Posts in Category: You & Your Pet

Animals are truly amazing at adapting to vision changes. Dogs can learn to interpret their surroundings despite impairment simply because the eyes are not their primary sensory organ. That doesn’t mean that a blind or visually impaired dog doesn’t need a little help from their human companion, though. In fact, taking care of a blind dog comes with its own specific set of safety and comfort requirements. We can assure you that each and every one of them is well worth the time and effort. 

The short days and cold weather this time of year can have all of us feeling a little glum. Pets can feel the vibe, too, and sometimes are affected by a down mood, just like people. Volunteer Veterinary Hospital hopes to help pet owners recognize if their dog is depressed so that they can help man’s best friend feel better. 

Drooling is just a fact of life as a dog owner. Whether it comes in the form of slobbery kisses or drooling before mealtime, this behavior is a natural part of a dog’s digestive process. However, at certain times, you may notice your dog is drooling more than their normal share or slobber. You may be asking yourself, why is my dog drooling? And is this normal? 

The team at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital is here to help you learn what is typical when it comes to your dog’s drool, and when it may be a symptom of something else. 

There’s nothing like bringing a new pet into the fold to add love and excitement to your household. But the sudden adjustment of meeting new people and other pets can be stressful on a new pet, and that happy and sweet dog or cat you met in the shelter can turn into a different animal when confronted with a new situation.

Here are some of our top tips for introducing a new pet to your family.

Your relationship with your pets is likely a strong one, and there are very few things that can change that. At Volunteer Veterinary Hospital, though, we do sometimes see wedges come between animals and their owners. One of the most common reasons we see for trouble in paradise is pet behavior problems. 

Whether it’s chewing up your belongings, relieving themselves on your carpet, fighting with your other animals, or something else altogether, pet behavior problems can really put a strain on the human-animal bond. No matter the issue, though, there are things that you can do and ways that we can help.

As your family veterinarian, our staff at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital cares for your pet from head to toe… literally. We diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and issues, but issues with the feet are not an uncommon reason that people bring their beloved animals to see us. 

Thankfully, many paw problems in pets are very treatable and with our help we can get your furry friend putting their best paw forward in no time.

How exciting it is when you make the decision to bring a new puppy or adult dog into your pet-loving household. Dogs, while being loyal, loving, and goofy, also require a period of socialization and training. Without these skills, behavioral problems often follow as your pet adjusts to the home. 

If you are a new dog owner and are unsure about how to begin the journey to successfully training a new dog, we have you covered. The team at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital is here to offer some great suggestions to these solid skills for a well behaved dog.

Cats can certainly be mysterious, but if they’re suffering from an unknown illness or injury their behavior may be more confusing. Because cats are hardwired to mask any signs of weakness, it can be fairly easy to miss (or misunderstand) the subtle signs they do show to indicate that something is not right. If you’re wondering whether or not your cat is sick, we have some tips to help.

Chances are, your pet has relished in the recent stay-at-home order. Of course, they didn’t realize that your new schedule wasn’t the result of a terrifying contagious disease, they were just happy that you were around. 

Now that life is readjusting to a new normal, you might be preparing to head back to work. Pet separation anxiety can quickly stem from abrupt changes, and we’re here to help.

What is Pet Separation Anxiety?

Pet separation anxiety is caused by a profound fear of being parted from their favorite human. If you think about it, you’ve possibly spent more time than ever before in your pet’s company. It’s natural that they’ll be a little confused when you start to leave without them, and not return for some time.

There has never been a better time to play with your dog. You are both home, and frankly, could use a little fun and exercise. Chances are, a little backyard time may be just the diversion to help with your physical and mental health. Let us help with our top 10 games to play together. Enjoy!

The Benefits of Exercise for Dogs

Whether you have a working breed or a content lap dog, they should ideally get between 30-60 minutes of exercise every single day. While it helps if exercise times are part of a strictly followed routine, if you spontaneously decide to embark on a new activity together, you can rest assured knowing you’re doing the right thing for your dog’s health.