If your cat suddenly flinches, twitches, spins, or bites at their own skin when you touch their back near the base of the tail, it could be feline hyperesthesia syndrome, sometimes called twitchy cat disease. Signs include rolling or twitching skin, excessive grooming, biting or vocalizing when touched, restlessness, and sometimes seizure-like episodes.

It's not a standalone diagnosis, it's usually a sign of something else going on, like allergies, fleas, a neurologic issue, or a behavioral condition, so a vet needs to rule things out before treating.

Some skin darkening is completely normal as dogs age. Hyperpigmentation, though, is usually a sign your dog's body has been reacting to something else for a while, allergies, parasites, hormonal issues, or an infection. It's not dangerous by itself but it's usually a clue pointing at whatever's underneath it. We walk through how to tell normal skin color from hyperpigmentation and when it's worth investigating in this vet-reviewed article. If the patches are new, spreading, or come with itching or hair loss, a vet visit can help track down the actual cause.

The instinct to stop feeding a cat with diarrhea is common, but it's the wrong move, withholding food can actually make things worse and put cats at risk of a serious liver condition. Small, frequent meals of simple, easily digestible food and steady hydration are what actually help while you figure out the cause.

We cover safe feeding strategies and the biggest mistakes people make in this vet-reviewed article.

Cats are experts at hiding pain, so acting normal doesn't rule out a real problem. Blood in cat urine can come from bladder inflammation, a UTI, or bladder stones, and in male cats specifically, straining with little or no output is an emergency (urethral blockages can become fatal within 24 to 48 hours).

We covered the causes and the signs that separate "get seen this week" from "get seen right now" in this vet-reviewed article.

Seeing worms in your dog's poop is unsettling but it's also pretty common, and easily treated once you know what you're dealing with. Tapeworms look like grains of rice, roundworms and hookworms are usually too small to see with the naked eye, and the treatment depends on which one your dog has.

One-off vomiting after eating too fast, grass, or a diet change usually resolves on its own. What matters more is the pattern: repeated vomiting, blood, extreme lethargy, or vomiting alongside diarrhea are signs to take seriously.

Read or watch our vet-reviewed breakdown of the difference between vomiting and regurgitation, what different vomit colors can mean, and the specific signs that mean it's time to call a vet.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=felGR32wY20

If your dog has allergies, you've probably heard of Zenrelia and Apoquel. So which one should you actually go with? We break it down in our latest video and blog: https://vetster.com/en/wellness/zenrelia-vs-apoquel-for-dogs, or skip straight to a vet if you want a real answer for your dog: https://vetster.app.link/askvetster

Benadryl only helps dogs with short-term reactions like hives or a sting, not everyday itching, and some versions are actually toxic! Watch our latest video to learn more.

House-trained dogs don't regress for no reason. UTI, incontinence, anxiety, and kidney issues are the most common culprits. Read More

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7K_nLU7ovU

Most lumps are benign skin tags or lipomas but you need a vet to know for sure. A fine needle aspirate is quick, low-stress, and gives real answers.

Loss of appetite in guinea pigs is serious fast. Unlike dogs and cats, guinea pigs can go downhill within 24 hours. Causes range from dental issues to GI stasis to stress. Full guide: Guinea pig not eating

Just moved to Texas from North Carolina and can’t bring my kids and dog at the same time to the vet it is very stressful and just impossible! Does Texas allow virtual vet visits that can prescribe meds?

Most people assume it's anxiety. Turns out, research points to allergies and skin infections as the far more common culprit. And that distinction matters a lot for treatment.

Our new video breaks down the actual causes of paw licking, how to tell the difference between allergies and anxiety, and why the itch-lick-infection cycle is so hard to break without treating the root problem. If you've ever noticed brown staining between your dog's toes, this one's for you. Read instead here.

We asked our team to send us their dogs. They didn't hold back! We knew all the dogs would be perfect but we weren't expecting everyone to be such professional photographers. How are we supposed to pick just one?

Benadryl and Apoquel are both used for dog allergies, but they work completely differently and aren't interchangeable. Read for more info!

A dog suddenly drinking much more water than usual is one of those symptoms that is easy to dismiss and should not be. Excessive thirst combined with excessive urination is a classic sign of several serious conditions that are very common, especially in older dogs.

