When your pet suddenly loses his appetite, it can be concerning—particularly if you’ve got a regular chowhound on your hands. Reluctance to eat, also called inappetence or anorexia, can be caused by a number of serious conditions, so if you notice your dog or cat has lost interest in food, it’s best to contact your family veterinarian to get to the heart of the problem right away.

While veterinarians play a key role in keeping pets healthy, they can’t do it alone (just ask them!).

Veterinary technicians are the lifeblood of any animal hospital—and that’s why the third week of October, known as National Veterinary Technician Week, is dedicated to celebrating them and everything they do for pets and the people who love them.

Here are just a few reasons we owe technicians a debt of gratitude:

Does your cat have a big heart? No, we’re not talking about her loving personality. An enlarged heart could point to a cardiac condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—and it can mean big problems for your feline friend’s health.

What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a big word that simply means “disease of the heart muscle.” While there are many different types of heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is by far the most commonly diagnosed cardiac problem in cats.

From vampurrs to dogosaurs, there are few things as irresistible as a pet dressed up for Halloween. Make sure your pet’s costume is as safe as it is spooky with these tips.

Find the right fit.

Make sure your pet’s costume fits properly and comfortably. One that is too tight could restrict your pet’s breathing or movement, while a too-loose ensemble could cause your pet to trip or become tangled. Keep it light—some costumes may be too heavy for your pet or cause him to overheat. In addition, your pet’s costume should never cover his eyes, ears, nose, or mouth.

Most people think cats can take care of themselves—and they’d actually prefer it that way—but even the most fastidious feline groomers could use a helping hand.

Regular grooming—including brushing, bathing, shaving, and nail trimming—offers many benefits, including promoting a healthy coat, eliminating odors and matted fur, and reducing hairballs. In addition, it provides an opportunity for you to check your cat for fleas and ticks, lumps and bumps, skin problems, and other health issues you may not otherwise notice.

Ticks are the vampire of the pet world. They latch onto your dog or cat, attach themselves and suck their blood until they’re engorged with your pet’s blood. Then they fall off and rest until they’ve digested their meal.

What happens next is they may quietly die, or they may feel ready for another feeding. It depends on the life cycle of the tick, the type of tick, and other such factors.

The world loves grumpy cats (just ask Grumpy Cat herself). We tend to think of our feline friends as sassy, independent, and apathetic creatures—and for many cat lovers, that low-key attitude is all just a part of their charm. But are our cats really unhappy? In honor of Happy Healthy Cat Month, here are six ways you’ll know if your cat is living his best life (even if he’ll never admit it).

As veterinarians, we often wish we could just ask our patients to tell us where it hurts. Unfortunately, evaluating sick pets is much more complicated, which is why blood work is such a valuable diagnostic tool.

Routine blood testing can help determine causes of illness, verify organ health prior to anesthetized medical treatments, and aid in the general maintenance of healthy pets.