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The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center’s Top 5 Blogs of 2017
How we’re already to the end of the year is beyond us, but perhaps keeping busy in 2017 explains why the time has passed so quickly. Thank you to our growing community of dedicated pet owners in the Bay Area! We’re honored to continue offering comprehensive, personalized veterinary care that not only prevents disease, but also promotes wellness and longevity.
A significant component of our model of traditional care and alternative medicine is The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center’s pet care blog. Every month, we strive to offer relevant and timely topics to lend pet owners a hand at home. As a family-oriented practice, we welcome feedback, and all the clicks and shares from our pet care blog tell us what you like. As a result, we’re offering up the top 5 blogs of 2017. Enjoy!
Keep the Season Bright With Holiday Pet Safety
The holidays are filled with fun, but they can also be a time of temptation, anxiety, and even danger for our beloved pets. Wanting to include our pets in the seasonal festivities is understandable, but a pet emergency is no way to spread good cheer. Planning and preparing for holiday pet safety is a must to ensure a happy, healthy season for your furry family member.
Should You be Concerned About Halloween Pet Safety?
Families collect bags of candy in August, costumes are finalized in September, and scary decorations go up October 1st. While you may be 100% ready for the zany, thrilling, and hilarious event that is Halloween, your pet might be anything but prepared. How can you prime your pet for the endless risks, threats, and frights? Having a good handle on Halloween pet safety is the right place to start. From there, you’ll know how to make it through to November without illness, injury, or incident.
Aaachoo! Managing Pet Allergies In Your Family
Having any type of environmental allergy is no fun, but an allergic reaction to pets can put a real damper on things, especially when you consider that over half of U.S. households include at least one pet.
With an estimated 15% of the population suffering from pet allergies, it’s likely that you know someone who falls into this category. Keeping in mind the needs of pet allergy sufferers who visit our living spaces is important, and our tips aim to help you create a home environment that is friendly to both guests and pets.
Gone But Not Forgotten: Coping With Pet Loss
When we bring a pet into our homes to share our lives, we know it isn’t going to last forever. Regardless of how long we’ve had our pets or whether their passing was expected, saying goodbye is never easy.
The empty space left behind when a beloved pet passes away can feel vast and insurmountable; it’s common for pet owners, children, and other pets to experience some or all the stages of grief. Your friends at The Whole Pet Vet hope that our guidance and resources are helpful as you navigate the path toward healing after pet loss.
Tip of the Day: Training Your Pet to Stay Inside When the Door Is Open
Owning a pet who bolts through an open door can be frustrating and scary for a pet owner, and often downright dangerous for the animal. A pet who regularly races out as soon as the door is opened runs the risk of injury from getting struck by a car, becoming lost, ingesting harmful substances, and even putting other people or animals in danger.
Teaching your pet to stay inside when a door is opened isn’t as difficult as it sounds, and may mean the difference between life and death for your pet.
What’s the Deal? Thyroid Problems in Pets
For most of us, the thyroid is one of those mystery organs. We all know it exists, but the average person has very little idea what it does or where in the body it can be found. Just as in people, though, the thyroid gland can wreak havoc on the health of our animal friends. Thyroid problems in pets are not uncommon and something animal lovers everywhere need to understand a bit about.
Thyroid Basics
The thyroid gland in people, cats, and dogs shares many similarities. This bilobed gland that resides in the neck region is an integral part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is the body system that is responsible for hormone production. Other integral players include the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland, and the sex organs (ovaries or testicles).
Leptospirosis in Pets: What You Need to Know
Are you the proud owner of an outdoorsy, water-loving canine? If your dog enjoys romping in lakes, streams, rivers, woods, or even taking the occasional drink from a stagnant puddle, he or she is at risk of contracting leptospirosis.
Fortunately, avoiding this dangerous disease isn’t complicated. Your friends at The Whole Pet Vet want to help you learn about leptospirosis and what you can do to protect your pet.
Food Is Life: Pet Nutrition Counseling at The Whole Pet Vet
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?”
A Walk in the Park: Dog Walking Safety and Etiquette
Ah, spring! What a beautiful time of year to dust off your dog’s leash and get back outside for some exercise and fresh air. Dog walking is one of the greatest pleasures of dog ownership, and ensuring a good time for your dog relies on dog walking safety, awareness, and, of course, etiquette.
Beyond the Basics: Dog Walking Etiquette
What exactly goes into becoming a dog walking pro? A lot! First and foremost is knowing whether your dog is ready for a walk. This includes understanding his or her temperament, addressing any training needs, and being prepared to give your full attention during the walk and when encountering other people and animals.