Posts in Category: You & Your Pet

When adults look back at their childhoods, we may enjoy fond memories of frolicking around the backyard with a favorite pet, inventing games together, playing fetch at the park, or simply snoozing in a hammock. Reminiscing about an animal sidekick may inform the present-day decision to provide a similar experience for our own families. Introducing a new puppy or kitten to young children has the potential to be one of the sweetest experiences, but it must be done with an eye on everyone’s safety and comfort. 

If you’re one of those jolly types that starts humming Christmas carols long before December, you’ve probably already envisioned how you want to spend the holidays with your pet. There’s so much more to do together than ever before, thanks in large part to the growing acceptance of pets in public places. This means loads of choices regarding how best to spend your time together this holiday season. If you need a little help narrowing down the list, we’ve got some ideas on how to joyfully (and safely) spend the holidays with your pet.

Teaching children how to interact with pets is vital for households with kids and animals. Creating a harmonious relationship between your furry family members and the little ones in your life is crucial for everyone’s safety and happiness. Let’s dive in and explore some common questions on this subject.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a dog to your life and home, perhaps you’ve started a mental list. Whether you’re new to pet ownership or not, a pro’s/con’s list can help align your emotions with logic. 

There are truly exponential rationales that motivate people to adopt dogs. They help us connect and feel a sense of belonging, keep us healthy (mentally and physically), and add so much value to our lives it’s impossible to sum up here. When you adopt a shelter dog (as opposed to from a breeder or private party), the benefits go way beyond expectations.

As a general rule, pets adopted from animal shelters are already microchipped. Because the practice occurs prior to adoption, and the chip is hidden beneath the skin, it’s possible to forget that it exists. Until, that is, a pet’s chip is called upon to identify their owner. A practice with an enormous impact on both pets and people, microchipping your pet sets the standard for responsible pet ownership.

Although none of us want to consider a sudden illness or injury to befalling our pets, ignoring the possibility that they will get sick or hurt reduces your ability to handle a pet emergency. We can help you recognize the signs that your pet needs immediate help, and give you some pointers on what you can do for them until you can get to a veterinary hospital. 

There are so many things we maintain in modern life. From our bicycles to our gutters, healthy hobbies to pruning, there’s no shortage to basic upkeep. In fact, it’s likely that a solid portion of your week is dedicated to simple maintenance of your home, checkbook, waistline, and sanity. The good news is that it pays off to stay in front of negative developments. 

No matter how great we are at something, there’s always room for improvement. The New Year brings with it a sense of promise and possibility, and for pet owners, it’s the perfect time to reassess. If you don’t already have some pet care goals for the New Year, we are happy to help you get started. After all, it’s all for the greater good!

The Broad Strokes

One of the best ways to orient yourself toward establishing and meeting pet goals is to schedule a wellness exam. If it’s been a little while since we’ve seen your pet, we would be so happy to welcome them back. We can check and compare their weight, appearance, growth, and development to track where they’ve been and where they’re headed. 

Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital loves spoiling our personal pets as well as our pet patients. If you are on the hunt for the best gifts for your pet this holiday season, we have a few ideas to share. Let us know what you think!

Pets, like their human counterparts, can be a handful. But if you’re looking for an easygoing pet that already knows the ropes, adopting an older animal can be great for both of you. These are three reasons why you should adopt a senior pet: