Welcome to

Dr. Kathryn Primm on Pet Life Radio

Dogs are a gift. They amaze us every day. They are loyal friends and noble protectors. We live with them, but do we really know them? Find out all kinds of interesting things about dogs and how to keep them happy and healthy. We will explore dogs and the people who love them. What does science teach us about dogs? What questions have you always wanted to ask your vet? We examine all things canine and help dog lovers learn new and interesting dog things. We talk with new and exciting people and the common thread is always a love of dogs. For dogs’ sake, let’s have some terrier-ific fun together on this radio show/ podcast!


"Dr. Kat Gone to the Dogs Theme Song Written & Produced by Mark Winter
© Copyright 2018 Song-O-Saurus Music (ASCAP)

Episode 30 -

Coming soon

Show Notes

Episode 29 - What is the American Animal Hospital Association?

I love to share with my listeners things that they may not know but could benefit from. Today, I speak with Dr. Jessica Vogelsang who is the chief medical officer of AAHA about what they do and why we, as pet lovers, should care. Did you know that there isn't an enforced standard of care in veterinary hospitals like there is for human hospitals? So how do you know if the care that is provided there complies with the latest medical recommendations? AAHA accreditation is how!

AAHA Accreditation is a trusted way for a practice to be voluntarily evaluated by a neutral third party and prove that they are in the top 12% of all veterinary hospitals.  I get to find out the scoop straight from the "top dog" at AHAA. Check it out!

Show Notes

Episode 28 - Puppy Love: Digging Up A Dating App For Dog Lovers

Today's guest is a fun one, Leigh D'Angelo,  CEO and co-founder of animal lovers dating apps shares with all we need to know to find love with Dig, dog lovers special features that allow you to find a special someone who shares your love for fur friends. Find out why these apps are the best place to live happily FURever after!app and Tabby, the cat lovers app. Find out how to get the app and all the special features that allow you to find a special someone who shares your love for fur friends. Find out why these apps are the best place to live happily FURever after!

Show Notes

Episode 27 - Pet Sitter Basics

Have you ever needed a pet sitter? It's a little scary to have someone else care for your fur baby. I get to chat with Collin Funkhouser, pet-sitting expert about the state of pet sitting industry and what you need to know to find a great pet sitter.

What is reasonable to expect a pet sitter to do? What should their credentials be? Collin explains all of this and so much more in this fun and informative episode!

Show Notes

Episode 26 - Growing Old Gracefully: The Truth About Pet Aging

Dr. Chad Dodd tells us some secrets about helping pets age gracefully.  Dr. Dodd has dedicated his life to extending life and quality of life for pets.  We talk about the science of aging and what we know to manage the issues that develop as pets age.

Dr. Dodd "busts the myth" about how old your dog (cat) really is. It isn't a straight one to seven years comparison and you need to know where your cat really falls in the journey of his/her life. Knowledge gives you power to help your best friend.  Listen to what we learn!

Show Notes

Episode 25 - National Dog Day! Ways to Celebrate With Grrrr-Eat Tips and Good Dental Health!

Today I get to talk to Chris Koski about National Dog Day and why it's ‘a thing’,  and she shares with us information about a promising new product to help keep dogs' dental health top notch. You will learn about some common sense tips to keep dogs happy and healthy,  but also you may be inspired to try this new product that could be an easy and safe way to help.

Show Notes

Episode 24 - Tips For Keeping Pets Happy And Healthy During Self Quarantine

Dr. Sally Foote, veterinary behaviorist, joins me today and tells her tips for making this difficult time fun time with your pets.  Don't you want ways to have fun with your pets while you are bored? Are there better ways to do this?  Dr. Foote talks about DIY games that you can do to entertain pets while you are teleconferencing and things that kids can do to engage pets and keep everyone safe and happy. I bet you haven't thought about how your pets are going to  adjust when things go back to normal,  but Dr. Foote has and she gives some ideas there too!

Show Notes

Episode 23 - When Minutes Matter

All dog owners should know how to respond in the event of an illness or injury. You are your pet's first responder and how you react to a situation until you can get to the veterinarian can be critical.  We spend some time with Arden Moore who is a master certified pet first aid and CPR specialist to find out her advice.  What should you have on hand to prepare on the case of an injury or illness in your pet? What do you need to know? How do you check your pet's vital signs? Find out these answers and more on this episode. 

