Brian Bourquin, DVM

Veterinarian

Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

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Forum Comments (1)

Why does my cat like to lick then bite me out of nowhere?

Are you playing with your cat or petting them when this happens? Are your hands near their face? Cats don't have great close-up eyesight. They’re basically farsighted. So, something squirming near their face can result in them fighting or biting. It’s not really the cat’s fault, they see something small and squirmy and blurry, and their instincts kick in to tell them there’s a fish or worm in front of them. Regardless, you should know that you can train your cat to stop biting you the same way you’d train your dog. Cats are very trainable, people just don’t try because they assume cats can’t learn! Start giving your cat treats whenever they sit with you without biting and withhold the treats whenever they do bite. Over time, your cat will figure out that they get rewards when they’re nice to you.

Q&A Comments (119)

Is it a sign of pain if my dog won't eat?

If your pet has previously eaten a certain food but now has no interest in it, I would take them to the vet before I do anything else. There are a number of illnesses that can cause an animal to stop eating. Also, you may want to check whether there's anything wrong with that particular brand of food. Because of the high fat content in dog food, it can sometimes go rancid.

How do you get a cat to trust you?

Use positive reinforcement, like treats and petting, when your cat does something you want it to. Avoid punishing your cat when it misbehaves, since that could actually backfire and make your cat trust you less. Also, read your cat's signals when you're trying to play or give it attention. If your cat is whisking its tail back and forth or flattening its ears, that's a sign that it's not pleased. Take a step back and don't force things.

Why has my cat become grumpy?

Changes in your cat's behavior could be a sign that something is wrong. If your cat is less interested in attention, isn't eating, or isn't using the litter box, there could be an underlying medical issue to blame. Take your cat to see a vet so they can help you figure out what's going on.

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Co-authored Articles (50)

How to

Identify Worms in a Cat

Intestinal parasites, or worms, commonly occur in kittens and cats. These nasty pests are acquired in a number of ways. Kittens can pick up worm eggs via their mother's milk, young cats may get hookworm infections via th...

How to

Reduce Fever in Cats

Whether it’s you or your cat, having a fever isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a normal immune response that helps the body recover from illness by killing heat-sensitive bacteria. The heat from a fever also incr...

How to Safely and Comfortably Pick Up a Cat

Expert advice to keep your cat comfortable when you handle them Picking up a cat may sound easy, but there's actually a proper way to do it so the cat is comfortable and doesn't get injured. Make sure the cat feels safe ...

How to Boil Chicken for Your Dog

Prepare a healthy and delicious treat for your pup with this easy guide Can dogs eat chicken, and is it good for them? The answer to both questions is yes! Whether your pup has a bit of an upset stomach or you’re just ...

How to Know if Your Cat Is Dying (& When to Say Goodbye)

Cat veterinarian Brian Bourquin, DVM breaks down the signs to look out forIt’s important to know if your cat is in the process of dying because it will help inform the decision surrounding when to euthanize them. As pa...

How to

Get Your Cat to Sleep With You

Sure, you love the idea of your cat cuddling up with you in your bed at night, but can you get your feline pal to agree? Some cats are easier to convince than others, so this article lists several tips that may help you ...

How to

Stop a Male Cat from Spraying

Spraying is a communicative behavior that male cats engage in for a variety of reasons. As the urine emitted in spraying is pungent and can cause stains to furniture and carpets, spraying can be a problem for many cat ow...

How to

Hold a Cat by the Scruff

The loose skin around a cat's neck is called the scruff. When done properly and only when necessary, scruffing a cat (holding a cat by its scruff) is an effective method of restraint, although it may look uncomfortable o...

Caring for Your Dog After She's Spayed

A veterinarian-approved post-operative guide Spaying is the surgical process of removing the ovaries and uterus to prevent your dog from getting pregnant. Spaying prevents unplanned litters and uterine infection, and eve...

How to Safely Bathe a Cat: Bath & Grooming Tips

A guide to keeping you and your cat calm during bath time While cats can be meticulous groomers, there are times when they really need a bath. Sometimes they get into something very sticky or dirty. Other times, they hav...

How to

Convince Your Parents to Get You a Cat

If you want a cat, it can be intimidating to ask your parents for permission. You may worry your parents will get mad or flat out say "No." However, if you do a little research, you may get a "Yes" answer. Read up on cat...

How to

Hold a Cat

With their cute faces and soft fur, cats can be wonderful creatures to hold. But cats are also known for their fickle personalities: they can also be easily frightened around strangers and even ambivalent about affection...

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Befriend a Wild Cat or Kitten

Many cities are full of stray cats and it is estimated that there are over 30 million stray, abandoned, and feral cats in the US alone. Many municipalities are unable or unwilling to take any action, beyond capturing a f...

How to

Train a Cat

Cats are incredibly independent creatures. In fact, researchers have found that even though humans have kept cats as pets for at least 9,000 years, house cats are only semi-domesticated. Training a cat can be difficult, ...

How to Train Your Cat to Use the Toilet (And, Should You?)

Explore the ups and downs of potty training a kitty Toilet training your cat is a fun way to teach them a new trick while saving some money on litter. It’s also a pretty simple process that you can do with just some ho...

How to Tell if Your Dog Is in Pain

Has your dog been acting differently? Behavioral and physical changes could be their way of telling you they’re in pain. Before you panic, take a deep breath—not all dogs show pain the same way. You know your furry f...

How to

Bathe an Angry Cat With Minimal Damage

Although there are some cats that actually enjoy baths, there are plenty that hate being bathed. Bathing a cat that hates water can often result in scratches or bites, and a very stressed out and upset cat. To keep batht...

How to Feed Your Dog More Fiber

Naturally supplement your dog's diet with rich sources of fiber Fiber helps your dog regulate their digestive system, gut health, and body weight. Adding fiber to your dog’s diet can help relieve diarrhea, constipation...

How to

Stop a Cat from Clawing Furniture

Cats clawing on furniture and other household furnishings may be purely destructive behavior from your point of view but not from the cat's point of view. To them it's natural behavior, following a need to keep their cla...

How to

Keep Dogs Warm in the Winter

Does your dog shiver when you go outside for just a minute or does it like to frolic in the snow? During the winter season, many dogs feel the cold as much as their owners do, especially when they are not used to the col...

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Brian Bourquin, DVM

Forum Comments (1)

Q&A Comments (119)

Co-authored Articles (50)