Pet Advice from Dr. Karen Becker

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piebald cats
Cat Tips

The Specialness of Black-and-White Cats

From Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat to Mistoffelees, the tuxedo cat in the musical Cats, it seems like the most famous cats, both in cartoons and in real life, are black-and-white. Why? Is it the mystery behind their unique coloring or could it be they have a personality that truly stands out?
4 min read
cat purring
Cat Tips

Is the Way Your Cat Purrs Similar to Human Snoring?

Unlike other vocalizations, purring doesn't require cyclical neural input in the cat's larynx. Instead, a special pad in their vocal folds may be responsible for the soothing, low-frequency sound, which resembles humans' vocal fry.
4 min read
feeding older cats
Cat Tips

Even Vets Are Changing Their Feeding Advice for Cats Over 7

Kitties 7 and over need to eat differently than younger cats, but it's not what many veterinarians traditionally recommend. And your older cat may need help with detoxification, brain health, and calming at night. How to convert your cat's age into human years (it's different than with dogs).
6 min read
laryngeal paralysis
Dog Tips

This Favorite Product Can Cause a Life-Threatening Emergency

Avoiding contributing to this medical condition is so simple - just check your supplies for this risky item and replace it if necessary. While the emergency can be idiopathic, in my experience it's often caused by trauma relating to this product. So please, sidestep tragedy by avoiding this mistake.
6 min read
chronic cough cats
Cat Tips

If Your Cat Does This Longer Than 3 Weeks, Don't Ignore It

There are many underlying causes of this chronic symptom, so it's important to get it diagnosed if it lasts longer than 2 to 3 weeks. It can develop suddenly or gradually, but watch for these other signs that can signal distress. The age and breeds most at risk.
5 min read