Beat Boredom with These 8 Fun and Interesting Hobbies for Pet Owners

hobbies for pet ownersIt may be hard to imagine that the squishy pug napping on your sofa is descended from wolves, or that the timid tabby cleaning herself by the window shares DNA with lions, tigers, and other large and exotic cats. Our pets enjoy safe and comfortable lives, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel the call of the wild from time to time, thanks to the lineage they share with these wild and majestic creatures.

Even the mellowest pet needs interesting things to do to stay happy and healthy. You can help your sweet pet indulge their natural instincts in ways that are safe and fun for both of you by participating in one of many exciting hobbies for pet owners.

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Take Time to Smell the (Safe) Flowers: Prevent a Pet Poisoning This Spring

Prevent a Pet Poisoning This SpringSpring feels like the perfect time to throw caution to the wind and go a little hog wild, right? Sure, it’s exciting to have longer days and be able to use the extra time to plant and prune. But without a springtime primer on how to prevent a pet poisoning, seasonal safety can find itself on the backburner.

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Ask a Vet: Can I Use Essential Oils on Pets?

Essential oils have been an important part of folk medicine for thousands of years, and have recently exploded in popularity for their use in aromatherapy and alternative medicine. Proponents of essential oils use them regularly for everything from anxiety and muscle aches to treating illnesses and promoting relaxation and mental clarity.

The trend towards the use of essential oils for healing and relaxation purposes isn’t limited to humans. Many pet owners want to shield their animal companions from harsh chemicals, but using essential oils on pets may not have the desired effects. Some essential oils may be toxic to pets, or cause adverse reactions, and pet owners are wise to use extreme caution when it comes to this alternative therapy.

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Zoonotic Illnesses Can Harm You and Your Pet

The term “zoonotic” is something you might have heard before, as more cases of zoonotic illnesses have been reported over the past decade. Probably the most well known zoonotic illness is rabies. More recently, the spread of leptospirosis has garnered the attention of pet owners and has put a spotlight on illnesses that can be spread from pets to people.

Because zoonotic illnesses are something that will never be totally eradicated, it’s important to understand what these diseases are and how you can protect you and your family members, including your four-legged ones.

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The Cat’s out of the Bag! Cat Health and Preventive Care

cat healthIf you already have cats as a part of your household, you likely know what wonderful and unique creatures they are. Cats are agile, intelligent, and loving, but keeping your cat healthy takes more than bringing them to the veterinarian when something is wrong.

Here are the basics of cat health, from Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, to keeping your cat happy and healthy for their lifetime.

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Five Feline Facts You Might Not Know

feline factsWe’re always amazed at how knowledgeable our clients are. During a cat’s routine wellness exam, we often find ourselves utterly immersed in soaking up all there is to know about the feline in question, and you know what? Their owners typically deliver so much fascinating detail, we know we’ve just been schooled in the most productive way. After all, the entire point is to ensure Fluffy’s lifetime health, a concept made easier when communication is open and flowing.

This leads us to wonder: are there really five feline facts out there that our devoted clients might not know? Let’s find out!

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Ring in the New: Amazing Things We’ve Learned About Pets This Year

learned about petsOur pets never cease to astound us, whether they’re learning a new trick, accompanying us on a hike, or greeting us at home after a long day. They are funny, smart, adorable, endearing and loving, and so it’s fun to find out what new things we’ve learned about pets this year.

At Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we’re ringing in 2018 by checking out some of these great facts about our four-legged friends and sharing them with you. Enjoy!

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Rejoice in a New Year: Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital’s Top 10 Blogs of 2017

After the shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, feasting, parties, and other holiday craziness, it’s time to kick back and relax! And what better way to unwind than with a little pet-friendly reading from our blog?

The start of a new year is the perfect time to take stock of our blessings and to reflect on how to create an even better tomorrow for ourselves and our families, including our four-legged pals. We hope our blog has been a source of inspiration as you strive to improve the health and wellness of your pet. On that note, allow us to present our top 10 most popular blogs of 2017!

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A Case Of The Zoomies: What Are They And Why Do They Happen?

the zoomiesIf you’ve spent any time around a puppy, or bathed a dog of any age, you are probably familiar with the zoomies. It’s that crazy burst of energy that causes a dog to tear around the house or yard at top speed, sometimes…

If you’ve ever wondered why your dog gets the zoomies, you’ve come to the right place. The team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has delved into the intricacies of this lovable (yet sometimes annoying) dog behavior!

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Is it True? Debunking Common Dog Myths

dog mythsDogs can be quirky, that’s for sure. Just like cats, dogs have their own idiosyncrasies and behaviors that lend themselves to some pretty unusual myths. Over time, some of these ideas about dogs became facts. But are they really facts or just long-standing fictions that have readily been embraced?

Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to separate fact from fiction by debunking common dog myths that can actually be detrimental to your pet.

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