Marty’s observations:

I think there's a lot of misunderstandings about vaccines, and I hope we can help clarify some of that information. I'm going to start off by saying that I don't want to come off sounding like I'm pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine.

When Jean Dodds and Ron Schultz started talking about vaccinations being given more frequently than they needed to be, I was one of the first people that got on board with it in 2002. So, three years after they started, I had already put my personal dogs on a three-year vaccination protocol and was then ready to move forward.

We felt in 2002 that it was appropriate to change from an annual vaccine for distemper, for parvo, and for some of these vaccines that historically had been given on an annual basis, to a three-year rolling protocol. But I had people signing consent for that because it was really not cutting edge; it was bleeding edge at that point.

We're going to break this down into some detail as we go through this, but overall, many of the vaccines in many of our pets can go to a less frequent system. And then, during COVID, vaccine hesitancy became a bigger deal. It happens on the human side. It happens on the veterinary side.

One of the big concerns is that, about 30 years ago or so, there was this big hoopla about vaccines causing autism in children, right? And that still floats around out there, even though it has been disproven, and we don't see autism in dogs or cats.

So, we need to make sure that we are all understanding the reason for vaccines and the reason to be thoughtful about what vaccines your pet needs based on their lifestyle and their immune response.

That being said, I think that vaccines have probably saved more lives in the world than any other medical breakthrough. You can look at anesthesia, you can look at sterile surgery, you can look at chemotherapy, you can look at all kinds of different medical breakthroughs that have happened, and yes, they are all really important. I mean, I wouldn't want to have my appendix out without anesthesia, without sterile surgery, and that saves lives.

But if you think about the number of lives, veterinary and human, that have been saved by vaccines preventing disease, I don't see that there's anything that has happened medically that's been a more significant breakthrough. So, I want to preface my remarks with, ‘I have a huge respect for vaccines.’ I have a huge respect for vaccines on the human side and on the veterinary side, but they need to be given thoughtfully and wisely.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

Marty and Laura discuss recent concerns and listener questions regarding "bird flu" and the potential harmful impacts on pets and humans.

Bird flu (H5N1) has caused the death of pet cats, wild cats at a sanctuary, and at least one person in the US. Marty’s recommendation is to feed a prepared diet. If pet owners insist on feeding non-commercial food, they should be sure it is properly cooked to kill potential pathogens.

From the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):

Preparing food:

For poultry: Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses. People should separate uncooked (raw) poultry from cooked foods and foods that won't be cooked. Cook all poultry and poultry products (including eggs) all the way before eating. More information about the safe handling and cooking of poultry can be found here: Chicken and Food Poisoning

For beef: Cooking beef to the appropriate internal temperature kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses. Cook all beef products thoroughly before eating. Ground beef should reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F, and whole cuts of beef should reach 145°F, then rest for 3 minutes. Refer to CDC's safer foods table for a complete list of safe internal temperatures.Separate uncooked (raw) beef from cooked foods or foods that won't be cooked to prevent cross-contamination.

Unpasteurized (raw) milk safety: Choosing pasteurized milk and products made with pasteurized milk is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Unpasteurized (raw) milk and products made from raw milk, including soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, can be contaminated with germs that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, or death. Pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, like avian influenza A viruses, in milk. Make the best decision for your health and the health of your family by always choosing pasteurized milk and products made with it.

Anyone, even healthy adults, can get sick from drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk. Based on the limited research and information available, we do not know at this time if avian influenza A viruses can be transmitted to people through the consumption of raw milk and products (such as cheese) made from raw milk from infected cows.

Puppies under six weeks of age need four meals a day. Most people don't get their puppies until they're at least seven to 10 weeks old. By seven to 10 weeks, three meals a day is appropriate. They should be fed three meals a day until they're six months old. At six months, you can drop to two feedings a day. Two meals a day are appropriate after six months of age for the rest of their lives.

Until then, feed three meals a day because their stomachs, colons, and intestinal tracts are small. The rule of thumb is that for every stool a puppy has in a day, you should feed one meal. So if they're having four stools a day, you should feed four meals a day.

