Designer Mixes

Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs

When a dog sounds like they are “breathing through a straw,” it can be scary fast. One possible cause is laryngeal paralysis , a condition where the cartilage and muscles of the larynx (voice box) do not open properly during inhalation. Instead of widening to let air in, the opening stays narrow,...

Double Doodle: What to Expect

A Double Doodle is most commonly what you get when a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Poodle) is crossed with a Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle). In other words, you are typically looking at a dog with Poodle genetics on both sides , plus the friendly, people-loving traits that made Labs...

Newfypoo (Newfoundland Poodle Mix): Personality, Size, and Grooming

If you love the idea of a big, gentle family dog with that classic doodle look, the Newfypoo might be the mix you keep coming back to. A Newfypoo is a Newfoundland Poodle mix , often bred for a sweet temperament, a soft coat, and a go-with-the-flow attitude. But they are not a low-maintenance pet....

Springerdoodle Temperament, Size, and Care

If you love the bright, people-focused personality of an English Springer Spaniel but also want the sharp intelligence of a Poodle , the Springerdoodle might be your perfect match. This mix can be a wonderful family dog when their needs are met, but they are not a couch-potato breed. Think active,...

Saint Berdoodle: Size, Temperament, and Health

If you love the idea of a gentle giant with a goofy, affectionate side, the Saint Berdoodle might already be on your shortlist. This mix combines the Saint Bernard’s famously sweet nature with the Poodle’s intelligence and, sometimes, a lower-shedding coat . The result can be a big, family-friendly...

Goldador: Temperament, Training, and Health

If you love the easygoing sweetness of a Golden Retriever and the bright, eager-to-work vibe of a Labrador , the Goldador (Golden Retriever Lab mix) can feel like the best of both worlds. Mixes are also wonderfully unpredictable. A Goldador may lean more Golden in softness and steadiness, or more...

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 match...

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 their...

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 and...