Dr. Becker

Reviewed by Dr. Becker

Dr. Karen Shaw Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian.
dog itchy skin
Dog Tips

Your Dog Still Itchy? This May Be the Reason Why

Cooler weather has arrived in much of the US, and pets with environmental allergies should be feeling some relief. If your dog is still itchy, it may be something else. These five clues can help you determine the cause.
7 min read
pet owner financial assistance
Cat Tips

Feeling Squeezed by Inflation? These 6 Resources Can Help

Many pet owners are feeling the effects of rising prices, and some are making decisions that may not be in their pets' best interests. If you're feeling the pinch, check out these resources that may help you provide the pet food, supplies and veterinary care your pet needs.
5 min read
zoomies
Dog Tips

What You Probably Don't Know About Zoomies

FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods) or zoomies can be one of, if not, the most comical behavior you'll ever see in a dog, and even cats, rabbits, ferrets and elephants. But do you really know what causes them, and could they be associated with OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder?
3 min read
inviting your pets to your holiday table
Dog Tips

Inviting Your Pets to Your Holiday Table

Thanksgiving usually means mouth-watering aromas wafting through the house, with pets eagerly awaiting bits of food to drop to the floor. Instead of depriving your cat or dog of the holiday festivities, why not prepare some dishes with them in mind? Here are 15 ideas to get you started.
5 min read
pet probiotics for anxiety
Dog Tips

A Win-Win Strategy for Soothing Your Anxious Pup

If your dog is feeling stressed for any reason, or may be kenneled or boarded soon, you won't want to miss this important discovery. In a study, 90% of dogs who received this treatment showed a reduction in overall anxiety, including improved cortisol levels and heart rates.
7 min read
feline vaccination guidelines
Cat Tips

What You Need to Know About Vaccinating Your Cat

There was a significant change in 2020 to feline vaccination guidelines, and it's one I don't agree with. I believe their focus is all wrong, and following their recommendations could put your cat at significant risk of one of the worst side effects of vaccines - a tumor that requires amputation.
5 min read
benefits of petting dogs
Dog Tips

What Petting a Dog Does to Your Brain

How does petting - and even looking at - a dog affect your brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex, an area that plays a role in memory, problem solving and attention control? What types of activities cause your brain to light up the most? Can a stuffed animal provide the same feel-good benefits?
4 min read
fluorouracil toxicity in dogs
Dog Tips

Be Aware, This Human Medication Could Kill Your Pet

If your cat/dog ingested even the tiniest bit of this, by licking your skin after you apply it or if they were to puncture the tube with their teeth, it would likely be deadly. Death can occur in as little as six hours after exposure, so take precautions now if this medication is in your home.
4 min read