Tips and tricks to keep your cat safe
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
A family of new cat-owners wrote for ideas on how to keep their cat safe. I had some ideas that might help, and might help you and your cats, too! Q: We’re new to cats. What should we know about keeping ours safe? A: We always hear that cats have nine lives, but my fellow veterinarians and I know that’s not true. Prevention is key. Here’s my best advice on keeping them safe and healthy. Don’t let your cat roam outdoors. Free-roaming cats are at risk of getting lost or closed in a neighbor’s garage or shed; hit by a car crossing the street or run over in your driveway because you didn’t see the ..read more
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What you need to know about chemotherapy for pets
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
Few things are as devastating as the diagnosis of cancer, including for our beloved pets. But chemotherapy can actually be easier on our cats and dogs than on human patients. Here’s the story. Q: My dog has been diagnosed with cancer, and the oncologist recommends chemotherapy. He says that chemo isn’t as hard on pets as it is on people. Is that true? Will my dog lose his hair or have other side effects? A: We’re sorry to hear about your dog’s diagnosis. People are often hesitant to have their dogs undergo chemotherapy — the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells — but it can be an effective tre ..read more
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Dealing with a finicky cat
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
We say cats are “finicky,” but the real situation is more complicated. Here’s how I responded to a reader’s question about her finicky feline. Q: My cat is so fussy about what he’ll eat. How can I get him to be less finicky? A: While some cats will happily eat whatever you put in front of them, others are more choosy. Missing the occasional meal is normal, but cats who won’t eat and start losing weight need to see the veterinarian — stat! But first, do some sleuthing to make sure you have an accurate picture of your cat’s eating habits. Cats tend to nibble small amounts throughout the day, so ..read more
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A year-end message and help for those who struggle with emotional pain
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
As we draw to the year’s end, my family and I are going to be unplugging from social media for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, as we always do. It’s no secret we’ve had some rough holiday seasons in the last few years (as have many of you), and it’s also no secret I struggle with depression. But this year has been blessed in many ways — one of them by your presence in my life I know that I’m veering off into sentimentality because it’s the holiday season, but I’m so grateful for your time and your love of animals. It inspires and sustains me, and I thank you for it. I also want ever ..read more
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Fun ways to give your cats more exercise
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
These days, pet cats are “born retired.” That’s not good for them mentally or physically, and it can contribute to behavior problems. Here’s what I told a reader who wanted to know what she could do about it. Q: How can I get my indoor cat to exercise? A: Great question, and so important. Kittens are so active that we don’t spend much time worrying about exercise for them, but adult cats like to play, too, especially if we make it part of their daily routine from kittenhood on. Get your cat moving with a collection of cat toys: wand toys (kitty fishing poles), large peacock feathers that dangl ..read more
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The dog who made a miracle happen
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
Imagine being a 5-year-old type 1 diabetic or her exhausted parents. What would it be like to be a 19-year-old college student struggling to develop independence when your health, and even your life, often depend on others to help you? Can you feel what it would be like to be the spouse or family member who never gets the chance to sleep without worry that their loved one will have a diabetic crisis in the night? Let all that sink in, and then imagine that a trained diabetes alert dog came into your life and made all that struggle disappear! That’s what happened when Monique La Bomme foun ..read more
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Giardia in dogs is more common and more complicated than you think
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
If your dog has diarrhea on and off and you can’t figure out why, a tiny single-celled culprit may be to blame. Here’s what I told a reader. Q: My dog doesn’t seem to keep on any weight and has been having occasional diarrhea for no apparent reason. I took in a fecal sample and it showed that he had been exposed to giardia. What can you tell me about this? A: Giardia is a tricky parasite. The single-celled protozoan can infect most domestic and wild animals, as well as humans, although the canine form is not transmissible from dogs to humans. Infection with giardia has been reported in up to 3 ..read more
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Destructive cat? Here’s what you need to know
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
One of the reasons I suggest adopting an adult or senior cat is that young cats can be a handful. If you, like this reader, have a kitty who loves to knock things off shelves, scratch the furniture, and more, here are Mikkel’s and my thoughts on what will help restore peace and serenity to the family. Q: My cat lives to tear up my stuff. She’s always scratching the furniture, eating houseplants and knocking things off shelves. She’s 2 years old and has lots of toys. Help! A: With their sharp claws and teeth and active curiosity, cats — especially young ones — have the potential to be destructi ..read more
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The best place to get a kitten
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
My trainer daughter, Mikkel Becker, and I teamed up to answer a reader who wasn’t sure where to get a kitten. Here’s our advice. Q: My neighbor’s Siamese cat just had kittens, and she’s giving them away. Seems a lot easier and less expensive than getting one from the shelter. What do you think? A: We don’t deny that it can be hard to go to the shelter and choose from among many kittens. Getting one from your neighbor could work out, but there are several factors to consider before you make your decision. We call them the “ifs.” If you like the personality of your neighbor’s cat. If your neighb ..read more
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What’s the best kind of cat litter?
Dr. Marty Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker
1y ago
There are a lot of cat litter options out there. Which is best? Q: What kind of cat litter is best? A: The short answer to that question is whatever they’ll use. But as with anything cat-related, there are nuances. Factors that affect a cat’s preferences include scent and texture. Most cats prefer unscented litter. A 2018 study looking at feline litter preferences found that the 18 participating cats had a significant preference for clay or silicate types of litter over wood pellets. In the second phase of the study, in which 12 cats took part, clay and silicate litters were compared. That tim ..read more
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