Do Calico Cats Have to Be Female? Unraveling the Science Behind the Trait
Calico cats are not a breed, but a color pattern consisting of black, white, and orange patches, found in many cat breeds.
How to Care for Your Dog's Joints
First Published 23 January 2023. Last Updated: 4 March 2026
The Best Anxiety Relievers for Dogs
Flashing in Aquarium Fish: Causes and Treatment
Fish use flashing to relieve itchiness, a behavior often tied to parasites. Lacking arms or fingernails, they rub against objects in their environment. Fish may dart abruptly to the side or bottom of the aquarium, flattening their bodies against the substrate—a motion revealing their light undersides, hence "flashing." Additional signs are twitchy swimming or sudden swimming bursts. Some fish jump out of the water, using its surface tension to scratch, risking injury if they don’t return to the
Whipworms in Puppies
Whipworms are parasitic worms that cause diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, and weight loss, especially in puppies.
Winter Safety for Pets: How to Care for Pets in Winter
First published 6th November 2024. Last updated 18th December 2025.
Why is Your Cat Vomiting?
Anyone who has owned a cat knows the sound of a retching cat and what immediately follows. While vomiting isn’t necessarily unusual for many cats sometimes. However, if your cat is sick frequently or displays any other symptoms such as diarrhoea, lethargy, or stress, then it might be a sign something is wrong.
How to Care for a Senior Dog
As dogs get older, the requirements of their care change, much like with people. While these changes will vary from dog to dog, there are a few general aspects of their care to bear in mind if your dog is reaching senior age or you’re planning to adopt an older dog.
Guide to Dog Dental Care
Did you know that February is the official Pet Dental Health Month? We've put together this guide to help you understand the importance of caring for your dog's teeth as well as highlighting the key signs of dog gum disease and what you can do to prevent it.
How to Handle Worn Down Dog Teeth: Prevention and Treatment
Dog teeth can wear down due to attrition (teeth rubbing against each other) or abrasion (chewing on objects).
Exotic Pets You Can Own Without a License: State-by-State Laws
Every state has laws that determine what kind of animals can be kept as pets. These laws can change at any time and over the years, many states have added to their list of prohibited animals. Game and fish commissions, departments of fish and wildlife or conservation, and other state divisions dictate these rules that are found in state statutes and regulations. These documents can be difficult for some to discover and decipher because they are written in complicated legal language.
Tea Tree Oil for Fleas: Evaluating Safety and Effectiveness
Tea tree oil should never be given orally to pets as it is toxic if swallowed.
Deworming Your Dog: How Often Is Necessary for Optimal Health?
Puppies should be dewormed regularly for the first few months of life, typically during scheduled vaccination visits.
Hole-in-the-Head Disease in Saltwater Fish
Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH) causes erosive pits in fish and is primarily an aesthetic issue but can lead to secondary infections.
Tapeworms in Dogs
Tapeworms in dogs are rarely serious but can cause irritation, malnutrition, and weight loss if untreated.
Tapeworms in Cats
Tapeworms are a common parasite in cats that live in the intestines. They can be excreted in the feces and passed along to other animals. Some owners may notice tapeworm symptoms in their cat such as vomiting, diarrhea, a bloated belly, changes in appetite, or segments of the worms in the stool, but many cats can have tapeworms and not show any signs. For this reason, regular prevention and screening is important to keep your cat free from tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.
Ear Mites in Puppies and Dogs
Ear mites are highly contagious parasites that cause itching, inflammation, and discomfort in pets, requiring prompt treatment.
Velvet: Aquarium Fish Disease Identification and Cure
Velvet disease is a serious condition caused by dinoflagellate parasites, requiring immediate attention to prevent fish mortality.
Anchor Worms in Freshwater Fish: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Anchor worms are crustacean copepod parasites common in freshwater fish such as koi and goldfish, and they are visible to the naked eye.
How to Give Fish a Freshwater Dip or Bath
A quick freshwater dip is an effective first step to treat saltwater fish for parasites before quarantine.
