Understanding your pet’s unique love language can deepen the connection you share and offer valuable insights into their behavior. It can also be a game-changer during training sessions, as it helps you identify what motivates your furry friend the most—whether that’s verbal praise, a gentle touch, or tasty treats.

The elusive primordial pouch! There’s more to know (and love) about your kitty’s drooping tummy than just how silly and cute it is. You might think it’s weight gain at first, but a sagging belly can also suggest other health concerns. What exactly is a cat's primordial pouch, and why do they have one?

Thank you so much to everyone who joined our BLVD Cat Open House event! It was really special to get together with our local cat people to admire our feline friends while enjoying the new space. We only had a couple of real hisses in our hissing booth, so make of that what you will! We can’t wait to host more cat-centric events in the future.

Happy Vet Tech Week! We look forward to this week every year as a chance to celebrate our incomparable vet tech and vet assistant teams. Here are six things you may not know about vet techs and vet assistants, shared from Royal Canin

We hope you'll join us at our BLVD Cat Open House event! We warmly welcome you and your cats to check out the new space, enjoy some treats and participate in some cat-centric activities. We'll be utilizing our exam rooms so that our feline friends can have some much deserved privacy to have their picture taken in our Hissing Booth or to complete a fabulous pawcasso painting for you to take home.

Spooky season is upon us! Check out our Howl-o-ween Purrvival Guide with tips on keeping your pet safe.

Resource guarding is a behavior where pets become reactive over an item that they deem as high value. Pets can resource guard pretty much anything including food, toys, beds and even us! Signs of resource guarding are usually easy to detect, however the reactive behavior can happen in the blink of an eye. Check out our resource guarding article for more tips. 

A story about a missing cat that traveled over 800 miles from Yellowstone to California in just 60 days. The cat was successfully reunited with his family because he was microchipped!

Thinking of introducing your resident royalty to another cat? Here are some things to make note of before you begin. It’s imperative to be mindful of your cat’s needs and boundaries to ensure a harmonious home life for your kitty! If your cat has more purrticular needs, be sure to check out our cat-only practice, BLVD Cat!

We talk a lot about environmental stressors to our pets (holiday celebrations, city living, separation anxiety - to name a few), but less obvious stressors (and more common than you might think) are stressors inflicted by the pet parent. But don’t be too hard on yourself! Most of us aren’t certified dog behaviorists. With a little education and some extra effort, you can not only better identify your pup’s stress triggers, but ensure you’re not at the hand of them. 

Have you heard of The Catcade? They’re an amazing local rescue organization that saves countless lives. The cherry on top is that they also host an arcade where you can spend time with the adoptable cats!

By closely observing your pet for subtle signs of pain and working with your veterinarian, you can help your pet remain comfortable.

Many of our cats and dogs are too clever for their own good! Does your pet resist their oral medications? Learn more about safe ways to give your pet a pill in this article.

As city dwellers, it’s imperative that we microchip all of our pets - even if they don’t spend much time outside! Life happens and even the most diligent pet parents can experience an accident that leaves their poor pet missing. We’ve answered some microchipping FAQs to help better understand the importance (and ease) of microchipping your pet!

Pawsitively pleased with your experience at BLVD Vet and BLVD Cat? Refer a friend and you both get $50 off!

In this article, we will go over some easy tips to practice during the dog (and cat) days of summer with input from our own Dr. Kate Sapato.

You may have noticed an increase in itching in your pets (and even yourself!) this summer season. We’ve seen a huge boom in itchiness due to Oak leaf mites (also known as itch mites). We’ve covered the basics of itch mites in this article.

The short of it, ice cubes are safe for dogs to eat! Ice cubes are actually great for dogs during the hot weather or when they need some DIY enrichment. But, before you give your pup the entire tray, there are a few things to make note of!

For modern day pet parents, finding the right vet isn’t as easy as picking the place around the corner. Our bond with our pets is one of the most meaningful parts of our lives. With the plethora of options available to us here in Chicago, how do you choose the right vet? We’ve put some steps together for you! 

Even if you don’t own e-cigs or vape pens, your pet will likely encounter them on the streets of Chicago (we’re looking at you, litter bugs!) Even your indoor only cat can potentially come into contact with one when you have guests over. As pet parents, we do our best to keep an eye on our pets to make sure they’re not getting a hold of something that can hurt them. However, sometimes life happens. We’re going to cover what to do if your pet ingests a vape pen, e-cig or nicotine. 

Since August 20, 2024 the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported 40 domestic house cats infected with avian influenza also known as Bird Flu. No need to panic just yet! Here’s all the necessary info:

Every puppy owner has one thing in common: experiencing the joys of baby shark teeth! It seems like they grow a bit more with each passing hour, but when do they officially get their adult teeth? Knowing the timeline can help you keep them comfy during this growth period of their life. In this article, we are going to talk about what to watch for and how to care for them properly. 

We are pleased to share that we are now offering Bread Pay at BLVD Vet and BLVD Cat!

Bread Pay gives you a convenient, flexible way to pay for your pet's care. Split your purchases of $500 or more into monthly payment plans starting at 0.00% APR. Checking your eligibility is quick, easy and won’t affect your credit score!