Show Notes

Episode 22 - Sneak Peak Adventure

I was invited to join the VetCandy podcast, In Other News. Ever wonder what vets talk about behind the scenes? This is a podcast for veterinary professionals, but it has value for pet owners too. Check it out.  It was really fun!

Show Notes

Episode 21 - Ripped From The Headlines

Do you know why your physician cannot do surgery on your pet? Would you even want them to?   We have some breaking news about a group that enlisted human physicians to perform surgeries on pets and some of the consequence and backlash. We use this headline to open a conversation with Dr. Courtney Campbell, board certified veterinary surgeon, about why this might not be a good idea and how to find alternatives.

Show Notes

Episode 20 - Tips To Keep Your Home Clean For You And Your Dog

Stephanie Richardson is animal lover and entrepreneur.  She is the co-founder of The Moxie Maids in Atlanta, GA and she is willing to share her tips to keep your home safe, fresh smelling, and clean for you and your dog.  There are special issues that a dog lover understands and Stephanie has some ideas about how to make cleaning easy on you and your dog.  From how to choose the surfaces in your home to ways to find hidden sources of odor, this episode is loaded with useful tips.  Did you know that there are things that you can teach your dog to help you keep your house clean? What about products that help you identify hidden sources of odor? How can you choose the surfaces in your home to make life cleaner and easier for you and the dog? Stephanie share tips and products that you don’t know about. Check it out.

Show Notes

Episode 19 - Safe Surfing

Do you see pet care info online and social media? Do you believe what you read?  After a while, if you see something enough, your brain starts to accept it as fact, but what if it isn’t and could hurt your dog?  Don’t you owe it to them to find out how to tell? 

Today’s episode features Eric Garcia, founder of Simply Done Tech Solutions (and internet guru) as we talk about how to be smart about what you learn online.  Not only is your dog’s safety at stake on the internet, but so is your own info.  Eric shares with us how to be smart about that too.    Don’t fall prey to internet marketing strategies to the detriment of your dog.  Find out how to be a savvy surfer!

Show Notes

Episode 18 - What Fleas Do Not Want You To Know About Them

Why do you care if your pet has fleas? Find out from Andrew Woods, senior veterinary student.  What are the secrets about a flea life cycle that you should know to help get rid of them? You might be surprised. What diseases come from fleas? Fleas are certainly a source of some of the most common complaints treated in veterinary hospitals all over the country. Find out the information that you need to be well armed in the battle against fleas. Could your pet be itchy from fleas, even if you do not see them? The fleas don’t want you to know this info, but your pets do!

Show Notes

Episode 17 - The "C" word

Cancer is a scary word, but may not be as scary as you think for your dog.  Today’s guest is the amazing Dr. Sue Ettinger, veterinary oncologist. The more you know about cancer, the more empowered you feel when thinking about protecting your pets.

Dr. Sue explains what cancer is and what pet lovers can do to help their pets live longer and better lives.  She tells us what we need to watch for and when to talk to your veterinarian.  She even has resources for pet owners to use whether they are hoping to head off cancer or to treat cancer that has already been identified.  She wants every pet owner to have a scheduled examination, not only with their vet, but also what they can check at home.  Early intervention is SO important and Dr. Sue wants to help!

Show Notes

Episode 16 - Who is Your Dog?

Did you know that there is a personality test for dogs? Many people have been personality tested in their jobs and we can learn a lot about ourselves from these tests, but now there is a test for dogs called CBARQ, the canine behavior assessment questionnaire.  We talk with Dr. James Serpell, the designer of the test to find out more.  The CBARQ database at the University of Pennsylvania now contains detailed behavioral evaluations for approximately 50,000 pet dogs comprising more than 300 different breeds and cross-breeds. Where does your dog stack up? Are there traits that your dog shares with other dogs that might make a certain job a better fit for her?

Show Notes

Episode 15 - The Raw Data

Heard the hype about feeding your dog a raw diet? The virtues of feeding your dog a more natural raw diet are extolled on the internet and in the headlines, but what is the real truth?  There are pros and cons. Find out what science says so that you can weigh out what is right for you and your fur-friend. Dr. Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVN joins us on this episode to look at the facts surrounding going raw. Keep your pet and your family safe and healthy when Dr. Kat finds experts to help you make the most of your pet care dollar and time.

