Winter holiday celebrations make us feel merry and bright. Baking cookies and pies, making decadent meals, and decorating our homes bring jolly good times. Unfortunately, the busyness of the season can sometimes lead us to overlook the needs of our pets. Take care this holiday season to keep your furry friends safe by pet-proofing your home to avoid common holiday hazards like this:
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not classify essential oils as medicine, but they are perceived by many to have healing qualities. Indeed, they are hyped to “treat” all types of physical and mental afflictions in people, but the impact they have on pets is definitely not as positive.
Even if they are simply used as air fresheners, the combination of essential oils and pets may be problematic.
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Summer means different things to different people – backyard barbeques, camping, trips to the lake, or a big family vacation may be on your agenda. For many pets, however, the warmest months are also the scariest. Thunderstorms, fireworks, and all the parties and gatherings can trigger a host of upsetting behaviors and put a real damper on everyone’s quality of life.
Pet noise anxiety can be a serious concern for pet owners. Prolonged periods of anxiety can be harmful to a pet’s health and wellness, and it can put them at risk for escape or injury. At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we’re a certified Fear Free practice, meaning we’re committed to reducing fear and stress in pets.
Keep reading to understand more about pet noise anxiety and how you can help your furry loved one remain calm and comfortable this summer.
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After a particularly nasty winter, it’s hard not to be thrilled with the arrival of spring. The warm weather brings with it more than picnics and green grass, however. Pet parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitoes, arrive along with spring, and the diseases they carry can cause serious discomfort and illness to your pet.
At Berkeley Veterinary Center, your pet’s health, wellness, and longevity is our top priority, which is why we recommend year-round pet parasite prevention throughout the duration of your pet’s life.
Antibiotics are amazing. In modern veterinary medicine we rely on them in order to help us help pets. Whether it be by preventing bone infection after an orthopedic procedure, treating pneumonia, or helping a wicked hot spot, there is no doubt that we would be in a bad position without antibiotics.
With great power, though, comes great responsibility. November 13th kicks off the CDC’s Get Smart About Antibiotics Week. Join Berkeley Veterinary Center as we explore what our role in responsible antibiotic use in pets look like.
Halloween seems to herald the arrival of autumn and all the things we associate with the season: pumpkin scented candles, jack o’ lanterns, colorful leaves, and sweater weather. Dressing up in a creepy, cute, or funny Halloween costume is one of the best ways to celebrate this time of year – and what could be better than dressing up your furry, four-legged friend as well?
The team at Berkeley Veterinary Center love our pet trick-or-treaters and want to help you create the safest, most enjoyable night for your best friend. Here are some of our Halloween pet costume safety tips for an awesome evening.
September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, marking a great opportunity to recognize and address pain in pets. While most pet owners are dialed into obvious changes, such as a pet’s inability to go up/down stairs or reluctance to jump onto the couch or bed, there are a bevy of other indicators of pain in pets. Even if your pet doesn’t have age-related problems yet, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the future.
Hanging out around water is a way of life here, a fact that pleases most local pets. To be sure, there are endless opportunities for aquatic recreation, but it’s only truly successful when pet water safety rules are strictly enforced. Not only will your pet’s survival be nearly guaranteed, but overall enjoyment is a sure thing, as well.
With approximately 5,000 accidental pet drownings each year, pet owners and advocates have a long way to go to protecting animals from this terrible fate. Supervision is the best defense against drowning or near-drowning events. To be sure, keeping a closely trained eye on your pet when he or she is near the water can greatly reduce the risk.
The legal status of marijuana is changing across the United States, and its impact on pets has been noticed. According to the pet poison control hotline, there has been a significant increase in calls reporting marijuana exposure to pets since 2009; around the time marijuana legalization began.
As marijuana usage becomes legal in more and more states, and accepted in society, it’s worth looking into the health risks associated with pot and pets.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana, negatively affects a pet’s central nervous system and should be considered a pet toxin. Just like with humans, a pet’s age, weight, activity level, and amount of exposure will all affect the degree of marijuana poisoning.
Your days are sure to be merry and bright if everyone you love, including your pet, is safe and happy. Read through our pet holiday safety reminders to be sure that you ring in 2017 in good cheer.
During this time of year, it is not uncommon for our homes to be bustling with visiting friends and family. When you include your pets in this mix, don’t forget to be sure that they are safe and comfortable. Some important pet holiday safety reminders when it comes to celebrations include:
