Care First Animal Hospital

12/09/2025

What to Do When Your Cat Isn’t Cuddly

Some cats melt into your arms the moment you sit down. Others give you a polite head tilt from across the room and call it a day. If your cat avoids cuddles, it’s usually not personal. It’s often early life experience, comfort level, or simply personality.

Cats who were handled gently as kittens often grow into confident snugglers. Those who missed that early socialization may need more time to learn that human touch is safe. The good news? Adult cats can still warm up to closeness; they just need patience and predictability.

Instead of scooping them up, let your cat set the pace. Short play sessions, gentle brushing, and offering treats after positive interactions can slowly build trust. Many cats become more affectionate once they associate you with their favorite moments of the day.
If a once-cuddly cat suddenly pulls away, check for discomfort or pain. Small changes can signal something physical. But in the end, remember: cats show love in their own ways. Sitting nearby, slow blinking, or choosing your lap on their terms counts just as much as a full-body snuggle.

12/08/2025

12/06/2025

A Quick Guide to Pet-Proofing the Holiday Season

Ah, the holiday season! A time of joy, celebration, and cozy gatherings. But amidst the festive decorations and scrumptious feasts, it's essential to remember...

12/05/2025

Cats can be picky about a lot of things, and litter is one of them. Here are five things that cats are looking for when it comes to doing their business:

A Soft Texture: Cats prefer litter that is soft on their paws and more closely resembles natural dirt or sand - what they would use naturally outdoors.

Low Dust and Tracking: Dusty litter can irritate a cat’s nose and lungs. A low-dust cat litter is gentler. Cats also love to keep things neat and clean (even if sometimes it doesn’t seem that way!) - a low tracking litter reduces scatter.

Odor-Controlling and Unscented: Cats have sensitive noses and dislike artificial fragrances. They often prefer unscented litter that absorbs odors naturally rather than covering them up.

Good Clumping and Absorption: Fast-clumping litter makes it easier for us to scoop waste and control odor, leaving the remaining litter cleaner for longer and our cats happy.

Natural Ingredients: Cats may accidentally ingest litter when grooming. Natural, non-toxic materials like plant-based options can be safer.

12/04/2025

Who is smiling for ?!

Looking for a treat to make your pup? Here is an easy recipe:

🐾 Easy Dog Cookies (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup oats (whole or quick oats)
1 egg
Optional add-ins

A spoonful of peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free)
A pinch of cinnamon

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Blend oats lightly in a blender/food processor (optional) to get a smoother texture.
Mix pumpkin, oats, and egg in a bowl until a thick dough forms.
Scoop small balls, flatten slightly, or use cookie cutters.
Bake 12–15 minutes for soft cookies
or 20–25 minutes for crunchier cookies.
Cool completely before serving.

11/28/2025

Who's out and about doing some shopping or who's at home enjoying quality time with their furry friends?

11/26/2025

While we usually dedicate our November blog post to preventing your pets from gobbling up the turkey, we decided to spread some cheer with the top three reasons we’re thankful this year and how you can share the love with your animal companions.

1. We Are Thankful for Our Pets
Big or small, furry or bald, pets deserve a round of applause for making the hard days easier and the best days better. Our furry friends make us smile and laugh and give us purpose. Pets improve our mental and physical health, and they never expect us to say, “Thank you.” They simply want us to love them back.

Because pets enhance our lives, we are grateful to be entrusted with theirs. Thank you for your confidence in our ability to provide your pet with loving care during their visit and your trust that our guidance improves your pet’s overall health and wellbeing.

2. We Are Thankful for Clients that Support Local Veterinarians
We are grateful for those that continue to make appointments and seek care for their dogs, cats, and other pets from independent practices like ours.

3. We Are Thankful for Our Team
Working at a veterinary clinic can feel like herding cats…and sometimes we quite literally are! Our staff members play a vital role in keeping pets healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy. We are so grateful for a team that puts every ounce of energy, know-how, and love towards helping furry patients and their human parents. There are no words that describe how lucky we are to have such a caring crew.

How to Show Gratitude to Pets for All They Do
Pets are our best friends, our secret keepers, and our guardians. It may seem nearly impossible to repay all they do for us, but here are some ways to show them just how much they’re appreciated.

1) Help Your Pet Live a Long, Healthy Life
Routine exams, preventative care, and early diagnosis provide your pet with their healthiest and happiest life. From preventing parasites to catching cancer before it steals your pet’s health, regular veterinary visits are a valuable tool for repaying your pet’s love and companionship.

2) Spend Quality Time with Your Pet
Your pet loves you and enjoys spending time with you. (Yes, even your cat.) As the chaos of the holidays approaches, carve out time to spend with your pet. If you’re worried about a busy calendar, bring your pet in for camp for the day.

3) Provide Your Pet with a Healthy Diet and Exercise
Obesity isn’t a small problem: it’s a fat fact that extra weight shortens a pet’s life. As winter arrives and the novelty of long walks wears off, don’t wane on keeping your pet active. Animals need to keep moving to keep their joints healthy, muscles toned, and minds stimulated. Play indoors by hiding treats around the house or using toys to keep your pet busy.

11/25/2025

Thanksgiving is a special time to gather with family and friends—but it can also be a tricky holiday for pets. While we humans look forward to all the food, pets can easily get into trouble.

Here’s what you can do to keep your pets safe and your holiday stress-free:

Don’t share human food with pets
It’s tempting to share, but giving pets table scraps can lead to everything from upset stomachs to serious problems like pancreatitis or blockages. Poultry bones can splinter, chocolate and grapes are toxic, and even secret ingredients in family recipes can be harmful. When it comes to Thanksgiving food, it’s always safest to say no.

Handle turkey safely
Raw or undercooked turkey can carry salmonella, and even cooked turkey left out too long can be risky. Never let pets chew on turkey bones—they can splinter and get stuck in the throat or digestive tract. Signs that something’s wrong can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior. Some bones pass safely, but others may require surgery.

Keep desserts and dough out of reach
Chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free goodies), and yeast dough can all be dangerous. Make sure baked goods are safely stored while they cool or rise—curious noses and paws can lead to serious trouble fast.

Secure the trash
Holiday leftovers in the trash can be irresistible. Keep garbage out of reach to prevent pets from getting into scraps or bones that could make them sick.

Make your home pet-friendly
Thanksgiving isn’t just about food. Extra guests, decorations, and changes to your pet’s routine can be stressful. Give them a space to feel comfortable in when the holiday busyness gets to be too much.

11/24/2025

Check out our latest blog post here:

Dealing with Holidays After the Loss of a Pet

The holiday season can be filled with memories and traditions, but for many pet owners, this time can also bring a deep sense of loss. Ask any veterinarian...

11/22/2025

Christmas trees are here 🎄🎄! Come support the Christian Veterinary Mission at our Oberlin location.

11/11/2025

Too cute to not share! Who doesn’t love puppy and baby content?!

11/03/2025

A customer at our Glenwood branch has crafted 5 festive wreaths to show their support for the SPCA. We are offering raffle tickets for sale at $5 each, and on December 1st, we will draw 5 lucky winners who will take home these beautiful wreaths. Every penny collected will be given to the SPCA as a donation. Please check out our Instagram page to see photos of the wreaths!