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An itchy pet is an uncomfortable pet, and they can be frustrating for any pet owner. The constant scratching, chewing, and licking likely keeps you up at night, and can cause your pet to develop a secondary skin or ear infection. Allergies are one of the main reasons we see itchy pets at Bayside Animal Hospital, and learning more about this scratchy situation can help provide your pet the welcome relief they need. 

What causes allergies in pets?

The immune system is designed to protect your pet’s body by diligently patrolling for enemy invaders that may cause illness. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system becomes hypersensitive to a usually benign substance (i.e., allergen), and releases histamines, causing redness, swelling, and itching. The most common hypersensitivity reactions in pets are because of allergies to fleas, the environment, or food, or through direct contact with an allergen, resulting in itchy skin, feet (i.e., dermatitis), or ears (i.e., otitis). 

Spring has sprung, and with the rising temperatures and inviting weather, many pet owners are spending more time outside with their four-legged companions. Your feline friends may also be spending more time outdoors, or sunbathing on their catios. But, springtime temperatures are also inviting for pesky parasites, including mosquitoes, whose blood-sucking, biting habits can be dangerous, since they can transmit heartworms to dogs, cats, and many other wild animal species. Our Bayside Animal Hospital team wants to ensure your pets are protected from a potentially fatal heartworm infection. Here are our answers to common questions. 

How does my pet become infected with heartworms?

Puppies are energetic fur balls, who fill our lives with sweet puppy breath and cozy cuddles. However, like human childhood, puppyhood is a critical time to ensure they learn and develop proper manners, social skills, and habits, so they remain healthy through their grey muzzle years. Follow these four tips from your Bayside Animal Hospital team to provide your puppy with the proper care and tools to help set them up for success from puppyhood to adulthood. 

#1: Purchase pet health insurance

Percy the Kitten: “I squinted as my surroundings slowly came into focus. They pulled my breathing tube, and wrapped me in a warm towel on a heating pad. I shivered a little, but the pain was gone. They had removed the string, along with three inches of damaged intestine, and  stitched up my abdomen.”

Percy the kitten’s experience is, unfortunately, a common one. Home should be a safe haven for pets, but many household items—a string toy in Percy’s case—pose serious dangers. Whether you have a curious new kitten or an aging senior pet, Bayside Animal Hospital urges you to prevent pet problems and emergencies. Read on for Percy’s recommendations, learned from experience, for pet-proofing your home.

A fun fact: Your pet’s heart beats approximately 35 million times per year. With each heartbeat, your pet’s hard-working heart pumps oxygenated blood to each of their cells, from nose to tail.

A not-so-fun fact: Approximately 10% of dogs, and 15% of cats, have heart disease. Since every part of your pet’s body depends on oxygen, heart disease can have serious, far-reaching systemic effects. To increase your knowledge of heart disease in pets, our Bayside Animal Hospital team shares other facts. 

Your pet is your devoted companion who is always there to listen after a bad day, and celebrate with you on good days. They ask little in return, other than a full food bowl and a warm spot on the couch. Now that Valentine’s Day has passed, why not focus on your pet, and shower them with some extra love? Our Bayside Animal Hospital Team shares five ways you can show your pet how much they mean to you. 

#1: Learn to speak your pet’s love language

As the seasons change, you may be tempted to stray from your pet’s routine activities and stay inside where you are more comfortable. After all, exercising in the cold and heat can’t be good for your pet, right? While exercising in extreme heat can lead to heat stroke, and spending too long outside in the cold can cause hypothermia, you can adapt your pet’s routine so they can safely exercise outside year-round. Your pet relies on daily activity to burn off extra energy so they don’t become bored and tear apart your couch cushions. Daily activity also provides much-needed mental stimulation as your pet sees, smells, and hears new things. Follow Bayside Animal Hospital’s seasonal guide and adjust your pet’s exercise routine as the weather changes.

Exercising your pet in the winter

A new year brings a new start, and resolutions to improve your health and lifestyle. More than 50% of people make New Year’s resolutions, but less than 10% keep them for more than a few months. And, few people think to include their furry pal in their resolution list. You may not have reorganized your closets yet, and your workout clothes may still be at the bottom of your drawer, but keeping resolutions for your pet can be easy with Bayside Animal Hospital’s help. Cross off those unmanageable resolutions—who can really drink a gallon of water each day?—and replace them with these four items that will help your pet have their healthiest year yet.

#1: Catch up on your pet’s dental care

Winter is here, and what better way to combat the cooler temperatures and chilly rain than with cozy sweaters, crackling fires, and couch cuddles with your furry pal. Since our four-legged companions aren’t able to bundle themselves up for the cold, they rely on their pet parents to provide protection from frigid winter temperatures. Our pets may have year-round fur coats, but they are still at risk of illness and injury from cold weather exposure. Ensure your pets are safe this winter with these six tips from our Bayside Animal Hospital team. 

#1: Take your pet for a winter wellness check

Welcoming a new four-legged pal into your family is exciting and at times challenging. A productive first year with a precious puppy is critical for ensuring a life of health and good behavior. Like a human child, puppies require lots of attention, care, monitoring, training and, most importantly, lots of patience and cuddles. Follow these guidelines from your Bayside Animal Hospital veterinary team to ensure a pawsitive first year with your new fluffy friend. 

Puppy meal time