Animal Medical Hospital’s Blog

Does your dog walk through the house in terror and look around corners to check for the cat? Is your cat a bully that makes your dog’s life a nightmare? If your cat acts like the schoolyard ruffian, you are not alone! Cat aggression is a common behavior, and in fact, Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine says that up to 30% of cats surrendered to shelters are there because of aggression. 

The term “fighting like cats and dogs” might be a cliche, but it exists for a reason. These two species have had problems since the beginning of their cohabitation. Even though there are many jokes surrounding canine and feline housemates, it is important to take action if the cat is bulling your puppy so badly that he is hurt or scared of the other animal.

Your team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to help you get a handle on your cat bully problems so you can enjoy a peaceful home!

Pets are highly sensitive to their people, fellow animals, and their surroundings. You can see it in the way they react in public places, or when strangers enter their home. 

But sometimes pet stress can have a cause that we cannot readily see, such as an undiagnosed health condition. Knowing what causes pet stress is important. The ability to recognize the signs of pain, discomfort, fear and anxiety is necessary for helping them through negative experiences.

Kittens are, first and foremost, endlessly cute and have a boundless energy and curiosity every cat owner adores. But when it comes to some of the problems like accidents around the home and scratches all over the furniture, your adorable cherub may resemble a mini-monster. This is why cats, like dogs, need the foundational skills to give them instruction for life. 

If you are the proud owner of a furry, you may wonder how to begin the essential training for your kitten. You’re in luck because the team at Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to explain the ABCs of kitten training.

Is your yard filled with holes? Does your dog regularly escape through a self-made hole under the fence or arrive at the back door with muddy paws and a dirt-covered muzzle? It’s hard to find fault with dogs, but if we “dig deep”, we can come up with a few things!

Digging is a natural instinct in dogs, but it doesn’t jive well with the human way of life. Breaking your dog of their digging habit can be tricky, but with the right approach it’s possible to have your yard (and your sanity) back in one piece.

People have certain “tells” that communicate feelings or moods, but we’re not the only ones. Dogs tend to be pretty easy to read, but cats tend to be subtle and succinct in their approach. They say a great deal through feline body language; we simply have to tune into the appearance and position of their tail to discern their emotional or mental states.

When a cat owner returns home to find their cat anxiously awaiting their arrival, an instant ego boost is bound to occur. We might think, “They love me! They really, truly love me!” – but that explanation only goes so far. 

Among other possibilities, the various symptoms of feline separation anxiety could be simmering just below the surface. There are many ways to counter the overwhelming symptoms, hopefully resulting in more confidence and control for both you and your cat.

There are so many satisfying moments in the life of a pet owner, but few can truly compete with successful house training. When your pet learns to go to the bathroom (in places you designate and time you approve of), it is nothing short of a life-affirming victory. This is partially because learning this new skill isn’t always easy, and it’s hardly ever quick. 

With that in mind, we welcome you to this endeavor and wish you (and all the flooring in your house) all the best!

Most pets thrive in a routine. They like to know when they will eat, exercise, and see you, naturally. During the past several weeks, though, the routine has probably been one that included lots of at home time. For us, it was a struggle, but for our pets who enjoyed the attention and companionship, it was wonderful. 

Now that many cities have reopened work, school, and other forms of daily life, our pets may be dealing with the abrupt change in routine. Pets often have behavioral and emotional issues when change occurs too quickly. 

This is why the team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to discuss dealing with change and your pet. 

If your dog has been shaking, you’re probably concerned about what might be causing it.

There are many reasons why you may have a shaking dog, some of them more worrisome than others. While we are always happy to check your pet out at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care, in some situations you may be able to address your shaking dog at home. 

Reasons Dog’s Shake

Reasons for a shaking dog can run the gamut from benign to quite serious, and it can be difficult to know where your pet lies on the spectrum.

Pet shaking may be behavioral, related to pain or other physiological causes, or may be part of an actual medical problem. Shaking can occur due to a pet:

We all do it – observe our pet’s behavior and assume we know what they’re thinking. Sometimes we’re probably right, after all we know our pets better than anyone else. But because our furry friends are members of a different species, there are certain aspects of their behaviors that are bound to be lost in translation.

One of the most important things we’ve learned after caring for Charlotte area pets for more than 35 years is that, when it comes to animal behavior, knowledge is power. Understanding what your pet is trying to tell you is what every pet owner wants, and our animal behavior basics will get you started!