Posts in Category: You & Your Pet

It’s not always easy to know what to do when a pet has a minor injury or is feeling under the weather. Of course, the internet is chock full of advice for everything from fleas to broken bones, but not all of it is usable, and some is downright dangerous.

There are plenty of reasons someone may turn to DIY pet remedies, and in some cases treating your pet at home makes sense (with guidance from your pet’s primary healthcare provider, that is). There are also plenty of instances in which home treatments should never be attempted.

The team at Harris Parkway Animal Hospital wants to make sure you know what to watch out for when it comes to DIY pet remedies, and how to make sure your furry loved one gets the best possible care.

While it can feel great to come home to your best friend, it’s hard not to wonder what they got into while you were away. Sure, some pets will happily curl up on the couch for several hours, but others may pace, howl, whine, or stare out the window obsessively. Pet separation anxiety can also cause pets to damage property or even hurt themselves. 

There might not be alternatives to never leaving your pet home alone, but it is imperative to know their limits.

Our human world is centered on immediate gratification. We want what we want – and we want it right now. Knowing this about ourselves, it’s not surprising that we experience challenges regarding pet behavior. Specifically, when they do something they know is wrong (or at least we think they know it’s wrong). 

Since basically all of their behaviors hinge on instincts for survival, they eat, drink, and eliminate whenever and wherever they can. This can definitely land them in hot water with their owners, but the question remains: do pets feel guilty about their transgressions?

Cats make amazing pets, but they can definitely be a bit puzzling to live with at times. First of all, their awake in the morning, awake in the evening, nap all day, schedules make it seem like all they do is sleep. And when they are awake, they’re either grooming, eating, playing, or appearing to think really deep thoughts.

But the mysteries of feline behavior go deeper than their unique schedules and daily habits. Indeed, cats are highly intelligent, complex problem-solvers that not only require extra patience, understanding and observation, they deserve it.

Is your older dog starting to have accidents inside the home? Is your pet recuperating from surgery and not able to use the litter box or go outside? Have you recently adopted a special needs pet who has trouble when it comes to appropriate urination or defecation? These are just some of the many reasons your pet may benefit from the use of pet diapers.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to selecting pet diapers, including your pet’s size, gender, and whether your pet needs long or short-term protection. Let the team at Harris Parkway Animal Hospital get you started!

We use the internet for nearly everything these days, and we rely on it to tell us exactly what we need to know – and fast. Few could argue with the convenience, but despite all the advantages, the available information isn’t always correct or necessary.

As for pet care, there are countless websites that aim to help owners. But some online veterinary advice should only be taken with a grain of salt.

Of the many things cat owners would likely discuss with their cats if they shared a language, their persnickety preferences might top the list. Even though we’re all dying to get to the bottom of what our cats are thinking at any given moment, if we stop and closely observe feline body language we may find they’re already giving us most of the facts.

Without a doubt, cat communication is subtle, but if you listen closely they speak volumes.

For most of us, the last 12 months have been chock-full of events, surprises, news bites, and stress. But 2018 has also been a year of blessings and good fortune. For our staff, it continues to feel like we’ve won the lottery. Not only do we have the best jobs in the Fort Worth area, but our work is truly a privilege.

Our holistic approach to pet care enables us to treat individual pets like the valued family members they are. To that end, we hope our pet care blogs help owners stay informed and become the best possible guardians to their companions.

Food is a big deal, especially during the holiday season when the opportunities for feasting and overindulging seem nearly endless. For many pet owners, a holiday meal just isn’t complete until our four-legged family members have been allowed to sample the seasonal delights. Unfortunately, these table scraps could be endangering their health and their lives.

Luckily, there are plenty of safe (and tasty!) treats you can share with your pet. The team at Harris Parkway Animal Hospital has put together a list of pet friendly holiday foods that are both healthy and delicious that will be sure to please even the pickiest pet!

One of our primary duties as pet owners is protecting our companions from danger. Pet-proofing our homes and yards, using only pet-safe cleaning products, and otherwise eliminating household risks represent just the tip of the iceberg. When a holiday pops up, there’s always some additional legwork required. Fortunately, with our guide to Halloween pet safety, you and your best friend have nothing to worry about!

Identifiable 

All cats and dogs benefit from having a microchip year round, but during Halloween, separations and escapes are much more common. ID tags and reflective collars are great additions to enhance Halloween pet safety.

Owners of black cats should be especially vigilant this time of year. These pets should remain inside as much as possible to reduce threats from pranksters.