Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Dr. Lauren Baker is a Veterinarian and Assistant Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over 10 years in veterinary medicine, she specializes in the concept of “one health,” which uses insights from veterinary medicine to help human medical research. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Q&A Comments (44)

Is there a product that can get cat urine out that transferred to my clothing and paperwork from the walls?
I would try to launder the clothing with a stain-removing detergent. If it has been soaked in urine for some time, it is likely a loss as urine is pretty corrosive. You could try the enzyme cleaner on wallpaper, but it is so thin and sometimes delicate, I think it most likely will need to be replaced.
One my cat sprayed one buttercup squash that was left on kitchen counter. Is there a way to remove the smell and also the pee? I intended to use it. Do I have to throw it and buy another one instead?
Because vegetables are porous and there is no real way to wash them completely, I think your squash may be a loss.
What if I can't let them in?
If you have two outdoor cats that are fighting, they are likely fighting over territory and/or resources. You can still try to keep them separated (for instance, if most of the fighting happens at night, you can try to keep one cat in a garage or other outdoor enclosure overnight), but you may be unable to do so. You can try providing lots of resources -- separate feeding and water bowls, separate hiding places or cubbies, etc, so that the cats have less to fight over. This is all to encourage the cats to co-exist or set up separate territories so that they interact less. Cats are naturally territorial animals, however, so it may be that they will need to be separated permanently, i.e. one cat will need to go to a new home in an area that does not have many other cats.
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Co-authored Articles (52)

How to

Tell if Your Cat Is Dead

It can be difficult to tell if your cat is simply sleeping or if it has died. It can be curled up or stretched out, looking as though it is taking a nap, only for it to have died quietly. How can you tell, though? There ...

How to

Identify Lumps on Your Cat

Many cats will develop lumps at some point in their lives. Still, it can be frightening to find a new lump on your pet. Some are entirely harmless, while some will need to be addressed by a veterinarian as soon as poss...

How to

Treat a Cat With a Cold

If your cat has a cold, you might be worried about it. Colds in cats are minor respiratory infections, but they still need to be treated. Your sick kitty needs your care to feel better. Fortunately, treating a cat with a...

How to Treat a Dog's Injured Paw Pad

What to do about rips, tears, cuts, and flaps on your dog's paws Paw pads insulate and cushion vital bones and joints, and provide much-needed traction. Because dogs are constantly on their feet, paws are susceptible to ...

How to

Treat Fight Wounds on a Cat

Cats sometimes get into a fight when they come across new cats or want to establish dominance. When cats fight, they use their teeth, which can lead to bite wounds. When a cat bites another cat, their teeth transmits bac...

How to Help a Bird with An Injured Wing

Aid a bird with a hurt wing while keeping yourself safe If you find a bird with an injured wing, whether it is a wild or domestic bird, assess the situation before you act. A patient and careful response is better than a...

How to

Diagnose Tumors in Hamsters

Hamster are fun little animals to keep as pets. They are naturally curious and easy to care for. As hamsters age, though, they can develop tumors, which are masses of cancer cells. Although most tumors in hamsters are be...

How to Relax a Male Dog When He Smells a Female in Heat

Veterinarian Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD & wikiHow Staff share simple tips for calming your male dog’s energy and masking a female’s scent Your dog might be the goodest boy on the block, but when he smells a female dog in...

How to

Treat a Cat with a Broken Claw

If your cat has a broken claw, you'll likely notice some blood. The cat also may limp, cry out in pain, or keep licking its paw. The first thing you'll want to do is stop the bleeding. Then, you'll want to take a good lo...

How to

Treat Ear Haematomas in Cats

An ear haematoma is a condition where blood fills the space between the skin and cartilage of the outer ear (or pinna). Ear haematomas can happen in cats that scratch their ears vigorously or shake their heads. If you th...

How to

Tell if Your Fish Is Dead

You see your fish floating on their side in the aquarium or notice that they jumped out of the tank. While your first reaction might be to grieve or start to dispose of the body, your fish might not be dead. You can take...

What to Do When Your Cat is Limping: Treatments, Causes, & More

If your beloved cat is suddenly limping, you're probably wondering what to do next. Take a deep breath—we're here to help. The most common causes of limping are minor issues that you can easily treat at home, and we'll...

How to

Treat Itchy Ears in Cats

While your cat may occasionally scratch at its ears to relieve a stray itch or irritation, excessive or persistent scratching can be a sign that your cat has a medical problem. If you spot an infection or trauma to the e...

How to

Encourage Your New Cat to Come Out of Hiding

New cats take some time to get used to their surroundings and will spend lots of time hiding while they acclimate. Let your cat get comfortable with its new home on its own time, which can take anywhere between two weeks...

How to

Help a Cat Recover from Anesthesia

Your cat will likely receive anesthesia at some point in its life. For example, your cat may receive anesthesia to get spayed or neutered, for a teeth cleaning, or to receive stitches on an open wound. Anesthesia is rela...

How to Tell How Old Your Dog Is (Human & Dog Years)

Gauging your dog's age by their physical and behavioral traits If you adopted or rescued your dog, you might not know your furry friend’s age. In addition to satisfying your curiosity, determining your dog's age tells ...

How to

Give Subcutaneous Fluids to a Cat

An expert guide to setting up a feline IVSubcutaneous fluids are given under the skin. Cats need subcutaneous fluids when they are too sick to drink on their own, such as when they have serious kidney disease, liver dise...

How to

Administer Insulin to a Cat

Just like their human companions, cats can become diabetic. If your beloved feline has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be feeling nervous or overwhelmed at the thought of having to administer insulin injec...

How to Identify and Treat Your Kitty's Mouth Ulcers: Home Remedies & Vet Tips

Recognize and resolve your cat's ulcer symptomsMouth ulcers can occur in cats for a number of reasons, from plaque buildup to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Mouth ulcers typically manifest as small, open sores in ...

How to

Capture an Angry or Upset Cat

Sometimes you need to get a cat into a carrying crate or give them a medicine they refuse to take. Whether it’s your cat or a stray, capturing an angry or upset cat can feel like an impossible task. Fortunately, there ...
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