Search Results for ‘behavior’

It’s that time of year—the air is getting a little crisper, pumpkin spice lattes are on the horizon, and the kids are back in school. It’s also a great time to get back to the ABCs and 123s of puppy training. At Bayside Animal Hospital, school is back in session, and we have plenty of puppy training tips for you to review.

Who doesn’t want their four-legged family member to live their longest, best life? Bayside Animal Hospital is in the business of keeping our patients as healthy as possible, and routine veterinary care and pet wellness exams are a big part of that.

We often hear about the benefits of spaying and neutering in the context of controlling the pet population. After all, the ASPCA reports that more than 6 million companion animals wind up in shelters every year in the United States. And this statistic doesn’t even include the number of pets that are abandoned to live in the wild, or the unwanted pets that get passed from one household to another. 

Pet owners with an indoor-only cat or pets of the same gender, however, may not see why it’s important to have their pets spayed or neutered.

Moving to a new home is an exciting time, but for our pets, suddenly landing in an unfamiliar space can lead to pet anxiety. So while you’re packing up boxes and making plans for moving day, keep these pet relocation tips from our team in mind.

Do you want to spend the time, money, and dedication it takes to become a professional breeder? If the answer is no—as it is for most pet parents—we recommend spaying and neutering your dogs and cats. Pet sterilization comes with several benefits. Plus, it helps limit pet overpopulation and homelessness. Our veterinary team at Bayside Animal Hospital would like to share the 3 benefits of spaying or neutering your pet. 

When your pet is limping, it could be a symptom of practically anything. From a broken toenail to a broken leg, limping can mean something minor or something serious. So how do you know when to call the vet if your dog is limping? Follow a few simple rules to make sure your pet gets the care they need. 

Congratulations on adopting a sweet, fluffy, curious, adorable puppy! Your puppy’s first year is full of absolute delights, but they wouldn’t be nearly as wonderful without certain challenges or surprises. You take the good, you take the bad, and at the end of their first year, you’ll be amazed at their progress. Perhaps more amazing is the personal growth that happens among owners of puppies. For all concerned, adopting, training, and supporting a puppy’s needs is an incredible adventure.

Parvovirus, or parvo, is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects unvaccinated and incompletely vaccinated puppies. With treatment, 90 percent of puppies survive, but many others suffer a terrible death. Bayside Animal Hospital has compiled nine fast facts about this preventable virus. We want to keep puppies healthy, and make parvo a thing of the past. Here are the facts:

#1: All dogs are at risk

Parvovirus can infect any dog, but is most common in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated puppies from 6 weeks to 6 months old. German shepherds, dobermans, American pit bull terriers, English springer spaniels, and rottweilers have a higher susceptibility, although the reason for that is not fully understood.

Coping with a cat who urinates outside their litter box can be extremely frustrating. You may suspect these mysterious creatures have some kind of vendetta against humanity (or at least against you)—after all we’ve done for them! Before you start sleeping with one eye open, let Bayside Animal Hospital unbox the messages your cat is trying to send, so you can tell your cat, “message received,” and take the appropriate steps to fix the problem.

#1: Your cat has a medical condition

Urinary tract disorders will cause the most fastidious cat to miss their litter box. Increased urgency can prevent cats from reaching their box. Painful urination may become associated with their box, which may cause avoidance. Cats will indicate their pain by vocalizing when urinating. Urinary tract conditions include:

When you leave your pet in someone else’s care, you want to ensure your furry friend is safe, comfortable, and well cared for. And if it’s your first time looking for pet care, you might not know where to find a pet sitter, what questions to ask, or how to tell if someone is reputable.

These are the qualities to look for and questions to ask when hiring a pet sitter.