Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM, MS
Alycia Washington, DVM, is a small animal emergency veterinarian based in North Carolina. She works as a relief veterinarianopens in new tab and provides services to numerous emergency and specialty hospitals. She also works as a veterinary writer with a focus on educating pet owners.
Recent Kinship articles by Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM, MS
What Can I Feed a Kitten?
Learn what nutrients are a must for your new little one
Kitten Teething: Do Kittens Lose Their Teeth?
Get those little gnashers ready for the kitten tooth fairy
![Curious cat sniffing on toothpaste on toothbrush held by pet owner.]()
How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
It sounds like a daunting task, but here are some helpful steps to take
![Woman playing with her puppy.]()
Can Puppies Lose Their Teeth? Baby Teeth In Puppies
Whether you should save them for the tooth fairy is another issue entirely
![Uncomfortable looking gray cat sitting on a window sill]()
Should Your Cat Go to A&E?
Here are six good reasons to haul tail to A&E
![Beautiful playful tabby cat lying on the living room floor, playing with a ball of string.]()
How to Treat Intestinal Blockages in Cats
If you see a string sticking out from, uh, behind, never, ever, ever pull on it
![A senior cat is held in their owner's lap]()
5 Ways to Care For Your Senior Cat
From taking them to the vet more often to giving them a hand with grooming, older kitties need a little extra TLC
![Woman giving her white cat a vitamin.]()
Does My Cat Need Supplements?
Time to take kitty on a Holland & Barrett spree? Maybe
![Two tabby cats in embrace lying in cushion.]()
What Are Cat Pheromones and How Do They Work?
Communication is key, and pheromones are your cat’s version of DMs
![Red Cat On Threshold Looks At The Camera And Meows.]()
Why Is My Cat Heavy Breathing?
This can happen over time or very suddenly. Either way, it’s important to learn more about this symptom
![Male and female cat lying side by side.]()
Male vs Female Cats: What Are the Differences?
There’s more to it than you might think
![A couple bundled up for winter standing outside in the snow with their dog.]()
The Chilling Truth About Dog Frostbite
Yep, all those warnings your mum gave you as a kid apply to your dog, too. Learn how to keep your pup safe in the cold
![Siamese cat coughing]()
Why Is Your Cat Coughing?
You thought it was a hairball, but nothing’s coming up
![Cat sitting by its litter box]()
Is Your Cat Full of Sh*t?
Seriously, though – here’s how to deal with cat constipation
![Kitten sitting on a blanket]()
7 Steps to Keep Your New Kitten Happy and Healthy
A vet breaks down everything you need to know when you bring home a new kitten
![Constipated German Shepherd being comforted by its owner]()
Gut Feelings: Dogs Get Constipated, Too
What to do when your pup can’t poo
![white cat with eyes closed drooling]()
Dogs Rule, Cats Drool, Right?
Sometimes it works the other way round – here’s why your cat is drooling
![Cat napping on a yellow couch against a yellow background]()
Does My Cat Have Spots?
Pimples and spots can be unsightly and painful – here’s how to treat your cat’s acne
![grey and white cat with tongue sticking out]()
Why Is Your Cat Vomiting Like They Partied All Night?
Here’s when you should worry if your cat is throwing up
![close up of Chihuahua dog's eye with cataracts]()
Common Eye Problems in Dogs and How to Treat Them
Your dog sees you as their best friend, so keep those eyes healthy
![Young Man With Retriever Puppy]()
When Should You Spay or Neuter Your Dog?
The research is confusing – here are some guidelines
![Owner pets senior ginger cat.]()
6 Common Health Concerns in Senior Cats
How to spot and how to treat them
![White-and-brown cat sitting on a side table by a lamp with their mouth open, gagging]()
Your Cat Is Gagging. Should You Panic?
It’s not always an emergency – but it could be
![Ginger adult cat sits in flowering summer garden on pavement.]()
What to Do if Your Cat Gets Stung By a Bee
It’s not always as simple as scraping out the stinger. Find out everything you need to know
Can Your Dog Eat Watermelon?
Yep, you can share watermelon with your pup – but there are a few safety tips to keep in mind
![Happy woman at home cuddling on bed with cute jack russell dog.]()
Gabapentin For Dog Seizures: Treatment, Dosage and Side Effects
Everything you need to know about the anti-seizure medication
![Tabby cat leaning into a porcelain sink, tail curled in the air, as it sticks its tongue out to drink water from the faucet.]()
Why Is My Cat So Damn Thirsty?
No, not like that. They’re literally drinking a lot of water. Here’s when you should be worried
![Unrecognizable woman petting an ill cat]()
Something No One Wants to Talk About: Cat Cancer
Veterinarian Dr Alycia Washington breaks down the five most common types of cancer in cats, from how to spot the early signs to how to treat them
![Happy stylish latino queer person looking comfortable on porch steps with gray cat.]()
Cats Lifespan: How Long Do Cats Live?
They are the absolute light of your life. Here’s how you can help them live as close to forever as possible
![A brown cat with a snake plant.]()
Are Snake Plants Toxic to My Cat?
If you have a beloved snake plant, this answer will be a bummer
![Dog Looking Out The Window.]()
What, Exactly, Can Dogs See?
Those soulful eyes mean everything to you – learn all about them
![Woman taking temperature of her brown dog.]()
What Should Your Dog’s Temperature Be? A Step-by-Step Guide on Taking Your Dog’s Temperature at Home
Spoiler: there are more ways than the one you’d rather avoid
![Dog standing in the bathtub covered with a green towel after a bath.]()
Step-by-Step Guide: Expressing Dog Anal Glands Safely & Effectively at Home
Yeah, it’s not exactly pleasant – but your pup will thank you
![Woman taking care of her sick dog at home.]()
Can Dogs Take Aspirin? A Guide to Dog Pain Medication
There are safer alternatives and you should always, always check with a vet before giving your pup anything
![Cat playing in spider plant.]()
Are Spider Plants Toxic to Cats?
Learn what you should do if your ‘spider babies’ and cat baby interact
![Siberian cat licking her paw outdoors.]()
What to Know About Tapeworms in Cats
What to look for and how to treat it (to be able to eat rice again)
What to Know About Runny Noses in Cats
Nasal discharge doesn’t sound cute, but you need to know what to look out for
![woman draped in an orange blanket holds a black-and-white puppy]()
Puppy Developmental Stages and Milestones
What to Expect When You’re Expecting – canine edition
![Woman gardener with cat in garden.]()
Toxoplasmosis in Cats Can Be a Big Deal
Scoop cat poo early and often – and keep their poo away from your garden
