Dr. Becker

Reviewed by Dr. Becker

Dr. Karen Shaw Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian.
dog ear infections
Dog Tips

11 Reasons Why Your Dog May Be Struggling With Ear Issues

Ear infections have become nearly epidemic in dogs, partly because of how the canine ear is constructed. Because they are a very common reason for veterinary visits, know what you can do to help your pup's ears stay healthy and avoid chronic inflammation and infection.
— 8 min read
what do urban coyotes eat
Special Species

What Do Urban Coyotes Really Eat?

Using coyote fecal samples collected in New York City parks and green areas, a team of researchers conducted a DNA analysis to answer a question that has puzzled many - what urban coyotes eat. What they found will surprise you - it wasn't what most people would expect.
— 4 min read
new dog introductions
Dog Tips

The Right and Wrong Ways to Bring Home a New Dog

You only get one chance to do it right - and if you make this mistake, you can set the stage for a rocky relationship between your current dog and your new one. Dogs are social animals and their social units have hierarchy, so to minimize disruption and unrest, be sure to follow these steps.
— 5 min read
cat human communication
Cat Tips

A Proven Technique to Build Rapport With Your Cat

Providing a rare insight into the world of cat-human communication, this UK study confirms what many already suspected - cats are positively attracted to humans who do this, especially if that person is their special human. Is your cat already doing it, and you're just missing her cues?
— 7 min read
pet desexing
Dog Tips

This Ancient Practice Is Getting a Much-Needed Makeover

It's been a long-standing practice to spay or neuter a puppy before or at six months, without considering the needs of individual dogs and their caregivers. Now that these researchers have confirmed the health and behavioral risks associated with desexing, things may soon change.
— 11 min read
pet food feeding trials
Dog Tips

The Pet Food Producers Who Are Going Beyond the Basics

AAFCO is the regulatory authority for pet food in the US, but incredibly, pet food producers aren't even required to do the minimal feeding studies - on six dogs - to ensure nutritional adequacy. These pet food producers are bucking the trend and taking extra steps to do right for our pets.
— 6 min read
dog kennel cough natural remedies
Dog Tips

7 Natural Remedies for Healing Kennel Cough

Kennel cough, or Bordetella, is a common, very contagious upper respiratory infection in dogs. If your dog has a nagging, honking cough, and has been around a number of other dogs, it's time to take action. Instead of antibiotics, help speed your pup's recovery with these time-tested remedies.
— 5 min read