Should You Treat Your Pet Like a Child? A Veterinary Psychiatrist on Finding the Right Balance for a Happy, Healthy Pet

I used to worry about people who consider their pets their “children”. Was treating them like humans harming them? Were they making them anxious or frustrated by expecting them to be something they’re not?

I still worry a little, but this episode helped me (and hopefully you!) understand how to find a balance that meets both your needs and your pet’s, so you can truly live happily ever after.

Veterinary psychiatrist Dr. Rachel Malamed joins me to break down:

🔹 Why treating pets like family isn’t the problem—misunderstanding their needs is
🔹 How to respect your pet as an individual rather than forcing them to fit your expectations—or those of friends and family
🔹 How we often misread pet body language (wagging tails ≠ happiness!)
🔹 Why forcing pets outside their comfort zones can backfire
🔹 The real connection between emotional and physical well-being in pets
🔹 How to enrich their lives in ways that truly fulfill them—not just ourselves

This episode will challenge the way you think about your relationship with your pet—and help you build a stronger, healthier bond based on understanding, not assumptions.

📢 Love this episode? Share it with a fellow pet parent and help more animals live their best lives!

To learn more about Dr. Malamed and the resources she shared in the episode, here are some great links:

Join Dr. Malamed's Pet Psychiatry Hub Pre-Launch Waitlist

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

Decoding Your Cat book

Comment on this episode! For questions or if you need a reply- please email us at Amy@StarlightPetTalk.com

Starting Sunday, April 27, 2025, we’re switching things up—new episodes will now drop every Sunday instead of Tuesday!

Why the change? Because Sundays just feel better. Quieter mornings, fewer midweek distractions, and a better chance to catch up with your favorite pet podcast (aka us 😎).

Set your alarms (or don’t—we’ll be waiting patiently like a well-trained Golden Retriever 🐾) every Sunday morning starting at 8AM EST / 7AM CST.

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Thanks for listening to Muddy Paws and Hairballs, your go-to resource for all things pet care. From dog training, behavior, and socialization to cat enrichment, pet adoption, and tackling behavior problems, we provide expert advice and real talk to help you create a happy, healthy life with your pets. Whether you're dealing with dog anxiety, looking for puppy training tips, or exploring enrichment ideas for your cat, we've got you covered. Be sure to check out all our episodes!