You know the feeling, when the rain comes and the temperatures start to warm up. It’s Kleenex and allergy meds time, right? Some people even get headaches and other symptoms of the change in temperature and barometric pressure. Seasonal changes affect pets, too, from allergies to warmer temperatures that pose risks. 

To better prepare you and your four-legged for the upcoming spring, here are some recommendations to alleviate some of the seasonal effects. Read on for more information.

Old man winter is settling in, and for most of us that means more time inside. But, if you have dogs, you know that your dogs can’t stay inside all the time. There are times that your dog needs to answer the call of nature, not to mention run off some of that pent up energy! 

You may know how to protect your dog from freezing temperatures, but have you given much thought to winter paw care? Paw pads are sensitive and need extra attention when snow, ice, and cold are at play. 

Fortunately there are several ways to protect your pet’s paws this winter. Keep reading for Parkside Animal Hospital’s best tips on winter paw care. 

It’s time for rich, sumptuous holiday foods and treats. Yum! The anticipation of delicious meals, plates of cookies, and festive tables laden with special foods has most Americans jumping for joy. But planning for all the festivities of the season seldom includes thinking about holiday food dangers for pets, until they present a medical emergency. 

Nothing ruins a holiday celebration faster than a trip to the emergency veterinary hospital! Your team at Parkside Animal Hospital is here to help you avoid the risks to your pets this holiday season.

Ask any cat owner and they’ll quickly confirm that cats are the perfect pets. They’re interesting, captivatingly beautiful, clever, fun, and snuggly to boot. Indoor-only cats are arguably healthier than ones allowed to roam, but they can definitely suffer the consequences of their static environment. Yes, they can become bored. 

The best thing an owner can do for their fluffy best friend is to give them the best of both worlds. Build a catio, and watch your cat become the happiest, most fulfilled (and safest) version of themselves!

Without a doubt, there’s a unique bond between kids and pets. From teaching empathy and social skills to encouraging physical activity, there are a number of ways pets can be good for children. In fact, most kids and their pets are best friends for life.

However, while kids and pets may be a natural match, that doesn’t mean you should leave them to their own devices. Accidents happen, even among the most well-behaved children and animals, so it’s important to take steps to ensure that all interactions are happy and safe.

It’s hard to resist the pleading eyes or imploring whines from your furry best friend – especially when you’re eating or preparing something utterly scrumptious. While it may be your natural inclination to share the best things in life with your pet, giving them certain people foods can have terrible consequences. The good news is that you can avoid a pet poisoning and still shower them with love with healthy alternatives.

Although we don’t like to think about it, emergencies can and do come up, especially when you own a pet. In those situations, it’s a great comfort to have a basic understanding of pet first aid as well as a well-stocked pet first aid kit.

If you’re prepared to respond to an accident, you can administer first aid to stabilize your pet until you can get to our office or the nearest emergency clinic. Remember that Parkside Animal Hospital is always here to help you navigate a pet emergency. You can call us with specific questions any time, but always come in right away if you’re worried about your pet.

Here, we’ll show you what you need in your pet first aid kit.

Getting ready for a camping trip is a lot of work – especially if you’re taking your dog. On top of all your own necessities to deal with the great outdoors, you have to pack all of their gear, food, toys, and bedding, too. However, one of the most important items isn’t something you have to physically bring with you to the campsite. Instead, through your commitment to your pet’s year round parasite prevention, they’ll be totally prepared for what nature has in store.

No matter how old they get, pets are sort of like human babies. They experience the world through their mouths, and a great many things they try to lick, chew, or consume shouldn’t be anywhere near the floor. Everything from human foods and plants to medications and chemicals can land your pet in the emergency room. Learn how you can prevent a pet poisoning and protect your pet’s present and future.

One of the worst fears for a pet owner is the thought of their pet suffering an accident or illness. While we certainly don’t want to alarm you, statistics show the majority of pet owners have to make at least one trip to an emergency clinic during the lifetime of their pet. Thankfully, many of these scenarios end favorably, with the pet expecting a full recovery.

The problem with a pet emergency is that it can sometimes be elusive. Does vomiting signal an emergency? What if your pet is bitten by another animal but seems OK on the surface? The fact is, many of us adopt the wait and see tactic or jump on Google to look up our pet’s symptoms.

Your friends at Parkside Animal Hospital want to diffuse some of the fear and confusion around what constitutes a pet emergency.