Animal Medical Hospital’s Blog

The image of a small child and a devoted family dog is a powerful one. At Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care, we witness the magic of children and their pets almost daily. There are even scientific studies supporting improvements in emotional skills, reading and cognition, decreased risk of allergies, and improved immune system function in children who are exposed to animals.

Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to do things. While kids and pets make an amazing match, it is important to be sure that we are responsible and safe when putting them together.

If you own a dog, you know there’s a reason they’re referred to as “man’s best friend.” It seems like dogs are always happy to see us, and sometimes, it may feel as if your dog can actually read your mind!

Although the bond between humans and their canine companions is remarkable, there are plenty of times when our pets reminds us they are, in fact, a different species. Let’s take a moment to examine some weird dog behaviors and what may be causing them.

It’s inaccurate to say that all domestic felines detest getting wet, but it’s not far from the truth. Sure, there are some delightful cats out there that, we can only assume, never got the memo about hightailing it far, far away from a running faucet. But for the most part, cats experience intrinsic, and often hilarious, reactions to the elixir of life.

Just when you thought you had them all figured out, we offer some insight regarding why cats hate water.

If your dog jumps on everyone who rings the doorbell, barks at every passing truck, or constantly begs for snacks, they’re terrific candidates for behavioral dog training. Of course, all canines – even older and well-behaved pets – can benefit from learning new skills. Not only does dog training provide them with “jobs,” but these meaningful moments prove they can and want to be included in family activities. After all, when your pet behaves, their access to outside opportunities is limitless.

Remember that time that you got so excited you piddled on the floor? No? While urinating out of sheer joy is not something humans normally do, many dogs pee when excited on a regular basis. While it may seem like a strange behavior, there is a method to the madness and, as usual, Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care has the answers.

Why Dogs Pee When Excited

Dribbling urine when the excitement ramps up is a surprisingly common dog behavior, but there are actually a few different reasons behind why it may be happening. Understanding the cause behind the problem is the best way to try and prevent yourself from mopping your floor everyday.

Dogs pee when excited because:

Whether your dog seems to lick every surface in sight or they simply provide a wet kiss on the hand when you walk in the door, dogs and licking just seem to go together. While some find this canine trait cute, others think it’s annoying or downright disgusting. Either way, it can be a hard habit for most pets to break and a confusing one for their owners. So why, exactly, do some dogs lick everything?

Was it Something I Ate?

Some dogs are attracted to the salt, lotion, or other products that we use on our skin. Those slobbery kisses to the face may be a sign of love (mother dogs lick their puppies quite often during the first few weeks of life) or it could be that you failed to wipe all the tomato soup off your mouth after lunch.

Being deficient in one or more key nutrients can also bring on a bout of licking, so be sure to feed your dog a high-quality commercial pet food. A nutritional analysis can be helpful in determining whether your pet is getting what they need for optimal health.

There’s a whole lot of excitement and nervous energy bouncing off the walls inside countless American homes. That’s right, the school year is about to begin. Along with all the intangible feelings associated with this huge shift, the hallways and closets are brimming with new shoes, supplies, and gear. Always the last one to know? The family pet. While they may not know exactly what’s coming down the pike, they are enormously sensitive to change. Together we can help keep pet anxiety from overtaking the balance of the household.

Prepping Your Pet

You have a lot to do if you have kids getting ready to start their new school year. However, neglecting to properly prepare your pet for an empty house, no company, and nothing to do can be a super rude awakening for them. How can you help your pet cope with the impending confusion and loneliness? Continue…

If you’re like most of the dog owners out there, you pay close attention to what goes into the food bowl and treat bag. Without a doubt, nutrition is at the cornerstone of your dog’s overall health. Feeding them the right things – at the right stage of development – is critical to day-to-day wellness. But, there are some things that dogs eat purely for the experience, and not because they need it nutritionally.

If you’ve ever wondered why dogs eat grass, we hope to uncover the mystery.

Continue…