How dogs and cats differ inside -- and why it matters for their care, medications, and health.
Start at your level — or read all three. Each level links to the others so you can go deeper or share with someone who needs the basics.
Your vet checks your pet's lymph nodes at every exam -- but do you know why? The lymphatic system is your pet's internal security network, and swollen lymph nodes are its alarm bells.
Read Pet Owner LevelLymph node assessment is a core component of every physical examination. Knowing how to palpate, characterize, and document lymphadenopathy -- and when to escalate -- is an essential vet tech skill.
Read Vet Tech LevelThe lymphatic system is the anatomical scaffold of the adaptive immune response. Understanding lymph node architecture, lymphocyte trafficking, and the molecular basis of lymphoma is foundational to veterinary internal medicine and oncology.
Read Pre-Vet LevelUseful for all levels — bookmark this page for quick access.
| Dogs | 42 teeth (omnivore) |
| Cats | 30 teeth (carnivore) |
| Dogs | Have flat grinding molars |
| Cats | No flat molars - all shearing |
| Dogs | Normal liver enzymes |
| Cats | Reduced glucuronidation |
| Acetaminophen | Safe dogs / Fatal cats |
| Permethrin | Safe dogs / Toxic cats |
| Cat night vision | Superior |
| Dog smell | 100,000x human |
| Cat field of view | 200 degrees |
| Dog field of view | 240 degrees |
| Large dogs | 60-100 bpm |
| Small dogs | 100-160 bpm |
| Cats | 140-220 bpm |
| Cats panting | Always abnormal |