October is Pet Wellness Month and today we’re going to discuss dog wellness. Even as veterinarians, we know how tempting it is to avoid the costs and hassle of wellness visits. We also know, however, how much your fur babies mean to you, and regular wellness exams and healthy habits will most definitely prolong the life of your devoted doggo. We’ve rounded up some FAQs on dog wellness, the answers to those questions, and some tips to keep your hounds as healthy as possible and shared them below.

Imagine taking your dog for a walk, getting some exercise and fresh air, and coming home to a pooped pup and a good mood. That is the dream, right? The reality is that walking the dog can be a super stressful experience for many owners who have perhaps just adopted a dog or never got around to training them to have good leash skills.

Have you ever wondered what goes on when your pet comes for a “dental cleaning”—or, to be more precise, a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT)? Here, we will give you more insight into what a COHAT (dental cleaning) involves at a veterinary hospital.

As humans, we know just how frustrating it is to have itchy skin so, when you see your dog struggling with it, your heart naturally goes out to them...for the first few weeks. By week three, you’ve had it and, if you sleep with your pet, you’ve lost more Zzzzzs than you care to think about. Now both you and your pet are at your wit’s end, which is no place to be. The best thing to do is to get to the root cause of the itch, so we’ve taken some time in this blog post to explore the many reasons your dog could be getting itchy skin, toes, or hot spots.

If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, then you know the highlight of staying home from school sick was watching The Price is Right. For over 30 years, Bob Barker signed off with, “Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.” For those who have grown up in the 2000s, Drew Carey has continued the mantra. But besides the fact that Bob or Drew said so, just why should you spay or neuter your pet?

So your pet needs medication. Your normally obedient and, possibly in some cases, less-than-savvy pet suddenly becomes an astute genius who will not be fooled. Even those pets who are like living vacuum cleaners often reach the point where they think, "Fool me once..." And let's face it—this is beyond frustrating, especially in the cases when the pill you're trying to give your pet is basically going to save their lives. That's why we've taken the time to share some tips that we've had up our sleeves for years so that your pooch or kitty is no longer a pill about getting their pills!

With Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day approaching on August 28, we thought we'd touch on a subject that surely isn't one that any of us like to think about - pet euthanasia. Anyone who has ever owned a pet knows that they become not only part of our families but also part of our hearts, so losing a cat or dog can be absolutely devastating. If you know, however, that the time is likely approaching for you to let go of one of your senior pets, it can help to know more about what's in store.

As the summer is nearing an end, everyone is likely trying to squeeze in one last trip. While many of us dog owners would take our fur babies with us wherever we go, it’s not always feasible or even advisable depending on where you’re going and/or how you’re getting there. The ultimate goal is to be able to leave your faithful, furry friend with someone you trust so you can rest easy while you’re gone.