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Val Talks Pets

Val Talks Pets

Valerie Cairney 167 Episodes Oct 2, 2026

Val Talks Pets is a podcast for pet parents and enthusiasts. Host Valerie Cairney draws on over 10 years in the pet industry to discuss common issues and questions that arise when working with pet owners. Although not a veterinarian, she holds certifications in canine, feline, small animal, fish, herptile, and avian health and nutrition from the University of California, Davis Extension.

Episodes

Fresh vs. Raw Pet Food: Understanding the Differences
Fresh vs. Raw Pet Food: Understanding the Differences Oct 2, 2026 987 Hi everyone and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. Fresh food and raw diets are becoming increasingly popular with pet parents, but they are not the same thing. In this episode of Val Talks Pets, I explore fresh, gently cooked, homemade and raw diets, including their potential benefits, costs, food-safety concerns and the importance of proper nutritional balance.So, let’s go
Tick Season: What Pet Parents Need to Know About Prevention, Removal and Lyme Disease
Tick Season: What Pet Parents Need to Know About Prevention, Removal and Lyme Disease Sep 18, 2026 788 Hi everyone, and thanks for joining me on Val Talks Pets!Tick season can bring plenty of worry for pet parents. In this episode I look at how ticks live and find hosts, prevention options for dogs, Lyme disease risk, safe tick removal and the crucial precautions cat owners need to know.This is a biggie folks, so let's go!📩 Email me: val@valtalkspets.comwith questions, topic suggestions, or fe
Food Allergies and Sensitive Stomachs in Dogs and Cats: What Pet Parents Need to Know
Food Allergies and Sensitive Stomachs in Dogs and Cats: What Pet Parents Need to Know Sep 4, 2026 1021 Hi Everyone and Welcome!Food allergies and intolerances can leave dogs and cats dealing with itching, digestive upset and other frustrating symptoms. In this episode, I explore the differences between allergies and intolerances, possible food triggers and ways pet parents can begin identifying what may be causing the problem.Let's jump in!📩 Email me: val@valtalkspets.comwith questions, topic
Pet Rats: Care, Housing, Feeding & What to Know Before Bringing Them Home
Pet Rats: Care, Housing, Feeding & What to Know Before Bringing Them Home Aug 21, 2026 947 Pet rats are one of those animals people either love—or are completely creeped out by. But domesticated rats are very different from their wild counterparts, and they can make intelligent, affectionate and highly social companions. In this episode of **Val Talks Pets**, Val explores what it really takes to care for pet rats, including why they should have companionship, the type of habitat and be
Wildfires and Animals: What Happens to Wildlife and Evacuated Pets?
Wildfires and Animals: What Happens to Wildlife and Evacuated Pets? Aug 7, 2026 1030 Hi Everyone and Welcome!When wildfire forces wildlife to flee and entire communities to evacuate, animals face danger, displacement and separation from their families. This episode explores how wild animals respond to fire, what happens to pets left behind and how veterinarians, rescue groups, fosters and donors help affected animals.Snuggle up with you fur baby and let's begin.📩 Email me: va
Spotlight - Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Spotlight - Dandie Dinmont Terrier Jul 24, 2026 751 Hi everyone and welcome to this spotlight episode on a breed of dog that really needs renewed recognition, and that is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.  There is lots to explore about this breed, so let’s go.📩 Email me: val@valtalkspets.comwith questions, topic suggestions, or feedback.🌐 Visit my website: https://valtalkspets.comfor links mentioned on the show and additional resources.☕ Support the pod
Backyard Breeders: The Different Types and How To Spot Them
Backyard Breeders: The Different Types and How To Spot Them Jul 10, 2026 1289 Hi everyone and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets.What does the words Backyard Breeder conjure up in your mind?Do you think of awful people that are just trying to make quick cash?Very possibly.But, let’s go exploring into the world of backyard breeding and see if this is truly the case.📩 Email me: val@valtalkspets.comwith questions, topic suggestions, or feedback.🌐 Visit my
Pet Trivia 3.0 – Test Your Pet Knowledge with Dogs, Cats, Birds, Fish & More
Pet Trivia 3.0 – Test Your Pet Knowledge with Dogs, Cats, Birds, Fish & More Jun 26, 2026 895 Hi everyone and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets.  It’s time to test our knowledge again with Pet Trivia 3.0. So, get yourself a score card and let’s see how you do.📩 Email me: val@valtalkspets.comwith questions, topic suggestions, or feedback.🌐 Visit my website: https://valtalkspets.comfor links mentioned on the show and additional resources.☕ Support the podcast: Please p
The Pawzy App - A Go To For Pet Parents
The Pawzy App - A Go To For Pet Parents Jun 12, 2026 1912 Hi everyone and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. Have you ever been at a loss to find a dog walker or sitter and wished you could find one through a trusted and easy process? Well today I have Tanya Emma Elessen from Pawsy, an online Canadian app, (available in other countries), to do just that. Also,Tanya has generously offered the Val Talk’s Pets community 100 Pawsy Trea
Cat Peeing Outside The Box?
Cat Peeing Outside The Box? May 29, 2026 1020 Hi everyone, and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. This question goes out to all the cat parents. Does your cat pee outside of the litter box or do they pee where they shouldn’t? Well, let’s go exploring. 📩 Email me: val@valtalkspets.comwith questions, topic suggestions, or feedback.🌐 Visit my website: https://valtalkspets.comfor links mentioned on the show and additional r
The Ridglan Beagles Rescue: 1500 Beagles, Animal Testing, and the Fight for Freedom
The Ridglan Beagles Rescue: 1500 Beagles, Animal Testing, and the Fight for Freedom May 15, 2026 1271 Hi everyone and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. In the news just recently has been the rescue of 1500 Beagles from Ridglan Farms, a biomedical research facility located in Blue Mound, Wisconsin, United States, that uses bred Beagles for experimentation. The size of this rescue was enormous, but unfortunately it was just the tip of the iceberg. And because of its significa
Spotlight - The Labrador Retriever
Spotlight - The Labrador Retriever May 1, 2026 1229 What makes the Labrador Retriever one of the most beloved dog breeds in the world—and why does it continue to dominate as the #1 dog in both Canada and the United Kingdom?In this episode of Val Talks Pets, we take a deep dive into the fascinating history, temperament, and enduring popularity of the Labrador Retriever. From its surprising origins in Newfoundland’s now-extinct St. John’s water dog t

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