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In a new study, researchers from the University of Arizona examined the influence of two hormones—oxytocin and vasopressin—on canine social behavior and aggression. Oxytocin has been popularized by the...

Missed Diagnoses: What to Do When You Think Your Vet Is Missing Something

Jennifer Coates, DVM

You know your pet best, but your veterinarian has more expertise when it comes to medicine. So what are pet parents supposed to do when they have a sneaking suspicion that their veterinarian has missed...

Do Pets Know When They Are Full?

Hanie Elfenbein, DVM

I often get asked what, how much, and when to feed dogs and cats. I don’t have a standard answer, because it depends on the specific animal. Some animals can be free-fed and will stop eating when they...

How Social Media Is Helping More Pets Get Adopted

PetMD Editorial

Social media has become an important tool in how the world communicates these days, and a general way of life for most. It creates a smaller world, where people you know from a distance are part of your...

Do Pets Know When They Are Going to Die?

Jennifer Coates, DVM

At some level, animals seem to understand the concept of death. From elephants who grieve for the loss of a herd member to whales who won’t leave their dead babies behind, many species react to death in...

Declawing Can Result in Long-Term Problems for Cats

PetMD Editorial

As a licensed veterinary technician, I have seen the side effects of declawing cats—and they’re not pretty. Declawing, or onychectomy, is a severe surgical procedure in which the last bone of each toe...

Differentiating Between Pet Parents and Pet Owners

PetMD Editorial

Are you a pet owner, or do you see yourself as a pet parent? For me, I emotionally see myself as a “mom” to my fur babies. I have two dogs, a cat, and three birds, and they are my world. My life revolves...