Articles by Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been a mixed animal veterinarian since 2010. When she's not practicing or writing about veterinary medicine, you may find her exploring the outdoors with her family or tending to her cows, horses, chickens, or cats and dogs.
Learn how much snooze time is normal.
![Woman giving her Labrador dog a bath in the tub.]()
healthHere’s How Often Experts Say You Should Bathe Your Puppy
Pro tip: It’s probably less often than you’d think.
Pro tip: It’s probably less often than you’d think.
- health
Gassy Kitty? Here’s Why Your Cat Keeps Farting
Things are getting pretty stinky. What should you do?
Things are getting pretty stinky. What should you do?
![Man petting his gray cat at home.]()
behavior6 Reasons Why Your Cat’s Back Is Twitching and When to Be Concerned
Most of the time, it’s completely normal.
Most of the time, it’s completely normal.
Why plain cucumbers are safer.
- health
Protect Your Cat by Keeping These Toxic Succulents Out of Your Home
Learn about non-toxic options that won’t harm your kitty.
Learn about non-toxic options that won’t harm your kitty.
![brown dog begging for food at table]()
healthHuman Foods Toxic to Dogs—From A to Z
Even if they ain’t too proud to beg, you shouldn’t let your pup in on these snacks.
Even if they ain’t too proud to beg, you shouldn’t let your pup in on these snacks.
- nutrition | Can My Dog Eat This?
Oatmeal Could Be Good for Your Dog? Our Experts Explain Why
Why this snack could make a good addition to your dog’s diet.
Why this snack could make a good addition to your dog’s diet.
![Muscular white pit bull stands on couch, looking out window to sunny fall day.]()
behaviorSeparation Anxiety in Dogs
Does your dog freak out when you head for the door? Here’s some advice.
Does your dog freak out when you head for the door? Here’s some advice.
![Woman comforting her black Dachshund dog at home.]()
Some are more concerning than others.
- nutrition | Can My Dog Eat This?
Can Dogs Eat Cranberries? Learn if They Are Toxic or Not
Read this before sharing your snack with your dog.
Read this before sharing your snack with your dog.
- health
Do Flea Collars Actually Work? Determine If You Should Get One for Your Dog
Everything you need to know about flea collars to make the best decision for your dog.
Everything you need to know about flea collars to make the best decision for your dog.
![Woman eating granola with raisins while dog watches.]()
nutrition | Can My Dog Eat This?Can Dogs Eat Raisins? Learn if Raisins Are Toxic to Them
It’s best to think twice about bringing this snack near your dog.
It’s best to think twice about bringing this snack near your dog.
![Man looking at his large dog's face outside.]()
healthWhat to Do if Your Dog’s Eye Is Swollen
What you don’t do is ignore it. Here’s what it can mean and how to help your dog heal.
What you don’t do is ignore it. Here’s what it can mean and how to help your dog heal.
![Staffordshire terrier lies among a torn fluffy toy, funny guilty look.]()
healthPica in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Why, oh why, is your dog eating everything they shouldn’t?
Why, oh why, is your dog eating everything they shouldn’t?
![A woman sitting on a floor playing with her dogs.]()
behaviorHow to Know if Your Dog Has Imprinted on You
If they’re following you around like your shadow, there’s a reason for that.
If they’re following you around like your shadow, there’s a reason for that.
![A brown cat with a snake plant.]()
healthAre Snake Plants Toxic to Cats?
All you need to know about snake plants — plus, other plants that are toxic (and safe).
All you need to know about snake plants — plus, other plants that are toxic (and safe).
- health
What Can Dogs Drink Besides Water?
Good ol’ H2O should still be their top choice, but find out which alternatives are safe.
Good ol’ H2O should still be their top choice, but find out which alternatives are safe.
![Woman holding her cute small kitten in her hands.]()
healthKitten Vaccine Schedule Guide: Keep Your Kitten Healthy
Want your kitty to live their best, healthiest life? Get them vaccinated.
Want your kitty to live their best, healthiest life? Get them vaccinated.
![Man petting his dog's neck outdoors.]()
healthGuide to Swollen Lymph Nodes in Dogs
Here’s how to figure out if they’re swollen, and what to do if they are enlarged.
Here’s how to figure out if they’re swollen, and what to do if they are enlarged.
![Curled up tabby cat sleeping on pillows]()
behaviorWhy Do Cats Sleep So Much?
A very sleepy kitty isn’t usually a problem, but watch out for these signs of medical distress.