Feed the Amount on the Bag

If you're feeding dry kibble, which is absolutely appropriate, the bag provides a good guide based on the puppy's weight or the expected future weight.

I prefer puppy food over all-life-stage foods. I like to feed puppies food specifically formulated for puppies. There are large-breed puppy foods, medium-breed puppy foods, and small-breed puppy foods. These aren't just about kibble size; they also affect the calcium and phosphorus balance, caloric intake, and fat and protein content.

Treats

There's something truly magical about the bond formed when you hold a piece of food, and it disappears down the gullet of another creature, leaving them happy. Whether you're a Jewish grandmother or a puppy owner, there's something special about the act of feeding that strengthens relationships. I'm in no way going to interfere with that relationship because I believe it is absolutely critical for building strong connections.

Hot Take #1: Crate training is a good thing. It's an amazing thing. It's a great tool.

And Hot Take #2: Housebreaking is really simple when you crate train your dog.

“It’s not easy, but it’s simple and it’s absolutely essential, because the number two reason people don’t keep their dogs is housebreaking issues. Number one is biting, and number two is housebreaking. In the cat world, it’s the other way around. Cats that don’t use the litter box—that’s the number one issue,” Marty noted.

“A lot of people have unrealistic expectations for how quickly a puppy housebreaks. In my world, it takes many puppies until they’re between 4 and 4 1/2 months old to understand the concept and to have the physical ability to control it, get to the door, communicate that, and get outside in time.”

“With crates, with bells, there are a few tools that we can use to make it better, but if you expect every dog to housebreak by 7 weeks of age, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and failure.”

Marty and Laura walk you through the simple steps to housebreak your puppy or litter box train your kitten for a happier start to the rest of your lives together.

“When you double the number of cats, you quadruple the number of litter box issues that you have,” Marty says. “Number one, cats need to have one litter box per cat plus a spare, no matter what. So if you have eight cats, you need nine litter boxes.

“If you think you're just going to bounce a new cat into the household, then it's all going to be peachy. It's not likely to go that way.

“So you have to be prepared for that. And that's why having two kittens at a time can really help because those two kittens then are going to be a lot more accepting of other cats than a cat that's lived by itself for 10 years. And then you try to bring one or

two kittens into the house. That gets pretty rough.”

Marty’s Book Recommendation:

The Natural Cat

Feeling Outnumbered? - How To Manage & Enjoy A Multi-Dog Household

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

They’ll guide you through the process of finding the perfect companion for your lifestyle, making sure your new pet is a good match for your home and everyone in it.

"Home is where someone runs to greet you when you walk in the door." Let’s make sure that someone is the right fit! Marty blows up Laura’s brain with news about cat collar tags that trigger automatic feeders for multiple cats.

Laura reminds Marty about the Human Animal Bond Research Institute which provides empirical research into the benefits of pet ownership.

We’re excited to bring you these fun, fact-based conversations about pet health. From professional tips on selecting your new dog to understanding your cat’s cough and what you should do about it, we’ll meet you wherever you are—whether you’re in the car, on the treadmill, or walking the dog—and provide a good laugh, a great story, and a fresh idea every week.

We hope you’ll join us on social media and visit our website to sign up for an extra pet tip of the week. While you’re at it, please take a moment to leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.

Hear about Marty’s journey back to college at 50 to pursue her law degree, why The Marty & Laura Show is a better source of pet advice than Dr. Google, and how a conversation in the women’s restroom sparked the idea for the show!

Marty and Laura bring their unique brand of pet knowledge to the larger pet-loving public in The Marty & Laura Show, launching on Jan. 1, 2025.

We’re excited to bring you these fun, fact-based conversations about pet health. From professional tips on selecting your new dog to understanding your cat’s cough and what you should do about it, we’ll meet you wherever you are—whether you’re in the car, on the treadmill, or walking the dog—and provide a good laugh, a great story, and a fresh idea every week.

We hope you’ll join us on social media and visit our website to sign up for an extra pet tip of the week. While you’re at it, please take a moment to leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

The Marty & Laura Show is produced by Pure Dog Talk Inc., with sound design and editing by Premium Audio Services.