Show Notes

Episode 14 - Urgent: Do You Know About These Dangers Lurking in Your Home?

You think that your home is the safest place for your dog, right?  There ARE dangers in your home and you need to know what they are.

We talk with Dr. Tom Day who is a specialist in Emergency and Critical care for pets. He shares which are the most common household reasons he sees dogs in his ER practice. These emergencies are preventable with a little forethought, but how can you plan if you don’t know? From medications to plants to things that seem ok, Dr. Day and I are here to help!

Show Notes

Episode 13 - 5 Ways to Tell When it is Time to Say Goodbye

Everyone that loves a pet knows that the day will come to say goodbye and sometimes, the choice will fall to you. How can you decide? When is too soon? When is too late? We wish we could ask them.  On today’s episode, we talk with Dr. Cherie Buisson who is a hospice veterinarian.  She shares with us her experience and expertise to help us all make the best choices for our fur-ever friends. Our dogs actually do communicate with us, but not in words and we can miss the signs. Learn tips and what to watch for so that you can know when to escort your beloved pet to the Rainbow Bridge.

Show Notes

Episode 12 - Dog Lovers: There is Something That You Should Know

There is a company who mission is to help dogs and the people who love them and guess what? It works! They are successful and responsible. It can be done. We talk to Marshall Morris, COO of iheartdogs, about how he got where he is and why he and his entire company are driven by a philanthropic mission. You are going to buy dog gear and gifts. Why not do it in a way that is socially responsible and gives back?  Find out what led the creation of the mission, what initiatives the company champions and how you can help feed millions of homeless pets! Do they have great products and great hearts? We will find out straight from the source. Join us on this unconventional episode.

Show Notes

Episode 11 - Bone Up on your Dog’s Orthopedic Health

Dogs depend on their skeletons to carry them through their days and their lives. Being able to move, free from pain, is critical to a good quality of life. In this show, we talk with Dr. David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS. Dr. Dycus is a small animal orthopedic surgeon and an expert in bones and joints for our pets.

What is most common cause of limping in a dog? How do you know when to seek veterinary help? Is there anything you can do? Dr. Dycus shares his own experience in treating dogs for orthopedic issues and shares his own hopeful and helpful insights for these issues, which are very common. He shares his thoughts on physical therapy, weight control and exercise. You might learn some things you have not considered before.

Show Notes

Episode 10 - Animal Emergency 911!!

How do you know when your dog has a true emergency? How can you know which signs can wait for your regular vet to be open or need to be seen at 3 am at the animal ER? Every dog owner needs to listen to this podcast. It might be the difference between life and death and could save you hundreds of dollars too!

Join me with Dr. Chris Byers, critical care DVM, as we discuss the most common presentations he sees in his ER and what signs the pet parent might see to help them decide when to seek help. We explore the most common things that Dr. Byers sees and talk about outcomes and expectations. There are some very serious disorders that require immediate assistance. Do you know what they are? Your dog may be DYING for you to find out!

Show Notes

Episode 9 - Who Are the People in your Vet Hospital?

When we think of an animal hospital, we think of the animals being cared for there, but have you given much thought to the people there. Who are they? What is their role? Do they have any special training or credentials? Are there tasks they cannot legally perform? We talk with Liz Hughston, MEd,CVT, RVT,VTS about what you need to know about your dog’s healthcare team and how you can be an active part of it to give your friend the best care possible.

Show Notes

Episode 8 - Ever Feel Like You Need a Guidebook to Dog Ownership?

Well, that’s because you do! There is so much to know and infectious diseases are so important. You need to know what is out there and what you can do to protect your dog.  Now you can and for FREE!

The Pet Parents Guide to Infectious Disease is a free download. There are things that can kill your dog and even things that can kill you both. The Pet Parents Guide is a crash course of high quality info that ALL dog lovers need.

I had the honor of co-authoring it with Dr. Courtney Campbell and he joins us today to talk about what we learned and what we share! You can download your own copy of Pet Parents Guide to Infectious Disease by going to dogflu.com and clicking on the link. It is easy and free. You will be glad that you did.

