Drowning in dog hair? Coughing up cat fur? You’re not alone! Pet grooming is important, especially now that spring is coming, and our furry friends leave more and more bits of themselves everywhere they go. It’s up to us as responsible pet owners to keep them clean, well-groomed and free of troublesome mats and tangles. Of course, that can be easier said than done – especially if you have a fluffy cat or dog (or one who particularly adores mud puddles).

Have a question about your pet's oral health, like which oral health products are better for your pet, or how often you should brush your pet's teeth? Ask Vickie! Vickie Byard, CVT, VTS (Dentistry), CVJ will be answering some of your most pressing pet oral health questions on this monthly blog segment: Ask Vickie!

Want to submit a question to Ask Vickie?
Email your question to socialmedia@rauanimalhospital.com. Make sure the subject line is...you guessed it ⎯ Ask Vickie!

Would you wait seven years to get a physical check-up from your doctor? Most of us wouldn’t and our pets shouldn’t, either—especially as they get older.

On average, pets age seven times faster than people. This means that most dogs and cats reach adulthood by age two and middle age by four. By age seven, most dogs—particularly larger breeds—are entering their senior years!

The New Year is a time to reflect on the past year, and also to set goals to improve your life for the new year ahead. Same should go for the life of your pet! Here are some resolution worthy goals to set for your dog or cat in 2017.

#1 Pet Weight Loss 

• It is important to measure food & count calories for your pet's daily meals.

This time of year, pumpkin and the holidays go hand in hand. When I think of pumpkin, however, I think of a powerhouse of nutritional benefits — not only for humans, but for our furry companions as well.

Pumpkin is packed full of beta-carotene and other phytonutrients, such as lutein, flavonoids and cryptoxanthin. These natural chemicals help ward off disease and keep the body functioning properly. The bright orange fruit is also a great source of vitamins A, C, E and B, as well as minerals and fiber.

Choosing the right diet for your pet is one of the most important things that you can offer them. Unfortunately it is not a simple question, even for a healthy pet. There are literally thousands of different pet foods with new ones every week. Even the ones we know well get their formulations changed periodically and we have no idea when. Feeding options have become complicated by a mixture of science, hype, marketing and convenience. There is so much we do not know about nutrition.

If you are like most uninsured pet owners- you have gone back and forth trying to decide if your pet actually needs health insurance. There are varying opinions about this topic, some who love having insurance and some who worry that it is a scam. The truth is- each case is different and unfortunately, there is no one size fits all answer.

Much like human medicine, veterinary care is in a constant state of evolution. New medical advances are available every day that once were not options for our pets.

Because of these advances, our pets are living longer—and healthier—lives than ever before and pet insurance is becoming more common among owners who are looking for ways to proactively manage pet health care costs.