You pick it up and toss it out every day, but how much do you really know about your dog’s poop?
At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we typically ask that you bring a stool sample with you when your pet has a wellness visit, and that’s because your dog’s poop can give us the inside scoop on your pet’s health!
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When it comes to finding the right veterinary hospital, many pet owners depend on recommendations from friends or relatives. And while this can lead to great results, less than a quarter of all animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada voluntarily agree to the highest standards of care established by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This means that a vast majority of clinics and hospitals do not follow strict protocols and procedures designed to achieve the best possible health outcomes. We are proud of our AAHA accreditation for many reasons, and the confidence it provides pet owners ranks pretty high.
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All dogs are special in the eyes of their human companions, and it’s no wonder. Dogs offer a constant source of companionship and unconditional love. But for people who depend on a dog to serve, assist, and protect their quality of life and independence, the human-animal bond reaches even deeper levels of trust and significance.
At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we honor and celebrate service dogs and the pivotal roles they play in the lives of those who rely on their support. If you or someone in your care could benefit from having a service dog, keep reading for information about how to make your dog a service dog or how to get a service dog of your own.
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Whether you’re a new cat owner or you’re just looking for ways to improve your favorite feline’s experience at home, choosing the right kitty litter is an important facet of cat wellness. Here are some tips on choosing a litter that will work the best for your cat and your home:
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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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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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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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Cats are curious, playful companions with plenty of personality, making them the purr-fect addition to many homes. If you are considering adopting a new kitten or adult cat, Berkeley Veterinary Center is here to help you with some tips on choosing the right cat for your family and lifestyle.
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Although our furry friends cannot verbalize their discomfort with words, they do offer plenty of physical signals when something is amiss. Dog and cat allergies are just as common for our four-legged friends as human allergies are for us. Although they can be caused by a wide-range of allergens (including food, plants, pollen, dust mites, and even flea saliva), allergies in pets tend to present with similar symptoms. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to schedule an appointment at Berkeley Veterinary Center to see if allergies are the cause.
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Stress is a biological response that helps humans and animals avoid dangers in the wild. In the modern world, many of these stressors are no longer life-threatening and instead make us feel nervous, anxious, or unsure doing normal activities. Pets can also experience stress, and just like in humans, prolonged stress can lead to changes in behavior or health in animals. Recognizing signs of stress in pets is an important element of overall health and wellness.
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