Our Blog

First, let’s dispel with the common crate training myths right away; crates are not cruel, and are not a punishment. Instead, crates are modern dens for modern dogs. And, as most of us know, it is inherent to a dog’s nature to live in dens.

There are a lot of great reasons to encourage crate training. Most importantly, perhaps, is that a properly crate-trained dog is a happy and confident dog. The crate can be your pup’s happy place, ideal for bone chewing, comfort, and security. Not only is the crate a safe way to travel, but a safe place to be out of the way, too.   Continue…

There are so many myths and anecdotes about getting the family pet fixed that it can be challenging to find the real facts. Besides the most obvious bonus of not having a surprise litter of puppies or kittens on your hands, there are other stressors of having an unfixed animal that can be avoided by this simple surgery, too. The truth is that spaying and neutering can have many medical and behavioral benefits.

As a responsible pet owner you want to do all you can to help not only your own animal but the animal population as a whole. Since millions of homeless dogs and cats are killed in shelters across the country every year, spaying or neutering your pet prevents unwanted litters and reduces the homeless pet population; which is always a good thing.

If you’re on the fence about spaying or neutering your pet, here are a few proven reasons it can be a good idea. Continue…

The biggest chocolate event of the year is almost upon us! Even if you’re buying your own box of chocolates this year, make sure it’s from your dog, not for your dog. Most of us know of the dangers chocolate poses for canines, and it’s not sweet!

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Brushing your pet’s teeth is probably right up there with changing your car’s oil. You can do it, but you really don’t want to. Unfortunately, without consistent dental care your pet’s mouth can harbor bacteria and decay; which cannot only be painful, but even dangerous to overall health. Continue…

Possibly one of the most staggering statistics we’ve seen lately states that over half of all our nation’s cats and dogs. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 54% of all American cats and dogs are considered overweight or obese. What does this mean for your pet?

There is a great deal you can do now if your pet is tipping the scale and, by actively participating in your pet’s optimal balance of nutrition and exercise, your pet may live longer and enjoy a higher quality of life. Continue…

We do our best all year to keep our clients abreast of the the pet health and ownership issues that matter the most. This is certainly part of why we’ve decided to launch a blog this past year, and also why we’ve chosen to highlight the top 10 most popular posts of the year.

Whether you found these blogs to be informative or touching, you read them more than the others, so we think they deserve closer look. Share this list with with your animal-loving family and friends, and please let us know what you’d like to see us blog about in the year ahead! Continue…

Is your dog patiently waiting for you to finish shopping, decorating, checking of the list of December to-dos, and wrapping gifts? Has your cat been cleverly waiting for you to retire for the evening, only to go ballistic on the decorations? Maybe this is a signal that your pets – as well-behaved as they are – may need a bit of attention and fun time during the holidays, too.

After all, they are a part of the family and sharing some seasonal joy with loved ones is what this time of year is all about! Continue…

As the holidays descend rapidly upon us, it’s time to consider more than the shopping and the Naughty-or-Nice list. After all, the holiday season is as ripe with excitement and temptation for pets as it is for their people. As with humans, pets can behave more easily when the temptation to misbehave is limited.

Christmas Trees

As we strive to bring home the tallest, most perfect tree and get it set up without putting a hole in the ceiling, our animals know exactly what we’re up to. The cat is sure you found it the most amazing scratching post. The dog knows it’s an intruder that must be vanquished. Continue…

Winter provides lots of delights for pets and their humans. For many senior pets, though, the colder months provide nothing more than extra pain, discomfort, or unhappiness. Age-related illnesses or diseases have symptoms that colder temperatures exacerbate, and senior pets can suffer from respiratory or cardiac conditions, malnutrition, or depression. Even here in Texas, where the winters tend to be mild, the shift in temperature can affect senior pets, and shouldn’t be discounted.

Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to eliminate any guess work you may have by addressing some of the specific concerns facing your senior pet. Continue…

For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. Family, friends, our health, and prosperity are all common sources of gratitude, but for those of us fortunate enough to be pet owners, another blessing to be counted is our four-legged and feathered friends.

While we all have our individual reasons to be thankful for our pets, one of the greatest things that makes pet ownership so rewarding is how thankful our pets are for us. The unbridled joy they have to see us again, whether we’ve been gone five minutes or five days, can’t help but make us feel good. And, of course, the excitement and appreciation they show for being fed the same food every single day is not something we’re likely to get from our families.

Many studies have proven that having a pet helps us feel better, stay healthier, and live longer lives. But for many of us, one of the most poignant aspects of pet ownership is that loving and wanting the best for our furry beasts helps us learn to be unselfish.

Here are a few examples… Continue…