Dr. Michelle Diener

DVM betterpet veterinary advisor

Dr. Michelle Diener received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University in 2006. She has been practicing small animal medicine for over 15 years in North Carolina, specializing in dogs and cats. She has two dogs and an Amazon parrot. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family, cycling, and fishing.

Siberian Husky puppies playing

behavior and training The importance of puppy socialization

9 min read

American Eskimo dog exercising in a yard

the search for a dog American Eskimo: Dog breed characteristics & care

6 min read

Havanese puppy tests best small dog collars

savvy shopping 7 best small dog collars of 2023, approved by vets

6 min read

Can dogs eat seaweed?

can my pet have this Can dogs eat seaweed?

5 min read

Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness

savvy shopping 10 best no-pull dog harnesses of 2022, approved by vets

11 min read

Bolux Dog Harness

savvy shopping 5 best reflective dog harnesses of 2022, approved by vets

5 min read

Omega 3s for cats

cat parent must-knows What are omega-3s, and why does my cat need them?

5 min read

Dog with a broken leg in a cast

dogs and meds Can dogs take ibuprofen?

5 min read

YOULY Breakaway Cat Collar

savvy shopping 5 best cat collars for 2023, approved by vets

13 min read

Best collar Joytale review

savvy shopping 7 best dog collars for 2023, approved by vets

11 min read

As a low-energy dog breed, two pugs relax on sofa.

the search for a dog 12 low-energy dog breeds that might be right for you

10 min read

Lethargy in dogs, explained

canine health problems Lethargy in dogs, explained

6 min read

Black dog with a fence in the background.

canine health problems Why is my dog foaming at the mouth? When to worry

4 min read

behavior and training Food aggression and resource guarding in dogs

9 min read

Jack Russell Terrier looking at camera

the search for a dog Jack Russell terrier: Dog breed characteristics & care

7 min read

St.Bernard-exercise

the search for a dog St. Bernard: Dog breed characteristics & care

6 min read

bloodhound on a beach

the search for a dog Bloodhound: Dog breed characteristics & care

8 min read

White dog eating raw meat from bowl

can my pet have this Can dogs eat raw meat?

9 min read

Bichon frisé laying on the floor.

the search for a dog Bichon frisé: Dog breed characteristics & care

7 min read

Rottweiler relaxes in a pond.

the search for a dog Rottweiler: Dog breed characteristics & care

8 min read

dog-dementia

canine health problems Dog dementia: causes, symptoms, and treatment

6 min read

Fox red Labrador retriever

the search for a dog Fox red labrador retriever: Dog breed characteristics & care

6 min read

Brown dog licking its nose

canine health problems 5 reasons your dog is licking its lips

8 min read

Caucasianshepherd

the search for a dog Caucasian shepherd: Dog breed characteristics & care

7 min read

dog-breathing-fast

canine health problems Why is my dog breathing fast? When to worry.

5 min read

boxer

the search for a dog Boxer: Dog breed characteristics & care

6 min read

shar-pei dog walking in grass

the search for a dog Shar-Pei: dog breed temperament and characteristics

7 min read

older woman with dog in forest

the search for a dog 11 best dog breeds for seniors

11 min read

Havanese puppy

the search for a dog Havanese: Dog breed characteristics & care

5 min read

Dog spa and pampering

essential tips Dog spas & other ways to spoil your dog

7 min read

Does pet insurance cover diabetes

savvy shopping Does pet insurance cover diabetes?

4 min read

Maltipoo

the search for a dog Maltipoo: Dog breed characteristics & care

6 min read

Cavapoo

the search for a dog Cavapoo: Dog breed characteristics & care

4 min read

American pit bull terrier

the search for a dog American pit bull terrier: Dog breed characteristics & care

7 min read

Puppy eating an apple from a tree

can my pet have this Can my dog eat apples?

7 min read

Brown Dachshunds

the search for a dog Dachshund: Dog breed characteristics & care

5 min read

Alaskan Malamute in snow

the search for a dog Alaskan malamute: Dog breed characteristics & care

4 min read

Chow chow

the search for a dog Chow chow: Dog breed characteristics & care

4 min read

Can my dog have blueberries?

can my pet have this Can dogs have blueberries?

5 min read

dog lying on floor

canine health problems The dangers of pet obesity

7 min read

Dog car safety

essential tips Dog car safety: How to keep your pups safe while driving

9 min read

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions

savvy shopping Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

3 min read

Does pet insurance cover vet visits

savvy shopping Does pet insurance cover vet visits?

3 min read

Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering

savvy shopping Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?

4 min read

Vet rubbing ointment cream on dog

dogs and meds Can I use antifungal cream on my dog?

6 min read

Cat with clean teeth

cat parent must-knows How much does cat teeth cleaning cost?

7 min read

How long is a cat pregnant

cat parent must-knows How long is a cat pregnant? A prep guide

6 min read

Cat taste buds

cat parent basics What’s the deal with cats’ taste buds?

4 min read

How long is my dog pregnant

essential tips How long is a dog pregnant? A prep guide

7 min read

Dog leg shaking

canine health problems Dog leg shaking and tremors: causes and treatments

7 min read

Distemper in dogs

canine health problems Distemper in dogs, explained

5 min read

dog being examined on table at vets office

canine health problems Mast cell tumors in dogs: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

6 min read

vet-inspecting-a-dogs-tooth

canine health problems How much does it cost to remove a dog’s tooth?

6 min read

puppy-laying-in-grass-dog-seizures

canine health problems Dog seizures: causes, symptoms, and what you should do

6 min read

Puppy posing next to pile of garlic bulbs

can my pet have this Can dogs eat garlic?

