Posts in Category: Exercise Nutrition & Obesity

It’s summertime and the temperatures are high. Many of us try to cool off with a tasty, chilly treat, and it is only natural to want to include your pets. Not all summer pleasures are pet friendly, though. Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital wants to make sure that you know what summer foods for pets to avoid and what special treats are pet-safe. 

Every pet enjoys several distinct life stages. From puppy or kittenhood all the way to their golden senior years, there are numerous goals within each life stage that are instrumental toward achieving optimal health and wellness. It isn’t always easy, clear, or straightforward, but responsible pet ownership is a challenging endeavor with limitless rewards. And the best part? We’re here for your pet at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital every step of the way!

Every pet ages a little differently. Some might not show any signs of slowing down until well beyond their 10th birthday; others have a gray muzzle by age 6. Their breed, health history, and lifestyle all play important roles in the aging process, and it’s important to know how to recognize the changing needs of senior pets. There are many components to successful, effective senior pet care, and we’re happy to help you prepare. 

Experts agree that walking improves human health in many ways. Not only an excellent exercise for the body, walking is great for the brain, our mental health, and mood. If it’s this good for us, you can imagine how healthy walking is for pets, especially if they spend a majority of their day indoors. 

January is Walk Your Pet Month, and we’d like to take this special opportunity to remind and encourage pet owners to get out there.

How to Start and Maintain

Your pet is a creature of habit. They not only love being able to anticipate what’s coming next, but a dependence on their routine keeps them regular, stable, and happy. Walking your pet at least once a day is key to their well-being. The benefits of vigorous exercise are known, but perhaps even more important is the outlet for their mental health.

It’s Pet Diabetes Month, and what better time for Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital to take a minute and remind our pet loving readers how to be sure that they have a healthy pet? A good pet wellness plan can help to prevent pet diabetes as well as many other health issues.

As your dog ages, its dietary needs change. Dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages in their lives. So what food is best for your dog’s optimal health? The team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to help you figure it out.

We know that pudgy puppies and tubby tabbies look extra cute and cuddly, but the fact is, those extra LBs are impacting more than your pet’s dress size. A little extra weight can put your pet at an increased risk of serious health conditions. And while she might not seem self-conscious about those extra pounds, you can bet the added heft is affecting her energy levels and mobility. 

Owners new to dog ownership are often surprised when their pup has no respect for the leash. The chewing, resisting, barking, yanking, stopping, and jumping can turn the simple joy of walking together upside down. There could be various reasons they have trouble walking on leash, and none are their fault. We’ll help you get to the bottom of their questionable walking skills with our tried and true tips for successful leash training. 

Cats are incredibly intelligent, but beyond properly using their litter box, we do not expect a whole lot from them. Why is that? Is it because cats universally give off a vibe that they’re “above” being trained? They are undoubtedly capable of being trained, but perhaps it’s the way they’re approached that matters most. If you’ve ever wondered if you could (or should) leash train your cat, this could be the moment you’ve been waiting for.

Most dogs live to eat. A healthy interest in food is not a bad thing, however,  and a dog who likes to eat makes it easier to select a good food since they are less likely to have strong preferences. 

The diets of many dogs include both treats and kibble. While being treat-motivated can often make training a breeze, too much of a good thing can certainly exist. So what is a pet owner to do when a pet is just too treat motivated? Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has your answers.