NaturVet Pet Health - For the Health of Your Pet

Teeth. Those pearly whites.

We may not think about them as often as we need to. And we need them to be healthy more than we realize.

Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH

Here’s a common scenario.

You’re playing with your new puppy and he jumps up in your lap, as excited as can be. You’re petting him, his tail is wagging, everything is idyllic.

Then, he chomps down. You pull your hand away and say “No”, but those fingers are just too fascinating. Now, you can’t keep him away. Whenever you try to pet him or do anything, he’s trying to pretend your hand is a chew toy.

Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH

Spaying and neutering are terms that have become pretty commonplace in our society. Spaying and neutering pets has been advocated by shelters and rescue groups for years.

But in practice, I find that many pet parents know much less about what spaying and neutering entails than I might have thought. There are actually a lot of factors to consider when it comes time to spay or neuter, not the least of which is at what age to do it.

In this article, we’re going to discuss what spaying and neutering actually are and why they’re different, why spaying and neutering are recommended, and finally, when it’s the best time to spay or neuter your dog.

Americans spend a great deal of money on supplements for their pets. Hundreds of millions of dollars every year in fact.

But why? What makes these products so necessary?

We can probably sum up this need with just a couple of simple statements.

1. We love our pets
2. We want to help them with something “safe” that can’t “hurt” them
3. We need them to live forever (and we’ll use any preventative option to that end!)

There’s a little tongue in cheek humor here, but really, if you think about it, these statements are pretty true. Over the decades, our pets have become less like “pets” and more like family members. Wouldn’t you do just about anything to help keep your family member healthy for as long as possible?

Hip Dysplasia is a term many pup parents dread, especially those with large or giant breed dogs. But though the words create a lot of anxiety, not everyone knows what the term means and what to look for.

In this article, we’re going to briefly go over the mechanics of the hip joint, why hip dysplasia causes issues for our pups and how arthritis factors in for your dog. Arthritis symptoms that result from hip dysplasia can be insidious, so we’ll focus on how to keep an eye out for them and review how your veterinarian will go about arriving at a diagnosis. Lastly, we’ll chat about some of the treatment and prevention options out there.

It is only natural for dogs to make some noise from time to time. After all, barking is an essential part of how a dog communicates with the world, its owner, as well as other dogs. While no one can expect a dog to be quiet all the time, some dogs can develop bad barking habits that can become a hassle for everyone involved. If your dog has become accustomed to nuisance barking, not all hope is lost! Just like the human habits of biting fingernails and staying up late, a dog’s habits can be broken with time and dedication. With this in mind, how exactly should you go about stopping a dog from barking?

So you’ve got that new puppy or kitten and you’ve been agonizing over getting him or her “fixed” and when. Perhaps your breeder has told you one thing and your next door neighbor has told you another. It’s also possible you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue (for which we’d like to say thank you!) and the decision to spay/neuter was already made for you but you’re interested in this topic all the same.

The best day of summer is most definitely the 4th of July. You can share a barbecued hot dog or hamburger with friends and family, go for a swim, and even play with colorful sparklers. Of course, a party would not be complete without your furry partner. One could imagine that dogs love the 4th of July as much as people because of all the delicious food they sneak from unsuspecting hands and the endless amounts playtime they get with their favorite people. While your dog may enjoy some aspects of this national cookout, this holiday does not always result in fun and games for them. Unfortunately, more dogs run away on the 4th of July than any other holiday. This does not even include the common injuries dogs face during a cookout. Whether or not you plan to hold a celebration, it is critical to take necessary precautions on 4th of July weekend so another precious dog is not taken from their family or unintentionally hurt by the summer fun.

As much as we like to think of our pets as one of us, at the end of the day they are all animals. That is to say, they love to be outdoors and play in their natural habitat. The outdoors is a great place for your furry friend to play, exercise, and explore new things the world has to offer. Of course, this does not mean that the world beyond the fence of your house is one-hundred percent safe for your dog or cat. Whether your pet is in the backyard or wandering around the neighborhood, it is good to be mindful of the potential hazards that your pet may face on their many adventures and understand what you can do a a pet parent to prevent these dangers from harming your little one.

Living with a pet can be one of the best experiences a person can have. Of course, having a dog or a cat live with you isn’t all just fun and games. A pet that lives its life surrounded by human things is bound to get their paws into trouble one way or another. The problem that arises, however, is that their curiosity can become fatal in a matter of seconds. For this reason, the month of March is recognized as Pet Poison Prevention Awareness, which works to remind pet owners of the dangers their home poses to their furry friends. The first step to making your house safer for your pets is to educate yourself in regards to what is harmful to them.