Posts in Category: Exercise Nutrition & Obesity

When summer heatwaves strike, outdoor play isn’t always safe—or appealing—for your pets. But just because your furry friend is stuck inside doesn’t mean they have to be bored! At The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center, we believe indoor pet enrichment is just as important as outdoor exercise, especially during hot days. Keeping your pet mentally engaged can prevent unwanted behaviors and promote overall well-being.

Ready to help your pet beat the heat and boredom? Here are 10 creative and fun ways to provide mental stimulation for pets without ever leaving the comfort of your air-conditioned home.

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do to ensure they live a long, happy life. Obesity in pets isn’t just about a few extra pounds; it can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, and even heart disease. 

Diabetes is a pretty common health issue in human medicine and many of us are familiar with what it is. Oftentimes, though, pet owners don’t realize that this potentially serious health condition can affect dogs and cats as well. The Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center knows how important it is to you to keep your furry friends healthy, and understanding a little bit about pet diabetes can help you to accomplish that.

Pet ownership is a big responsibility, but we sign up for the opportunity because of the enormous payoffs we receive from this special relationship. Indeed, owning a pet is a type of insurance against loneliness, isolation, and possible boredom. They keep us engaged, connected, and best of all, active. Walking with your pet is one of the best assets of the relationship – for both you and your pet!

For anyone who has had or currently has cats, you know that they are special creatures. They are clever, independent, can be amazingly sweet, and have the athletic prowess of Olympic athletes. It’s no surprise that we love our cats and want to keep them well. But cats are masters at hiding signs of illness, pain, and discomfort from us. That’s why The Whole Pet Vet is focusing on our unique approach to cat health and wellness.

Basic Instincts

In the wild, cats who show weakness are a target for predators. A survival instinct from long ago causes our cats to disguise any sign of illness or discomfort as a way to protect themselves. This means that you may not notice anything is wrong until disease is well advanced.

Here’s why a regular program of cat health and wellness care is so important. Simply put, wellness care means regularly scheduled and timely veterinary visits for seemingly healthy and well cats. Continue…

Envision it now…a rolling green hill, sunny skies, and a game of frisbee with Fido and some friends. Maybe there’s a new and challenging trail you’ve been wanting to hike the past few months, or, possibly, you’ve decided that sitting on the couch when it’s nice outside is no longer an option, especially if you (and your pup!) have added a few extra pounds this winter.

There are many ways to get out there and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer while giving ourselves and our fur pals the added gift of fitness and good health. The team at The Whole Pet Vet has a few suggestions for outdoor activities with your dog to help boost endorphins and enjoy a little fresh air.

Take a Hike!

If you and your dog prefer the trail to the pavement, there are plenty of amazing hikes you can enjoy within a day’s driving distance. Some of our favorites include: Continue…

As we become more educated on the importance of high quality, whole foods diets for ourselves, it makes sense that this focus would eventually be extended to our pets. Indeed, the pet food industry has exploded in recent years, and much of that has been due to the demand by pet owners for better pet nutrition options.

Once we’re standing in the pet food aisle of the local pet supply store, however, making a decision isn’t easy. Questions race through our minds: “Does that brightly colored food actually contain vegetables, as the label claims?” “Should my pet go grain free?” “Is a food labeled ‘organic’ truly better for my pet?”

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This holiday season, you may find yourself wondering if that extra piece of pecan pie is worth the calories. You aren’t the only one who needs to be watching your waistline, though. We know now more than ever that pets who are overweight suffer from health problems and decreased lifespan, just as we do.

With over half of the nation’s dog and cat population considered overweight or obese, weight management in pets is an important part of proper care. Learn how The Whole Pet Vet is helping pet owners keep animals healthier, one pound at a time.

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