The Petcast: the podcast for pet lovers
Welcome to our podcast - the perfect antidote to your pet curiosities.
From questions you want to ask your vet, seasonal events like what to do on bonfire night, to finding out why your pets act the way they do, we ask the important and intriguing questions so you don't have to!
Find out all about our episodes below.
How to listen to The Petcast
Listen or watch our podcast now over on YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify or Acast.
YouTube
Check out our YouTube channel where you can find all episodes of The Petcast along with lots of other advice filmed by us for you.
Apple Music
Spotify
Acast
Series three
It's here! Series three of The Petcast has landed and we're here to chat about all things pets with Emma Barton and guests like:
- model and presenter, Penny Lancaster
- Strictly Come Dancing star, Anton Du Beke
- British paralympian, Hollie Arnold MBE
- JLS band member, JB Gill
- TV personality, Nicola McLean
- best-selling author, James Bowen
Episode six: pet scams and theft
In our final episode of the series, our host Emma Barton is joined by best-selling author, James Bowen and Blue Cross Head of Public Affairs, Becky Thwaites, to discuss how to protect yourself and your four-legged friends from pet theft.
Episode five: does my pet love me?
This episode will delve into the myriad of weird and wonderful ways that pets show affection, ask for love and attention, and let their owners know they’re happy.
Featuring singer, JB Gill, and Blue Cross Animal Behaviourist, Becky Skyrme, join us as we show you how to spot your pet's love language.
Episode four: pets and mental health
The pandemic has resulted in a marked increase in the number of people struggling with their mental health. This episode explores how owning a pet can boost our mental wellbeing, while also looking into how a pet owner’s own mental health can impact their pets.
Emma Barton is joined by TV personality, Nicola McLean, and Head of Pet Loss Support, Diane James.
Episode three: social media, kids and your pets
Featuring TV presenter, Penny Lancaster, and Blue Cross Animal Behaviourist, Claire Haynes.
Our host, Emma Barton talks:
- modern family life and how to read animal behaviour within a family environment
- the positives and negatives of social media
- viral trends and what we can learn from this to make sure our furry friends are safe
Episode two: how to socialise your pet
Whether you’re at your local park, dropping by a friend’s house, or away on staycation; socialising your pet – with both humans and other pets - can come with its challenges.
In this episode, host, Emma Barton, Anton Du Beke, and Blue Cross Animal Behaviourist, Leigh-Ann Reed, share some tips and advice on how to keep your pet safe, happy, and relaxed in such social situations.
Episode one: pet summer safety
Back by paw-pular demand, the first episode of the new series follows our animal-loving host, Emma Barton, and her co-host, Poppy Dog, as they explore how we can keep our pets safe this summer - along with special guests, British paralympian, Hollie Arnold MBE, and Blue Cross Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Caroline Reay.
From cool-down techniques to pet CPR and staycation preparation –we're here with all the tips and tricks that you need to enjoy the summer with your pet!
Series two
Join Emma Barton as she discusses all things pets on this series of The Petcast.
Episode one: fireworks and pets
Our host Emma Barton is joined by Blue Cross Animal Behaviourist, Claire Stallard, who shares her tips and advice on how you can keep pets feeling calm and safe during firework season.
Episode two: pets in lockdown
This week, we're joined by EastEnders actress, Kellie Bright, and Blue Cross Animal Behaviourist, Leigh-Anne Reed to discuss how our new way of life may have triggered different behavioural traits in pets, and how pet owners can look to address them.
Episode three: your pet's autumn and winter survival guide
Autumn and Winter can be a magical time of year, but it can also present lots of hazards for our pets.
In this episode, host Emma Barton is joined by Blue Cross vet, Bev Wilson, who offers listeners tips and advice on how they can keep their pets warm, happy, and safe during these seasonal periods.
Episode four: creating the paw-fect partnership - children and pets
In this episode of The Petcast, Emma is joined by Kerry Taylor from the Blue Cross Educational Team, to discuss the many different species that may be a wonderful addition to a family home – and how everyone can work together to ensure that their chosen pets have a happy, healthy life.
Episode five: should I get a puppy?
We're joined by Emma Barton, Blue Cross’s Animal Behaviourist, Claire Haynes and former CBBC presenter and presenter of BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks, Katie Thistleton, to discuss the rewards and realities that come with owning a puppy.
From puppy proofing your home, to socialising with other people and their pets at the park, the trio draw on their previous experiences and Claire’s expert knowledge to share useful tips, tricks and hacks with Petcast listeners.
Episode six: things we wish we could ask our pets
Is it normal for my rabbit to thump its feet all the time? And why do my dog’s ears go back? Does my cat purr too much?
In this final episode of series two, Blue Cross Rehoming Manager, Kayleigh Hill, joins presenter Emma Barton to answer some of the most commonly Googled questions about our pets. Plus, Loose Women’s Kaye Adams asks some of the questions that she has always wondered about her beloved dog, Bea.
Series one
Welcome to The Petcast, Blue Cross's first podcast series. We'll be unpicking some of your most asked questions and helping you to understand your pet a little better with our host Gemma Atkinson.
Episode one: pets and your wellbeing
In episode one of The Petcast Gemma Atkinson is joined by Tracy Genever, Blue Cross’s Head of Education, and star of Strictly Come Dancing and bona fide dog lover, Karen Hauer, to talk all about the amazing physical and mental health benefits pet ownership can bring.
Episode two: different pets for different lifestyles
Gemma Atkinson is joined by Kayleigh Hill, Manager of the Greater Manchester Rehoming and Advice Unit, to talk about the things people should think about before bringing a pet into their home – and shares her own experiences of living with her beloved dogs, Norman and Ollie.
Episode three: integrating a pet into your home
Ryan Neile, Head of the Blue Cross Behaviour service, joins Gemma Atkinson and actress, yoga instructor, and personal trainer Gemma Merna; to talk about what all pet owners should know and understand before welcoming a new pet into their home.
Episode four: how to deal with pet loss
In episode four of The Petcast, Gemma Atkinson is joined by Diane James, Head of the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support service, and First Dates’ Laura Tott, to talk about how to cope with the loss of a much-loved pet.
Episode five: pet heroes
Gemma Atkinson and Kerry Taylor, Blue Cross Education Manager, chat about the incredible pets across the UK that her team have the pleasure of hearing about and working with on a regular basis.
Listen to the stories of those like Romeo, a Blue Cross medal winner, and a therapy pony who works wonders with their patients.
Episode six: how to keep your pet healthy
As series one of The Petcast draws to a close, we wanted to give pet owners some top tips on how they can keep their beloved pets in top physical condition.
Gemma Atkinson and Alison Brennan, one of Blue Cross's senior vets, discuss how owners all across the UK can keep on top of this through good diet and exercise habits – as well as covering vaccinations, neutering, and dental health and hygiene.
