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Educational series on this topic

Educational series

Arthritis Learning Series

Recognizing, diagnosing, and managing joint pain across a pet's life — from the earliest signs through medications, supplements, home setup, and long-term comfort.

Educational series

Advanced Arthritis Treatments

Acupuncture, shockwave, PRP, stem cells, joint injections, and hip surgery — what the evidence really shows.

Educational series

Feline Allergy Learning Center

Why cats itch, overgroom, and develop scabs or sores — feline allergic skin disease explained the way a veterinarian works through it.

31 articles for "cats"

Senior golden retriever walking slowly on a path beside the title What Is Arthritis?
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 1 of 16

Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs and cats, yet the earliest signs are often mistaken for normal aging. Learn what happens inside an arthritic joint, which pets are at risk, and how early treatment can protect comfort and mobility.

Jul 30, 2026 · 10 min read

Senior dog and cat resting together beside the title Recognizing Arthritis: The Signs Your Pet May Be Trying to Tell You.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 2 of 16

Recognizing Arthritis: The Signs Your Pet May Be Trying to Tell You

Most pets with arthritis never cry or limp dramatically. They simply stop doing the things they love. Learn the subtle signs of joint pain in dogs and cats, why pets hide discomfort, and when it is time to schedule a veterinary examination.

Jul 30, 2026 · 12 min read

Two cats resting comfortably beside the title How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 3 of 16

How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?

How do veterinarians know it's really arthritis? Diagnosis comes from putting the pieces together: your story, the physical examination, gait evaluation, and—when appropriate—X-rays. Learn what each step reveals and why early diagnosis matters.

Jul 30, 2026 · 10 min read

Large dog beside a food bowl with the title Weight Management: The Most Powerful Arthritis Treatment You're Probably Overlooking.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 4 of 16

Weight Management: The Most Powerful Arthritis Treatment You're Probably Overlooking

Medications matter, but if I could recommend only one thing for an overweight pet with arthritis, it would be helping them reach a healthy body weight. Learn why fat is inflammatory, why every pound matters, and how to lose weight safely without losing muscle.

Jul 30, 2026 · 9 min read

Golden retriever and cat beside arthritis medications and a treatment plan clipboard, with the title Arthritis Medications: Finding the Right Treatment for Your Pet.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 6 of 16

Arthritis Medications: Finding the Right Treatment for Your Pet

What's the best arthritis medication? Usually, there isn't just one. Learn how multimodal pain management combines medications, weight management, rehabilitation, and supplements—and why safety and realistic goals matter.

Jul 30, 2026 · 8 min read

German shepherd and white cat resting together beside a carprofen bottle and an NSAID safety checklist, with the title NSAIDs for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: Benefits, Risks, and What Every Pet Owner Should Know.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 7 of 16

NSAIDs for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: Benefits, Risks, and What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Are NSAIDs safe for long-term arthritis treatment? Learn how these medications reduce joint inflammation, what improvements to expect, which side effects to watch for, and why they should never be combined with human pain relievers.

Jul 30, 2026 · 9 min read

Tabby cat resting comfortably on a soft bed by a window beside the title Solensia for Cats: A New Way to Treat Arthritis Pain.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 11 of 16

Solensia® for Cats: A New Way to Treat Arthritis Pain

Solensia® is a monthly monoclonal antibody injection approved to control osteoarthritis pain in cats. Learn how it blocks nerve growth factor, what improvements owners notice, who it may help, and the side effects to discuss with your veterinarian.

Jul 31, 2026 · 8 min read

Editorial hero image for Joint Supplements for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: What Actually Works? A senior golden retriever and a senior gray tabby cat rest together beside joint chews, fish oil softgels, capsules, and unbranded veterinary supplement containers on a cream background with sage botanical accents.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 12 of 16

Joint Supplements for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: What Actually Works?

Do joint supplements really work? A veterinarian walks through the evidence behind glucosamine, chondroitin, ASU, MSM, green-lipped mussel, UC-II®, omega-3 fatty acids, and CBD — plus how to choose a quality product and which supplements I recommend for dogs and cats.

Jul 31, 2026 · 16 min read

Senior brindle dog resting on an orthopedic bed beside pet stairs and a non-slip rug, with the title Home Modifications for Arthritis: A Home That Works With Your Pet.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 13 of 16

Home Modifications for Arthritis: A Home That Works With Your Pet

Your pet's home environment can be as important as medication. Learn room-by-room changes — non-slip rugs, supportive beds, ramps, accessible bowls and litter boxes, and support harnesses — that make everyday life easier for arthritic pets.

