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Essential Oils and Pets
Essential oils have recently gained popularity in aromatherapy, with people using them as home remedies for common ailments such as nasal congestion, anxiety, sore muscles, and skin conditions. Plant oils and scents are also included in many different products for use around the home, such as cleaners, shampoo, and even toothpaste. So it begs the question – are essential oils and pets a safe combination?
Essential Oils Basics
What exactly are essential oils? Simply put, they are plant compounds that have been carefully extracted and distilled, leaving microscopic droplets that can impart the properties of the plant itself.
Essential oils are described as highly volatile, meaning they can powerfully affect our minds and bodies. They enter the body through contact with the skin, or through inhalation or ingestion. Because they are absorbed into the bloodstream, essential oils can affect the organs rapidly. Used properly, they can have therapeutic effects.
It’s important to know that essential oils can also be toxic to our pets, without an understanding of how to use them correctly. Since the compounds they contain are biologically active, they can cause a myriad of dangerous side effects and even organ damage if used improperly.
Continue…Twitchy Whiskers: Which Cat Behavior Is the Most Bizarre?
Cats are cool creatures. From their gravity-defying jumps to their strange little hunting noises, domestic felines command everyone’s attention. Part of what makes them so interesting, though, is their relative weirdness. Yes, their sleek appearance and debonair stare come first, but they definitely come equipped with a few odd – and yet universally feline – behaviors. Which cat behavior is your favorite? Continue…
New School Year, New Problems: Coping with Separation Anxiety in Pets
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and endless tasks that accompany a new school year. Shopping, schedules, and snacks are on the agenda, but where does the family pet fit into the new routine? Frustration, anxiety, and even depression are common among pets once the summer ends and their best buds return to school.
Fortunately, the start of another school year doesn’t have to lead to separation anxiety in pets. We’ve outlined some simple strategies any family can use to help their pet stay calm and focused during this time of transition.
Recognizing Separation Anxiety in Pets
Separation anxiety in pets can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from obvious (destructive chewing, scratching, or vocalizations) to subtle (sleeping more, eating less, loss of interest in toys or favorite activities). Give us a call right away to schedule an appointment if you notice any changes in behavior. Continue…
Holistic Cat Health and Wellness Care: The Right Stuff
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…
Tightening the Leash on Fake Service Animals
An estimated 50,000 Americans rely on their service dogs to help them complete the tasks necessary to get through the day. Service animals accompany their handlers everywhere, performing life-saving services and allowing them to live and function independently.
Taking your dog with you in public sounds pretty great, but it has a downside. The problem of fake service animals is on the rise, putting real working dogs and their handlers at risk.
Defining Features
Service, therapy, and emotional support animals have some defining characteristics: Continue…
Out and About: Walks, Hikes, and Outdoor Activities With Your Dog
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…
Tips for Adopting A New Pet
Have you recently decided to bring a new pet into your family? If so, congratulations! You might feel excitement coupled with a mounting sense of dread as you peruse the internet, get unsolicited advice from friends and family, and look around your house thinking – what am I getting myself into?
If so, fear not! The Whole Pet Veterinary Hospital and Wellness Center is by your side, with some ideas on how to pick a wonderful companion, what to ask before bringing them home, and where to look for the very best addition to your family. Welcome to our tips for adopting a new pet!
Understanding Allergies in Pets
Does the jingling of Fido’s collar, as he scratches his ears in the middle of the night, keep you awake? Have you noticed that your normally calm pet is obsessively licking her paws? Do those red sores on your pet’s skin give you cause for concern? If any of these scenarios sound like you, your pet may be suffering from allergies.
Allergies in pets is one of the most common problems we diagnose in our patients. Just as for humans allergy symptoms can cause significant discomfort for our pets, and wreak havoc on their quality of life. The team at the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center wants to increase awareness of allergies in pets and make sure pet owners have the information they need to make their pets more comfortable.
The Healing Touch: The Advantages of Therapeutic Massage for Your Dog
If you’ve ever had a massage or are receiving massage regularly for a health condition, you probably know just how powerful this modality is for recovery and wellbeing. Although massage has been around for quite some time, it may come as a surprise to know that pet massage has been used as early as the 1800’s. There is also some evidence of animal massage in ancient China, Egypt, and India.
Other than the fact that it just feels great, is there another reason behind massage for your dog? We’re glad you asked! The team at the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center is here to explain.
See the Signs: Recognizing a True Pet Emergency
There are loads of odd occurrences that can befall a single pet, but they might not always indicate a pet emergency. Take, for example, a hairball. It sounds terrifying (especially in the middle of the night), but rarely signals the need for urgent veterinary care. On the other hand, there are undeniably serious symptoms that should never be ignored. So, how do pet owners tell the difference?