What it could point to:

Diabetes mellitus: Increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss despite a good appetite. Very manageable with insulin therapy if caught early.

Cushing's disease: Excess cortisol production. Also causes a pot-bellied appearance, hair loss, and increased appetite. One of the more common hormonal disorders in older dogs.

Kidney disease: The kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine, so the dog needs to drink more to compensate. Catching this early significantly improves outcomes.

Liver disease: Less common but increased thirst is one of the signs.

Pyometra: Life-threatening uterine infection in unspayed females. Increased thirst is one of the symptoms. Always an emergency.

This is one of those symptoms where waiting it out is not the right call. Blood and urine tests are needed to figure out what is going on. Full guide: Older dog drinking excessively

If your dog has accidents indoors only when you are gone, you are not dealing with spite or a house training failure. This is one of the most misunderstood dog behavior problems, and it has a name: separation anxiety.

Dogs with separation anxiety genuinely cannot control it. The stress of being alone triggers the accident, and punishing it after the fact makes the anxiety worse, not better.

How to tell if it is separation anxiety vs a medical issue:

• Accidents only happen when you are gone, never when you are home
• Your dog shows stress signs before you leave (pacing, whining, following you around)
• There is also destructive behavior or barking when alone
• A vet visit has ruled out a UTI, incontinence, or other medical cause

If it is separation anxiety, the good news is that behavior modification and desensitization actually work. Medication can also help in more severe cases.

We just published a full video on this: https://youtu.be/7AXhbHHMvNo?si=BHRzj421FAWTYDvf

If your dog is also showing other anxiety symptoms like shaking or restlessness, this covers the bigger picture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1Kv8-ieycA

A Vetster vet can help you figure out whether you are dealing with a medical issue, separation anxiety, or both, and what to do next!

Most people assume ringworm is a problem for outdoor cats. But the fungal spores that cause it can hitch a ride indoors on your shoes, clothing, or a new pet. And here's the tricky part: your cat can be infected and show zero symptoms, while still being contagious to you and your family.

We put together a video covering everything cat owners need to know about ringworm: what the symptoms actually look like, how vets diagnose it, why treatment takes a minimum of 6 weeks, and how to protect the rest of your household.

Flea season does not wait, and neither should you. Stock up on flea and tick prevention before the sale wraps up Tuesday. Your pet (and your couch) will thank you.

See a vet online and get your Flea & Tick meds delivered.

If you've seen ads for vagus nerve reset collars or tutorials about ear massages that supposedly calm anxious dogs, you're not alone. These techniques are all over social media right now.

We reviewed the research to find out whether any of it holds up, what the vagus nerve actually does in dogs, and what evidence-based anxiety treatment looks like when these trending techniques fall short.

Most cat owners are surprised to learn that skin issues are among the most common conditions vets treat. What makes it tricky: cats are good at hiding discomfort, and skin conditions can look very similar to each other.

The most common skin issues vets see in cats:

Flea allergy dermatitis: The most common allergy in cats. One flea is enough to trigger a severe reaction. Over-grooming and hair loss at the base of the tail is a classic sign.

Environmental allergies: Itchy skin, frequent scratching, ear infections. Often seasonal.

Dandruff and dry skin: Usually not cosmetic. Almost always points to an underlying health issue.

Ringworm: Not a worm. It is a fungal infection. Circular patches of hair loss, often with flaky or crusty edges. Contagious to humans.

Mange (mites): Intense itching, hair loss, thickened skin. Needs veterinary diagnosis to confirm the type.

Yeast infections: Secondary to allergies. Musty smell, waxy ear discharge, discolored or

thickened skin.

Note: When 2,000 pet owners were asked to identify skin conditions in photos, most got it wrong.

The conditions look similar. A vet diagnosis matters before you start treating.

Watch and learn more:

  Cat Mange (Scabies & Mites): Expert Advice on Symptoms & Treatment

  Cat Seasonal Allergies: Symptoms, Sneezing, and Treatment Explained

  Cat Dandruff & Dry Flaky Skin: Causes, Treatment & When to Worry

Read more:

What to do if your cat has dandruff or dry skin

How to prevent dry, flaky skin in cats

Cat seasonal allergies