There's a lot of talk about the luck of cats, especially black cats. Some people believe they're lucky, while others think they bring bad luck to humans. There are also plenty of myths about cats’ own luckiness, like whether they always land on their feet when they fall.

When it comes to the health care of cherished pets, owners only want the best. This is one area of life, much like researching a child’s pediatrician, that requires due diligence to ensure a pet’s health is in the most qualified hands. From talking to fellow pet owners to online research, the following are the steps to take to find the best veterinarian in your area.

October may be mostly about ghosts and goblins, but it also marks another significant and distinctly less eerie event, National Pet Wellness Month. Keeping up with your dog or cat’s wellness care needs is an essential step in maintaining their health and helping them enjoy several happy years by your side.

World Animal Day, recognized every year on October 4, is a day dedicated to improving animal welfare standards across the globe. Although this special day just passed, we still want to recognize it, as it unites all animal rights organizations into one global movement, creating a collective force with a shared mission of making the world a better place for animals — domestic and wild.

It’s no secret that most cats do not enjoy being taken from their comfortable environment, placed in a carrier, and hauled off to the veterinarian, where strangers poke and prod them, dogs want to sniff them (or chase them or eat them or play with them), and the smells of unknown cats fill the air. The nerve! The good news is there are things you can do to keep your favorite feline from being filled with fear.

One silver lining during this pandemic is how many people have been adopting dogs. In fact, one Chicago shelter recently declared themselves cleaned out of adoptable dogs for the first time ever. Doesn't that just bring a smile to your face? Some people, however, might agree that this time of home quarantine is an ideal period to adopt but they are hesitant due to certain negative things they've heard about shelter pets. As veterinarians, we've seen firsthand how the love of a shelter pet has changed lives for the better.

How do I know when to take my pet to the vet? This is a good question. And it is a rather common question. Because too many times, pet owners worry that they waited too long or brought their pet to see the doctor too soon, and somehow they will be at fault if Fluffy has any issues.

Does Your Senior Cat Have These Common Health Problems?

Cats are good at hiding their pain. As natural predators, they know the weak and ill become prey so their instincts are to cover up any signs of weakness. Because of this tendency, it can be tough to know when your cat isn’t feeling well.