The first thing to do if your cat refuses to use the litter box is to take the cat to the veterinarian for a full checkup. Have health problems ruled out first before you conclude that this is a behavioral matter. Photo: eviltomthai “Help! My cat won’t use the litter box and is ‘going’ on

Yes, marijuana and cannabis edibles can be toxic for pets — and even deadly in rare cases. It’s no laughing matter. Photo: Sonja Rachbauer As the movement to legalize and decriminalize marijuana has grown in recent years in the United States, marijuana toxicity in pets has been on the rise. As of 2020, more than

Extra food should be a reward or an occasional treat — not something handed out multiple times daily. Photo: mrtgt You’re probably sick and tired of hearing about Americans’ pets being fat. In fact, you might have seen headlines like these: “The Obesity Pet Crisis in America” “Health Risks Associated With Overweight Pets” “How to

Most independent vets aren’t pushing unnecessary procedures — but watch out for corporate chains. Photo: Daniel Stockman Years ago, I received a nasty letter from a client, claiming that another veterinarian was trying to upsell her. “Upsell?” I pondered. Turns out there was a pretty stinky ABC 20/20 report back then — headlined “Some Veterinarians Sell

Natural Balance cat food recall, July 3, 2020 Maker: Natural Balance / J.M. Smucker CompanyCause: Elevated levels of choline chlorideAnnouncement: FDA report dated July 3, 2020 (archived here)What was recalled: Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Paté Formula canned cat food, 5.5 oz. cans, UPC #2363353227, Lot Code #9217803, best by Aug. 4, 2021

Is a kitten eating litter anything to worry about? The answer depends. Photo: Boonlert Saikrajang/Shutterstock A kitten eating litter: Is this just feline curiosity, or could it be a cry for help? One of the many wonderful things about cats is how clean they are. Contrast litter training a kitten with house-training a puppy, and

Are steroids safe for cats and dogs? Responsible steroid use can help your pet in many ways, such as by reducing inflammation. Photo: damonbowe So you’ve heard steroids for your pets are “bad.” You Google “steroids and pets” and find websites (some written by veterinarians) using words such as “extremely powerful drugs,” “over-prescribed” and “very

How does a pet microchip work? Photo: Susan Richey-Schmitz What’s the best thing you can do for your cat who might wander off? Microchip. Of course, all dogs should be microchipped, too. But most veterinarians see a lot more missing cats than dogs. We’ve been able to reunite quite a lot of them with their families. Microchipping

Take your cat for a low-stress visit to a feline-only vet clinic. Photo: mariposavet My friend Barbara brings her cat to Connecticut Feline Medicine and Surgery. The way she tells it, there are a lot of pluses to going to a feline-only veterinary clinic. First, her cats don’t suddenly find themselves in a place full

Adopting a pet during your COVID-19 quarantine isn’t a decision to take lightly. Photo: Dgdom If your COVID-19 quarantine is the reason you’re thinking about adopting a new pet, you’re not alone. Lots of people and families have been running to shelters to adopt a pet. They have also been looking online: Petful’s adoption search

Prepare now so your pet makes a successful transition back to life after quarantine. Photo: Pexels Are you and your pet ready for life after quarantine? With most businesses shuttered for weeks because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, most of us have been staying at home more than we ever have in our lives. All

Know the pros and cons of vaccinating your dog or cat. Photo: Skitterphoto Vaccines save lives. They have changed the face of contagious disease like almost no other modern medical discovery. All animals and humans deserve to benefit from the protective power of vaccination when they are at risk for contracting a serious or fatal

If your cat is scared of the vet, practice at home by leaving the carrier open. Let your cat get used to it. Photo: someToast It’s no wonder your cat is scared of the vet! The truth is, cats are fearful of new people and new environments. This is built into their survival instincts. A

Are female cats more affectionate? Or are male cats more affectionate? Photo: Bev Goodwin We always had cats when I was growing up. Our parents never said no, so my brother and I just kept dragging those cats and kittens back home with us — from our grandparents’ farm, from outdoor flea markets and occasionally from

Having only 3 legs “never slowed down” this beautiful Vizsla named Reagan, according to her caretaker. Photo: tkerugger There’s an old saying that applies equally to dogs and cats: “Dogs [and cats] have 3 legs and a spare.” This neatly sums up how 3-legged pets cope with the loss of a limb: These tripods (or

