Soothing Sounds: Pet Music Therapy Has Calming Benefits

Dog portrait with headphonesFor many years, we have been fascinated by the impact music can have on memory, emotional state, and even healing from physical injuries and illnesses. Amazingly, the more we learn about music therapy and its benefits to humankind, the more we find that this same knowledge can be applied to our four-legged friends.

How Does Pet Music Therapy Work?

Thanks to the initial psychoacoustic research conducted on the effects of sound on shelter dogs (Kogan, Schoenfeld-Tacher & Simon, 2012), we have learned that certain types of music can help reduce anxiety, lower heart rate and respiration, and alleviate certain behavioral challenges in pets (such as chronic barking). Continue…

Fun In The Sun: Summer Pet Safety Review

cane alla fontanellaBonding in the great outdoors is one of the best parts of pet ownership. Whether you’re heading out for a hike on the St. Joseph’s Hill trail or just playing in the yard, you and your pet can enjoy the beautiful summer weather safely by being prepared.

Keep our summer pet safety tips in mind before you and your pet head out for your next adventure.

Paw Care

Your dog’s paw pads are more sensitive than they appear, and hot pavement or concrete can often be too hot for them to safely walk on. A good rule of thumb is: if it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s. Find grassy and/or shaded areas to walk your pooch, or limit walks to early morning and evening hours when life’s just a little cooler. Continue…

Beyond Bloodwork: Advanced Senior Wellness Pet Care

Dog waits for treatAdvancements in veterinary medicine have helped to increase longevity and enhance the quality of life of cats, dogs, and other animal companions. And, when it comes to our geriatric fur pals, one of the best ways we can keep them at their healthiest – while slowing down some of the impact of aging – is through senior wellness pet care.

When is my pet considered a senior?

As you may know, our pets age much more rapidly than we do. One year doesn’t seem like a long time to us, but it comprises a significant portion of the life of a four-legged companion. Continue…

The Incredible Benefits of Pet Acupuncture

acupuncture needlesWhen it comes to our pets, there is likely nothing we wouldn’t do to keep them from experiencing pain or discomfort. That is why new healing modalities are being embraced, as the benefits of pet acupuncture and other complementary treatments are offering exciting and noninvasive ways of enhancing recovery and managing pain.

While acupuncture for animals is gaining a stronger level of acceptance within veterinary medicine, there are still very few clinics that offer this treatment option. At Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center, we not only offer acupuncture for your fur friend, we have four on-site veterinarians certified in veterinary acupuncture. Continue…

How Do You Know If Your Pet Has Allergies?

WholeVet_iStock_000014028178_LargeSpring has arrived! For many Californians, this means a steady onslaught of sinus headaches, sneezing, and runny noses well into June. You might up your dose of antihistamine and go to bed with a box of tissues, but what do you do when a pet has allergies?

Your pet could be allergic to many things, such as pollen, grass, mold, and flowering trees, but instead of the respiratory symptoms that can commonly plague us, skin-related problems could be on the rise. Continue…