Keeping your cat calm during vet visits can be challenging. But with some preparation and care, you can make the experience less stressful for both of you. Below are tips to make the visit to the vet more tolerable.

Keeping your dog calm during vet visits doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, there are several steps you can take to make your next trip a little easier for both you and your pet.   

Just as humans, our pets can experience separation anxiety. It affects dogs, cats, birds and other small pets. If not addressed, a pet’s anxiety can develop into chronic, lifelong behavioral problems. These problems negatively impact a pet’s ability to interact appropriately with people and other pets. They can also jeopardize the pet’s relationship with its human family and, ultimately, its own well-being.

One of the most important responsibilities of dog ownership is providing the preventive care your dog needs to avoid illness and disease. Regular check ups, parasite prevention and keeping your dog current on vaccinations all play a key role in its health and well-being. 

Several years ago, we added the Leptospirosis vaccine to our core vaccine program for dogs because cases of this disease were being reported in Colorado. This was a concern, not only because of the risk it presents to dogs, but as a zoonotic disease, Leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans and dog to human transmissions had also occurred.  

An endearing characteristic of small dogs is that they often come with big dog attitudes. Convincing as their “big dog” behavior may be, our small dogs still have some unique small dog needs. 

At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we see a lot of small dogs at our facility and are happy to share some interesting observations on what makes them different from their larger canine counterparts, and how this affects their behavior and care. 

For many pet owners, working from home has become more commonplace. While this new dynamic may present many challenges for human families, there’s one family member that probably likes it—your pet, of course! 

It’s no mystery that pet ownership sometimes has its challenges, but being around our pets 24 hours a day, every day, may provide new perspective on this relationship. Not only is there the unique companionship that a pet adds to the workday, you might be gaining new insight into your pet’s behavior and needs. You may also discover that you now have to strike a balance between showing your pet attention and getting your work done. 

Dogs are members of the canidae family, which also includes wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals and hyenas. Just as their wild counterparts, dogs communicate with other animals and with us through the sounds they make. 

Most dogs have a variety of vocalizations that are associated with what they want and how they are feeling – from happy to fearful, content or excited, annoyed or agitated.

The meaning of a dog’s sounds are varied and sometimes curious. The team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center is here to decipher some of these barks, growls, mumbles, and yips into a discernible dictionary for us humans.

Adopting a pet for the holidays sounds like a great idea. However, holiday pet adoption is a huge responsibility that should involve thought and planning. Below is our Guide for Holiday Pet Adoptions.

Pet Adoption 101

Whether its during the holidays or any other time, there are items to consider before adopting a pet.

Lifestyle

What will the new pet’s daily life look like? Will you have enough time to care for the pet, play with it, take it on walks, and provide training, or will everyone be out all day with activities occupying the evenings and weekends? A lonely and untrained pet can become a frustrated and destructive pet, especially, if it is a high energy breed that needs a lot of physical activity on a daily basis.

Choosing the Pet

Selecting the right pet is just as important as making sure all of the other factors line up. Each type of pet has a different set of needs and requirements for feeding, housing, exercise, grooming, socialization, and medical care. It’s important to do your research ahead of time.

It’s usually best to allow the recipient(s) to participate in selecting their pet of choice, rather than surprising them on the big day. Giving a stuffed dog or cat with a pet toy, a leash or carrier is an exciting way to surprise someone, especially kids, and allows the entire family to pick out the pet together at a later date.

Financial Means

Food, veterinary care, grooming, and training costs can really add up over the life of a pet. Ensure that the person receiving the pet can handle the additional financial responsibility of pet supplies, food, training, and veterinary care.

Living Situation

Where the pet lives is also an important consideration. While a small apartment may be ideal for a cat, it may not be so great for a 50 pound dog. You’ll need to be realistic about the indoor and outdoor space that will be available to share with a pet.

Will the New Owner Be A Child?

The ASPCA recommends waiting until children are between 10 and 13 years old before introducing the responsibility of a pet. However, regardless of the child’s age, an adult in the household must be fully committed to caring for the pet if the child cannot. Children should not be expected to take full ownership responsibilities, such as driving the pet to the veterinarian. 

Commitment

Dogs live an average of 10-14 years, and cats can live 15-20 years. Pet adoption is a long term commitment that requires a thoughtful and a realistic look at one’s life. Shelters are full of pets that didn’t “work out”; you don’t want this to be how your pet ends up.

Do people routinely tell you how wonderful your dog is? If you are used to hearing “You have the best dog in the world!”, and you’re interested in sharing your dog with others who may benefit from your dog’s sweetness, perhaps you should consider therapy dog training! After all, what better way to spread the happiness and comfort that your dog brings than taking your sweet pup into a hospital or to a senior center where there are people who would appreciate a visit from a special four-legged companion?

Anyone who owns a dog knows how much this special bond adds to their quality of life, and there’s science to back it up. Recently, therapy dogs have been recognized by the scientific community for the health and healing benefits that they offer. Studies show that simply petting a dog stimulates the release of “feel good” neurochemicals, and contributes to lowered blood pressure, less depression, and an overall reduction in stress. There are numerous ways that therapy dogs can provide support, companionship, hope, and other health benefits to help people heal from both physical and psychological ailments. 

Dealing with a dog or cat that can’t make it outdoors or to the litter box in time can be incredibly frustrating. Following your pet around, encouraging it to go in the appropriate spot, only to turn around and see a new puddle on the floor can leave even the most patient pet owner at wit’s end. 

There are many possible causes for incontinence in pets, ranging from an infection or disease to a simple lack of proper house training. Exploring the potential cause is part of good preventive care and should be pursued. In cases where the cause cannot be treated, pet diapers may be the solution.