Veterinary Blog

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. 

Dogs can smell like a lot of things, depending on what they eat, their health, and what things they have been exposed to (or rolled around on) outdoors. But if your dog is smelling like last night’s flounder dinner, it can be both offensive to the olfactory system and also concerning. 

Why does my dog smell like fish? That’s what the team at Arlington Animal Hospital is here to explain.

Dogs dig. Cows chew. Kittens? They love to scratch. This scratching behavior is something they will grow up with, as scratching is a part of a feline’s natural behavior. But if your wee little one is shredding you and the furniture, it’s time to figure out ways to curb the excessive scratching.

Your friends at Arlington Animal Hospital are here to give you some helpful suggestions how to train a kitten not to scratch. Yes, it is possible!

We made it – and what a feeling it is, too! 2020 was a year for the ages and we are so grateful to be on the other side of it. We are also incredibly grateful for our pets. They saw us through the best of times and the worst of times, but also gave us a reason to smile through their antics and unconditional love.

The team at Arlington Animal Hospital has greatly-appreciated your patience and trust as we adapted to the challenges of the year. We hope some of that trust has been built on the continued publication of our blog and the information it provides you.

With that in mind, we wanted to share our most-read blogs of 2020 with you, our readers. We hope you enjoy!

Dogs use their tails in a fairly straightforward way. They wag it uncontrollably when they’re happy, and that’s about it! Cats, on the other paw, come equipped with precise tail movements designed to communicate exactly what they’re feeling. The trouble is, not everyone is listening.

When owners pay close attention to feline body language, and specifically how the tail looks, they are more likely to give their fluffy buddy exactly what they need. 

Turkey, dressing, fall leaves, pumpkin pie, a chill in the air…these are the elements of Thanksgiving. It’s also a time of gatherings and feasts, and your furry friend is probably pet right there with you during the festivities. Unfortunately, many pet emergencies occur around the holidays because they get into something they shouldn’t get into. 

Since we are winding our way to the holiday table, the team at Arlington Animal Hospital is here to give you some tips on Thanksgiving pet safety. By exercising caution you and your fur family can have a happy holiday indeed.

There’s a reason training a pet is such a big deal. For starters, training helps them behave in ways that make it easier to live together. When pets understand what is expected of them in human society, they are safer and happier and can enjoy more experiences overall.

When it comes to house training your pet, it’s essential to realize that it is a process full of roadblocks. But with the right approach, you can help your pet become a happy member of your family.

Training is an essential part of dog ownership, but no one said it was easy. One of the most necessary tasks a dog can undertake is learning where to do their business. As a dog owner, you may wonder if your puppy or adult dog will ever master this basic skill. 

Most dogs can be house trained with the right technique, patience, consistency, and repetition. The team at Arlington Animal Hospital  is here with some effective tips to help you do just that. Let’s begin!

Life as we once knew it may never be the same. But, as many cities begin to reopen or have already, returning to work, school, and other daily obligations seems like a major change. After all, having to set the alarm, anticipate commute times, get the kids ready for the day, and other normal routine activities can be an adjustment!

Now, imagine what our pets might be feeling through this change. They’ve had our 24/7 attention for several weeks, and suddenly we are gone much of the day. 

At Arlington Animal Hospital, we have seen many new cases of separation anxiety in pets after the re-opening. This is why we’re here to help pets adjust after COVID-19 social distancing.