The Ultimate Guide to Pet-Friendly Plants
Plants are a vital part of any ecosystem, so it’s no wonder we spend so much time cultivating the perfect garden, growing our own food, or even decorating our homes with plants. However, not all plants are as safe as they appear, and many can even be toxic to humans and animals.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Causes, Treatment & Advice
To thrive, a dog needs companionship, whether human, canine or otherwise. Without it, dogs may show signs of anxiety, including harmful or destructive behaviours when left alone. People commonly refer to this as separation anxiety in dogs or separation-related behaviour (SRB).
Signs You Should Change Your Dog's Food
Have you been questioning if your dog’s current food is right for them? Or have you noticed some issues with your dog’s digestion that’s making you wonder if they’re getting all the nutrients they need? Maybe you’re just looking to find a new healthy dog food without breaking the bank.
What is the Best Worming Treatment for Dogs?
Maintaining your dog's health and well-being is your sole responsibility as a pet owner. Not only does this mean providing them with appropriate food and taking them for checkups with the vet, but also keeping up with their routine worming treatments.
How to Care for a Deaf Cat
Nobody’s perfect, and just like humans, animals can either be born with or develop a wide range of disabilities and conditions throughout their lifetime. That doesn’t mean they don’t have a whole lot of love to give, though!
Understanding Arthritis in Dogs
Many dogs will develop some kind of condition in their lifetime, typically as they get older, but some can affect dogs of any age. According to a study, 1 in 5 dogs will develop arthritis in their lifetime, and canine arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs.
Probiotics for Dogs: What you need to know
Your dog's gut is full of bacteria, both good and bad. The trick to ensuring optimum digestive health for your dog is to maintain the balance between the "good" and the "bad" bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. This may sound simple enough, but many things can easily disrupt the gentle balance of your dog's gut flora, such as illness, medications, stress, diet, and more.
How to Break the Flea Life Cycle
Did you know only 5% of fleas in an active infestation are found on your pet ? Meaning a flea infestation may develop in your home before you detect fleas on your pet. Here, we’ll walk you through how to tackle each stage of the flea life cycle so you can rest assured that the infestation is managed quickly and effectively.
Is Grass Seed Dangerous for Dogs?
Autumn is one of the best times of year to sow your grass seed as the soil is moist and warm, but did you know that grass seed can pose a danger to pets? In this blog, we’re going to talk you through some of the dangers of grass seed for dogs and cats.
Wet vs Dry Dog Food Comparison
With so many pet food options on the market, it can be overwhelming for owners to make the best choice for their dog. One of the most common questions every owner ask is which is best: wet or dry dog food, and we've got the answer.
Tips for Taking Your Dog to Work
More and more offices and workspaces are becoming pet-friendly, and a recorded 79% of people want to discuss pet-friendly options while looking for jobs, so it makes sense that more and more companies are finding ways to make it work. There is even a day dedicated to taking your dogs to work, which occurs around June 23rd each year, depending on whether the day falls during the working week.
How to Care for Your Dog's Joints
First Published 23 January 2023. Last Updated: 4 March 2026
What is the Best Flea Treatment for Dogs
Finding the best flea treatment for your dog will depend on whether you're treating and infestation or treating preventatively, how long you want the protection to last, and how well your dog tolerates medication being administered.
Complete Guide to Breed-Specific Dog Foods
Your dog's breed may play more of a role in its nutritional needs than you think, which is why a few dog food brands have taken a tailored approach to dog nutrition.
What is the Best Flea Treatment for Cats?
Since many cat owners choose to let their cats free-roam around their local area, they run a much higher risk of picking up pesky parasites like fleas from their environment. This means it’s important for you as their owner to ensure they have the best possible protection against fleas, ticks, lice and other parasites they might pick up while they’re out of the home.
The 4 Stages of Dental Disease in Pets Explained
Your pet’s dental health is vital for their quality of life. Pets use their mouths a lot, not just for eating, but also for grooming, playing, carrying things, and more. Dental disease often causes pain in the mouth and gums, making it hard for pets to chew their food or use their mouths at all, leading to severe discomfort and potential health issues.
