Purring and grooming go hand in hand for our feline friends! Did you know that cats licking themselves is a natural way for them to stay clean and hygienic?
Their rough tongue acts as a grooming tool, reducing their scent and helping them to avoid predators and hunt more effectively.
Keep an eye on your cat's grooming habits, as a decrease in licking could indicate the onset of an illness.
Have you ever wondered why cats always seem to land on their feet? It's all thanks to their amazing aerial righting reflex!
This unique combination of vestibular balance, flexibility, and body mechanics allows cats to always land safely, even after a fall.
But did you know, this reflex has roots in their wild predator days? With the occasional fall from a tree, cats developed this ability to always land on their paws.
Do you ever wonder why your furry friend seems to have a knack for knocking over objects and scratching up your furniture?
From practicing hunting skills to stretching their bodies and marking their territory, it's all in a day's work for these curious creatures.
Save your furniture and keep your cat happy by providing them with plenty of toys and a tall scratching post for a full-body stretch.
Have you ever wondered why your feline friend brings you their latest catch? It's actually a sign of affection!
Your kitty sees you as a member of their family and is proud to present their prey as a gift. Keep your furry hunter safe by using a bell on their collar to both them and to protect local wildlife.
And, as always, don't forget to protect them from parasites both inside and out with regular preventative medication. ❤️🐈
Calling all dog lovers! 🐶 How do you and your pup spend your weekends? Share your favorite activities in the comments below. 🎉
Watching out for the signs of heart disease in your furry friend is an important part of being a responsible pet owner.
Some common signs of heart disease include coughing, difficulty breathing, and reduced energy levels.
If you notice any of these signs in your pet, it's important to consult with your veterinarian right away.
Who says cats and dogs can't be friends? 😸🐶 Share a pic of your furry BFFs and let's celebrate the love! 🐾💕
Did you know that there are several different types of heart disease that can affect your furry friend?
These include congenital heart defects, which are present at birth, and acquired heart disease, which develops later in life.
It's important to be aware of the different types of heart disease that can affect your pet, so you can be proactive in keeping them healthy.
We all know the adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" and we're here to tell you that this is far from true!
When you first got your pet, you more than likely spent a lot of time training them and teaching them basic commands. Now that your pet is older, training might be far from the first thing on your mind.
Pets, particularly dogs, are happier when they are mentally and physically active! One-on-one training provides exactly that in addition to getting the attention they may be craving. Specifically when using positive reinforcement methods!
Positive reinforcement is when rewards come when you do something correctly, even though you may not know what you’re supposed to do. No punishments are ever handed out.
There are many benefits of using positive reinforcement training methods for pets, including:
❤️ Reduction in fear and stress of pets
🧡 A strengthened bond between pet and owner
💛 Faster learning of new behaviors
💚 Ability to teach unnatural behaviors
💙 Ability to teach complex behaviors
💜 Children can safely use this method (training involving punishment can be dangerous)
Do you make New Year's Resolutions? This year, we want to take more time to "paws", take deep breaths, and appreciate all the little moments in life.
What's your resolution this year?
Don't be surprised!
You may be planning a night out with family and friends which means that your pet might be left home alone with lots of confusing noises coming from outside.
Before you head out, double-check the house to make sure all the exits are secure and do what you can to ensure that your pet feels comfortable and safe.
Remember to remove any harmful plants, foods, or medications that your pet could get into.
🥳🤩 Happy celebrating and Happy New Year! 🥳🤩
Yes, our precious doggos do get dementia...It's formally referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) which can present itself as involutive depression, dysthymia, hyper-aggression, or confusional syndrome.
Here are some signs of doggy dementia. And remember, always speak with a Veterinarian about any concerns you have for your pet!
🐶 Pacing back and forth or in circles (often turning consistently in one direction)
🐶 Getting lost in familiar places
🐶 Staring into space or walls
🐶 Walking into corners or other tight spaces and staying there
🐶 Appearing lost or confused
🐶 Waiting at the “hinge” side of the door to go out
🐶 Failing to get out of the way when someone opens a door
🐶 Failing to remember routines, or starting them and getting only partway through
🐶 Sundowning
You already know that overweight pets are more likely to live shorter lives. 😩 But did you know that there are other health issues that extra weight can lead to like cancer, joint injury, UTIs, heart disease, and back problems?