 The 2024 Chicago Air & Water Show kicks off this weekend! The noise from the aircrafts can be heard far beyond just the lakefront. Pets across the city are likely already noticing the piercing sounds.

Our feline friends can be a bit mysterious (and probably prefer it that way)! We understand that our favorite little home bodies can be hard to read. Here are the top 5 reasons to bring your cat to the vet with notes from our friends and Cat Friendly Homes.

Not in a position to welcome a new pet into your home? Don’t sweat it! There are many ways you can still support your local rescues! We’ve compiled a list of ways you can lend a helping hand to pets in need - even from your own home.

Chicago Animal Care and Control is facing a capacity crisis. CACC is waiving all adoption fees for the month of July! We are pleased to offer $50 off your first BLVD Vet exam for any pets adopted or fostered from CACC this July.

As we all get out and explore the summer sun with our pets, the busy bees are sure to join us! What’s the sitch on bee stings? Knowing how to handle a bee sting can make all the difference for your pet's comfort and safety. In this article, we'll cover symptoms to look for, immediate actions to take, and when to seek veterinary care.

As pet parents, we hope that an emergency like choking never occurs, but life happens! We’ve compiled a list of the most common choking hazards for cats and dogs.

Our pets handle heat differently than we do. While we have sweat glands throughout our bodies to help control our temperature, dogs and cats have only a limited number of these glands. It’s up to us as good pet parents to help our furry friends stay cool during these hot Chicago summers!

Summer season is finally here in Chicago! As the entire city defrosts, patio season is in full swing. Most neighborhoods have a variety of dog-friendly patios for folks to enjoy. How do we know when a pup is actually enjoying this type of social interaction? We’ve left some tips for you below!

There’s lots to think about when you’re going to be away from home - especially for pet owners. We’ve put together a pet sitter checklist to make sure nothing important gets missed.

For pets on regular parasite prevention, sporadic grass consumption is generally safe. However, making it a regular part of their diet can lead to digestive issues and GI upset. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

If it were up to our pets, they would probably advise that co-sleeping with them is great for our health and well-being! However, you may be wondering - are pets in the bed a problem? We’ve compiled a list of pros and cons for you as well as some tips for sleeping with your pet supported by data from the Sleep Foundation Organization.

One of the greatest joys we experience as pet owners is moving through the stages of life with our companions by our sides. But how do we know when their quality of life is suffering? In the veterinary industry, we can rely on humane euthanasia when necessary. Whether it’s age or illness, your veterinarian can help guide you and your pet through their quality of life journey. 

Just like humans, pets can experience motion sickness during car rides. This issue is particularly common in puppies, but it can affect dogs and cats of all ages. While it’s unlikely to entirely eliminate car sickness, there are ways you to make it less frequent and more manageable!

As the weather warms up here in Chicago, we often see a rise in cases of Canine Parvovirus, commonly known as Parvo. This highly contagious viral illness poses a significant threat to dogs, particularly puppies. We’ve put together some basic information about Parvo and what you need to know to keep your pup healthy!

Traveling with your pet can be an exciting adventure, but it requires careful planning to ensure a smooth and safe experience for both you and your pet. Here’s a comprehensive travel checklist for dog and cat owners to keep your pet happy and healthy on the go.

We’ve put together a tutorial that covers the before, during and after steps of a successful at-home nail trim!

Does your pup pitch a fit when you try to brush their teeth? Consider using dental wipes! It's an easier, flavorless way to get those teefers clean at home. Maintaining good dental health is not only important for your pet’s comfort, but can also extend their lifespan. Watch the tutorial for the full demonstration!

We are thrilled to share that we have expanded BLVD Vet Ravenswood to offer you and your cat a first-of-its-kind boutique, feline experience, BLVD Cat!

There are three main types of allergies in vetmed: fleas, food, and environmental. In this article, we are focusing on environmental allergies. There are proven techniques and trials veterinarians use to determine which allergies pets have, so if you have concerns that your pet may have allergies, please contact us to develop a treatment plan.

Recreational use of marijuana is becoming more accessible and is already legal in Illinois. With that, chances of ingestion by our pets are increasing. Marijuana toxicity can necessitate treatment in our pets and the best thing to do is to be honest with your veterinarian about a potential ingestion - they do not judge if you have marijuana in your home! 

Burritos aren’t just for lunch! We’ve got a step-by-step tutorial for safely giving your kitty oral meds at home with Veterinary Technician, Alyssa, and her cat Jeanne.

Chicago pet parents are no strangers to the journey of choosing the right leash for your pet! There are loads of great options on the market, but the one we want to focus on today is the retractable leash.

We understand that choosing the right fit for you and your pet amongst the many options of insurers can be tough. To make it a bit easier, Forbes™ editor, Krista Fabregas, reviewed the top Pet Insurance providers. Compare some of your options here!

The French Bulldog tops the charts (and our hearts,) for a second year in a row! Here are some tips of what to expect while owning one!

Thinking of welcoming a new pet into your home? We’ve got all the tips to prepare you!

Our feline friends are known for being a little purrticular - and that's okay! Fear not, we've got you covered with a How-To Trim Your Cat's Nails video from BLVD Veterinary Technician, Alyssa.