Veterinary Blog

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:

Goldendoodles are one of the most popular dog breeds—and for good reason. These curly-coated cuties aren’t just adorable, they’re smart, social, and usually great with kids. If you’re thinking of adding a doodle puppy to your household, read on for a puppy primer from our team at Arlington Animal Hospital. 

If you’ve been the faithful companion to your aging cat since they were a delightfully zany kitten, you know well the satisfaction that comes with full-arc ownership. Knowing a cat for their entire life is such a beautiful experience. Senior cat care can throw some owners for a loop, however. As they age their health, lifestyle, and environmental needs change. Here are our tips on senior cat care needs:

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’re the owner of a male dog, you may have adopted some “pet” names for your dog’s privates—such as dog lipstick or red rocket—because who wants to say “dog penis” in mixed company? Whatever your code words are for your pup’s private parts, there is a potentially serious condition that is certainly no laughing matter: dog paraphimosis. 

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.