It's tough to help our pets keep up a healthy weight, we know.
👇Here are some simple and actionable steps you can take to help your pet stay healthy👇
1. Measure our portions
2. Choose a proper diet for your pet's life stage
3. Show love without treats
4. Exercise
5. Visit the vet if your pet falls into the overweight class to check for signs of hypothyroidism, diabetes, or arthritis
The holidays are creeping up and you might be considering taking your pet with you on a trip! Before you go, ask yourself these 5 questions!
1. Is my pet welcome?
2. Is my pet medically cleared for the trip?
5. Is the route I'm taking the most pet-friendly?
4. Are there any travel rules or restrictions to consider?
5. What does my pet need for the duration of the trip?
If your pet is good-to-go, we wish you safe travels and happy holidays! 🥰
Poll: What are some of the ideal personality traits you want in a companion animal?
Energetic? Playful? Calm? Loyal? Guard Dog? Intelligent? Cuddly?
Post your answers in the comments below!
Whether you're planning on adopting an older pet or you already have an elderly cat or dog, your senior pet deserves to be pampered and spoiled!
💓 Here are 6⃣ ways you can shower your senior pet with love 💓
1. ✅ Upgrade their bed: If your pet has had the same bed for months or even years, it's likely that the padding has compressed which provides little to no support on your pet's achy joints. Treat your pet to a firm, orthopedic bed that gives your pet plenty of cushion and support.
2. ✅ Encourage physical activity: Your pet is now at "retirement" age, so rest and relaxation are entirely natural! However, too little activity can cause senior pets to develop heart issues. Without regular, low-impact exercise, their muscles atrophy which, in turn, makes daily activities more difficult.
3. ✅ Mental enrichment: Your pet's brain is a muscle! Keep their mind sharp with enrichment activities like food puzzles, nose work training, or other daily training sessions.
4. ✅ Diet: As your pet ages, their nutritional needs change as well. Oftentimes, they require fewer calories. However, please remember that each pet will have individualized needs specific to their health. Speak to your veterinarian to determine the best dietary needs for your pet.
5. ✅ Home navigation: As your pet ages, going up and down stairs can be more challenging. Your senior pet may also struggle with tall furniture, slick floors, low food & water dishes, or litter boxes with tall sides. You can remedy these issues by placing runners on slick floors, raising your pet's food/water dishes, placing your pet's necessities all in one area, investing in a litter box with shorter sides, or installing ramps for easier access in and out o your home or favorite piece of furniture.
6. ✅ Bi-Annual Wellness Exams: Pets age much faster than humans and their health can change rapidly. With regular exams, you'll be able to closely monitor early signs of organ dysfunction, arthritis pain, dental
Your pet needs wellness checkups so you can cuddle up like this without having to deal with stinky breath 🤢 !
Sad but true: most pets develop some sort of dental disease by the age of 3 😔 !
During a wellness exam, your pet's mouth is checked for:
- Signs of gingivitis
- Tartar
- Infection
- Fractured teeth
- Resorptive lesions
- and other periodontal problems
Sheltering your new puppy from the world may do more harm than good! 🐶 As tempting as it is to want to cuddle your new fluff non-stop and carry them everywhere, dogs who aren't properly socialized as puppies can end up being fearful and reluctant to be around new people, navigate various environments, or play with other dogs.
💡 Socialization Tips to Remember💡 :
- Introduce your puppy to as many different people as possible
- Once your puppy is fully vaccinated and protected, take them to the pet store and to friend's houses if possible for puppy playdates.
- Expose your pup to a variety of noises (appliances, noisy children, cars, etc)
- Walk your puppy on a variety of textures and ground coverings and other terrains
How do you regularly socialize your dog with other people, animals, noises, and environments?
Vet Techs are the 💙heart💙 of any Veterinary Practice! If you didn't know how priceless Vet Techs are to the Veterinary world, you should! Please make sure to thank your Vet Tech the next time you come in for an appointment!
From the initial check-up in the exam room, preparing prescriptions, helping in treatment areas, lab diagnostics, x-rays in the radiology rooms, assisting in surgery suites, and caring for your sweet pets in the medical ward...Veterinary Technicians are absolutely invaluable in every way!
