Golden Whiskers with Scott Colby

This week’s episode is a little different.
Most weeks on the Golden Whiskers Podcast, I’m talking about feline wellness — nutrition, longevity, enrichment, and how we can help our cats live long, healthy lives.
But today I’m talking about grief.
My best friend Lori’s cat, Remi, passed away on March 1st. I’m recording this episode on March 10th, so it’s still very fresh. Remi wasn’t technically my cat… but the loss has still hit me really hard.
If you’ve ever loved a cat — whether it was yours, a friend’s, or one you cared for often — you probably understand how deep that bond can go.
In this episode, I share a tribute to Remi and reflect on the powerful ripple effect animals can have on the people around them. I also talk about the unique grief that can come when a cat who wasn’t “officially yours” still becomes part of your heart and your daily life.
Remi was a stunningly beautiful cat with a joyful spirit. She loved being outside, exploring the grass around Lori’s apartment, greeting people at the door, and opening Christmas presents like a little kid on Christmas morning.
Over the past couple of months, as Remi’s health declined, I spent a lot of time helping Lori care for her — giving medication, visiting almost daily, and simply being there. That time deepened the bond even more.
And when the time came to say goodbye at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital, I was there with Lori — just as Lori had been there for me when I had to say goodbye to my own cats, Nomar and Mia.
This episode is really about that bond. The quiet magic animals bring into our lives. The companionship, comfort, and purpose they give us — often without us even realizing it until they’re gone.
📘 Recommendations for Cat Owners
If you are experiencing pet loss right now — or supporting someone who is — a few thoughts from the heart:
Lean on your support system.Grief can feel incredibly isolating, especially when your home suddenly feels quiet. If you have someone you trust — a friend, family member, or fellow pet lover — let them be there for you.
Talk to someone who understands the human–animal bond.Not everyone has experienced pet loss, and that’s okay. But it can help tremendously to talk with someone who truly understands how deep that bond runs.
Let go of guilt.Almost every pet parent experiences it after a loss — wondering if we could have done something differently. The truth is, we make the best decisions we can with the information and resources we have, and we do it out of love.
Allow yourself to grieve.The loss of a cat is real grief. Give yourself permission to feel it.
✨Final Thought
Remi may have been Lori’s cat…
but the love she created reached far beyond just one person.
Animals have this quiet way of changing our lives. They bring joy, comfort, companionship, and meaning into our everyday routines.
And when they’re gone, that absence is deeply felt.
Remi will always be remembered, and always loved.
Rest easy, sweet Remi. 🐾


