Articles by Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM, MS
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 a new tab and provides services to numerous emergency and specialty hospitals. Dr. Washington is also a children’s book author and freelance writer with a focus on veterinary medicine. She has a special fondness for turtles, honey bees, and penguins — none of which she treats. In her free time, Dr. Washington enjoys travel, good food, and good enough coffee.
![Curious cat sniffing on toothpaste on toothbrush held by pet owner.]()
healthHow to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
It sounds like a daunting task, but here are some helpful steps to take
It sounds like a daunting task, but here are some helpful steps to take
![Woman playing with her puppy.]()
healthCan Puppies Lose Their Teeth? Baby Teeth In Puppies
Whether you should save them for the tooth fairy is another issue entirely
Whether you should save them for the tooth fairy is another issue entirely
![Uncomfortable looking gray cat sitting on a window sill]()
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.]()
healthHow to Treat Intestinal Blockages in Cats
If you see a string sticking out from, uh, behind, never, ever, ever pull on it
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]()
health5 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
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.]()
Time to take kitty on a Holland & Barrett spree? Maybe
![Two tabby cats in embrace lying in cushion.]()
healthWhat Are Cat Pheromones and How Do They Work?
Communication is key, and pheromones are your cat’s version of DMs
Communication is key, and pheromones are your cat’s version of DMs
![Red Cat On Threshold Looks At The Camera And Meows.]()
healthWhy Is My Cat Heavy Breathing?
This can happen over time or very suddenly. Either way, it’s important to learn more about this symptom
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.]()
There’s more to it than you might think
![A couple bundled up for winter standing outside in the snow with their dog.]()
healthThe 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
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]()
You thought it was a hairball, but nothing’s coming up
![Cat sitting by its litter box]()
Seriously, though – here’s how to deal with cat constipation
![Kitten sitting on a blanket]()
lifestyle7 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
A vet breaks down everything you need to know when you bring home a new kitten
![Constipated German Shepherd being comforted by its owner]()
What to do when your pup can’t poo
![white cat with eyes closed drooling]()
healthDogs Rule, Cats Drool, Right?
Sometimes it works the other way round – here’s why your cat is drooling
Sometimes it works the other way round – here’s why your cat is drooling
![Cat napping on a yellow couch against a yellow background]()
healthDoes My Cat Have Spots?
Pimples and spots can be unsightly and painful – here’s how to treat your cat’s acne
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]()
healthWhy Is Your Cat Vomiting Like They Partied All Night?
Here’s when you should worry if your cat is throwing up
Here’s when you should worry if your cat is throwing up
![close up of Chihuahua dog's eye with cataracts]()
healthCommon Eye Problems in Dogs and How to Treat Them
Your dog sees you as their best friend, so keep those eyes healthy
Your dog sees you as their best friend, so keep those eyes healthy
![Young Man With Retriever Puppy]()
The research is confusing – here are some guidelines
![Owner pets senior ginger cat.]()
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]()
It’s not always an emergency – but it could be
![Ginger adult cat sits in flowering summer garden on pavement.]()
healthWhat 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
It’s not always as simple as scraping out the stinger. Find out everything you need to know
- nutrition | Can My Dog Eat This?
Can Your Dog Eat Watermelon?
Yep, you can share watermelon with your pup – but there are a few safety tips to keep in mind
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.]()
healthGabapentin For Dog Seizures: Treatment, Dosage and Side Effects
Everything you need to know about the anti-seizure medication
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.]()
healthWhy 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
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]()
healthSomething 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
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.]()
healthCats 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
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.]()
healthAre Snake Plants Toxic to My Cat?
If you have a beloved snake plant, this answer will be a bummer
If you have a beloved snake plant, this answer will be a bummer
![Dog Looking Out The Window.]()
Those soulful eyes mean everything to you – learn all about them
![Woman taking temperature of her brown dog.]()
healthWhat 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
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.]()
healthStep-by-Step Guide: Expressing Dog Anal Glands Safely & Effectively at Home
Yeah, it’s not exactly pleasant – but your pup will thank you
Yeah, it’s not exactly pleasant – but your pup will thank you
![Woman taking care of her sick dog at home.]()
healthCan 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
There are safer alternatives and you should always, always check with a vet before giving your pup anything
![Cat playing in spider plant.]()
healthAre Spider Plants Toxic to Cats?
Learn what you should do if your ‘spider babies’ and cat baby interact
Learn what you should do if your ‘spider babies’ and cat baby interact
![Siberian cat licking her paw outdoors.]()
healthWhat to Know About Tapeworms in Cats
What to look for and how to treat it (to be able to eat rice again)
What to look for and how to treat it (to be able to eat rice again)
- health
What to Know About Runny Noses in Cats
Nasal discharge doesn’t sound cute, but you need to know what to look out for
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]()
healthPuppy Developmental Stages and Milestones
What to Expect When You’re Expecting – canine edition
What to Expect When You’re Expecting – canine edition
![Woman gardener with cat in garden.]()
healthToxoplasmosis in Cats Can Be a Big Deal
Scoop cat poo early and often – and keep their poo away from your garden
Scoop cat poo early and often – and keep their poo away from your garden
