareness, patience, and meeting cats where they are.
📘 Julie-Anne’s Recommendations for Cat Owners
* There is no one-size-fits-all approach.Every cat is unique. What worked for a previous cat may not work again — and that’s okay.
* Give cats choice whenever possible.Choice builds confidence, emotional safety, and reduces stress in shared environments.
* Support emotional health, not just behavior.Behavior is a response to emotion. Address the feeling first.
* Rethink shared resources.Feeding stations and litter boxes should support different preferences, not force competition.
* Try color therapy.Let cats choose when and how they interact with different colors to support grounding, calm, and emotional balance.
🌍 Where to Find Julie-Anne
🌐 Website: naturallycats.co.uk📖 Books: The Aromatic Cat and Cat Chakras📺 YouTube: Naturally Cats YouTube Channel📸 Instagram: @naturallycats📘 Facebook: Naturally Cats
She also offers practical eBooks on color therapy, herbs, essential oils, bone broth, and more — all available through her site.
Check out our other interview: Is Your Cat Anxious or Stressed? Use This Simple Color Therapy Technique To Help. 👉 Listen here.
✨ Final Thought
Harmony in a multi-cat home doesn’t come from managing behavior — it comes from understanding emotion. When we release expectations and give our cats more choice, safety, and patience, the entire household softens.
You don’t need to do more.You just need to notice more.
🎙️Loved This Episode?
Subscribe to The Golden Whiskers Podcast and leave a review—it helps spread the word so more cat parents can help their furry friends live longer, healthier, and happier lives.


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🐾 Episode Summary
This week on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, we’re sharing a deeply meaningful conversation about pet loss grief—something that can feel especially heavy during the holidays and at the start of a new year.
I’m joined by therapist Chelsea Kramer, who specializes in grief, anxiety, and trauma—and who has also walked her own pet loss journey. Together, we talk honestly about why losing a cat can feel just as intense (or even more intense) than losing a human, and why so many pet parents struggle in silence.
We explore the emotions that often show up after a loss—guilt, loneliness, shock, and exhaustion—and how to move through them with compassion rather than judgment. This episode is not about “getting over it.” It’s about understanding what you’re feeling, honoring the bond you shared, and finding small ways to keep going when everything feels heavy.
📌 In This Episode, We Talk About:
* Why pet loss grief can feel overwhelming—and why that’s completely normal
* What “disenfranchised grief” means and how it affects pet parents
* The difference between being alone and feeling lonely after a loss
* What to focus on in the first days and weeks after your pet passes
* Why guilt is so common, even when you did everything you could
* How meaning-making and simple rituals can help you heal
* How hope slowly returns—even when you can’t feel it yet
📘 Recommendations for Cat Owners (and grieving pet parents)
Key takeaways from this conversation:
* Take time if you’re able. Grief impacts your body, not just your emotions.
* Focus on the basics first: eating, hydration, rest, and gentle movement.
* Stay connected to at least one safe person. You don’t have to explain everything—just don’t carry it alone.
* Ask for the kind of support you need. Talking, sitting quietly, or simple companionship all count.
* Be gentle with guilt. It often shows up when life feels out of control—not because you failed.
* Create rituals or reminders that honor your pet and keep the bond alive.
* Borrow hope when you need it. Other people have survived this—and you will too.
* Consider professional support if grief feels stuck or overwhelming for a long time.
🔗 Links to Chelsea Kramer
* Instagram: @chelseakramertherapy
* Website & Blog: Chelsea Kramer Therapy(Chelsea shared that she currently works virtually and may be limited to Washington State due to licensing.)
🧡 Final Thoughts
If you’re listening to this while grieving, please hear this:
What you’re feeling makes sense.The love you shared was real.And there is no timeline for this.
Be patient with yourself. Focus on the next small step. And remember—you don’t have to “move on” to move forward. You can carry the love with you.
If this episode feels helpful, consider sharing it with someone who may need it—especially this time of year.
With gratitude,ScottHost, Golden Whiskers Podcast