Jul 31, 2026 · 11 min read

Australian shepherd resting on a dog bed beside the title Common Myths About Arthritis: Separating Fact From Fiction.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 14 of 16

Common Myths About Arthritis: Separating Fact From Fiction

Aging isn't painful, a wagging tail doesn't rule out pain, and exercise doesn't wear joints out faster. Dr. Rene' separates arthritis fact from fiction.

Jul 31, 2026 · 8 min read

Dog and cat resting together on a bed beside the title Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis in Dogs and Cats.
DiseasesArthritis Learning Series · Part 16 of 16

Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

Can arthritic pets still walk? Should dogs climb stairs or jump on the couch? Do orthopedic beds help? Dr. Rene' answers the most common arthritis questions.

Jul 31, 2026 · 8 min read

Advanced Arthritis Treatments for Dogs and Cats: When Traditional Care Isn't Enough — a veterinarian's guide to acupuncture, shockwave, PRP, stem cell therapy, joint injections, and hip surgery.
DiseasesAdvanced Arthritis Treatments · Part 1 of 9

Advanced Arthritis Treatments for Dogs & Cats: When Traditional Care Isn't Enough

When weight management, exercise, and pain medication are no longer enough, advanced arthritis treatments may help. A veterinarian explains each option, what the evidence actually shows, and which pets are most likely to benefit.

Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read

A dog receiving veterinary acupuncture, with fine needles placed along the back and hips.
DiseasesAdvanced Arthritis Treatments · Part 2 of 9

Acupuncture for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats: Can Tiny Needles Make a Big Difference?

Is veterinary acupuncture real medicine or placebo? A veterinarian explains how acupuncture may reduce arthritis pain in dogs and cats, which pets are good candidates, what a session is like, and what the evidence shows.

Aug 1, 2026 · 6 min read

Veterinary surgical team performing a femoral head ostectomy on a dog's hip.
DiseasesAdvanced Arthritis Treatments · Part 7 of 9

Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) in Dogs & Cats: A Different Approach to Hip Pain

An FHO removes the painful ball of the hip joint so a fibrous false joint can form. A veterinarian explains which dogs and cats are good candidates, why rehabilitation determines success, and how FHO compares to total hip replacement.

Aug 1, 2026 · 9 min read

Radiograph and surgical view of a canine total hip replacement implant.
DiseasesAdvanced Arthritis Treatments · Part 8 of 9

Total Hip Replacement for Dogs: When Replacing the Joint Is the Best Option

Total hip replacement removes the arthritic hip and replaces it with an artificial joint. A veterinarian explains which dogs are candidates, what recovery involves, the risks, and why THR has some of the strongest evidence in veterinary orthopedics.

Aug 1, 2026 · 8 min read

Senior dog resting on a bed beside a notebook titled Arthritis Treatment Plan, under the title Choosing the Right Arthritis Treatment: How Veterinarians Build a Plan.
DiseasesAdvanced Arthritis Treatments · Part 9 of 9

Choosing the Right Arthritis Treatment: How Veterinarians Build a Plan

With medications, supplements, rehabilitation, regenerative medicine, injections, and surgery all on the table, how do veterinarians decide? A veterinarian explains how an individualized, layered arthritis plan is built — including how budget fits in.

Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read

Tabby cat scratching its neck, illustrating an Ask Dr. Rene' educational article about why cats itch and how feline allergies appear.
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 1 of 10

Why Is My Cat Itchy? A Veterinarian's Guide to Feline Allergies

Cats don't always show allergies the way dogs do. Overgrooming, hair loss, scabs, and head or neck scratching can all be signs of allergic skin disease — but allergies aren't the only reason cats itch.

Aug 21, 2026 · 11 min read

Gray tabby cat resting on a cream blanket for an article about flea allergy dermatitis in cats.
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 3 of 10

Flea Allergy in Cats: Why One Flea Can Cause a Huge Problem

Why you may never see a flea on a cat with flea allergy — how flea allergy dermatitis causes itching, overgrooming, scabs, and hair loss, even in indoor-only cats.

Aug 21, 2026 · 13 min read

Gray tabby cat beside a food bowl for an article about food allergies in cats.
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 4 of 10

Food Allergies in Cats: Is Chicken Really the Problem?

What feline food allergy actually looks like, why the ingredient list can't diagnose it, and how a veterinary elimination diet trial and dietary challenge give real answers.

Aug 23, 2026 · 14 min read

Gray tabby cat resting on a cream blanket for an article about environmental allergies in cats.
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 5 of 10

Environmental Allergies in Cats: When the Problem Isn't the Food

Pollen, dust mites, and mold can affect indoor cats too. How feline environmental allergy looks, how veterinarians diagnose it, and why allergy testing isn't the first step.

