10 New Year’s Resolutions for Pets and Their Owners

Resolutions for pets can bolster pet health

Ringing in the New Year with a list of ways we’d like to improve our lives is a time-honored tradition. Whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, or quitting a bad habit, there are endless ways to start 2019 off on the right foot. Pets can also benefit from lifestyle tweaks aimed at enhancing health and happiness. That’s why we’ve identified some New Year’s resolutions for pets that can help you both live your best and happiest lives together.

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So Fresh and So Clean: The Importance of Pet Tooth Brushing

pet tooth brushingCan you imagine never brushing your teeth? The idea probably seems distasteful to you, but it’s an unfortunate reality for many pets.

Studies show that roughly 73% of cat owners and 43% of dog owners admit to never having brushed their pet’s teeth. While this may not seem like a serious issue for your pet, poor oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease, pain and tooth loss. Moreover, the bacteria from dental disease can spread throughout the body leading to systemic health issues and a shortened life span.

If you’ve never given much thought to your pet’s oral health, it’s not too late to start taking care of their teeth. While there are several ways you can help keep your pet’s teeth healthy, daily tooth brushing is the single most effective way to prevent dental disease and associated problems.

The purpose of pet tooth brushing daily is to remove the sticky plaque that develops on the teeth before it hardens and forms into tartar. Unfortunately, once tartar has formed, it cannot be brushed off and will require a professional dental cleaning to be removed.

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New Year, New Pet Wellness Resolutions!

A pup looking up at their human as they walkIt’s hard to believe another year has come and gone, but here we are in 2018! Facing a brand new year is both exciting and daunting, offering us the possibility of starting over in many areas of our lives, such as health and wellness and work habits.

Along with upgrading our personal lifestyles, pet wellness can and should be on the forefront of our New Year’s resolutions. Our list of ideas are designed to be simple and effective ways to give your pet a healthy boost in 2018!

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Lone Tree Veterinary Hospital’s Top 10 Blogs Of 2017!

A dog laying on the ground with a quirky smileWhether you’re gearing up for a big end-of-the-year celebration, or you’re planning a quiet evening at home, you’re likely using some of this time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we are doing the same; our year has been busy, challenging, and absolutely rewarding thanks to our wonderful patients and their families!

With meaningful topics such as pet dental care, traveling with a pet, and rattlesnake safety, we do our best to bring you information you can use to improve the daily lives of your amazing pets. Whether you are a newcomer to the website or a seasoned reader of our blogs, we invite you to enjoy the most popular 10 blogs of 2017:

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Partridge in a Pear Tree: Finding Perfect Pet Gifts

A cat's paws on both sides of a small packageMost of us consider our pets as members of the family so, including them in our cherished holiday traditions comes naturally. While including your pet in your seasonal gift shopping may be par for the course, what should you get the pet that  has everything?

At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we understand the special role pets play in our lives, which is why we’ve put together a list of favorite holiday pet gifts for 2016.

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Why an AAHA Accredited Hospital is Important for Your Pet

AAHA Accredited
You’ve probably seen or heard the term “AAHA Accredited” while in our facility or visiting our website…but, what does it really mean and how does it affect you and your pet?

Here at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we take immense pride in our AAHA accreditation and are delighted to share with you the ways in which this esteemed designation benefits your pet.

What is the AAHA Accreditation?

AAHA is the acronym for the American Animal Hospital Association, a professional organization founded in 1933, for the purpose of establishing a respected and reputable accreditation program for veterinary hospitals. As the only organization in the United States and Canada that provides accreditation for veterinary hospitals, AAHA represents the ‘gold standard’ for veterinary hospitals across North America.

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Cancer In Pets: Fighting A Formidable Foe

Shot of a vet cradling a bulldog puppy over an examination table

A diagnosis of cancer in a beloved cat or dog can be absolutely devastating. Unfortunately, with pets living longer than ever, cancer in pets becoming increasingly common, especially among seniors. Cancer remains one of the most common causes of death in adult and senior dogs and cats.

As of yet, there is no cure for cancer in pets, but with early detection and a commitment to preventive care, we can give our pets the best chance at a long and happy life.

Signs Of Cancer In Pets

Understanding the early signs of cancer in pets is vitally important to catching and treating the illness before it becomes more difficult and costly to treat. Give us call if you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet: Continue…

Growing Old Gracefully: Optimal Wellness For Your Senior Pet

LoneTreeSenior_iStock_000066388587_Large (1)Thanks to significant advances in veterinary medicine, along with a respect for animals not seen in previous generations, pets are living longer than ever before. Although our adult pets may be active, playful, and in good health, many of us are not aware that after 6 or 7 years of age most cats and dogs are considered seniors.

Senior pets, just like senior humans, need extra care and attention to help them live the best lives possible. Changes in physical and mental health can happen rapidly once our pets enter their golden years, making it vitally important to keep up with our pet’s changing needs. Continue…

Growing Old Gracefully: Optimal Wellness For Your Senior Pet

LoneTreeSenior_iStock_000066388587_Large (1)Thanks to significant advances in veterinary medicine, along with a respect for animals not seen in previous generations, pets are living longer than ever before. Although our adult pets may be active, playful, and in good health, many of us are not aware that after 6 or 7 years of age most cats and dogs are considered seniors.

Senior pets, just like senior humans, need extra care and attention to help them live the best lives possible. Changes in physical and mental health can happen rapidly once our pets enter their golden years, making it vitally important to keep up with our pet’s changing needs. Continue…

New Alternatives to the Dreaded “Cone of Shame”

A woman holds a cat in a cone of shame.

Most pet owners are familiar with the Elizabethan collar, or e-collar for short. Often referred to as the “cone of shame”, this collar has a much-maligned reputation, despite it serving an essential role in post-surgery recovery for dogs and cats. 

Designed to protect pets from licking or chewing at surgical wounds, bandages, sores or itchy spots, the e-collar has been a ‘go-to’ helper for many years and there are several versions that have become available over time.  

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