BVMS MRCVS
Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, is a veterinarian with nearly 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. Dr. Elliott earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Glasgow. She was also designated a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Married with 2 grown-up kids, Dr. Elliott has a naughty Puggle named Poggle, 3 cats and a bearded dragon.
Dogs follow their people for love, food, instinct, and curiosity, but constant shadowing can sometimes signal anxiety or illness. Here is how to tell normal velcro-dog behavior from a real problem, and exactly when to call your vet.
Most grass eating is normal dog behavior, not a sign your dog is sick. Here's why dogs eat grass, what's normal versus concerning, what to do, and the warning signs that mean it's time to see a vet.
Your dog is "talking" to you all day with their tail, ears, eyes, mouth, and posture. This vet-reviewed guide shows you how to read the whole dog, in context, so you know when they're happy, anxious, or asking for space.
The 10 best senior dog foods of 2026, vet-vetted. Just Food For Dogs Joint & Skin Support (board-certified veterinary nutritionist formulation), Open Farm, Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind, Hill's, and more.
The 9 best dog foods for sensitive stomachs in 2026, vet-vetted. JFFD Sensitive Stomach and the JFFD Fish & Sweet Potato recipe, Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and more compared.
Food intolerance in dogs is a non-immune digestive reaction to specific ingredients, distinct from a true food allergy. Learn the symptoms, common triggers, diagnosis, and treatment.
The most common allergens in dog food are beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, and lamb. Learn which ingredients trigger food allergies in dogs, how to recognize the symptoms, and what to feed instead.
5 homemade dog food recipes adapted from veterinary nutritionist source materials, with safety guidelines, ingredient warnings, and AAFCO balance considerations. These are starting points for veterinarian-guided feeding, not complete daily diets.
Learning how to get rid of fleas on dogs takes more than one bath. This vet-reviewed guide covers fast-acting flea medicine, a four-step home plan, honest home remedies, and how to keep fleas gone for good.
Wondering what tick bites look like on dogs? This vet-reviewed photo guide shows you how to spot a fresh or healing tick bite, identify an embedded tick, recognize the main US tick species, read the warning signs of tick-borne illness, and remove a tick safely.
Hot pavement and dog paws are a dangerous summer combination, and the ground can burn your dog at air temperatures as low as 77 degrees. Learn the 7-second test, the air-to-pavement temperature chart, the signs of burnt paw pads, simple first aid, and how to protect your dog's paws.
Learn how to remove a tick from a dog the right way: fine-point tweezers, a straight-up pull, and no twisting or squeezing. This vet-reviewed guide covers the exact technique, what to do if the head gets stuck, disposal, aftercare, and the symptoms to watch for.
Can dogs get sunburn? Yes, and pale, thin-coated, and hairless dogs are most at risk. This vet-reviewed guide covers the warning signs, when sunburn becomes an emergency, safe at-home and veterinary treatment, the best dog sunscreen, and how to protect your dog's nose and skin from lasting UV damage.
Learning how to get rid of fleas on cats means treating two things at once: the fleas on your cat and the much larger population hiding in your home. This vet-backed guide walks you through fast relief, the best flea treatments, safe home cleanup, and what to skip.
Learning how to get rid of fleas in the house means treating your pets, your home, and your yard on the same day, then repeating for several weeks to outlast the flea life cycle. This vet-reviewed guide walks you through every step and explains why fleas keep coming back.
Dog heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can damage organs in minutes. Learn the warning signs, the right way to cool your dog, what not to do, the recovery timeline, and when an emergency vet visit can save your dog's life.
Dehydration in dogs happens when your dog loses more fluid and electrolytes than it takes in. Learn the signs of dehydration in dogs, the home skin-pinch test, what causes it, how to safely rehydrate your dog, and when it is a vet emergency.
The best flea and tick prevention for dogs is the vet-recommended product your dog actually tolerates and you give on schedule. This guide compares oral chews, topical spot-ons, and collars so you can match protection to your dog's age, lifestyle, and region.
