Social media is great at highlighting some of the more memorable moments from the past year, and most people love this form of reflection. Often, it’s the pictures of children or babies that make us pause to measure the passage of time. For others, it may be a picture of their pet from earlier in the year (or one when they were just a pup or kitten!).

Regardless of how people – especially pet owners – look back at the previous 12 months or so, the impact remains the same. For us, we’re thrilled to be able to review and contemplate our top 5 pet care blogs of 2018.

While our average winter temperatures can’t be described as extreme, they still have an effect on the animals we love. While we can look up the weather on our phones and dress accordingly, our pets don’t exactly have this luxury. Sure, there are some extremely well-dressed short-haired dogs out there, but for the sake of other pets, let’s take a closer look at winter pet safety.

Know the Risks

Despite the fact your pet has a fur coat, they’re still at risk for hypothermia and frostbite. An exposed nose, paw pads, and ears are more vulnerable to the cold. Of course, you want to provide daily activities, even on the coldest days, but it’s critical to know when your pet has been outside too long. A good rule of thumb is if it’s too cold for you, it’s definitely too cold for your pet. While they may push their limit, winter pet safety means curtailing extended outdoor playtime. Continue…

You may be considering pet adoption, and getting excited about the prospect of adding a new furry family member to your household. If you’re ready to adopt, why limit your choices to a puppy or a kitten? Consider opening your heart and home to a senior pet instead.

What, exactly is a senior pet? Once considered to be pets over 7 years of age, a senior pet –  according to the American Animal Hospital Association – is one in the last 25% of their life expectancy for the species and breed.

Senior pets need homes as much as their younger counterparts. Too often, senior pets live out their days in shelters or are euthanized because of their age. Many were once the faithful companions of people who moved to assisted living, nursing homes, or have died.

There are wonderful reasons why adopting a senior pet can be a life changing experience for the better, but senior pets also pose their own challenges – though not the ones you might think. Clairmont Animal Hospital explores what to consider when adopting a senior pet. Continue…

They’re intelligent, clever, affectionate, and amusing – but cats can also be pretty odd. They puff up when they feel threatened. They click and chatter at birds through the window. They climb, pounce, and ambush their targets. Sometimes, cat owners can become so immersed in their cat’s antics that subtle signals of illness or injury are misjudged. In other words, some cat behaviors can go from being perfectly normal to absolute indications that something is off. So, how do you know the difference?

Such Great Heights

Cats can seem sort of invincible. With their ability to jump several times their own height, climb to dizzying levels, and land gracefully on their feet (most of the time), cats inspire us with their highly evolved skills. To that end, we let a lot of weird, oddball cat behaviors slide because, well, they come with the awesome territory that is cat ownership. Continue…

During the summer, many of us are on the go. We’re outdoors playing, hiking, boating, or just hanging out in the backyard with friends and family. For pet owners, this also means including our pets in all the fun.  

However, the summer heat and humidity can cause problems for our furry loved ones. That’s why Clairmont Animal Hospital wants to take a moment to review some tips for summer heat safety for pets.

The Basics

Temperatures are rising all over the Decatur area, and it’s important to know that pets don’t sweat the same way that humans do. Imagine wearing a fur coat all summer long! It’s easy to see why preventing overheating in our pets is so important. If you think it’s hot outside (or inside!), it’s even hotter for your pet. Continue…

Having a pet first aid kit on hand is a smart idea – after all, we all know a pet (ahem!) who is a little accident prone. A pet first aid kit also comes in handy during a natural disaster or if you’re stranded far from immediate help. With the arrival of camping season and outdoor summer adventures, now is a great time to assemble a pet first aid kit. Continue…

A cancer diagnosis is frightening for anyone, yet cancer is prevalent among humans and our pet companions. Fortunately, these days, advancements in both human and veterinary medicine means treatments are much more effective.

While sometimes similar to humans, the signs and treatments for various types of cancers are unique in pets. The team at Clairmont Animal Hospital is here to alleviate some of the worries around the big “C” and to help you understand more about cancer in pets.

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A lot of time and education goes into discussing heartworm in dogs. As a result, most dog parents are aware of this parasitic disease and take steps to prevent it in our canine companions. But most cat parents aren’t aware that cats can get heartworm, too.

Because mosquito season is on its way, your friends at Clairmont Animal Hospital decided that it was high time to give you a peek into this disease in our feline friends.

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It all starts with getting your cat into the carrier, then comes the harrowing car ride to the clinic, followed by the stress of managing a fearful or angry feline in the examination room. Most cat owners agree that taking their cats to the vet is not easy. Cats are creatures of habit, and are highly sensitive to the scary sights, sounds, and smells associated with the veterinary clinic.

At Clairmont Animal Hospital, we understand the challenges of bringing your cat or kitten in for a visit. We’re proud to hold a Cat Friendly Practice certification by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), and are excited to share what this designation means for you and your cat!

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If we were asked which feline behaviors we enjoy the most, it would be a pretty long list. We really like (in no particular order) the butt wiggle and pounce, long, slow eye blinks that say “I love you,” chirping while eyeing birds through a window or catio…to be sure, the list goes on and on.

While every cat is unique, they all share certain traits that endear them to cat fanciers around the globe. However, few feline behaviors are more perplexing than when cats knead.

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