Blog

Think you don’t have time to train your dog? The truth is, you already are — but it may not be anything you want her to learn. Take a few minutes and watch this video from my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker, and our friends at Bissell. In it, she’ll explain why the idea of “not […]

Cats are pretty good at grooming themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t use a little help. Here’s what I told a reader who just got her first cat. Q: I just got my first cat. What do I need to know about caring for her coat? A: Cats are great at grooming themselves, but […]

Uveitis is a fairly common problem in cats, and can have a number of causes. Because of the seriousness of leaving it untreated, all cat owners need to be aware of its symptoms and what to do if they suspect them. A reader’s cat was just diagnosed with this condition, and here’s what I told […]

In veterinary school we had a class called “restraint.” One of Merriam Webster’s definitions is restricting movement. From experience, I’ll tell you that “restraint” in vet med often meant heavy metal gates, squeeze chutes, ropes, twitches, and rodeo/judo throws, plus the old standby, pile-‘o-techs imprisonment. Between growing up on a ranch, going to veterinary school, […]

Can outdoor cats learn to live happily indoors? You bet! My daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker, and I teamed up to share these tips with a reader who is making the switch for her feline family members. Q: We hope to move in a couple of years. Are there any steps to prepare our four outdoor […]