The Pawsitive Post in Conversation by Companion Animal Psychology
The show about how to have a better relationship with your dog or cat. Get tips on dog training, dog behaviour, cat behaviour and training, learn about the science on dogs and cats, and find out which books we're reading (animal-related and more generally). Kind, humane, reward-based training methods only. Hosted by Zazie Todd PhD and Kristi Benson CTC of Companion Animal Psychology blog. Made in Canada.
The Pawsitive Post in Conversation by Companion Animal Psychology
Everything you need to know about cat carriers with Dr. Mansum Yau
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What's the best kind of carrier to choose for your cat? We get a veterinarian's perspective from Dr. Mansum Yau, author of The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian's Guide to Cat Carriers.
We talk about:
- why, as a vet, Dr. Mansum is interested in cat carriers
- what kind of carrier is the best one to choose
- how to help cats be more comfortable at the vet
- how she became a stand-up comedian on top of being a vet, and how humour can help at the vet
- why toothbrushing is so important for cats and how a video of Dr. Mansum brushing her cat's teeth went viral
- the best carriers for adventure cats, and what happened one time with her cat
- what it was like illustrating her book
- and finally, she tells us about a book she's reading
The book Dr. Mansum picked is Bony Legs and Other Stories by Pat Edwards.
Also mentioned in this episode, the cat toothbrushing episode that went viral: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGW-oi1xPSC/
Dr. Mansum Yau graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2010 and earned her certificate in canine massage from the Royal Canadian College of Massage Therapy in 2025. She is Human Animal Bond and Fear Free Level 3 certified and passionate about preventative care and client education. When she is not caring for cats and dogs, she enjoys reading, writing, painting, drawing, performing clean stand-up comedy, raising awareness for endangered animals, and exploring nature with her one-eyed dog, Penny, and adventure cat, Boo. She is the author and illustrator of The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Cat Carriers, available wherever cat lovers read. She also shares tips for cats and dogs at pet events and on Instagram and YouTube.
Dr. Mansum Yau is on:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drmansum/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@drmansum
LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drmansum
About the co-hosts:
Kristi Benson is an honours graduate of, and now on staff with, the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers and has her PCBC-A from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. She lives in beautiful northern British Columbia, where she helps dog guardians through online classes. She is also a northern anthropologist.
Kristi Benson's website Facebook
Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, and has a column at Psychology Today. She lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, a dog and a cat.
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