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In this week’s episode, I share a very personal story that unfolded right here in my apartment with my two bonded brothers, Niko and Milo.
If you have more than one cat, you might know this scenario.
You bring one cat home from the vet… and suddenly the other cat acts like they’ve never met before.
Hissing. Swatting. Staring.
That’s exactly what happened with Niko and Milo.
These two normally sleep together, groom each other, and chase each other around the apartment like brothers. But after a quick vet visit, Milo looked at Niko like he was a complete stranger.
It was confusing. It was stressful. And honestly, it made my stomach drop.
In this episode, I walk through what happened, why this kind of reaction is actually very common in cats, and how things eventually resolved.
😻Why Cats Sometimes “Forget” Each Other After the Vet
Cats recognize each other primarily through scent.
When a cat goes to the vet, they often come home smelling like things that are completely foreign to the other cat:
• disinfectants• other animals• medications• unfamiliar environments
So when the cat returns home, the other cat’s brain may process it as:
“Something about this cat is different.”
That’s what leads to the hissing, swatting, and intense monitoring.
It’s not that their bond suddenly disappeared. It’s more like a temporary case of scent confusion.
⏳What It Felt Like in the Moment
Even though I understand cat behavior pretty well, watching Niko and Milo react to each other like that was tough.
You start wondering:
Did their bond break?
Are they going to fight?
Did I do something wrong?
Every hiss suddenly feels huge.
But what I learned through this experience is that hissing and even a light swat are often just cats communicating boundaries, not signs of a broken relationship.
🙏Getting Guidance from Dr. Rachel Geller and Melissa Sherman
I reached out to two people I trust for guidance.
Dr. Rachel Geller, a cat behaviorist, helped me put a structured plan in place. Her approach focused on rebuilding positive associations between the cats through controlled feeding sessions and short, supervised “togetherness” sessions.
At the same time, Melissa Sherman — an animal communicator — shared another helpful perspective.
Melissa reminded me that sometimes we can over-manage situations like this. Cats also need space to communicate and work things out naturally.
So I followed Dr. Rachel’s plan while also trusting what I was seeing from Niko and Milo.
🐱❤️🐱How the Togetherness Sessions Went
We started with short, supervised sessions where Niko came out of the bathroom and Milo could see and smell him again.
At first Milo watched him closely.
There were a few:
• butt sniff checks• small hisses• a couple gentle swats
But nothing escalated.
They were able to be in the same space and disengage on their own.
And gradually the tension started to fade.
💤 The Moment Everything Shifted
Later that evening we let Niko stay out longer while my friend Lori and I just sat on the couch watching TV.
At first Milo monitored him closely.
But over time things softened.
Lori went to sleep in my bedroom and I fell asleep on the sofa.
Then around 3:40 in the morning, I woke up and saw something that made me smile.
Niko and Milo were sleeping together again.
About five minutes later they woke up and started grooming each other.
That’s when I knew things were truly back to normal.
💡What Cat Parents Can Take Away from This
If something like this happens in your home, here are a few things to remember.
Vet scent confusion is very common.
Cats rely heavily on scent to recognize each other.
Hissing doesn’t necessarily mean aggression.
Often it’s just a cat saying:
“Give me a little space.”
Most bonded cats work things out surprisingly quickly.
Once the scent starts to normalize again, their relationship usually resets.
✨ Final Thought
Watching Niko and Milo sleep together again reminded me just how strong the bond between cats can be.
Sometimes they just need a little time to remember who each other are.
And sometimes the best thing we can do as cat parents is stay calm, give them space, and let them communicate in their own language.


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In this week’s episode, I’m resharing one of our most downloaded conversations — and it’s hitting differently for me right now.
I’m joined by Julie-Anne Heart, founder of Naturally CAT and author of Cat Chakras. Julie-Anne specializes in gentle, holistic approaches that support a cat’s emotional and energetic well-being — including something many of us have never heard of: color therapy.
I’m bringing this episode back because a close friend of mine, Lori, is navigating a tough stretch with her cat Remi. Remi was recently diagnosed with chronic IBD. She’s dealing with thyroid issues and recently started steroids after vomiting, appetite loss, and weight changes.
Since starting steroids, she’s been more vocal. Sometimes restless. Sometimes unsettled.
And honestly? Sometimes we just don’t know what she wants.
If you’ve ever had a cat on medication and felt like you were guessing… this episode is for you.
Color therapy may sound unfamiliar — it did to me at first — but what I appreciate about Julie-Anne’s approach is that it’s gentle, non-invasive, and centered around giving your cat a choice.
✨ Episode Snapshot
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🌈 What Color Therapy Actually Is
Julie-Anne explains how color therapy works with the seven main energy centers (chakras) in the body — and how each color corresponds to different emotional and physical support.
🧘 Why Choice Is Everything
You don’t force a color into a cat bed or carrier. You offer options and let your cat choose. The act of choice itself is part of the healing.
🎨 The 7 Main Colors Explained
* Red (root – grounding, safety)
* Orange (sacral)
* Yellow (solar plexus)
* Green or Pink (heart – love, reassurance)
* Blue (throat)
* Indigo (third eye)
* Violet or White (crown)
Shade doesn’t matter nearly as much as intention and offering.
🟥 Grounding Anxious or Restless Cats
For cats who seem on edge, unsettled, or stressed — especially after vet visits or medication changes — Julie-Anne often starts with red for grounding.
💚 Rebuilding Trust After Stress
When Nico came home from an emergency vet visit and Milo hissed at him (because his scent changed), Julie-Anne suggested red for Nico and green for Milo — to support grounding and heart reassurance.
🧺 You Can Use What You Already Have
You don’t need special equipment. Towels, shirts, scarves, paper, even pens can work. The medium isn’t the magic — the offering is.
⏱ “My Cat Only Sat There for Two Minutes… Did It Work?”
Yes. A sniff. A paw placed on a color. A brief sit. All count as engagement.
🌈 Rainbow Blankets: Helpful but Limited
Rainbow fabric can help, but individual colors give your cat more control if they only want one frequency at a time.
📘 Julie-Anne’s Recommendations for Cat Owners
Keeping it simple, gentle, and practical:
• Offer colors in neutral, calm areas — not near litter boxes or food stations.• Don’t force colors into carriers or beds.• Watch subtle signals — sniffing, stepping across, stretching a paw.• Start with red for grounding if your cat feels anxious or unsettled.• Use green for emotional reassurance and bonding support.• Be patient — some cats take a day or two to lean into something new.• Remember: your calm energy matters too.
🌍 Where to Find Julie-Anne
Website: https://naturallycats.co.uk/
Books mentioned:• Cat Chakras• The Aromatic Cat (co-authored with Nayana Morag)
Julie-Anne also offers chakra rebalance sessions, Soul Sensing treatments, and programs to help anxious cat guardians move from head to heart.
✨ Final Thought
When our cats are stressed — especially during illness or medication changes — we don’t always need a dramatic intervention.
Sometimes we need gentleness.
Sometimes we soften the room.Sometimes we regulate ourselves.Sometimes we offer choice instead of control.
If you try color therapy — or even just experiment with calming environmental shifts — I’d genuinely love to hear what you notice.
💌 Never Miss an Episode
For weekly feline wellness conversations with leading experts, head to GoldenWhiskersLove.com and subscribe. Every Friday’s episode lands straight in your inbox — plus practical takeaways for cat parents who want their cats to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.