8 min read

Cats-Sense-of-Smell

cat parent basics A cat’s sense of smell, explained

5 min read

cat parent must-knows Why is my cat so thirsty?

4 min read

dog parent basics Can dogs see in color?

3 min read

savvy shopping Best flea shampoo alternatives for dogs

5 min read

cat parent must-knows Keeping your cat hydrated: an interview with Michelle Diener, DVM

6 min read

Polly on a couch

navigating puppyhood My puppy had a bowel obstruction.

5 min read

Dog in the dark with glowing eyes

dog parent basics Can dogs see in the dark?

4 min read

The best paw wipes for pups, according to vets

savvy shopping The 5 best paw wipes for dogs, according to vets

10 min read

Cat getting a bath

cat parent basics Are cats afraid of water?

4 min read

Basque shepherd dog smelling grapes

can my pet have this Can my dog have grapes or raisins?

6 min read

Cat lapping water

cat parent must-knows The science behind your cat’s lapping

3 min read

Orange tabby cat sleeping

feline health problems Can cats get headaches?

4 min read

Cat playing with heart shaped toy

feline health problems Heart disease in cats, explained

6 min read

Cat drinking from the faucet

cat parent basics Why does my cat drink from the sink?

5 min read

Retained teeth in dog

canine health problems Everything you need to know about retained teeth in puppies

4 min read

Woman checking a dog‘s ear

canine health problems Ruptured eardrums in dogs: How to recognize them and what to do next

8 min read

Cat walking in little box

feline health problems A guide to crystals in your cat’s urine

7 min read

cat parent must-knows Dehydration in cats, explained

4 min read

Foxtail in dogs paw

Pet Safety Foxtails are very dangerous to your dog

5 min read

Dog with gingivitis

canine health problems A guide to gingivitis in dogs, an early sign of periodontitis

5 min read

feline health problems My cat had PU surgery. Here's what happened.

8 min read

Pet Safety Is Aquaphor safe for dogs?

3 min read

Pet Safety Is Vaseline safe for dogs?

4 min read

Pug smiling

essential tips How to clean your pug’s wrinkles

5 min read

Close up of dog's nose

canine health problems A guide to nasal planum diseases in dogs

10 min read

Dog with red irritated ear

canine health problems 10 reasons why your dog’s ears are red

6 min read

Close up of brown dog looking up

uncommon dog conditions A guide to nosebleeds (epistaxis) in dogs

8 min read

canine health problems 8 reasons why your dog’s ears stink and what to do about it

7 min read

Cocker Spaniel eating

dog parent must-knows A guide to taurine — a dietary supplement for some dogs

5 min read

Dog with big pointy ears

canine health problems Why are my dog’s ears hot? 5 common causes, according to vets

5 min read

Bernese Mountain Dog drinking water

can my pet have this When should you give your pet bone broth?

8 min read

essential tips 7 ways to make your dog’s coat shiny

5 min read

Old dog resting on hardwood floors

canine health problems A guide to lupus in dogs

5 min read

Dog laying on grass

healthy canine living 8 ways to boost your dog’s immune system

7 min read

Cat in christmas tree

cat parent must-knows Are Christmas trees toxic to cats?

5 min read

Dachshund at risk of Cushing's disease

canine health problems A complete guide to Cushing’s disease in dogs

5 min read

Wet black lab running by a pool

canine health problems A guide to osteoarthritis in dogs

13 min read

essential tips 12 home remedies for dogs with itchy skin

9 min read

Orange cat in a Christmas tree

cat parent must-knows 11 ways to cat-proof your Christmas tree

4 min read

German Shepard with bald spots

canine health problems Why is your dog losing hair?

7 min read

Itchy dog with fleas scratching

canine health problems A guide to flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in dogs

6 min read

dog scratching folliculitis

canine health problems How to treat folliculitis in dogs, according to a vet

4 min read

Dog chewing on its leg and paw

essential tips How to stop your dog from chewing their paws

7 min read

Pug wearing a pink sweater

fun for dog parents 8 fun things to do with your dog this fall and winter

9 min read

Jack Russell dog with witch hat halloween

essential tips How to celebrate Halloween with your pets

11 min read

Vet cleaning infected dog ear

canine health problems Ear infections in dogs: Signs, causes, and treatment

7 min read

savvy shopping 4 best shampoos for cats in 2023, according to a vet

8 min read

Golden Retriever with upset stomach

canine health problems 6 common causes of an upset stomach in dogs

8 min read

canine health problems Common dog food allergies

5 min read

canine health problems How to treat dandruff in dogs: DIY techniques and tips

6 min read

canine health problems Preventing and caring for colds in dogs

9 min read

Best cat water fountains in The Lab

savvy shopping The six best water fountains for cats

13 min read

feline health problems Why is my cat losing hair?

5 min read

healthy canine living How much food should I feed my dog?

8 min read

essential tips Is pet insurance worth it?

7 min read

feline health problems Diabetes in cats, explained

5 min read

can my pet have this How much pumpkin can I give my dog?

5 min read

essential tips A pet parent’s guide to Valentine’s Day

9 min read

Dental water additives for dogs

savvy shopping The best dental water additives for dogs

15 min read

A black cat on a leash wearing a pink vest harness, quickly walking down a sidewalk

savvy shopping The best cat harnesses, according to avid cat travelers

7 min read

Slow feed dog bowls

savvy shopping The best slow feed bowls for dogs

13 min read