Michael Burrows is a contributor and editor at Dogs and Cats HQ. He specializes in researching pet behavior, training, health, and nutrition topics. His articles are based on veterinary sources, animal welfare organizations, and practical pet ownership experience shared by the Dogs and Cats HQ editorial team.
The signs a dog is in pain are often far subtler than most owners expect. There is a common assumption that a dog in pain will yelp, whimper, or show obvious distress. Some do. Many do not. Dogs evolved in an environment where showing weakness or injury made them vulnerable, and the instinct to mask…
Asking why is my dog lethargic is one of those questions that can mean anything from ‘they had a big walk yesterday’ to ‘we need to get to the emergency vet.’ Lethargy is one of the most non-specific clinical signs in veterinary medicine — it accompanies almost every health problem a dog could develop, from…
Kennel cough in dogs is the kind of thing that sounds alarming the first time you hear it. Your dog produces a loud, dry, hacking cough that sounds genuinely terrible — like something is stuck in their throat, or like a goose honking. If you have never heard it before, it is hard not to…
Choosing the right flea treatment for dogs is more complicated than picking whatever is on sale at the pet shop — and getting it wrong can mean either your dog remains infested for months, or in rare cases, your dog has an adverse reaction to the wrong product for their situation. I learned this the…
Figuring out why is my cat lethargic is uniquely challenging compared to dogs, and not because the causes are more complex. It is because cats sleep for 12 to 16 hours daily under completely normal circumstances. Against that baseline, spotting genuine lethargy requires knowing what to look for beyond simply how long your cat is…
Dog allergies symptoms and treatment is a topic that trips up owners repeatedly — partly because the symptoms are frustratingly non-specific (itching could be almost anything), and partly because there are three distinct types of allergy that look similar on the surface but require completely different management approaches. My own dog had allergies that took…
Arthritis in dogs is one of the most common and most underdiagnosed conditions in canine medicine. Estimates suggest it affects approximately 1 in 5 adult dogs, with the number rising to around 80% of dogs over 8 years of age. It is also one of the conditions where owners most commonly accept avoidable suffering as…
The question of best cat food is one that trips up even experienced cat owners — and the pet food industry makes it deliberately harder than it needs to be. Every brand claims to be premium, natural, and nutritionally superior. Very few of them are willing to tell you how they know. I have owned…
Choosing the best kitten food is one of the most important decisions you will make for your new cat. The first year of life is when the foundations of bone density, immune function, brain development, and organ health are being built. What a kitten eats during this window has consequences that extend well into adult…
Knowing why is my cat not eating matters more urgently for cats than for any other common pet — and this is the critical piece of information that most guides either bury or miss entirely. My cat once went off her food for about 18 hours after I changed her food brand. I was mildly…
Dog diarrhea is one of the most common reasons owners contact their vet — and also one of the most commonly mismanaged at home. Most cases of acute diarrhea in healthy adult dogs resolve within 24 to 48 hours with simple supportive care. Some cases require immediate emergency veterinary attention. The challenge is knowing which…
Figuring out why is my cat vomiting is something every cat owner eventually faces — often at 3am on a hard floor. Cats vomit more frequently than most other pets, and for a wider range of reasons: from completely harmless hairballs to serious systemic illness requiring urgent care. The challenge is knowing which situation you…