A saucer of milk for the family cat is one of the most enduring images in pop culture, showing up in cartoons, storybooks, and old movies alike. But can cats drink milk safely, or is this classic scene actually setting cats up for an upset stomach? At Shawsheen Animal Hospital, this is one of the …
Can Cats Drink Milk? The Truth Behind This Common Myth Read More »
It is 2 a.m. and an unmistakable sound wakes you up: your cat, hunched over on the bedroom rug, working through a bout of stomach upset. By morning, they are back to grooming and napping in a sunbeam as if nothing happened, and you are left wondering whether that was normal or something worth calling …
A sudden, honking cough that sounds almost like your dog has something stuck in their throat is one of the most recognizable symptoms pet owners bring up during appointments. Kennel cough in dogs is a common, highly contagious respiratory condition, and understanding what it looks like, where it comes from, and how it is managed …
Understanding Kennel Cough: Symptoms Every Dog Owner Should Recognize Read More »
Your dog trots over for a belly rub every single morning without fail, until the one morning they simply do not. Instead, they lift their head, sigh, and settle right back down again, and that quiet moment is often the very first hint that something has shifted. That subtle shift is often the first sign …
A dog coughing every so often is not usually cause for alarm, but when the coughing becomes frequent, persistent, or paired with other symptoms, it is worth paying closer attention. Dog coughing can stem from something as simple as a scratchy throat after rough play, or it can point to a more serious respiratory or …
Why Is My Dog Coughing? Understanding the Possible Causes Read More »
If you have ever wondered whether can dogs get sunburn is actually possible, the answer is yes. Dogs can get sunburn just like people do, especially on areas with thin fur or exposed skin. Many pet owners assume a coat of fur offers full protection from the sun, but that is not the case for …
Yes, Dogs Can Get Sunburned—Here’s What It Looks Like Read More »
Cat lethargy is an abnormal lack of energy, enthusiasm, or responsiveness that goes well beyond your cat’s normal resting behavior. A lethargic cat isn’t just tired. They seem weak, disengaged from their surroundings, uninterested in food, and may stop grooming altogether. That shift in behavior matters, because lethargy in cats is one of the most …
8 Common Reasons for Cat Lethargy (And When to Call the Vet) Read More »
Dogs are known for a lot of things, and bad breath is unfortunately one of them. But while a little post-meal odor is normal, truly bad breath in dogs, also called halitosis, is not something you should simply accept as part of dog ownership. Canine halitosis is most often a sign of an underlying health …
The occasional sneeze is something almost every dog does, and it’s usually nothing to worry about. But when your dog is sneezing repeatedly, sneezing with discharge, or sneezing alongside other symptoms, it’s worth taking a closer look. Sneezing in dogs is a reflexive action designed to expel irritants, foreign material, or mucus from the nasal …
6 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog is Sneezing and How to Help Them Read More »
If your cat keeps coughing, it means their body is forcefully expelling air from the lungs and airways in response to irritation, obstruction, or illness, and it’s a symptom that should never be written off as just a hairball. A cat that coughs occasionally may simply have a tickle in the throat, but a cat …