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In this week’s episode I’m joined by Melissa Natanson, certified holistic pet health coach and founder of Holistapaws Pet Health. Melissa specializes in gut and kidney health using principles of functional medicine and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).
Together we dive into one of the most common — and most misunderstood — issues facing senior cats: kidney disease.
We talk about why kidney issues are rising, the surprising role of chronic dehydration and kibble diets, how gut health directly impacts renal function, and what cat parents can do proactively — before lab values start climbing.
Melissa also shares the health journeys of her two senior cats, Lily and Whip, and how nutrition, probiotics, omega-3s, Rehmannia-based supplements, and even subcutaneous fluids helped them thrive.
👉 If you’ve ever heard “elevated creatinine” or “early kidney disease” at the vet and felt that pit in your stomach… this episode is for you.
✨ Episode Snapshot
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🩺 Why Kidney Disease Is So Common Now
Up to 30% of cats over age 10 and 50% over age 12 show signs of kidney issues. We unpack why longevity is rising — but so are chronic conditions.
💧 The Chronic Dehydration Problem
Why cats are biologically designed to get moisture from prey — not dry food — and how long-term low-moisture diets can stress the kidneys over time.
🧠 The Gut–Kidney Connection
IBD, inflammation, dental disease, and environmental toxins don’t just affect the gut — they increase the burden on the kidneys.
🍽️ The Protein Myth
Why lowering protein too early can backfire, what really matters (hint: phosphorus), and when prescription renal diets may — or may not — make sense.
🌿 TCVM & Rehmannia-Based Support
How Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine supports kidney blood flow, and why Melissa often uses Rehmannia-based formulas for aging cats.
💦 Subcutaneous Fluids Demystified
What they actually do, why they help, and practical ways to get support if you’re nervous about administering them yourself.
🧬 Stem Cell Therapy: The Future?
Emerging research on MSC stem cells and whether they may help regenerate kidney tissue in senior cats.
📘 Melissa’s Recommendations for Cat Owners
(Keeping things simple, practical, and proactive.)
• Prioritize moisture. Move toward a high-moisture, species-appropriate diet whenever possible.• Support the gut. A quality probiotic helps reduce uremic toxin burden and inflammation.• Add omega-3s. They help lower inflammation and support both gut and kidney health.• Watch phosphorus, not just protein. Especially in later-stage kidney disease.• Reduce environmental toxins. Be mindful of plug-ins, cleaners, laundry detergents, and chemicals cats walk through on their paws.• Consider Rehmannia-based kidney support. Especially for senior cats, even before symptoms appear.• Don’t panic over early numbers. Mild elevations don’t automatically mean the end — monitoring and foundational support matter.
🌍 Where to Find Melissa
Website:
https://www.holistapawspethealth.com
Facebook Page: HTA Paws Pet Health
Melissa is also partnering with Ask Ariel (pet nutritionist and product formulator) for additional feline wellness resources.
✨ Final Thought
Kidney disease isn’t sudden. It’s cumulative.
Years of dehydration, inflammation, environmental stressors, and dietary mismatch slowly add up — until one day the lab values shift.
But here’s the hopeful part: so do small improvements.
Moisture. Cleaner inputs. Better fats. Gut support. Inflammation control.
You don’t need perfection. You need awareness — and consistent upgrades over time.
And as I’ve learned personally, a kidney diagnosis is not an immediate death sentence. With the right support, many cats live happy, comfortable years beyond that first scary appointment.
💌 Never miss an episode
For weekly feline wellness conversations with leading experts, head to GoldenWhiskersLove.com and subscribe. Every Friday’s episode lands straight in your inbox — plus practical takeaways for cat parents who want their cats to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.


