Most pet owners are aware that chocolate can be toxic for dogs, but xylitol toxicity is less common knowledge. Xylitol is a popular product that shows up in a variety of foods, and our team at Town and Country Animal Hospital is here to explain xylitol, why the substance is harmful to pets, and more [...]
As a pet owner, you’ve likely heard about the importance of professional dental cleanings for dogs and cats. Maybe your pet has had the procedure done in the past. But, do you know what really happens during a veterinary dental cleaning? Read on to find out what important steps occur after you drop off your [...]
From the day we bring our pets home, we want to do everything we can to ensure they stay healthy and happy. While basic needs like food, water, and shelter are enough to get by, pets thrive—and live longer—when they have excellent physical, mental, and social care. While not an exhaustive list, here are some [...]
While all puppies are cute, well-behaved, polite puppies are the cutest, but your puppy needs training to understand appropriate behavior, and how to mind their manners. Our team at Town and Country Animal Hospital wants to help. We provide pointers to teach your puppy how to be polite, so they will become a well-behaved, confident [...]
Your pet explores their environment with their nose and mouth, and they occasionally inhale an irritant, resulting in coughing to clear the material. Other, more serious conditions, can also cause pets to cough. Our team at Town and Country Animal Hospital provides information on why pets cough, and when you should be concerned. Coughing types [...]
Alabama’s hot, humid summers put pets at increased risk for heatstroke, which can result in life-threatening consequences for pets. Our team at Town and Country Animal Hospital, PC wants to provide information about this veterinary emergency to help you protect your four-legged friend. Heatstroke in pets Pets don’t sweat like humans do, and must rely [...]
Dogs need to do dog things, such as sniffing, chewing, foraging, barking, digging, and playing, to be emotionally fulfilled. Enrichment activities provide your dog the opportunity to perform these natural behaviors, to ensure their physical and psychological needs are satisfied. Six enrichment categories are important for a dog’s wellbeing. Social enrichment — This type provides [...]
Nobody wants to be left behind, including your pet. But, dogs and cats can’t explain their feelings in a greeting card or a tearful speech—instead their reactions are often mistaken for bad behavior, failed house training, or vengeance. This misunderstanding often leads well-intentioned owners to seek corrective training rather than veterinary care, thus failing to [...]
Some age-related changes in pets are easy to identify because they are similar to ours, including vision loss, “selective hearing,” frequent naps, and a shuffling gait. Other signs may be less noticeable, or hard to distinguish from normal dog or cat behavior, but may signal a significant change in your pet’s health. Knowing what to [...]
Is your pooch looking pudgy, or your cat a bit curvaceous? They’re not alone—nearly 60 percent of U.S. pets are considered overweight. That amounts to 56 million cats and 50 million dogs. Unfortunately, there’s no safety in numbers—extra pounds increase your pet’s risk for cancer, arthritis, kidney disease, and other devastating conditions. The team at [...]
