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In truth, pets waiting for their forever homes need help regardless of the season – and benefit from the generosity of others all year long. However, this time of year inspires selfless giving and sharing, so it makes sense for animal lovers to look for opportunities. Barring the adoption of every animal in need, there are other ways to help homeless pets this holiday season.

For avid pet lovers, the question of whether or not you should take on additional pets is something that comes up often in our practice. Many of us want to bring more deserving sweeties home, but wonder if it is appropriate or if we even have the time in our busy lives. 

There is definitely much to consider when thinking about a multi-pet household. This is why the team at The Whole Pet Vet and Wellness Center is here to give you some recommendations and answer the question of how many pets is too many?

There has been some discussion around the topic of animal-borne illnesses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. How animals can transmit diseases to humans (also called zoonoses) is a conversation that cannot be ignored, considering Rabies, Salmonella, SARS, Ebola, and now the coronavirus. There have been zoonotic diseases in our midst for a long time, some of which can be contracted by interacting with our pet companions.

To help protect you and your furry loved one from zoonotic diseases, the team at the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center is here to provide information for pet owners on this potentially deadly topic. 

The effects of age can be noticeable for anyone, including our best fur friends. There are certain changes that take place in pets that can set them up for disease and conditions that impede their normal life.

Thankfully, our pets are living longer than ever before! We have come a long way in preventative veterinary care, advancements in surgery and treatment, and a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition and exercise in the lives of our pets.

The team at The Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center wants to emphasize how advantageous senior pet wellness care is to your four-legged friend, and what it is all about. Let’s take a closer look.

Several months ago pet owners were worried about sheltering in place with their pet. After all, everyone was set in their ways regarding their work and school schedules, including the family pet. 

Cats and dogs dozed on the couch, looked out windows, sniffed around, and simply hung around until the family came home and dinner time approached. But as they do, life changed and pets and people alike had to negotiate a new schedule and dynamic. 

Not surprisingly, most pets have been pleased with the results.

Now we have different challenges ahead as schools and businesses begin to reopen. These changes could mean that pets have to face solitude again for hours at a time. It’s not always easy to help your pet cope with all this change, but you can teach them how to handle this through a patient and prepared approach.

If your pet is not accustomed to seeing YOU in a mask, they might find people on the street in masks especially alarming. Even the most well-behaved dogs can become easily spooked by circumstances they deem new or threatening. Help acclimate your pet by wearing your mask here and there around your pets, give praise or treats and help them feel less anxious about this new facial development on humans. Do not assume you know how your pet would react if adults or children in masks stop to stay hello and get too close – help your pet with this transition!

With all of the attention on how harmful most pesticides are, many of us have switched to organic and eco-friendly products for the lawn and garden. But when those biting, itchy pests arrive, it’s all too easy to grab some pesticides to keep them from invading our homes and bodies. Unfortunately, many pest control products are also harmful to other animals, including pets.

Several pet owners have asked the team at the Whole Pet Vet and Wellness Center about some pet-friendly insect control options and we are happy to help! Here are some of our favorite solutions to pet friendly insect control.

Dogs are not known for their impeccable palates, that’s for sure. Why they enjoy raiding the garbage, munching on mulch, or lapping up toilet water is beyond us here at The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center.

Of all the yucky doggy delicacies out there, one is more disgusting than the rest. Why dogs eat poop may be a bit of a mystery, but we have some insight that may help you be a bit more understanding.

The Mystery of Why Dogs Eat Poop

Poop eating, more properly known as coprophagia, is a common canine indiscretion. Be it bunny droppings in the backyard, the cat’s litter box, or their own waste, this behavior is concerning to most pet owners. 

Coprophagia can put your pet at risk for intestinal parasites and is likely not helpful for doggy breath in general. If it is dramatic enough, poop eating behavior potentially can also cause nutritional deficiencies. 

Oh, cats. You regale us with your chirpy hunting skills, warm us with your snuggly bellies, and inspire us through your dazzling acrobatics. But when it comes to understanding and admiring cat behavior, one thing is very clear: their tail acts like a barometer, and it’s up to us to know what it all means.

Swish and Flick

Cat body language uses various body parts to convey fairly precise emotions. The ears, whiskers, and eyes, for example, are all expressive and depending on the cat’s mood, they have an impressive range to them.

At The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center, we love cats. These extraordinary creatures amaze us day in and out with their beauty, resilience, and resolve. Each of us has our weaknesses, though, and for many cats their weak spot seems to be their renal system. 

Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a commonly diagnosed problem in our purring patients. In fact it is the most common condition diagnosed in our cat population over 10 years of age, making it very important for our pet parents to understand and acknowledge.

We understand the temptation to skip routine appointments, but contrary to the ways they appear “normal” and act “fine”, there could very well be trouble brewing beneath the surface. 

Aside from the great opportunity to see your pet and visit with you, we value routine pet wellness exams because they shed so much light on issues that are either about to develop, or have already. So, from a pet’s earliest years to their very last, we encourage you to keep all their pet wellness appointments! 

Hide and Seek

Most pet owners are surprised to learn that their pets have an illness or injury that went undetected at home.

Even the most aware, vigilant, and involved pet owners can’t know everything that’s going on with their best friends. Animals are hardwired to hide any signs of weakness, and pain is a sure-fire way to gain the attention of potential predators (even when they don’t exist inside the home).