Dr. Elena Shockman kissing her dog Marty shortly before saying goodbye
How to Know When It's Time to Say Goodbye to Your Pet: 6 Quality of Life Signs
How do you know when it's time to say goodbye to a beloved pet? Dr. Elena Shockman and Lauren Royer, CVT, share six quality-of-life signs and compassionate guidance for families... Read more...
How to Know When Dog Dementia Supplements Start Working
How to Know When Dog Dementia Supplements Start Working
Dog dementia supplements take 4-8 weeks to show effects in most senior dogs. Learn the timeline, what to track, and how to tell if they are helping. Read more...
Veterinarian Dr. Elena Shockman, VMD, smiling with an orange cat at the clinic
How to Help a Cat With Kidney Disease Drink More Water
A vet explains why hydration matters for cats with kidney disease, why cats are poor drinkers, and simple ways to help your senior cat drink more water. Read more...
How Long Do Calming Chews Take to Work for Dogs?
How Long Do Calming Chews Take to Work for Dogs?
Calming chews can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to work. Learn onset times by ingredient, dosing tips, and how long effects last for your dog. Read more...
Veterinarian Dr. Elena Shockman, VMD, with her dog Rocco drinking from a stainless steel Selene water fountain
How to Get Your Dog to Drink More Water: A Vet's Guide
A vet shares how her Boxer's recurrent UTIs taught her why hydration matters, plus simple ways to help picky and flat-faced dogs drink more water. Read more...
Best Calming Supplements for Anxious Dogs: Vet Picks
Best Calming Supplements for Anxious Dogs: Vet Picks
Vet-picked calming supplements for anxious dogs, ranked by evidence. Compare L-theanine, alpha-casozepine, and pheromone options with real dosing details. Read more...
How to Choose Supplements for Dogs: A 2026 Guide
How to Choose Supplements for Dogs: A 2026 Guide
Learn how to choose the right supplements for your dog's health needs. Expert guidance on safety, dosage, ingredients, and what actually works. Read more...
Golden retriever scratching an itch on a wooden deck
Dog and Cat Skin & Coat Health: Signs to Watch and What Helps
A practical guide to common skin and coat changes in dogs and cats, when to seek veterinary care, and how to assess supportive supplements safely. Read more...
Orange tabby cat sitting beside a stainless steel water fountain
Signs of Digestive Issues in Cats: What to Watch For
Learn the common signs of digestive upset in cats, when to call your veterinarian, and how to think about supportive gut-care products safely. Read more...
Why Is My Dog Scooting?
Why Is My Dog Scooting?
It is almost never worms. A vet on what scooting actually means, what to check, and why the fix usually starts with the stool. By Dr. Elena Shockman, VMD The... Read more...
Evidence Based Supplements for Senior Pets
Evidence Based Supplements for Senior Pets
Discover evidence based supplements for senior pets, from joint support to kidney care. Learn how to choose safe, vet-approved options for aging dogs. Read more...
Should You Give Your Dog a Probiotic With Antibiotics?
A vet explains what antibiotics do to the gut, why the answer is yes, and what "yes" actually looks like. By Dr. Elena Shockman, VMD Every antibiotic prescription I write goes home with a probiotic. That has been my rule for most of my 16 years in practice, and it started because of what I kept seeing on the other side of the course. The dog comes in with an ear infection, or a hot spot, or a bite wound. We treat it. Ten days later the owner calls back.... Read more...