As pet owners, we often focus on providing our furry friends with love, food, and shelter. However, it’s equally important to recognize their emotional well-being, particularly when it comes to stress and anxiety. Just like humans, dogs and cats experience these feelings, and it’s our responsibility to help them adjust. By better understanding your pet’s stressors and how to address them, we can provide them a better quality of life.

As a caring pet owner, monitoring your pet’s behavior, including their drinking habits, is essential. Knowing what's normal for your furry friend can help you spot when something’s off. If you’ve noticed your pet drinking more water than usual, it might be due to an underlying health issue or other factors. Let’s explore what’s considered normal versus abnormal drinking, potential reasons for increased thirst, and when to consult a veterinarian.

As an emergency room vet, one of the key parts of my exam is figuring out if a pet is in pain. This can be tricky because, unlike humans, our patients can’t tell us what’s wrong. In human medicine, you can simply say where it hurts or point to the problem area. Even in pediatrics, kids can use a chart with smiley faces to show how they’re feeling. So, how do we, as vets, figure out if an animal is in pain?

You might be wondering why a veterinary urgent care facility would focus on pet obesity, especially since it’s not an acute condition. The truth is, pet obesity is linked to numerous other health problems, including arthritis, reduced mobility, respiratory issues, heart disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes, a shorter lifespan, and an overall decline in quality of life.