Hanford Veterinary Hospital Blog

If your family is experiencing a little bit of the “scrunch factor”, you’re not alone. While it’s always important to safeguard the needs of both kids and pets, perhaps more than ever before, special attention is crucial to successful cohabitation.

The Love Is Real!

Dogs are unquestionably generous with their affection and adoration, especially when it comes to their younger family members. Many family dogs are also incredibly patient – until, that is, they reach a breaking point. Snapping, growling or biting are part of a natural progression that can definitely be prevented by observing canine body language.

Those of us lucky enough to be in the first stages of spring are understandably excited. More outdoor time, gardening, and spending time with our pets in our yards are only a few of the fun things that come to mind with warmer weather.

Hanford Veterinary Hospital thought you might like to have a few ideas for pet friendly yards, and some safety options to consider as you bring your yard and garden back from winter slumber. 

There isn’t a cat owner out there that doesn’t know the shocking sound of their cat hacking up a hairball. This usually normal cat behavior happens at the most inconvenient times, and is often deposited in the most unfortunate locations. 

With barb-covered tongues and fastidious self-grooming tactics, cats inevitably swallow loads of dead hair on a daily basis. And while feline anatomy is specifically designed to digest certain amounts of hair, there comes a moment when it’s too much to handle.

People that struggle with bad breath, stinky feet, and odoriferous bathrooms tend to have looming health problems. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is an equally strong link between the ways animals smell and overall health.

While certain pet smells that simply come with the territory, a truly “off” odor can definitely signal that something is wrong. 

A Way of Life?

Whether it’s bad breath, smelly paws, or a foul-smelling rear end, many pet owners accept the variety of pet smells. However, when pet smells linger or they become more intense, these seemingly surface smells may be the result of underlying health problems.

Most pet owners will agree that their pets show feelings. Whether they are feelings of joy, sadness, grief, empathy, or shame, there are numerous accounts of animals and their feelings. 

The emotions of animals is an area of study by animal behaviorists and other animal researchers, and has been the focus of movies and books for the past few decades. But does your pet actually feel emotions like anger, grief, and sadness?

The team at Hanford Veterinary Hospital are here to explore the emotional lives of animals. 

As natural remedies take the place of chemical-heavy cleaners and other possibly toxic household products, it is important to know that they are not without their own risks.

Of course, when used correctly, essential oils can be effective for various health concerns. But despite their positive effects on people, some essential oils poison pets.

Upon Closer Look

Essential oils are extracted from plants via steam, water distillation, or cold pressing. The oils often smell more intense than the plants they are extracted from simply because they contain higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Depending on the product, essential oils may be added to carrier oils which dilute the purity or strength of the essential oils. Pure essential oils poison pets more readily.

Even though pet lumps and bumps are common enough, they are notorious for sending shock waves through a pet owner’s heart.

Typically noticed during grooming, petting or snuggling, lumps and bumps can grow slowly over time or develop suddenly. Either way, these growths cause significant concern.

The Cart Before the Horse

Pet owners are typically alarmed as soon as they notice or feel pet lumps and bumps. It’s normal to question how it happened, or how an animal’s health and comfort may be impacted. 

No matter their age, breed, or temperament, dogs need daily walking. At least twice a day, you and your dog should hit the road for a little fresh air and exercise. Dog walks are necessary for exercise and well being of our canine best friends. Dogs that are walked daily tend to be happier and have a stronger bond with their owners. 

But what if you’re feeling like there are a hundred other things you’d like to do rather than walk your dog? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. What you really need are just some ideas to spice up your daily dog walk. 

Squishy faces, wrinkles for days, stubby happy tails… what’s not to love? At Hanford Veterinary Hospital we adore bully breeds, but like it or not they come with certain issues that need to be addressed. Understanding what bulldog problems you might encounter as a bully fanatic can help you decide if they are truly the breed for you. 

Brachycephalic Bummers

Any breed with a smushed face (think Pugs, Persians, and Pekingese) is considered brachycephalic and subject to a special set of concerns. Due to their unique anatomy, breathing can be an issue for some of these dogs. Pets with brachycephalic syndrome will have varying degrees of:

A birthday party is always a good reason to celebrate, but a pet birthday party is really something special. Pet owners naturally attracted to this kind of event have likely spent months daydreaming about it, but it’s also possible to pull off a pet birthday party without too much advanced planning. 

Pet birthdays are always meaningful, and when everything is done with safety in mind, all guests can enjoy the celebration. The only problem? Pet birthdays only come around once a year!