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

Take your cat for a low-stress visit to a feline-only clinic. Photo: mariposavet My friend Barbara brings her kit-and-caboodle 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 of

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

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

When it comes to veterinary telemedicine during COVID-19, make sure you have realistic expectations before placing the call with your vet. Photo: Branislav Nenin Why use veterinary telemedicine right now? Because stay-at-home guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic are very important in your area. Because you feel sick. Because you don’t have an emergency problem with

For many pet care professionals, COVID-19 has been disastrous. Demand for dog walking and pet sitting services dried up overnight. Photo: hedgehog94 The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on just about every profession in the United States, including those of us in the pet care industry. Veterinarians, groomers, trainers and pet sitters

Idexx Laboratories says its COVID-19 test for pets — called the Idexx SARS-CoV-2 RealPCR™ — is now available “for rare cases in consultation with your public health authority.” Photo: Petful I had mixed emotions when I first learned about a COVID-19 test for pets. All sorts of thoughts went through my head, such as: Do

This is a stressful time for everyone. I’ve had clients almost come to blows outside the vet clinic. Illustrations: Shutterstock During the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, no corner of daily life remains untouched. As we all struggle to adjust to a “new normal,” this means doing our best under difficult circumstances. The realities for vets

Can you ace our pet health quiz? Photo: mohamed_hassan Think you know a thing or two about pet health? Well, let’s see about that. Test your knowledge with our 5-minute pet health quiz. Some of these questions are easy, but others may leave you scratching your head. Get all 8 correct and consider yourself an

When it comes to Easter baskets and pets, please be careful. Photo: Spiritze Who knew a rabbit could kill? If the Easter Bunny leaves a basket of chocolate treats where a dog can find it, things could end badly. Indeed, Easter baskets and pets should be kept well apart, or you risk to trip to

What happens to my pet if I catch COVID-19? Photo: Myriams-Fotos In a matter of weeks, the world has changed beyond anything any of us have seen before. Quarantines, supplies, food rationing and fear are the name of the game right now during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. For those of us with pets, that fear

Keep your gum away from your dog! Some types of chewing gum may contain an artificial sweetener that can cause xylitol poisoning in pets. Photo: Hans Xylitol poisoning in pets is on the rise. Anyone with a dog should be aware of xylitol and its potential to do harm. In this article, we will discuss:

Certain packages for both dogs and cats of Icelandic+ Capelin Whole Fish Pure Fish Treats have been recalled. Maker: IcelandicPlus LLCCause: Potential for Clostridium botulinumAnnouncement: FDA announcement on March 23, 2020 (archived here)What was recalled: Any of the following treats with lot numbers falling between 02/2020 and 02/2022: Icelandic+ Capelin Whole Fish Pure Fish Treats

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it “has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19.” However, although pets probably cannot become sick, they could serve as a “conduit” of viral infection. We explain more about this below. Photo: Lucia Romero COVID-19 is the name of the

If you’re grappling with an end-of-life decision about your pet, your trusted pet sitter may be able to offer some heartfelt advice and a shoulder to cry on. Photo: Klymenok Olena Research has shown something those of us with pets have known all along: Losing a pet is as difficult as losing a human loved

Litter boxes that are not regularly cleaned can sometimes cause bladder problems in cats. Photo: Zoran Photographer Can cats get bladder infections from a dirty litter box? Yes and no. Yes, dirty litter boxes can cause bladder problems — but not so much infection as the inflammatory condition known as feline lower urinary tract disease

A white cat with 2 blue eyes has up to an 80% chance of having been born deaf. Photo: Daga_Roszkowska Is your cat ignoring you more than usual or acting oddly? From extra-loud meowing to no longer fearing the vacuum, the impact of deafness varies among cats. This article aims to answer all of your

Does your cat really hate you? Probably not. But your cat may be unhappy, for reasons we discuss in this article. Photo: rongyos Pets don’t typically hate their people — but they can feel insecurity, fear, shyness, irritation and anxiety. Those negative feelings manifest in avoiding contact, scratching, biting and hiding. And all of this

Can cats overdose on catnip? Photo: John Most cats love catnip — and the good news is that catnip is safe. The occasional use of catnip is safe and recommended as a lifestyle enhancer by feline experts and behaviorists. But can cats overdose on catnip? No. However, reactions can occur. We’ll discuss this below, so keep

Special Kitty cat food recall Maker: J.M. Smucker CompanyCause: “Products don’t meet the Company’s quality and safety standards”Announcement: FDA announcement on Dec. 5, 2019 (archived here)What was recalled: Specific lots of Special Kitty Mixed Grill Dinner Paté cat food, in individual small cans as well as in variety packs: Special Kitty Mixed Grill Dinner Paté,