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

This week’s episode is a little different.
Normally on Golden Whiskers, I’m talking feline wellness. Interviewing experts. Sharing tips to help your cat live a longer, healthier, happier life.
Today… it’s just me.
And I’m talking about a dog.
My sister Jill’s golden retriever, Biscuit, unexpectedly passed away at the beginning of February. He was almost 13 years old.
Even though he wasn’t my dog, the grief has hit me harder than I expected.
So this episode is a celebration.A reflection.And a thank-you to a dog who lived with what I swear was a permanent smile.
🐾 Episode Snapshot
* Why grief doesn’t follow “ownership rules”
* What made Biscuit so unforgettable
* The contagious power of joy
* Why you should never age out of play
* How animals model the way we could live
Biscuit had what felt like 24/7 joy.
He was almost 13, but still had full puppy energy. Running. Playing. Smiling. Getting excited over Christmas gifts like it was the greatest day ever (because to him, it was).
He instantly loved everyone he met.
Not just tolerated.Loved.
If he saw a human and a dog, he gravitated toward the human. He made strangers feel special. He made rooms lighter. He made everyone smile.
And he did it without trying.
He didn’t overthink.He didn’t hold grudges.He didn’t wake up wondering if he was enough.
He just showed up… and loved.
📘 Recommendations for Cat Owners (and Dog Lovers)
Even though this episode centers on Biscuit, the lessons apply to every animal in our lives — including our cats.
Here are a few takeaways I’m personally reflecting on:
1. Joy is a decision.Animals don’t fake joy — they embody it. What would it look like to lean into joy more intentionally?
2. Energy is contagious.The way you show up affects the room. Biscuit proved that daily.
3. Love fast.Don’t hesitate. Don’t overthink it. Lead with warmth.
4. Don’t age out of play.Whether you’re 3 or 13 — or 53 — play keeps you young. Play keeps your pets young too.
5. Grief doesn’t require ownership.You don’t have to be the primary pet parent to feel loss deeply. If you’re hurting over someone else’s pet, that’s valid.
🐱 What I’m Trying With Niko and Milo
After recording this episode, I found myself watching Niko and Milo a little more closely.
They play constantly. They love each other without conditions. They greet me like I’ve been gone for a year even if I just took the trash out.
I’m trying to pause more.Be present when they’re playful instead of distracted.
Lean into gratitude instead of rushing past it.
I’m trying to embody a little more of Biscuit’s energy in my own life…
Permanent smile.Full-body tail wag.Love first. Ask questions later.
❤️ Final Thought
My sister Jill and her husband Dennis gave Biscuit an incredible life. Every time I saw them together, I thought: They are amazing dog parents.
And he gave it right back.
They were perfect for each other.
I was lucky to be Uncle Scott.
If there’s an animal in your life right now, hug them. Kiss them. Take the extra walk.
And if you’ve lost one, thank them for what they taught you.
They leave the lessons behind.
And sometimes, those lessons are exactly what we need.


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