Our Blog

No matter if you enjoy the bright lights and fast-pace of a city or the bucolic splendor of a small community, you’ll want to live somewhere that welcomes your furry companion.

As more and more communities embrace our four-legged friends, dog owners are finding it easier than ever to include their pets in their daily activities. Below are some of the best communities around the country to live with dogs. Continue…

A majority of cat owners forgo their feline’s annual or twice yearly examination for many reasons, but perhaps the most popular is a perception of a completely healthy cat. Sometimes this is accurate, but accepting an animal’s wellness on the surface level can be extremely detrimental. This, coupled with a feline’s general loathing of travel, can make staying home look awfully attractive.

What if we told you there are reliable tricks to help your cat accept the carrier, car, and time away from home? Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has you covered. Continue…

What’s better than autumn, when the leaves turn vibrant colors and the nights cool off? Autumn pet events!

Now is the time to get outside with your pet and enjoy a little fall socialization and entertainment. Luckily, there are plenty of local pet events to pique you and your companion’s interest. The following are just a few we think are sure to be a hit. Continue…

A lot of good work has been done on the subject of canine intelligence. This is welcome news for consummate dog lovers, following decades of speculation that consistently placed Fido on the top of the heap. However, while testing has revealed the most (and least) intelligent breeds, environmental and social learning analytics are individually specific. If you’ve ever wondered what’s at the root of canine IQ and how to test your own pup’s intelligence, look no further! Continue…

In a perfect world, our clever canines would innately understand what we want them to do and respond accordingly. However, training and socialization are crucial tasks to be undertaken during puppyhood and reinforced throughout your dog’s life.

Having an understanding of basic commands and the rules of the home (and the world) can keep your dog safe and makes him or her more enjoyable. Teaching your dog basic commands can also help prevent an accident or tragedy from befalling your fur friend. Continue…

We love San Antonio all year round, but summer really takes the cake for fun activities. Sure, it’s hot and humid, but that only makes our suggestions for your pet this summer even more enjoyable! Without further adieu, let’s get this jerky-scented ball rolling…

Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital’s Summer Top 10:

Explore! San Antonio is the 7th largest city in America, but walking around our different neighborhoods, it doesn’t really feel that big. Downtown and River Walk areas, Tobin Hill, Five Points, Lavaca, and King William are excellent walking neighborhoods. Be sure to bring along extra water for your pet and take breaks to reduce heat-induced exhaustion.

Visit Public Spaces! If your pet is socialized, encourage extra time in any of our fine city’s open spaces. We have a variety of wonderful farmer’s markets around town, and El Mercado is a prime spot for people watching. Another option for your pet this summer may be a visit to a local dog park. Your pet should be vaccinated, microchipped, current with parasite prevention, and trained to come to you when you call before unleashing.

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It’s not uncommon for responsible pet owners and animal lovers to adopt again (and again and again!). More than 40% of people live in multi-pet households, but that doesn’t mean everyone gets along all the time. Cohabitation can be challenging for well-meaning pet owners, and fighting pets can turn any dream home into a nightmare. Continue…

Sometimes cats astound us with behaviors that seem to defy reason or logic. However, of all their natural and instinctive traits, kneading can be particularly confusing (or amusing) – and it endears cats to owners everywhere. So, why do cats knead? Continue…

It’s so hot right now in San Antonio that the chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs! As a result, our pets are at risk of overheating. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect your pet from the blazing sun, including offering up some delicious frozen pet treats. Take our word for it – there are few things cuter than a dog licking a personal pupsicle! Continue…

With so many of us relying on apps to help us with our fitness goals, it’s no surprise to see pet apps and gadgets designed to do the same thing.

With pet obesity on the rise, a stronger commitment to prevention and weight management is needed. Although nothing can replace regular wellness care and checkups, pet apps are helpful in supporting overall health goals and managing day-to-day objectives.

Because there are thousands of products on the market, your friends at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital have taken the time to scope out a few we thought were particularly handy. Continue…