Dogs have a host of quirky behaviors, especially when it comes to eating odd things, and grass is definitely one of them. If your dog has a tendency to nibble on your lawn when outdoors, you probably want to know ‘why’ and if this habit is harmful. The team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center is happy to help you better understand why some dogs like to consume the green stuff.

Dogs are members of the canidae family, which also includes wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals and hyenas. Just as their wild counterparts, dogs communicate with other animals and with us through the sounds they make. 

Most dogs have a variety of vocalizations that are associated with what they want and how they are feeling – from happy to fearful, content or excited, annoyed or agitated.

The meaning of a dog’s sounds are varied and sometimes curious. The team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center is here to decipher some of these barks, growls, mumbles, and yips into a discernible dictionary for us humans.

If only dogs could talk. All of us at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center would have so many questions for them! 

Despite the language barrier, dogs still do communicate with us. By watching their body language and facial expressions, it is possible for us to see that our canine companions actually are saying something. When you observe a new behavior, pay attention, as it is just another way your pet could be telling you something you need to know. A shaking dog is a great example of this.

Do you have an adorable, furry, four-legged stinker on your hands? While some level of ‘doggy smell’ is to be expected from our canine companions, truly stinky fur may be cause for concern.

Our team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center doesn’t shy away from malodorous topics and can help you get to the bottom of your pup’s smelly situation!

Common Causes of Stinky Fur

Regular bathing and brushing will go a long way toward cutting down on normal doggy odors. Check with your veterinarian to see how often your dog should be bathed (we carry hypoallergenic pet shampoos for home bathing in our lobby retail store).

So you’ve taken the plunge and adopted a new kitten – congratulations! Get ready to be entertained, delighted, and perhaps a little frustrated… at times. Most of all, if you haven’t already, be prepared to fall head over heels for your adorable new friend!

These early days and weeks with your new little furball are fleeting and at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we want to help you get a great start by sharing some of our favorite kitten care tips. After all, making sure your kitten is a happy, healthy, and a well-adjusted member of your family is a top priority!

Adopting a pet for the holidays sounds like a great idea. However, holiday pet adoption is a huge responsibility that should involve thought and planning. Below is our Guide for Holiday Pet Adoptions.

Pet Adoption 101

Whether its during the holidays or any other time, there are items to consider before adopting a pet.

Lifestyle

What will the new pet’s daily life look like? Will you have enough time to care for the pet, play with it, take it on walks, and provide training, or will everyone be out all day with activities occupying the evenings and weekends? A lonely and untrained pet can become a frustrated and destructive pet, especially, if it is a high energy breed that needs a lot of physical activity on a daily basis.

Choosing the Pet

Selecting the right pet is just as important as making sure all of the other factors line up. Each type of pet has a different set of needs and requirements for feeding, housing, exercise, grooming, socialization, and medical care. It’s important to do your research ahead of time.

It’s usually best to allow the recipient(s) to participate in selecting their pet of choice, rather than surprising them on the big day. Giving a stuffed dog or cat with a pet toy, a leash or carrier is an exciting way to surprise someone, especially kids, and allows the entire family to pick out the pet together at a later date.

Financial Means

Food, veterinary care, grooming, and training costs can really add up over the life of a pet. Ensure that the person receiving the pet can handle the additional financial responsibility of pet supplies, food, training, and veterinary care.

Living Situation

Where the pet lives is also an important consideration. While a small apartment may be ideal for a cat, it may not be so great for a 50 pound dog. You’ll need to be realistic about the indoor and outdoor space that will be available to share with a pet.

Will the New Owner Be A Child?

The ASPCA recommends waiting until children are between 10 and 13 years old before introducing the responsibility of a pet. However, regardless of the child’s age, an adult in the household must be fully committed to caring for the pet if the child cannot. Children should not be expected to take full ownership responsibilities, such as driving the pet to the veterinarian. 

Commitment

Dogs live an average of 10-14 years, and cats can live 15-20 years. Pet adoption is a long term commitment that requires a thoughtful and a realistic look at one’s life. Shelters are full of pets that didn’t “work out”; you don’t want this to be how your pet ends up.

Do people routinely tell you how wonderful your dog is? If you are used to hearing “You have the best dog in the world!”, and you’re interested in sharing your dog with others who may benefit from your dog’s sweetness, perhaps you should consider therapy dog training! After all, what better way to spread the happiness and comfort that your dog brings than taking your sweet pup into a hospital or to a senior center where there are people who would appreciate a visit from a special four-legged companion?

Anyone who owns a dog knows how much this special bond adds to their quality of life, and there’s science to back it up. Recently, therapy dogs have been recognized by the scientific community for the health and healing benefits that they offer. Studies show that simply petting a dog stimulates the release of “feel good” neurochemicals, and contributes to lowered blood pressure, less depression, and an overall reduction in stress. There are numerous ways that therapy dogs can provide support, companionship, hope, and other health benefits to help people heal from both physical and psychological ailments. 

Cat owners know the unique joys and challenges of life with cats. You want the best for your cat, but sometimes figuring out what these notoriously fickle creatures want and need can feel like  dancing on the tip of a pin!

Still, we adore cats at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center and we’ve seen a thing or two over the many years we’ve been taking care of our clients’ cats. We’ve come up with the top 5 things cats hate and what you, as a loving owner, can do about it!

It sounds like a great idea – take your dog to a large, fenced-in area where it can run free with other canine friends. You get to skip the daily walk, check your email, maybe chat with other dog owners, then leave with an exhausted-but-happy dog. What could be better?

Dog parks can be big on the convenience factor for us humans, but being in close proximity to lots of other dogs can also present some problems for your dog. Before taking your pup to the park, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, so we at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center have some important points for you to consider.

Ringing in the New Year with a list of ways we’d like to improve our lives is a time-honored tradition. Whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, or quitting a bad habit, there are endless ways to start 2019 off on the right foot. Pets can also benefit from lifestyle tweaks aimed at enhancing health and happiness. That’s why we’ve identified some New Year’s resolutions for pets that can help you both live your best and happiest lives together.