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.
Dog eye problems range from minor irritation that clears up with eye drops to emergencies that can permanently blind a dog within hours if not treated. The challenge is that many eye conditions look similar on the outside — redness, discharge, squinting — but carry completely different urgency and treatment requirements. The one thing I…
Worms in dogs are among the most common health problems in dogs worldwide — and one of the most commonly underestimated. Many owners think of worms as something obviously visible in stool, something that only affects poorly cared-for dogs, or something resolved with a single over-the-counter treatment. None of these assumptions are accurate, and each…
A urinary tract infection in dogs is one of the most common reasons dogs see a vet — approximately 14% of dogs will develop at least one UTI in their lifetime, according to PetMD. It is also one of the conditions most commonly mismanaged at home: with well-meaning owners reaching for cranberry supplements or waiting…
A cat peeing outside the litter box is one of the most distressing things a cat owner can deal with — and one of the most common reasons cats are surrendered to shelters. Catster reports it directly: inappropriate urination is a common reason cats are surrendered, making it vital to figure out what is going…
Kidney disease in cats is one of the most important health conditions for any cat owner to understand — particularly once their cat passes the age of ten. Morris Animal Foundation describes it plainly: CKD is one of the most prevalent conditions of aging cats, and one of the most serious. It is also one…
8 min read | Hyperthyroidism in cats is the most common hormonal disorder in older cats — according to MedVet, nearly 10% of cats develop the disease. That makes it more common than feline diabetes, and significantly more treatable. Yet it remains one of the conditions most frequently attributed to ‘just getting old’ for far…
There are few things more disarming than a cat suddenly flopping onto its back and presenting its belly like an offering. Every cat owner knows the mix of emotions this produces: delight, followed by the instinct to touch it, followed — sometimes — by the swift reminder that the belly was not an invitation. Why…
I’ll be direct: nothing replaces brushing your cat’s teeth. The mechanical action of bristles against tooth surfaces is the most effective at-home method for removing plaque, and no product or approach matches it when done consistently. But most cat owners know this and still don’t do it — because most cats don’t tolerate it. Alternatives…
The single best thing I ever did for one of my dogs from a grooming perspective was start handling her paws and mouth from the day she came home. She was eight weeks old. She had no concept of nail trims or tooth brushing. But by the time she needed them, she’d been touched in…
A reactive dog — one that barks, lunges, and loses its mind at triggers like other dogs, strangers, or traffic — is one of the most challenging behavior issues for owners to deal with, because it happens fast, in public, and is immediately embarrassing. I’ve been there. My second dog, a rescue Border Collie mix,…
Most people assume cats can’t be trained. I used to think the same thing, until I spent an afternoon watching a friend’s Bengal cat perform a sequence of behaviors on cue — sit, high five, spin, go to mat — with the focused attention of a well-trained dog. The difference wasn’t the cat. It was…
Of all the small breeds prone to separation anxiety, Yorkies are near the top of the list. I’ve spoken with dozens of Yorkie owners over the years, and the story is almost always the same: the dog is perfect when someone is home, and completely falls apart when left alone. Howling, destructive behavior, bathroom accidents…