6 Pet Podcasts I Love—And I Don’t Even Have a Pet

Some people love cooking shows but hate cooking. I don’t have a pet, but love these pet podcasts. Is that so wrong? Personally, I don’t think so. In fact, I think it’s a pretty good indication of just how doggone great these podcasts really are. If I, someone forced to resign to waving at the dogs who pass by my window or cooing at my friend’s cat over Zoom, loves to listen then you probably will too.

Curious as to what’s on my must-download list? Perfect for listening while working from home or cuddling with your fur baby (jealous…), here are six pet podcasts well worth tuning in to.

Can I Pet Your Dog?

Can I Pet Your Dog?

What it's about: “Is there a dog in a car, at a bar, on the street? Then that’s a dog we really want to meet,” goes the oh-so-relatable, catchy theme song of this podcast. Every week, dog moms Renee Colvert and Alexis Preston chat about the dogs they’ve seen (and pet), clue listeners in on any canine-related news, and interview celebrity guests who—you guessed it—all love dogs. Think: Lin-Manual Miranda on being a pet parent in NYC and comedian Nicole Byer who can’t stop, won’t stop talking about her pup, Charlie. Recent episodes feature ideas for stay-at-home games listeners can play with their own dogs and an interview with musician and new dog dad Tony Thaxton who adopted a shelter pup during COVID-19.
Tune in if: You can’t get through a walk in the park without asking complete strangers the titular question.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Website

The Purrrcast

The Purrrcast

What it's about: With 5-star reviews on Apple Podcasts and thousands of social media followers, “The Purrrcast” is arguably one of the most popular pet podcasts out there, with cat-loving listeners finding it purrrfect in every way. The premise is simple: Hosts Steven Ray Morris (best known as producer of “My Favorite Murder”) and Sara Iyer talk to cat people about their cats. If that sounds boring, rest assured there’ll be no cat naps taken while listening to this podcast: Between celebrity guests like Clea DuVall and feline experts such as Jackson Galaxy, and live episodes from events like CatCon (which is exactly what it sounds like), “The Purrrcast” is consistently engaging and hiss-terically funny.
Tune in if: You wear the crazy cat lady label with pride—or, like me, play viral cat videos on a rotating loop.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Website

Dogs and the City

Dogs and the City

What it's about: This pet podcast comes courtesy of BBC and stars broadcaster Jo Good, her Bulldog Matilda and some of London’s most fabulous canine residents. In each episode, Good and Matilda take to the streets to join a guest and their own pup for a walk around London or a chat in a dog-friendly cafe, during which they discuss pet parenthood, their work and the city. Two- and four-legged guests include British comedian Julian Clary and his dog Albert, designer Bruce Oldfield and his Border Terriers Baz and Boo, and Instagram-famous pups like Bella and Evie. Good hopes to show listeners that big-city life can be double the fun with a pup, and all the ways dog parents and dog lovers can connect with one another.
Tune in if: You’re looking for something to listen to on your own daily dog walks, or consider yourself an Anglophile, dog-lover or both (see: the Queen of England).
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Player FM | Website

Purranormal Cativity

Purranormal Cativity

What it's about: Two sisters and cat parents, Julia and Eva, curl up to discuss the “The Cat Who…” books—a lengthy, delightfully cheesy series of mystery novels starring two Siamese cats named Koko and Yum Yum—as well as other kitty-adjacent spooky stories, like Stephen King's “Pet Sematary.” Like reading a mystery novel with a cat purring in your lap, it’s equal parts calming and entertaining thanks to plenty of sisterly banter and hilarious commentary.
Tune in if: True-crime and mystery podcasts are on your regular rotation, or if you grew up with “Nancy Drew” novels on your shelf.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Website

Species

Species

What it's about: OK, to be fair, this is more of a general animal podcast, seeing as it pertains to creatures you typically wouldn’t be sharing your apartment with, but “Species” is still more than worthy of a spot on your playlist. Each week, host and columnist Macken Murphy teaches listeners about a specific species of animal, divulging fun facts, anecdotes and easily digestible research. From the red panda to the raccoon dog, the “blobfish” to the bull shark, you’ll have a newfound reverence for every species discussed—even if it’s something as gross as the tapeworm. (Did you know they could grow up to 80-feet long? Well, you would if you listened to “Species!”)
Tune in if: You’ve already binged your way through every episode of BBC’s “Planet Earth” and Netflix’s "Our Planet."
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Website

Catexplorer

Catexplorer

What it's about: You know those cats who are off climbing mountains, kayaking rivers and generally making you feel lazier than usual? This is a podcast all about them! Hosted by Sydney, Australia-based couple Hasara and Daniel Lay, it explores the phenomenon of “adventure cats," that is cats who venture outside of their four walls with their people to go on walks, hikes or out to brunch. With the tagline, “Give your cat the world,” the Lays and their adventurous guests (such as the Instagram-famous JJ Yosh and @backpackingkitty) aim to give cat parents tips on how to safely enjoy the outside world with their kitty in tow, whether that means a trip to a pet-friendly cafe or just a leashed jaunt around their backyard. Meanwhile, cat-less listeners (hi) can indulge in the wanderlust these fearless felines and their caretakers inspire.
Tune in if: You practically live in your hiking boots (or at least follow #adventurecats on Instagram).
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Website