Archive for the ‘Pet Health & Wellness’ Category

CBD for Dogs: Safe or Hard Pass?

Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
Beagle dog licking young man's face.

When it comes to pain management for dogs, Berkeley Veterinary Center is all ears. Anything that could possibly help (wo)man’s best friend be a little more comfortable can’t be bad, right? When it comes to CBD for dogs, it can be hard to know if it is a valid treatment option or a waste of money. Keep reading to learn about whether CBD is safe for pain management for dogs or if you should keep looking. 

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Feline Health: Is My Cat Shedding Too Much Hair?

Thursday, November 3rd, 2022
Cat lies on the wooden floor next to its shedded hair and hair brush.

If you have cats, you have cat hair—everywhere! And while it’s normal to spot fur tumbleweeds rolling across the floor, there are times when those tufts can signal a potential problem. 

Berkeley Veterinary Center is a Certified Cat Friendly practice, and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional, compassionate care that addresses the unique needs of cats. We want our cat parents to know that your cat’s coat can occasionally offer helpful clues. Read on for reasons why your vacuum might be filling up with fur faster than usual.

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Rabies 101: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Monday, October 10th, 2022
A dog with a funny smile.

Rabies is a terrible and scary disease that should not be taken lightly. As a pet owner, is important to understand how rabies affects you and your pet. Read on to find out more about rabies.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral infection that travels up the spinal cord to the brain and then starts to replicate in the salivary glands. It is zoonotic disease, which means it can spread from animals to humans. Once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal. Unvaccinated cats and dogs are highly at risk for contracting rabies.

Is My Pet At Risk For Contracting Rabies?

Yes. Any warm-blooded mammal is at risk and that includes your pet. Even if your pet is mostly or strictly indoors, they are at risk of contracting rabies by infected animals that are able to enter the home and yard such as bats, squirrels, skunks, and raccoons. While a fenced in yard keeps your pet from wandering, it is not an effective means of keeping wildlife out. It is always safe to assume that every pet is at risk for contracting rabies.

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Pet Health: The Importance of Grooming Your Pet

Thursday, September 8th, 2022
Cavalier King Charles spaniel wrapped in towel at the grooming salon.

While regular grooming is important to keep your pet smelling and looking nice, it also has many added health benefits! Regular bathing also allows your or your grooming team the opportunity to look over your pet’s coat and body, which can be a great preventive measure for catching other skin or health issues. The team at Berkeley Veterinary Center put together this guide to teach pet owners the importance of grooming, so you can see just how it affects your pet’s health. 

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Fear Free Certified: What Does it Mean for You and Your Pet?

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022
A calm cat relaxes on its owner's shoulder.

If you know the team at Berkeley Veterinary Center, you probably already know how dedicated we are to bringing the best in veterinary medicine to you and your family. Besides being AAHA accredited, did you know that our practice is also Fear Free Certified? While that may sound impressive, you might be asking yourself “what does Fear Free Certified mean?” Well, look no further for an explanation as to why it’s important and what it means to you and your four-legged friends.

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Feline Veterinary Care: Cats Are Not Small Dogs 

Thursday, June 9th, 2022
cat being pet

Elegant, discerning, and quietly mischievous, cats pack a lot of personality into their tiny bodies—and we simply can’t get enough! At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we love cats, and we pride ourselves on being a Certified Cat Friendly practice. We understand and respect the unique needs of cats, and we provide customized feline medicine. Why all the fuss over specialized cat care? Because cats are not small dogs. 

If you’re new to cat ownership, or you’re simply wondering if your tabby and your terrier can share food, read on for some differences beyond size between cats and dogs.

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How to Spot Loneliness in Pets

Tuesday, January 4th, 2022
Bored and lonely cat.

Dogs and cats have unique personalities and behaviors that can be hard for us humans to dissect. Just like humans, our animals can feel a range of emotions, and not all of them are positive. Since we only want the best for our pets, the idea that a dog or cat might potentially be lonely is anxiety-inducing. Your friends at Berkeley Veterinary Center are here to help you determine if your pet is lonely and what to do about it if they are:

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How to Care for Your Senior Pet

Monday, November 1st, 2021
Senior pet care.

Since pets age so much faster than humans, it sometimes seems like we blink and they’ve reached their golden years. Older animals require different care than puppies and kittens do, so if your pet is suddenly a senior (around age seven for dogs and cats), your friends at Berkeley Veterinary Center have some helpful care tips for you:

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How to Introduce Children to Animals

Tuesday, October 5th, 2021
A boy and his dog.

There’s nothing cuter than a child with a furry best friend. Close relationships with animals can help young children develop better speech habits and can even increase their empathy. Before you leave your young child in a room alone with a dog or cat, however, there are some steps you need to take to make sure your child knows how to interact with animals safely. 

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Pupercise: How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need?

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
Owner walking dog for exercise.

Dogs are active creatures that need a certain amount of physical activity to stay healthy, mentally stimulated, and happy. With so many different breeds of so many different shapes and sizes, it can be difficult to determine how much exercise your dog might need. Your friends at Berkeley Veterinary Center want to help you figure out how much you need to keep your favorite canine moving to ensure he or she stays in the best shape.

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