Five Star Veterinary Center

05/30/2026

As temperatures rise, be mindful of hot pavement, dehydration, and overheating. Short walks and plenty of water help keep pets safe and comfortable.

05/29/2026

Is that the weekend on the horizon we see? It is! Time to encourage it by another day of Friday Funnies!

05/27/2026

I'm not sure what kicked off the trend, but about 5 years ago, I started hearing fellow vet professionals and cat parents refer to cats as "spicy" when they showed aggressive behavior: hissing, growling, swatting, trying to bite.

Imagine if you were going to your doctor and you were really scared and stressed, and your doctor told you that you were being spicy. How would you feel?

The word "spicy" is problematic because:
--It minimizes the emotional or physical states that impact the cat's welfare, and tries to make them funny
--It turns off human empathy
--It removes any impetus for us to seek reasons or solutions for the cat's behavior
--It means we've missed multiple, more subtle signs of stress before the cat had to escalate to aggression to get their point across

Words matter. Instead of dismissing cats as "spicy", think about whether they could be experiencing fear, anxiety, stress, pain, or frustration. Considering their motivations will help you identify potential triggers for their behavior.

Want to learn more about body language in cats? Check out this blog on body language 101:
https://www.myfamilycat.com/cat-behavior-blog/cat-body-language

If you live in the greater Austin area and need individualized help with human-directed aggression, intercat tension, or fear of the vet, visit My Family Cat's housecall service page below!

https://www.myfamilycat.com/cat-behavior-services

05/25/2026

Holiday cookouts can be risky for pets. Keep them away from grills, bones, fatty foods, and unfamiliar guests to prevent accidents or illness.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

Another week just flew on by, and now we're at the weekend! Time for some giggles and guffaws! Remember that we'll be closed on Monday 05-25-2026 for Memorial Day!

05/20/2026

Adopting a rescue dog can change both your life and theirs. It’s a reminder of the importance of giving pets in need a second chance.

05/20/2026

Make sure your pets' prescriptions are renewed before next Monday!

05/16/2026

Pets thrive on routine. Feeding at consistent times and maintaining regular activity helps support digestion, behavior, and overall well-being.

05/15/2026

It's feelin' Hot Hot Hot outside! And inside it's Ha Ha Ha - for the Friday Funnies! We made it to the weekend, gang, so let's enjoy some laughs together!