Changes in litter box habits often reveal urinary, kidney, or metabolic problems long before other symptoms appear. Here's how to tell medical from behavioral, and when it's an emergency.
Healthy cat urine is pale yellow to amber, clear, and consistent in volume. Here's what normal looks like, what color changes may mean, and when urine changes are a vet emergency.
Preventative care for feline urinary health comes down to steady habits: hydration, nutrition, stress reduction, and daily litter box monitoring. Here's a vet-informed guide to each.
Veterinarians diagnose urinary problems in cats through a layered process of physical exam, urinalysis, imaging, and blood work. Here's what that looks like at the clinic and how to spot urgent signs at home.
Multi-cat homes make urinary symptoms harder to attribute. Here's how to set up litter boxes for visibility, narrow down which cat is struggling, and know when to call the vet.
Anxiety relief for dogs often starts with small changes in routine and environment. Learn how predictable schedules, calming spaces, and familiar feeding experiences can support calmer behavior.
Dog dental health plays a major role in comfort, chewing ability, and eating habits. Learn how oral health affects feeding behavior and whether softer foods may help dogs with dental sensitivities.
High-protein dog food can be a powerful tool for maintaining muscle, supporting recovery, and managing weight, especially in senior and active dogs. Learn what actually counts as high protein, which dogs benefit most, which dogs should avoid it, and how to choose a quality formula with the right protein level for your dog.
A veterinarian explains the most common reasons dogs lose their appetite, when it's an emergency, what to feed a reluctant eater, and the mealtime strategies that actually help your dog start eating again.
A veterinarian explains what shelf-stable fresh dog food is, how it's made, and whether it's a good choice for your dog. Plus how to feed it safely.
"Complete and balanced" is the most important phrase on a dog food label, but also one of the most confusing. Learn how to find and interpret the AAFCO statement, understand life-stage nutrition, and read dog food labels so you actually know what you're feeding.
Wondering what to feed a picky dog who sniffs the bowl and walks away? Learn how to tell if your dog is truly picky or has a medical issue, which types of food most finicky dogs prefer, and the feeding strategies veterinarians use to get dogs eating again, without creating bad habits.
Do you ever think, "Why does my dog stare at me?" Dogs are known for their endearing and often peculiar behaviors, one of which is staring intently at their owners. You may be well acquainted with those curious eyes following your every move, and sometimes, it can leave you wondering about the reasons behind such behavior.
The Formation of Feline Bonds: Early Socialization and Nurturing Connections
Explore the reasons your cat is aggressive toward guests and discover effective strategies to manage it, ensuring a peaceful environment for everyone
Decoding the Language of Feline Affection
Have you recently adopted a kitten and noticed that they seem to be following you around like a puppy? Why is my kitten following me you may wonder?
Explore the mysteries of the feline dream world: understand their sleep patterns, identify dreaming signs, and learn how to react to nightmares
A Deep Dive into Feline Reactions to Sickness and Death
A cat owner’s guide to ensuring a restful night’s sleep and keep your cat quiet.
Explore the emotional world of cats and understand their ability to grieve. Learn how to identify signs of feline grief and discover how to help a grieving cat.
Learn effective strategies for dog correction, striking a harmonious balance between discipline and reward
Understanding and Addressing Your Dog’s Licking Habit
Understanding your furry friend’s quirky, affectionate gesture
Television has captivated people for decades, but what about our canine companions?
Dive into the complex world of feline brains. Explore how they compare to human brains and unravel the mysteries of cat cognitive abilities.
Put an end to urine marking in dogs with this comprehensive guide. Understand triggers, implement effective strategies, and maintain a clean, odor-free home.
Exploring behavioral triggers, medical conditions, and digestive disorders — and how to stop a dog from eating poop
Learn about redirected aggression in cats — a perplexing behavior rooted in pent-up frustration. Explore its causes, signs, and effective management strategies.
Know the do’s and don’ts of letting your dog run free
Unravel the mysteries of dog jumping behavior and discover effective, positive techniques to help your furry friend greet people respectfully