Show Notes

Episode 7 - A MUST HAVE for Dog Lovers!

Did you know that the things you expose your dog to (or fail to) can damage her brain? We have been blissfully unaware of the emotional well-being of dogs and how we can set them up for a happier and longer life. From Fearful to Fear Free is your handbook to help you insure your dog is well adjusted, whether puppy or adult.

There are many guide books for making sure dogs are physically healthy, but this one is unique in how it gives tips and advice for helping and healing the WHOLE dog. Is punishment effective? What about dominance theories? What can we change about traditional training and socialization theories to make life better for dogs? The answers and so much more with Dr. Marty Becker, multiple NY Times best selling author and veterinarian on Dr. Kat Gone to the Dogs this episode!

Show Notes

Episode 6 - The Eyes Have It!

Most dogs have eyes and as pet lovers, we want to keep them healthy. We talk with a veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Bill Miller, and find out what every dog lover needs to watch for as warning signs that your dog needs help. Find out the common ocular problems for pets and what we can do to help. From watery eyes to red eyes, we talk about what you need to know to save your dog's vision and keep him/her happy and comfortable.

Show Notes

Episode 5 - POT-entially a Break Thru for Dogs!

Can CDB be the answer for common issues for our dogs? You have heard the rumors and want to know the facts. Does CBD get pets “high”? We talk to experts, Liz Hughston, LVT and Stephen Cital, LVT to learn more. Find out what CDB can be used for. Find out about safety and efficacy and how to pick the right products. Get the facts! Listen for free.

Show Notes

Episode 4 - Vaccination: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly- Facts and Myths About Canine Vaccination

You read the internet, right? Vaccines are not all they are cracked up to be, right? What do vaccines really do and how do they work? What adverse effects can they cause and how common are they? How do you decide which vaccines are best for your dog?

We are going to find out what is really the truth, straight from the expert’s mouth and you might be surprised what he thinks.  Join us as we talk with Dr. Jason Stull who is a veterinarian, epidemiologist and professor (and pet owner). We talk about whether he agrees with “Dr. Google” and he shares not only insights, but ways for pet owners to find out more.

Show Notes

Episode 3 - Myths About Getting and Raising Happy Healthy Puppies

Is 6 weeks of age the ideal time for adopting? When is it safe to introduce a puppy to other dogs? Can you head off behavior issues with how you handle a puppy? Can you create behavior issues inadvertently? What do you really need to have and do to get ready for your puppy? What should you expose your puppy to (or not expose your puppy to)? Are there big “no-no”s for puppy care? Having a new fur-friend is a big responsibility but also a TON of fun. 

Find out how to “do it right” and much more when we talk with Mikkel Becker, lead trainer for Fear Free Pets. Mikkel is a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA), a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Certified Dog Behavior Counselor (CDBC), a Karen Pryor Academy Graduate, a graduate of the Purdue Dogs and Cats Course and a graduate of the rigorous San Francisco SPCA Dog Training Academy.

Show Notes

Episode 2 - You Are What You Eat and Your Dog is Too!

Nutrition is a HOT topic and everyone seems to have an opinion, but our guest, Dr. Joe Bartges, a double board certified veterinary nutritionist and internist, shares with us the REAL SCOOP on pet nutrition. What do pet food labels mean? What is the deal with raw diets? Is kibble diet ok for pets? Should dogs be on probiotics? What can animal lovers do to make sure that their beloved pets eat right? Do dogs really need to eat like wolves?

Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” Listen to learn what Dr. Bartges thinks about the value of diet in the treatment and prevention of disease.  See if we discuss the answers to YOUR questions! Find out what you should be doing to help your dog live a long and healthy life.

Show Notes

Episode 1 - Hospice for Dogs - They Just Don’t Live Long Enough!

Every dog owner knows that one day they will have to say goodbye to their beloved friend, but the most important part is knowing when there are still things that can be done to make life good for them. Pet hospice is palliative care for the dying and is fairly new on the scene. It can make a difference for pets and their families. Dr. Cherie Buisson from Helping Hands Pet Hospice is our guest and she shares with us tips to help you know when your pet needs care. She talks about what to expect and what to watch for as you manage aging and ill pets. 

Show Notes