Designer Mixes

Homemade Dog Food for Bladder Stones (Low-Purine Options)

If your dog has bladder stones, food can feel suddenly complicated. I get it. In the clinic, I have seen how quickly a urinary issue can go from “a little off” to painful, urgent, and expensive. The encouraging news is that diet and hydration can make a real difference , but the plan has to...

Periodontal Disease in Cats: Stages, Symptoms, and Prevention

As a veterinary assistant, I can tell you with a lot of confidence: dental disease in cats is common, sneaky, and often very manageable when we catch it early. Many veterinary dentistry sources and prevalence studies commonly report that a majority of cats show some signs of dental disease by...

Homemade Dog Food for Hypothyroid Dogs

Hypothyroidism is among the most common endocrine disorders I see discussed by pet parents, especially once the weight gain, low energy, and dull coat start showing up. The good news is that with the right medication plan from your veterinarian and a thoughtful homemade diet, many dogs do...

Homemade Dog Food for Dogs With IBD

If your dog has IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), mealtimes can feel stressful. You want to nourish them, but you also want to avoid the flare-ups: vomiting, diarrhea, mucus in stool, gas, belly pain, and sudden “nope” reactions to foods that used to be fine. As a veterinary assistant here in...

Homemade Cat Food for Heart Disease: Low-Sodium Meals

If your cat has heart disease like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), food can feel suddenly complicated. I get it. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how quickly a heart diagnosis turns everyday choices into big questions. The good news is that some cats can do...

Homemade Cat Food for Cats With Cancer

If your cat has cancer, feeding them can suddenly feel like the hardest part of the day. Appetite changes, nausea, mouth soreness, and weight loss can turn even a favorite food into a struggle. I am Shari Shidate, a veterinary assistant from Frisco, Texas. While I am not a veterinarian, I have seen...

Corgipoo Size, Temperament, and Health

If you love the idea of a clever, people-focused dog with a little herding spark and a little curly-coated charm, the Corgipoo might already be on your radar. A Corgipoo is a Corgi Poodle mix, usually a Pembroke Welsh Corgi crossed with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Like many designer mixes, they can...

Doxiepoo: Personality, Size, and Health

The Doxiepoo is a Dachshund Poodle mix that can be hilarious, cuddly, and surprisingly clever. But this mix also comes with a very real health conversation, especially around back safety and IVDD risk that can be inherited from the Dachshund side. If you are considering a Doxiepoo or you already...

Bernese Mountain Dog Health Issues

Bernese Mountain Dogs are famously gentle, family-focused giants, and they also have a heartbreaking reality: they carry among the highest cancer burdens of any dog breed. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how powerful it can be when families know what to watch for early,...

Malshi (Maltese Shih Tzu Mix): Personality, Size, and Health Tips

The Malshi is a Maltese Shih Tzu mix known for a sweet, people-focused personality and a small size that fits beautifully into apartment life. In my experience as a veterinary assistant, families love Malshis because they are affectionate, adaptable, and typically happy to be wherever you are. That...

Great Pyrenees Health Problems

The Great Pyrenees is a gentle, majestic guardian, and a true giant-breed dog. That matters because giant breeds tend to age faster and carry higher risk for orthopedic issues, bloat (GDV), and certain cancers. The good news is that many of the biggest problems have early warning signs you can...

Whoodle Temperament, Size, and Care

If you love the idea of a friendly, active family dog with a soft, low-shedding coat, the Whoodle might already be on your radar. A Whoodle is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Poodle mix, and they are known for their sunny personality, athletic energy, and that teddy-bear look many people want in...

Himalayan Cat: Personality, Grooming, and Health

If you love the plush, doll-like look of a Persian but you also want a cat who tends to be very people-oriented, the Himalayan (often called a “Himmie”) may be your perfect match. Many families tell me their Himalayans are especially content to stay close, settle in for lap time, and follow...

Probiotics for Cats

If your cat has ever dealt with messy litter box days, gas, vomiting, or that on-and-off “sensitive stomach” phase, you have probably heard someone mention probiotics. As a veterinary assistant, I like probiotics because they are simple, targeted, and supported by real research in both human...

Methimazole for Cats

If your cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, you are not alone. I see this condition often as a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, especially in older and senior cats . The good news is that most cats feel noticeably better once their thyroid hormone levels are brought back into a...

Dog Arthritis Treatment: Home Remedies and Pain Management

If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, you are not alone. I see this every week as a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas. The good news is that arthritis is often very manageable with the right home setup, safe movement, targeted supplements, and veterinarian-guided pain control when...

Munchkin Cat: Short Legs, Big Personality, and Health Risks

Munchkin cats are instantly recognizable for one feature: their short legs. For some people, that look is irresistible. For others, it raises a big ethical question: should we intentionally breed cats for a skeletal trait associated with potential medical risks? As a veterinary assistant, I try to...

Homemade Dog Food Toppers

If your dog is turning their nose up at dinner, you are not alone. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I see picky eating all the time, especially with stress, aging, dental discomfort, or after a food change. The good news is that the right homemade dog food toppers can make meals...

Famotidine (Pepcid) for Dogs: Dosage, Uses, and Safety

If your dog is lip smacking, swallowing repeatedly, burping, eating grass, or acting nauseated, it is natural to wonder if an acid reducer like Pepcid could help. Famotidine is one of the most commonly used stomach acid medications in dogs. When stomach acid is truly part of the problem, it can...

Lumps on Cats: When to Worry

If you just found a lump on your cat, take a breath. Many bumps are benign, but some need quick attention. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how much easier outcomes can be when we catch problems early, even when the “problem” turns out to be something simple like a small cyst or a healing...