Natalie Punt, DVM

How to

Determine the Sex of a Cat

Male and female cats and kittens look and act similarly, so it can be difficult to tell what sex they are just by watching their behavior. If you know what to look for, however, there are several key differences that wil...

How to

Identify Different Dog Worms

There are many different types of worms that can infect dogs. Those of most concern are roundworms, tapeworms, heartworms, hook, and whipworms. Whilst each type of worm has a slightly different life cycle, the dog's symp...

How to

Determine the Sex of a Kitten

Unsure if you have a male or female kitten on your hands? The visible differences between male and female genitalia can be more subtle in kittens than in adults. But when you know what to look for, sexing a kitten doesn'...

Signs of Rabies in Cats: What to Do If Your Cat Is Infected

Plus, learn how rabies spreads to cats and is diagnosed and treatedFor many cat owners, “rabies” is a very scary word. But what exactly is this virus, and how can you tell if your cat is infected? In this article, we...

How to Cook and Feed Chicken and Rice to a Dog

Learn to boil and portion a mild meal for a sick pup Homemade chicken and rice is a simple meal often recommended by veterinarians to help dogs recover from diarrhea or vomiting. It contains essential vitamins, fats, min...

How to

Calm a Cat in Heat

An un-spayed female cat will go into heat, meaning she's ready to mate, every three to four weeks. Usually, this involves howls, screeches, writhing, and attempts to attract or run away with male cats. Dealing with a res...

How to

Check Cats for Fleas

Before you go on a flea hunt, think about why you suspect your cat might have fleas. If you've seen fleas on your cat or in your house, you know for sure you are dealing with fleas and should use a veterinary flea treatm...

Fatty Tumors (Lipomas) in Dogs: Causes and Natural Remedies

If you've recently noticed a squishy lump under your dog's skin, don't panic! It's probably a benign fatty tumor called a lipoma. Lipomas are very common and they usually don't pose any health risks, but you may want to ...

How Long Does it Take for Dogs to Get Unstuck After Mating?

Everything you need to know about copulatory ties in dog breeding Did your dog just get stuck to another dog after doing the deed? Don’t panic! This is actually a normal part of the mating process and there’s nothing...

How to

Determine the Sex of Puppies

Discovering the sex of your puppy is fairly straightforward when you know a few anatomical landmarks. Make sure to handle your puppy gently and carefully. If you can, try to wait until the puppy is 3-4 weeks old before t...

A Complete Guide on Treating Cat Acne

Have you noticed small black spots around your cat’s chin? If so, your furry friend may be dealing with a bit of feline acne. While most minor cases are nothing to worry about, more severe cases may irritate your cat o...

How to Tell If a Guppy Is Male or Female

Learn how size, shape, & fins differ between males & females Guppies are popular pets that make attractive additions to your home aquarium. If you’re curious whether your guppies are male or female, it’s easy to dete...

How to

Know if Your Hamster Is Dying

Paying close attention to your hamster’s health is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. Hamsters live for two to three years. Sometimes, when your hamster is old, there will be nothing you can do to save...

How to Spot a Russian Blue Cat: An Easy Step-By-Step Guide

A comprehensive breakdown of what makes Russian Blue cats distinct Have you ever come across a stunning gray cat with beautiful green eyes? The odds are good you’re looking at a Russian Blue. These mysterious and stunn...

How to Determine the Age of Your Cat

Learn how a cat's teeth, eyes, and more are clues to their ageIt can be tough to tell how old a cat is unless you were there when it was born. Luckily, you can make an educated guess by examining their physical character...

Cat Sleeping Positions: 22 Common Poses Explained

Figure out how your furry friend feels based on how they sleep As cool as it would be to talk to your cat, our feline friends aren’t actually capable of talking to us (no, we don’t count meowing up a storm at 4 am). ...

How to

Make a Kitten Poop

Young kittens (from a day to around three weeks of age) require a lots of attention and nurturing. Kittens that have been abandoned by their mothers are quite helpless and cannot fend for themselves. They can't even excr...

How to Tell if a Cat is Neutered

If you’ve got a stray who visits you often or you’re considering adopting a cat, you may be trying to figure out if he’s neutered or not. Luckily, there a plenty of signs you can look for to figure out if a cat has...

How to

Tell if a Cat Is Spayed

A female cat that is spayed will not be able to reproduce and will not experience going into heat. If you are adopting a stray or an adult cat from a shelter, you should confirm the cat is spayed. Most kittens are fixed ...

How to

Help a Cat Cough Up a Hairball

Hairballs are a relatively common problem in cats, though typically your cat should only bring up 1 a week or so. If your cat seems to be having trouble with a hairball, you can try a home remedy, such as a hairball past...