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.

April is Heartworm Awareness Month and, as veterinarians, we are happy to have an opportunity to spread awareness about this devastating yet completely preventable disease. And while heartworm disease is often associated with dogs, cats can be affected with heartworms, too. The thing is, cats are considered atypical hosts for heartworms because most worms in cats do not survive to the adult stage.

How to Train Your Cat—it certainly sounds like the next film being released by DreamWorks Animation and, although we wouldn't mind our cut of royalties, it's not. The truth is, this is something you can do, and, as veterinarians, we're here to tell you that it's probably not even as challenging as you'd imagined. While you might think it sounds crazy, many cat owners have successfully trained their feline friends to do things like using the toilet and coming on command.

A cat is a lifetime commitment—although it’s rare, there are instances of cats who have lived to 30 years old! From their gentle purring and sandpaper kisses to their playful, video-worthy behavior and snuggly leg hugs, cats make this well worth it. As a caring cat owner who has turned to the internet for information on senior cat care, you’ve already shown that you are hoping to give your furry feline the best life possible well into the gray whisker years. There are many things you need to know and that you can do to ensure your cat transitions into their senior years with relative ease.

One of the challenges many cat owners face is getting their cat to the vet clinic. Many of us are fellow cat parents, so we can appreciate the arduous task this can be. As veterinarians, we also know that regular vet care is essential for our feline friends' overall health and longevity. Many cat owners put off wellness exams and other vet visits because of this challenge, but doing so can have dire consequences.

From their uncanny ability to inhabit boxes and their silly whiskers to their love of laser pointers and their crazy catnip personas, cats provide their people with endless hours of love and entertainment. As cat owners, you want to return the favor by giving your pets long and healthy lives. February is National Cat Health Month and, as veterinarians, we appreciate the opportunity to shine a light on cat wellness. And while you want your cat’s years to be many, you should also want that time to be full of good health and plenty of enrichment.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month and, as veterinarians, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to shine a light on such a pivotal topic. And while we seem to hear more about dog dental care, cat dentistry gets far too little attention. Just like dogs with dental disease, cats can have trouble eating, painful mouths, and the infections can even spread into the bloodstream.

Pink eye—just the term is enough to make you cringe, right? Whether it's in humans or in our cats, pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is the worst. As veterinarians, we want to make you aware of what to look out for so we can nip this painful and inconvenient cat illness in the bud. We know you love your kitty so we've rounded up some relevant facts about this condition and shared them below.