A very sleepy kitty isn’t usually a problem, but watch out for these signs of medical distress.
- health
Why Is My Dog Constantly Scratching, Itching, and Biting Themself?
Here are the most common causes and what you can do about it.
Here are the most common causes and what you can do about it.
![Man giving his dog some water in the trunk of his car.]()
healthHere’s How Much Water Your Dog Should Drink in a Day, According to Experts
A veterinarian weighs in with some definitive answers.
A veterinarian weighs in with some definitive answers.
- health | Can My Dog Eat This?
Are Pothos Toxic to Dogs? What to Do If Your Dog Eats the Plant
Pothos is toxic to dogs but rarely fatal.
Pothos is toxic to dogs but rarely fatal.
![Corgi dog sitting and looking away at home.]()
behaviorBecome a Dog Whisperer by Understanding What Dog-Ear Positions Mean
Welcome to next-level pet parenting.
Welcome to next-level pet parenting.
- behavior
Why Does Your Dog Snort Like a Pig? Find Out What This Means
Here are the most common reasons this occurs and how to deal with it.
Here are the most common reasons this occurs and how to deal with it.
Ummm, ew.
![a Chihuahua dog licking their paw]()
behaviorWhy Do Dogs Lick Their Paws?
Their toes might smell like Fritos, but there’s no way they taste that good.
Their toes might smell like Fritos, but there’s no way they taste that good.
It’s a clear sign something isn’t right.
- health
Cat Congestion 101: What to Do if Your Cat Sounds Congested
If your cat sounds congested, they probably are. Here’s how you can help them.
If your cat sounds congested, they probably are. Here’s how you can help them.
- health
How Cold Can Your Cat Handle? Learn How to Keep Them Warm and Safe
Just because you can withstand the temps doesn’t mean they can.
Just because you can withstand the temps doesn’t mean they can.
- nutrition | Can My Cat Eat This?
Can Your Cat Eat Honey? The Benefits and Drawbacks of Honey for Cats
What’s good for the pet parent isn’t always good for their kitty.
What’s good for the pet parent isn’t always good for their kitty.
![Cute white dog looking up at someone eating dinner.]()
nutrition | Can My Dog Eat This?Complete List of Human Foods Your Puppy Can Eat (and What They Can’t)
Because wanting to eat everything and being able to eat everything are two very different things.
Because wanting to eat everything and being able to eat everything are two very different things.
![Woman staring at her dog on the couch.]()
health6 Reasons Why Your Dog Might Still Stink Even After a Bath—and How to Fix That
If a bath won’t freshen them up, what will?
If a bath won’t freshen them up, what will?
- health
Why Does Your Kitten Keep Sneezing? Find Out Why and What You Can Do
Because it’s cute when they sneeze… until it’s concerning.
Because it’s cute when they sneeze… until it’s concerning.
![Cat leaving it's litter box at home.]()
healthWhy Does My Cat’s Pee Smell So Bad? Cat-Urine Odor Explained
Cat pee already has an unpleasant odor. But if it gets worse, you’re going to need to do something about it.
Cat pee already has an unpleasant odor. But if it gets worse, you’re going to need to do something about it.
![Small kitten getting checked out at the vet.]()
healthKitten Deworming Guide: When, How, and Why You Should Deworm
Gross, but necessary: Our expert explains all things deworming.
Gross, but necessary: Our expert explains all things deworming.
Let’s figure out this unsettling mystery.
![Woman holding her orange cat in her arms in bed.]()
healthTop 6 Most Common Reasons Why Your Cat Is Eating Litter
It’s not only gross — it’s probably a sign that something is not quite right in your kitty's kingdom.
It’s not only gross — it’s probably a sign that something is not quite right in your kitty's kingdom.
![Two men carrying their puppies outside in the park.]()
healthHere’s When Your Puppy Can Be Around Other Dogs
Balancing puppy socialization and safety is tricky.
Balancing puppy socialization and safety is tricky.
![Cat staring at cat inside the house.]()
behaviorJust Play or Something More? This Is Why Your Dog Is Humping Your Cat
What exactly is going on?
What exactly is going on?
![Woman snuggling her kitten on her lap.]()
Gross? Yes. Important to discuss? Also, yes.
![Large brown dog sick and coughing.]()
healthWhy Is My Dog Coughing? 11 Reasons Why and What to Do
From toxins to allergies, let’s get down to business and problem-solve this.
From toxins to allergies, let’s get down to business and problem-solve this.