How to Cat Proof Your Home
Whether you’re preparing to bring home your newest family member or you’re considering getting a cat in the future, it’s important to know how to prepare your home to make it suitable for a cat. Cats are curious by nature and love to explore their environment, whether it’s indoors or out. However, like most pets, cats don’t have a sense of what is dangerous to their health or well-being, especially when it comes to everyday items that you might not even think of as a hazard.
What to Feed a Pregnant Dog
Whether intentionally or not, if your dog becomes pregnant, you must provide her with the extra care and attention she needs, especially regarding her diet. People often say when they’re pregnant, they’re eating for two. Pregnant dogs may be feeding as many as 12 puppies (or more!), so ensuring their nutritional needs are met is essential for the health of both the mother and her pups.
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Complete Guide to Size-Specific Dog Foods
Dogs are one of the most diverse species on the planet, from the smallest Chihuahua to the biggest Great Dane, which is why the idea of there being a one-size-fits-all dog food is ludicrous. When finding a food for your dog, there are many factors that need to be taken into account, including their breed, age, overall health, predisposed health, and more!
Fireworks Anxiety in Pets & What You Can Do to Help
There’s no arguing that fireworks are stunning, but those colourful sparks that fill us with joy can be incredibly distressing for our pets and local wildlife. The RSPCA even calls them "a terrifying ordeal" for animals.
How to Keep Pets Calm During Fireworks
Bonfire Night, also called Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night, is a UK holiday that occurs on November 5th each year. Originally a celebration of a failed plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder in 1605, Guy Fawkes Night is now celebrated nationwide with sparklers, bonfires, and, of course, fireworks.
Do I Need Pet Insurance?
Our pet’s health is always at the forefront of our minds, and the thought that something might go wrong with our furry friends is enough to keep anyone up at night. Luckily for us, there are plenty of options for pet insurance available on the market so we can find the best policy to ensure our pets are covered whatever happens.
The Complete Buyers Guide to the Best Cat Litter
Any cat owner will tell you that not all cat litters are made equal, and with cats being finicky animals at the best of times, choosing the wrong litter could be the difference between them using the litter tray or ignoring it entirely.
How to Care for a Senior Dog
As dogs get older, the requirements of their care change, much like with people. While these changes will vary from dog to dog, there are a few general aspects of their care to bear in mind if your dog is reaching senior age or you’re planning to adopt an older dog.
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Lara Hew 27 articlesLara is a photography major at UArts in Philly! In her free time, she likes to walk dogs and, of course, take photos. She also loves reading and movies, hiking, kayaking, and just anything that involves being outdoors. She has grown up with animals since she was little and currently has two dogs and a cat of her own.
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Peyton Shine 26 articlesPeyton originally from Michigan, but have lived in Philadelphia for 10 years. She grew up surrounded by animals, both at home and on her grandparent's farm. She now has one dog, a golden retriever-boxer mix named Cooper.
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Tiffany Salmon 47 articlesI focus on empowering my team through collaboration, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose. I believe in leading by example, maintaining a mindset of continuous learning, and encouraging others to think creatively and take calculated risks.
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Dana Minacapelli 47 articlesDana started her journey in the veterinary field in 2004 at an animal shelter in Corpus Christi, Texas. She immediately fell in love with the profession and nurtured her passion for helping animals that were in desperate need of a second chance. Here, she began implementing improved policies that mitigated disease control, managed a low cost spay/neuter program for the community, and made recommendations to the Board of Directors on best practices for the clinic as well as the shelter as a whole.
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Lizzie Youens 50 articlesLizzie has over ten years of experience as a veterinary surgeon with particular interests in animal behaviour, dermatology, and geriatrics.
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Hannah Clark 25 articlesHannah has worked at Pet Drugs Online for over three years, researching, writing, and publishing all of our blog content. She currently lives in Cardiff with her 5-year-old cat, Margot, and 2-year-old Cavapoo, Merida.