Animal Medical Hospital’s Blog

When it comes to kids and pets, the two seem to be inseparable. Growing up with a furry friend is something many of us cherish from our childhoods, and it’s wonderful to see our kids have the same experience. But there are some things to consider when the two mix, and that is safety.

The team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care help you examine safety recommendations between kids and pets. These simple steps can keep the entire family safe and create a stronger bond between your child and their very best friend. 

When you are grieving the loss of a pet, the holidays can seem like a cruel time. You may not be ready to celebrate, feel thankful, or even get together with others. Depending on what stage of the grieving process you are in, this time of year can be hard to navigate. 

The team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24-Hour Urgent Care Center  understand these feelings and would like to give you some gentle suggestions on how to support your feelings during the upcoming season.

It’s that time of year again: costume shops have opened, enormous bags of candy take up entire aisles at the grocery store, the smell of pumpkin spiced everything fills the air, and images of black cats (back arched and probably silhouetted against a full moon) are everywhere. 

Black cat legends abound, and can be fun to learn about during this spooky time of year. Sadly, Halloween can be a scary time for black cats (and other pets), and we urge all animal lovers to stay on top of safety when it comes to their pets, regardless of the color of their fur.

As much as we love our dogs, there are things they do that make us cringe. Raiding the bathroom trash can, rolling in dead animals, and licking their own backsides comes to mind. But nothing beats dogs who eat poop.

If you’ve been sitting calming on the couch, minding your own business, and been the recipient of a “litter box kiss” from your dog, just know you’re not alone. The somewhat common behavior of eating out of the litter box is one that – although high on the ick factor list – is not usually something to worry about. 

Keep reading as Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care breaks down the facts about dogs who eat poop.

We may love our pets, but we don’t always love cleaning up after them. Sadly, there is no poop-fairy; so cleaning up pet messes is a crucial part of responsible dog ownership. Scooping the poop not only makes us a good neighbor, it protects the environment and minimizes the spread of disease. 

Follow along as Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care shows you how to take care of business.

If you have a talkative dog, you may have found yourself wondering (or yelling), “What the heck is all that barking about?” Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care knows that all that yapping can be a little annoying at times, but dog barking is actually a very important part of being canine.

The Purpose of Dog Barking

A dog barking is just as natural as a human talking. Dog barking is one way that our canid friends communicate with us and each other. Different barks and sounds mean different things. 

If your dog is barking a lot, chances are they are trying to communicate one of the following:

As more and more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use, North Carolina seems set to join them. Bills that would legalize medical marijuana and small amounts for personal use are making their way through the House and Senate, meaning that residents may soon have easier access to the substance. 

The legalization of marijuana has some pet owners wondering about its potential benefits for their pets – but the truth is that pot and pets is not a good mix.

Veterinarians across the country have seen an increase in cases of marijuana toxicity in pets. Understanding the dangers associated with pot and pets is critical when it comes to protecting your furry loved ones.

As dog owners, we’re familiar with our best pal’s likes, dislikes, habits, routines, and, of course, their smell. Dog odors can range from pleasant (puppy breath) to downright disgusting (a roll in fresh manure). One smell that isn’t necessarily bad but is certainly perplexing is paw odor. Many dog owners recognize the scent as smelling like Fritos, popcorn, or freshly baked bread.

If you’re wondering why your dog’s paws smell like Fritos, we can help! At Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care, we regularly delve into topics like pet grooming, shedding, and dental care. This time, let’s turn our attention to your pet’s adorable yet strangely odiferous paws!

Throughout history, humans have created myths and stories related to events or phenomena we don’t understand. Myths encompass almost every topic imaginable and range from believable to truly bizarre. Dogs have been sharing life with humans for roughly 14,000 years, so it makes sense that we’ve dreamed up plenty of stories about these lovable companions.

Just because it’s 2019 doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of dog breed myths out there to distract and confuse well-meaning pet owners. Let’s take a look at some of the most common misconceptions about dog breeds.

Children have the capacity to feel things very deeply. When they’re joyful, it’s as if there’s a bottomless well of goodness. When they’re scared, their fear can be all-consuming. But when they’re heart-broken over the death of a pet, it can feel like the end of the world.

Without a doubt, kids form very strong attachments to family pets, and this is often their first experience with death. Understandably, they’ll require lots of help dealing with pet loss and moving through the stages of grief.