Know the health implications if your dog is missing a testicle — and discuss it with your vet. Photo: Kullerkeks “Down below,” “down there,” “his junk,” “my dog’s nuts” … These are some of the more polite euphemisms people (especially guys) use with a veterinarian when alluding to problems of a testicular nature. Me, the

As long as your reason for returning the dog or cat is reasonable, you’ll be welcome to adopt from that shelter again. Photo: speculummundi We’d all like to believe that every adoption story has a happy ending. But the truth is, not every pet adoption is a perfect match — and sometimes returning a pet

Wondering how to help feral cats? There are a number of things you can do — which we discuss in this in-depth article. Photo: kissu We’ve all seen them — lean cats with large frightened eyes who move across our yards and parking lots like wind on the water. Feral cats have never had contact with

Why does my cat go crazy and run around? Photo: Sandy Schultz If you have a cat, it’s a good bet you’ve seen the following: All is quiet, when suddenly your cat comes racing into the room, scuffles around a bit and then tears out as if they’ve just heard that there’s a free catnip giveaway.

Getting a cat to be more affectionate starts with keeping them healthy, happy and comfortable. Photo: ibjennyjenny Cats show their affection in different ways from dogs, which is disappointing for some people who were hoping for a cuddly, affectionate kitty. Although some cats are quite affectionate and will happily cuddle up in a warm lap,

Texas Tripe recall Maker: Texas Tripe, Inc.Cause: Potential for listeria contaminationAnnouncement: Company announcement on Aug. 3, 2019 (archived here)What was recalled: The following lot numbers of raw pet food products: 19148, 19419, 19150, 19151, 19154, 19155, 19156, 19157, 19158, 19161, 19162, 19163, 19164, 19165, 19168, 19169, 19170, 19171, 19172, 19175, 19176, 19177, 19178, 19179, 19181

What’s involved when the veterinarian tells you your pet needs a dental procedure? Photo: robertwitcher At a family reunion recently, my cousin wanted to talk to me, a veterinarian, about her dog’s recent dental. She had just had a “dental” done, and my cousin began to go on and on about the price and how

Have you thought about what you want to do when your pet dies? It was the height of a storm the other night. Wind gusts were frightening, our towering trees very close to the house, and my veterinary hospital reeking and bending. My beeper went off. “Are you kidding me?” said one of my kids.

Choosing the right brush for your cat will make a big difference. Photo: yoppy Brushing your cat is an often overlooked task, but it’s an important one. But why is that? Well, because regular brushing not only keeps cat fur from getting tangled and matted, but it also encourages good blood circulation and gives you

When your old cat meows all the time, especially loud yowling at night, there could be a serious health problem. Photo: Mingo Hagen Is that a new techno sound upstairs, or has your old cat just gone over the brink? The idea of a cat yowling at all hours of the night and waking up

Do you know how to give medicine to a cat? Get specific instructions directly from your veterinarian before trying it at home. Photo: David Herraez Calzada As a veterinarian, I’ve been tasked with medicating thousands of cats over the years. And whether I’m trying to show people how to give medicine to a cat or

Before giving your pet medication, call your vet to check that it’s safe — and that you’re giving the correct dose. Photo: John Voo If your dog or cat has a minor wound, do you head straight for the veterinarian? This question has been on my mind recently. I was thinking about it partly after

These days, there are more and more options for fresh pet food delivery services — but which ones are the best? Photo: 123rf As a pet sitter and delivery person, I visit a lot of homes and have noticed a rising trend: fresh pet food delivery services. It’s a great concept. Most people have hectic

Curtis, a 5-month-old Lab/pit mix puppy, underwent tail amputation following unknown trauma. Photo: bullcitydogs Tail injuries happen. Whether your dog has “happy tail syndrome” or your cat’s tail has been crushed in a door, you may be facing tail amputation. This may sound drastic, but most pets are back on their paws quickly and all

No, giving a bath is not the best way to treat fleas. Bathing just removes a small part of the problem. Photo: oritslama If you have a dog or cat, you’re probably wondering what’s the single best way to treat fleas. The truth is, anyone can get a flea problem. No matter how advanced and