Your family and place of work likely have plans in case of some kind of disaster. You likely also have some basic idea of what to do if there is a fire, tornado, or hurricane. Have you thought about how your pets fit into your plans, though? Clairmont Animal Hospital challenges you to stop and make a plan for disaster preparedness for pets.

Food is a phenomenal tool when housetraining and teaching obedience commands. The offer of a treat after a display of good behavior helps to reinforce it. Also, punishment or scolding is replaced by ignoring unwanted behavior, ultimately teaching dogs that bad behavior has no benefit.  

Originally introduced to marine mammals with a whistle, the idea of using sound to link good behavior has proven highly effective over several decades. If you’ve ever wondered if clicker training your dog would be effective, we’ve got some tips to get started.

Dogs follow their humans everywhere and nowhere is this truer than in the kitchen. Whether they’re underfoot during cooking or waiting to lick plates clean, dogs love to be part of mealtimes. And while many owners love to share food with their dogs, the results can be mixed. Some dogs may have stomachs of steel, while others have tummy troubles after just one bite of table scraps. How do you know if a bite of food is likely to cause a trip to the vet? 

The relationship between people and pets appears to be mutually beneficial, but if we had to guess, we get way more than we give. Responsible pet owners provide food, housing, medical care, protection, enrichment, and affection. But what we receive in return seems to far outweigh our own contributions. Pets give their time, adoration, and loyalty without conditions, which improves our lives and increases longevity. In other words, the human-animal bond impacts our health and makes us happier. 

There are so many incredible aspects of pet ownership. As our best friends and constant companions, they bring so much joy and tenderness to our day-to-day existence. Playing with them, exercising together, and getting a good daily snuggle all lend themselves to an ever-deepening attachment. In return, they depend on us to help them out in many different ways, including providing excellent nutrition, maintaining preventive care practices, and sometimes, tending to their anal glands.

It may be a little like asking why is the sky blue, but it’s perfectly natural to wonder why dogs slobber all over the place. Sure, some breeds are less likely to visibly salivate, whereas others seem to be characterized by a high drool factor. What causes thick, ropy streams of spit to dangle from certain canine lips? And, perhaps more importantly, what can owners do about slobbering?

We all want loving, comfortable surroundings for our golden years, right? So do the wise and wonderful senior animals awaiting adoption in area shelters! If pet adoption is in your future, consider opening your home to a much-deserving senior pet.

Sometimes a dog sneeze is his way of showing his excitement. But sometimes he’s reacting to an allergen. Dog allergies are real and can cause intense discomfort.

Plants are easy prey for herbivores. Unable to evade hungry predators, many botanicals developed chemicals in order to stay safe and alive. They look so beautiful, and yet, many plants are capable of causing various maladies in both animals and people. To keep your pet safe around poisonous plants (inside the home and in the great outdoors), we offer some effective strategies:

Summer is the perfect time of year to escape and enjoy some time traveling. For many people, summer vacation means bringing along all members of the family, including pets! While traveling with pets can be fun, you must also be prepared to keep your pets safe and comfortable on the trip. 

The team at Clairmont Animal Hospital has put together this list of pet safety tips to keep your pet happy, healthy and well-cared for while traveling this summer: