If you've got some outdoor space, chickens can be great pets with additional egg producing benefits. These are often overlooked as avian pets in favor of parrots, but chickens are a charismatic species that come in many breeds and personalities, and can also be quieter and less bitey than parrots.

Jez talks about a recent corporate gig he did where a right wing American was in the crowd, while Nicole and Jez discuss the world of pet chickens, and Nicole does multiple chicken impressions. Bok bok.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend.

Watch Jez's debut special White-Rice Supreme at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes up there too) and follow Nicole's possum-based instagram account at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy

Listen to our sister podcast What's Your Damage with Jez Watts www.linktr.ee/jezwatts

Fostering adoptable pets for a rescue agency is a great way of temporarily having a pet when you don't have the finances or stability to allow you to have your own. It also gives a shelter animal a chance to live in a real household while they are waiting for a permanent home, and opens up more space in the shelter for additional intakes.

Recorded several months ago, Jez talks about the 800 Pound Gorilla Release (that didn't end up happening) for his special, while Nicole and Jez discuss the benefits of becoming a foster carer, and why it can be a win/win situation for everybun involved.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend.

Watch Jez's debut special White-Rice Supreme at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes up there too) and follow Nicole's possum-based instagram account at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy

Listen to our sister podcast What's Your Damage with Jez Watts www.linktr.ee/jezwatts

​​Pets are expensive!

Everything is expensive now. Inflation is out of control. End stage capitalism has destroyed the economy. BUT! There are finance options that can help with the cost of vet care, and we're finding that pet owners are relying more on these options.

Jez complains about editing, while Nicole and Jez discuss veterinary finance options such as memberships and pet insurance; so you can be prepared if your pet needs expensive help.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend.

Watch Jez's debut special White-Rice Supreme at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes up there too) and follow Nicole's possum-based instagram account at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy

Listen to our sister podcast What's Your Damage with Jez Watts www.linktr.ee/jezwatts

Feather destructive behaviour is commonly misunderstood in parrots, as many assume it is behavioural or stress-related. This confusing syndrome can actually be caused by a long list of physiological illnesses and husbandry issues, and those all have to be ruled out before we can say it is a purely behavioural cause.

Nicole and Jez discuss feather destructive behaviour and the diagnostic pathways we can take to work out the root cause, while Jez plugs his very sexually explicit comedy special (on YouTube and audio streamers now).  If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend. Watch Jez's debut special White-Rice Supreme at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes up there too) and follow Nicole's possum-based instagram account at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy

A common complaint - especially when a pet is switched to a more suitable diet - is that "they don't like the food", which many owners equate to "food is bad." Which is nuts, as WE often don't like the food that is good for us either. For example, despite having a fridge full of various leftovers, Jez ate 4-6 servings of butterscotch self serving pudding over 2 Christmas Days. Which wasn't good for him.

Nicole and Jez discuss why pets (like people!) prefer food that is not necessarily good for them, while Jez accuses Nicole of sabotaging his eyeball while he sleeps.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend.

Watch Jez's debut special White-Rice Supreme at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes up there too) and follow Nicole's possum-based instagram account at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy

Some clothes can benefit pets, such as e-collars or little jackets to stop them from messing with a surgical site after surgery. However! Dog boots are a commonly overlooked item that can really help with dogs that love to run, or dogs with environmental allergies.

Nicole and Jez discuss who might benefit from little boots, and how to pick appropriate ones for your dog, while Jez makes clear that Nicole's head to toe scratches and wounds are caused by many, many possums and not himself.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend.

Watch Jez's debut special White-Rice Supreme at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes up there too) and follow Nicole's possum-based instagram account at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy

Finding wild animals in need of help can tug at the heartstrings, but these animals need a trained wildlife carer or are at risk of a horrible death. Any wild animal in need to help should be surrendered to a vet clinic, who will then assess and provide first aid, or if necessary, compassionate euthanasia. If they have a future where a return to the wild is possible, staff go to all sorts of lengths to pair them with a carer that can make that happen.

Nicole and Jez discuss what to do if you find a wild animal in need of help, while Jez reveals he does not have cancer.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend. Give Jez a follow on Youtube at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes are up there too) and follow Nicole on Instagram at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy (the new class is in)

Risk of vaccination reaction is TINY compared to risk of the disease it's vaccinating for, especially given the result of some of the diseases. Rabies? 100% fatal. Vaccines? Get em.

Nicole and Jez discuss what vaccination reactions are and why they happen, plus Jez reveals the possibilty that Nicole has Double Muscle Disease.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate - or just rate, review & tell a friend. Give Jez a follow on Youtube at www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes are up there too) and follow Nicole on Instagram at www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy (the new class is in)

Hay production is rarely top of mind for herbivore owners, but understanding the process can help them understand when & why hay shortages and quality changes happen. It's not something that's made in a factory! 

Nicole and Jez discuss the impact of droughts and other weather events on hay, and what hay shortages can mean for pet owners, while Jez announces his wedding availabilities & rants about guinea pigs.

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate (or rate, review & tell a friend) Give Jez a follow on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@jezwattscomedy (episodes are up there too) and follow Nicole on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/fatpossumacademy/ (the new class is in)

Reptiles make fantastic pets! It is, however, incredibly important to ensure that their husbandry and enclosure are meeting their sometimes tricky requirements, as they rely 100% on their environment for digestion, heart rate, locomotion, metabolism and almost everything else!

Jez and Nicole discuss reptile keeping and these amazing animals, and Jez reveals Nicole's secret medical taste tests. The easiest reptile to keep might surprise you!

If you'd like to support the podcast please head to www.patreon.com/tinyvetpod to donate (or rate, review & tell a friend)