Aug 24, 2026 · 15 min read

Long-haired tabby cat resting on soft cream bedding for an article about treating allergies in cats.
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 6 of 10

Treating Allergies in Cats: Building a Plan That Actually Works

Medications, topical care, immunotherapy—and why the best feline allergy plan is usually several coordinated pieces rather than one miracle medication.

Aug 24, 2026 · 16 min read

Orange tabby cat scratching near its ear beside the title Why Does My Cat Keep Getting Ear Infections?
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 7 of 10

Why Does My Cat Keep Getting Ear Infections?

Recurring ear problems in cats can come from mites, yeast, bacteria, allergies, polyps, or structural disease — why the cause determines the treatment.

Aug 24, 2026 · 14 min read

Tabby-and-white cat scratching beside the title Why Does My Cat's Allergy Treatment Keep Stopping Working?
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 8 of 10

Why Does My Cat's Allergy Treatment Keep Stopping Working?

Allergy flares happen even when treatment is still helping. Learn what pushes a cat over their itch threshold and why the answer isn't always stronger medication.

Aug 24, 2026 · 13 min read

Calico cat resting at home beside the title Helping Your Allergic Cat at Home.
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 9 of 10

Helping Your Allergic Cat at Home

What actually helps an allergic cat between veterinary visits—and which popular “allergy remedies” deserve caution before you spend money on them.

Aug 24, 2026 · 14 min read

Black cat resting comfortably beside the title My Cat Has Allergies—What Happens Next?
SymptomsFeline Allergy Learning Center · Part 10 of 10

My Cat Has Allergies—What Happens Next?

What successful long-term allergy management looks like in cats, how to tell whether the plan is working, and when it is time to reassess.

Aug 24, 2026 · 14 min read

A dog and cat surrounded by common household items that may be toxic to pets.
Toxicities

Top 10 Household Toxins That Send Dogs and Cats to the Emergency Room

Many of the most dangerous pet poisonings begin with ordinary products found on kitchen counters, bathroom shelves, bedside tables, and inside cabinets. Learn the ten household toxins every dog and cat owner should recognize—and why you should never wait for symptoms before seeking help.

Aug 3, 2026 · 9 min read

Dr. Rene' smiling at sunset — trusted veterinary knowledge for healthier pets and happier lives.
Emergency CareRespiratory Emergencies Learning Series · Part 2 of 3

Why Is My Pet Having Trouble Breathing? Common Causes Explained

Breathing problems don't always start in the lungs. Learn the most common causes of breathing difficulty in dogs and cats—including heart disease, asthma, pneumonia, collapsing trachea, pleural effusion, and more—and understand why prompt veterinary evaluation is so important.

Jul 23, 2026 · 16 min read

Dr. Rene' smiling at sunset — trusted veterinary knowledge for healthier pets and happier lives.
Home & Safety

Dr. Rene's Pet-Safe Houseplant Shopping List

Looking for pet-safe houseplants? Use this veterinarian-approved shopping list to find plants that are generally safe for dogs and cats, learn which plants to avoid, and know what to do if your pet chews on one.

Jul 23, 2026 · 6 min read

Dr. Rene' smiling at sunset — trusted veterinary knowledge for healthier pets and happier lives.
Nutrition

What Fruits and Vegetables Can Dogs and Cats Eat? A Veterinarian's Guide

Wondering if your dog or cat can eat apples, bananas, blueberries, carrots, pumpkin, or other fruits and vegetables? Learn which foods are safe, which should only be fed in moderation, and which are dangerous for pets.

Jul 23, 2026 · 10 min read

Ask Dr. Rene' cover art: an orange tabby cat sniffing white lilies in a glass vase held by a woman, with the title 'My Cat Ate a Lily: Every Minute Counts.'
Toxicities

My Cat Ate a Lily: Every Minute Counts

If your cat chewed a lily, licked lily pollen, or drank water from a vase containing lilies, don't wait for symptoms. True lilies can cause sudden kidney failure in cats, and treatment is most effective before signs of illness appear. Learn what to do immediately and why every minute matters.

Jul 28, 2026 · 9 min read

Dr. Rene' smiling at sunset — trusted veterinary knowledge for healthier pets and happier lives.
Home & Safety

Pet-Friendly Houseplants: A Veterinarian's Guide to Safe Plants for Dogs and Cats

Love plants but worried about your pets? Discover which houseplants are safe for dogs and cats, which common plants can be toxic, and what to do if your pet chews on a houseplant.

Jul 23, 2026 · 10 min read

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