Posts in Category: You & Your Pet

Having a pet is a little bit like welcoming a small furry child into your home. It is important to make sure that their environment is safe. If you have never put much thought into how to pet proof your pet’s living space, now is your chance. Arlington Animal Hospital has all the information you need to get it done.

If you have a young child, you may wonder whether bringing a new dog into your home is a good idea. Is it safe to get a puppy with a six-month-old baby? 

The team at Arlington Animal Hospital has compiled a list of a few critical things to consider before getting a dog if you have  (or are having) a baby.

There’s nothing like relaxing at home with your cat (or dog). You settle onto the couch, queue up a good TV show or movie, and call your pet to stretch out beside you. Then, you fill up your e-cigarette with some e-juice and get ready to binge watch and vape the evening away. It’s a great way to wind down after a long day.

Mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and ferrets are social animals that can be highly interactive with their owners. They love to explore and interact with their environment, and they’re often happiest when they have another companion of their kind to keep them company.

Although spontaneous decisions to adopt a dog can turn out well, you should definitely put a great deal of thought into making the choice to bring a dog into your home. Many dogs end up being re-homed or surrendered to shelters because they simply didn’t fit in, or their owners couldn’t provide for them in all the necessary ways. We can stop this cycle by fully preparing for this life-changing experience. Dog ownership is an immense responsibility, and successful adoption hinges on readiness.

Even the most lovingly cared for pet can experience an unexpected injury or medical emergency. The good news is advancements in veterinary medicine have led to improved outcomes for sick and injured pets. But this high level of care comes at a cost. 

Your pet’s care is a team effort, and a good relationship with your veterinarians at Arlington Animal Hospital is paramount to providing the best possible for your furry family. It is important to remember that this relationship isn’t one sided, and that cat and dog owner responsibilities play into how much you get out of your veterinary experience. From common mistakes that pet owners make to things that aren’t common knowledge, here are the top five things veterinarians wish pet owners knew:

Previous generations upheld the belief that dog mouths are cleaner than human mouths, but this myth has been debunked in recent years. In fact, it is well known that dogs carry loads of oral bacteria, none of which should be shared with people. It may seem harmless to allow your dog to lick your wounds, but experts recommend otherwise.

If you’ve got a chonky Chow Chow or a tubby tabby, you aren’t alone. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats in the United States are overweight.

We understand that, as a pet parent, you may not know what an appropriate weight is for your pet’s specific breed and age, which is one reason why regular checkups are so important. At Arlington Animal Hospital, we weigh your pet at every visit, and if necessary, we will recommend a dog weight management program that is geared toward the weight control needs of your individual dog. 

The holidays are all about giving, and our waistlines are the visual receipt. If your pants seem to be a bit tighter than last month, there’s a good reason. Chocolates, pies, cookies, boozy drinks, and fatty meats are to blame for human holiday pounds, but how can we account for weight gain in pets? It has to do with making time for regular pet exercise opportunities, every single day.