Posts in Category: You & Your Pet

People depend on verbal communication to understand each other, but body language is a huge part of eye-to-eye conversations. Even though we constantly process and synthesize information from others, confusion and miscommunications occur all the time. So, if we aren’t that great at understanding other humans, how can we expect to learn verbal and nonverbal cues from a whole separate species?

Felines, for example, use various vocalizations to communicate, but amazingly, cat tails are equally helpful indicators.

With the winter holidays just about over, our thoughts turn to the coming year. Where will we focus our energy and time? What can we improve upon from last year? What are our long term goals for ourselves and our families? These and other important questions abound, such as, how will we help our pets to feel their best?

One way we can help with that last question is through our pet care blog. Writing and publishing this blog is our pleasure, and hopefully gives San Antonio pet owners some informative tips on pet health and well-being, pet safety, and just a dose of occasional fun and silliness.

We’re looking back, as well as forward, to share with you our most popular blog posts of 2018. So without further ado, here are Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital’s top 5 veterinary blogs of 2018.

The story collection Winnie-the-Pooh was published 92 years ago by the British author A.A. Milne. Pooh (and his highly relatable group of friends in the Hundred-Acre Wood) not only soothed kids still shaken by the effects of war, but with his beautifully simple, yet philosophical, musings Pooh spoke to people of all ages. The characters still endure to this day, in part because we have a treasure trove of insightful quotes that remind us of what really matters in life.

As we prepare to close out the year, we can’t help but reflect on the things we’re grateful for. To quote Eeyore, “ A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference”. Our compassionate veterinary staff couldn’t agree more!

Every January, an official tally of our city’s homeless population is conducted which results in funding allocation of support services. Last year, the count was over 3,000 people in San Antonio and Bexar County alone, with concentrations downtown and in encampments throughout the city and distant neighborhoods. They live in shelters, cars, boxes, abandoned buildings, beneath bridges, and sometimes right out in the open. What’s more, they often keep or tend to homeless pets.

We love DIY pet gifts! They’re fun to make and relatively easy when you have the right supplies/tools. But probably the best thing about making your own pet gifts is that you can customize them based on your best friend’s interests and preferences. Plus, it’s a labor of love to design and create items that you know your pet will enjoy.

As you settle in for a marathon Netflix session or just a quick recap of the nightly news, are you regularly accompanied by your four-legged companion? Is your dog quick to react to the sight or sounds of other dogs on TV? Does your cat race around your living room looking for the lions in that National Geographic special?

Many pet owners claim their pets watch TV, but is this true? Are dogs and cats capable of understanding what they see on the “boob tube” and, if so, how does this affect them?

It’s that time of day again…the coffee is in your travel mug, the lights are off, and your perfect, angelic dog is waiting for your inevitable departure. You assure them it’s going to be okay and that you’ll be home soon. As you leave, you imagine your dog quietly drifting off to sleep for a day-long nap…

While this paints a pretty picture, and it’s not unreasonable to think your dog is pretty quiet when you’re gone, it’s also not accurate to assume they don’t get into some kind of trouble as they wait for you to get home. In neighborhoods around the world, barking dogs have the potential to disturb the peace. The result? Angry (or even hostile) neighbors who can make life very difficult for you and your best friend – but not when you have a back-up plan!  

For many of us, it’s trick-or-treat time, which likely means lots of fun and goodies for your family. But it can also mean dangers for your pets. While many pets do enjoy being included on Fright Night, be cautious about where and what you allow your pet to do on the scariest night of the year. Avoiding scares in your own home is key when it comes to Halloween pet safety, and Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital can help!

If you’re just starting to train your pet, you probably have encountered the term “clicker training”. Positive dog training owes much of its success over the years to clicker training, but what is this popular method, and how does it work?

Clicker training is one of the fastest ways to develop a shared language with your dog. Not only is it a rapid way of training your dog, it’s one of the best training methods for fearful or hypersensitive dogs. Basic obedience is important to keep your dog safe, protect him from injuries, and prevent him from getting lost. It’s also a fun way to bond with your dog, give him some exercise, and keep his mind sharp which prevents boredom and unwanted behaviors.

Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital explores this popular training method so you can learn the basics.

October is arguably one of the best months in southern Texas. The heat finally backs off, and there’s an abundance of things to do outdoors. Indeed, with all the fun to experience in and around San Antonio this fall, it just wouldn’t do to leave your dog at home. Instead, check out these tips to experience the best fall pet activities around town!

Ready for This?

Going out in public with your dog is always fun, but it’s more delightful when they’re well-behaved. Don’t take your pet along if they pose a risk to other animals or people. Also be sure they’re fully vaccinated, microchipped, current on parasite prevention, spayed/neutered, and can understand basic voice commands.