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🐾 Episode Summary
This week on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, we’re bringing you one of our most powerful and practical interviews from the Thrive: Feline Wellness Summit. Certified Canine Nutritionist and Integrative Pet Health Coach Elizabeth Casas shares how whole food nutrition reversed her cat Lumiere’s life-threatening pancreatitis—even after vets said there was nothing more they could do.
We talk about:
* Why kibble could be quietly harming your cat
* How to transition your cat to a healthier diet (without drama)
* What pet food labels don’t tell you
* How to combine holistic approaches with conventional veterinary care
* Affordable ways to meal prep whole food for cats
* How gut health, skin issues, and diet are deeply connected
This episode is packed with heart, real-life stories, and simple, empowering takeaways for any cat parent ready to help their cat thrive—without fear or overwhelm.
📘 Recommendations for Cat Owners
* Start small: Elizabeth recommends just 1 teaspoon of a superfood per day (like sautéed mushrooms, sardines, or goat milk) to begin upgrading your cat’s nutrition.
* Watch for warning signs: Itching, frequent vomiting (beyond hairballs), goopy eyes, or flaky skin might signal gut dysbiosis or food sensitivities.
* Rotate proteins: Feeding the same protein daily (like chicken) can cause sensitivities over time. Aim for variety across the week.
* Read food labels carefully:
* Look for whole named proteins (e.g., “chicken” or “beef”).
* Avoid by-products and vague meals unless you know the source.
* Beware of ingredient splitting (e.g., corn in multiple forms).
* Meal prep made easy: A slow cooker meal with turkey, veggies, and organ meat can last 3–4 weeks and cost less than most premium kibble!
* Collaborate with your vet: Holistic care is not about replacing your vet—it’s about working together for your cat’s long-term wellness.
🔗 Connect with Elizabeth Casas
* 📸 Instagram: @ecasasCPCN
🐾 Final Thought
Your cat might look okay—but are they truly thriving?Nutrition isn’t just about survival. It’s about vitality, longevity, and making sure your feline companions feel good every single day. Elizabeth’s story is a reminder that we have more power than we think—sometimes, it just starts with a single teaspoon of change.
If this episode helped you see things differently, share it with a fellow cat parent or leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify. It helps more people find these important conversations.Thanks for being here and for loving your cat as much as you do. 💛🐾


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🐾 Episode Summary
In today’s episode of the Golden Whiskers Podcast, I’m sharing two powerful moments from previous conversations that completely changed how I think about cat behavior.
Behavior issues—like litter box problems, stress behaviors, or sudden changes—are often misunderstood. What we label as “bad behavior” is usually our cat trying to solve a problem or communicate that something isn’t right.
In this episode, you’ll hear insights from Dr. Rachel Geller and Melissa Sherman, who each approach feline behavior from a different—but deeply complementary—angle. Together, these clips offer a compassionate reframe that replaces frustration with curiosity and blame with understanding.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
* Why litter box issues are often about safety, not defiance
* How cats problem-solve when they don’t feel secure
* Why sudden behavior changes should always prompt a medical check first
* How emotional stress—ours included—can influence a cat’s behavior
* Why empathy and awareness are often the first real “solution”
🐱 Recommendations for Cat Owners
* If a behavior change is sudden or new, rule out medical causes first—pain and illness often show up as behavior
* Look at your cat’s environment through their eyes, especially around vulnerable moments like using the litter box
* Use open, uncovered litter boxes with clear visual fields whenever possible
* Pay attention to changes in your own stress, routine, or emotional energy
* Approach behavior with curiosity instead of frustration—small shifts can make a big difference
🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned
* Dr. Rachel Geller – Certified Cat Behaviorist
* Melissa Sherman of Calming Creek – Animal communicator and holistic wellness practitioner
(Full interviews with both guests are available in the Golden Whiskers Podcast archive.)
💛 Final Thoughts
Behavior isn’t the enemy.
Most of the time, it’s information. It’s your cat’s way of telling you they don’t feel safe, comfortable, or settled. When we slow down and listen instead of reacting, everything changes.
If your cat’s behavior has been challenging lately, I hope this episode helps you see it through a gentler, more compassionate lens.
Thanks for being here, and I’ll see you next time.


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