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When it comes to indulging our fur kids, the holidays can be the best time of year! Many owners wouldn’t dream of keeping a beloved pet off Santa’s gift list and thankfully, buying gifts for pets is the norm these days.

To help you create the perfect pet wish list, the team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has compiled some of our favorite ideas along with gifts you should avoid.
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Cold weather can take a toll on many pets, but it’s easy to forget what the “big chill” is like when you live in a temperate climate. Nevertheless, pet owners will soon be packing up their pooches and kittens for holiday visits and other seasonal getaways.

While chilly temps may be hardest on senior pets and those with short coats, all pets can be subject to the dangers of inclement and cold weather. Before traveling with your pet to a colder climate, keep in mind some basic pet safety tips.

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Not all cat lovers like books, and not all book lovers like cats. But, one thing we’re certain is true: there are a special group of people out there who absolutely love both cats and books.

Cats have frequented libraries for centuries, initially to keep rodents and snakes away from precious papyrus scrolls in ancient Egypt. While their primary roles these days include creating a relaxing environment and inspiring literacy in visiting patrons, the power of library and bookstore cats prevails.

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Dogs have a lot going for them. They’re fun to be around, smart, amusing, and make great companions. However, perhaps their most distinguishing attribute is that wet, sometimes in-your-face feature: the nose. Not only is it terrific for waking you up each morning, that canine sense of smell has its own special powers as well.

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Many animal lovers are aware of the fact that senior pets are often the last to be adopted, remaining in shelters for weeks, months, or even longer.

That’s why our team wants to take a moment to highlight how wonderful adopting a senior pet can be. They bring so much love and happiness to a home – we know you won’t regret your decision!

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Whether your pets have been naughty or nice this year, they still deserve a little something during the holidays. While gift giving isn’t exactly reciprocal between our species (unless you count rodent trophies, super slobbery kisses, or weekend wake-up calls as “gifts”), but that doesn’t mean your pet won’t be smitten by our sweet, simple DIY pet gifts.

Since we’re ahead of schedule, there are no excuses to not give, give, give!

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Many people make the mistake of thinking pests like fleas, ticks, and heartworms go dormant in the fall. Unfortunately, this myth leads owners to forget about pet parasite prevention much of the year, leaving our companions vulnerable to a variety of diseases and conditions.
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Holly Golightly, the character made famous by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, proclaims that her cat’s name is simply “Cat.” She sees him as a wild thing that doesn’t belong to her, a stray not unlike herself.

While naming a pet feline “Cat” makes a certain kind of sense (even Peter Falk called his Basset hound “Dog” on Columbo), there are endless other options from which to choose. And just like human baby names, unusual pet names are taking center stage. Continue…

What could more fun than dressing up on Halloween? Dressing up with your best pet, of course! Sure, some pets simply will not tolerate wearing anything else but a collar, and for them you’ve got a bevy of bowties, bandannas, or other neckwear to accessorize with. But for those pets that delight in getting dolled up, there are endless options in the pet costumes department, and Leon Valley has the scoop. Continue…

While a toadstool may come to mind when you think about fungus, most of the fungal organisms around us are actually microscopic. While many are harmless, sometimes fungal infections in pets can turn serious. Read on to learn about what happens when fungus becomes a problem. Continue…