Veterinary Blog

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. 

One day you notice a damp stain on your couch, or a pile of clothes that smells like cat pee, and you feel equally frustrated and fearful that something is wrong. If your cat is suddenly peeing outside of the litter box, it’s a clear signal that there is a problem. Also called “inappropriate urination,” it’s important to find the reason it’s happening or the problem is likely to continue.

Whatever the circumstances, it’s a heartbreaking decision to give up your pet into the care of others. You know your pets will feel the loss of you, their home, and all their friends. You might feel that surrender is your only option, but there may be alternatives that will keep you and your furry friends together.

Reasons People Surrender Their Pets

When a pet parent can no longer provide adequate care, sometimes they must face the terrible decision to surrender the animal. Situations that could affect a pet owner’s ability to care for an animal include:

Water can be a fun shared activity for your family and your pets. However, just like it’s important to keep a close watch on kids around water at all times, you must do it for your furry friends as well. 

Before you take your pooch for a swim or a splash in a body of water, learn how to keep them safe and healthy! Check out these water safety tips for dogs from the team at Arlington Animal Hospital. 

Our four-legged friends need lots of water to stay happy and healthy. Especially in the hot summer months or after long walks and vigorous playtime. It can get hot and muggy here in Arlington. Always monitor your pet’s water intake so you have a baseline and can know when something is off. 

When water intake goes beyond a normal amount or becomes excessive, it might be time for your pet to be evaluated by a veterinarian. 

Excessive thirst in dogs is called “polydipsia,” and can be a sign of underlying health conditions. At Arlington Animal Hospital, we are here to help you understand what is going on so your pet is happy and healthy.

The monthly flea, tick, and heartworm medications don’t go down as easily as you’d think. Pet pharmaceuticals are designed, when possible, for easy delivery. But your pets know there’s something wrong with what you’re offering, and they will put up a fight against consumption! Our pets love treats, but they can smell and taste flavored medication before it’s out of the bottle or tube.

The Top Two Tips For Administering Pet Meds At Home

Some dogs offer a little nip in the arm at cuddle time, while others snarl and snap warnings before they lunge for an attack. Dogs that bite without warning put other dogs and strangers at risk, which can cause major problems from your family. The team at Arlington Animal Hospital wants to help you figure out why dogs bite, and what can you do to prevent your dog from attacking:

Pet training in general is not for the faint of heart. Persistence and consistency are key, and while almost any dog is trainable, it can be an uphill battle at times. Housetraining your pooch is no different. While it may be tempting to just go invest in some dog diapers, there are downsides to this solution. Arlington Animal Hospital is prepared to fill you in on the details.

Reasons Dog Diapers May Be Needed

Sometimes our canine companions make a mess, but for most dogs these are few and far between. For those that have frequent potty problems, though, dog diapers can be a lifesaver. 

Dogs have specific calling cards like barking or digging that are quintessentially canine in nature. Another common behavior among dogs is licking. Puppies learn to lick as a way to investigate everything around them, and this behavior matures as they do. Licking allows dogs to not only taste something delicious, but also to figure out what the object is.

Arlington Animal Hospital would love to explain this sometimes cute, other times gross, behavior in canines:

No two dogs are the same, and yet all dogs share some universal canine behaviors. To some degree, dogs cannot help doing certain things that seemingly defy human logic. Repetitive behaviors, including obsessive licking, can interrupt a dog’s sense of wellbeing. If your dog licks everything in sight, you might oscillate between wonder, curiosity, irritation, and confusion. Because of their individuality, their behavior is unique to them. But there are definitely ways you can address this canine trait before it gets out of hand.