Pet Columns

Moose the rabbit has his own room with all the things he needs in it.

Recent

Healthy Habits for Pet Rabbits
May 31, 2025

Think rabbits make a good starter pet because they are inexpensive, low-maintenance, and stoic? Toni Kim, a veterinary student at the University of Illinois and a House Rabbit Society educator, wants to dispel common misconceptions…
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Categories

Species

[bearded dragon looks at night sky]

Lightning Bugs Toxic to Bearded Dragons

August 16, 2022

It’s fun to spend a summer night catching and releasing lightning bugs, right? Well, not if you are a bearded dragon. Dr. Krista Keller, a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine at the University of Illinois…
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horse eating grass

Spring Grass and Laminitis in Horses

March 12, 2022

Every year, once winter is over and the snow has receded, the grass starts its yearly explosion of growth. The spring helps bring hay and fresher forage for our horses. However, with the fresh forage…
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Dr. Suma Rao (left) and veterinary student Natalie examine a dog.

Brushing Is Best for Pet Dental Health

January 31, 2022

Every February, the veterinary community celebrates National Pet Dental Health Month. It’s a chance to call attention to the link between your pet’s oral health and its overall health. Did you know that gum disease…
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[red-footed tortoise]

The Tortoise and Its Care

January 11, 2022

If you’ve got the time—and the space—we may have a lifelong animal companion for you: a tortoise. Here with a primer on pet tortoises is Dr. Amanda Wong, a veterinarian completing a three-year residency in…
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[tabby lying in front of holiday lights]

How to Prevent Holiday Mishaps for Pets

December 02, 2021

Make sure your holiday preparations keep pet safety in mind. Dr. Ashley Mitek, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, offers tips to prevent accidents and injuries that could dampen the…
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[dog in vampire cape before full moon]

Prevent Halloween Hazards for Pets

October 26, 2021

Halloween may be the spookiest night of the year, but there’s no reason it needs to be the scariest. The emergency medicine team at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital offers advice for avoiding…
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[pet hedgehog]

How to Care for Your Hedgehog

March 17, 2021

Advice on Housing, Feeding, Protecting Hedgehogs are not tiny cats or spiny hamsters. Before getting a hedgehog as a pet, you need to understand their unique needs so you can keep it healthy and happy….
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a bearded dragon named Frankie

Spotting—and Solving—a Problem in a Bearded Dragon

February 15, 2021

Research Identified Effective Fungal Medication When the standard treatment for a fungal infection wasn’t working for Frankie, a bearded dragon, the experts at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine were able to help….
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[a dog gets its teeth brushed]

Toothbrushing for Dogs and Cats

January 31, 2021

February is National Pet Dental Health Month “Periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats over 3 years old,” says Dr. Mallory Kanwal, a veterinarian who is pursuing specialization in dentistry at…
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