Compassionate Care & Veterinary Excellence in Charlotte NC

Before diving in and accepting responsibility for another living being, it is a good idea to have some concept of the cost involved. While we may be a little biased, Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care feels like our four-legged family members are well worth their expense. To be clear, though, what is the cost of pet ownership and how can you be prepared to provide financially for your pet?

Kittens are pretty cute, and that might be for good reason. If you have ever experienced the wild behaviors of a pint-sized predator, you probably realize that the cute may just be a survival instinct. 

Having a kitten doesn’t mean that you need to tolerate kitten biting, scratching, or other random kitten attacks. Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care has some kitten training tips for you to help tame the tiny terror. 

Whether you’ve just welcomed a new puppy or you’re caring for an aging dog or one with special needs, preventing indoor accidents is a relevant concern. Are diapers right for your dog’s situation? 

Our experts at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care have weighed-in on common questions and considerations regarding doggie diapers.

Protecting your pet from parasites is an important part of responsible pet ownership, and Animal Medical Hospital & 24-Hour Urgent Care is pleased to be able to recommend products to our clients that are safe and very effective. Revolution Plus for cats is a newer option in the pet parasite preventive arena, but a great option for many of our feline patients. 

Small dog breeds have a lot going for them. Beyond their extreme cute factor, small dogs enjoy smaller spaces, shorter walks, and less food (and other gear) than their larger relatives. What’s more, small dog breeds pack a lot of personality onto those little paws! While they can definitely be loving and easy-going, small dogs have a reputation for being little terrors. What’s behind small dog aggression, and what can be done to prevent behavioral problems?

Those of us who have male dogs in our homes are often familiar with the infamous red rocket. Normally your dog’s penis is neatly hidden inside his prepuce and only makes an appearance when it is needed. Sometimes, though, a dog’s penis can become stuck out for an abnormally long time. This can become a pet emergency, and Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care wants our pet owners to know how to recognize paraphimosis in dogs and when it is a cause for worry. 

What animal lover hasn’t been mesmerized by YouTube or Insta videos of cats and dogs enjoying each other’s company? It’s the “aww” factor we’d all love to invoke if our household is home to both species. But are those who’ve found social media fame just the lucky few, or is this a balance that anyone with a few helpful pointers can strike?

Cat’s claws help them catch prey, climb, and balance. They also help your cat defend himself against enemy combatants—sometimes real, such as dogs, cats, and other animals—sometimes imagined when your cat is being playful.

When nails are too long, they may curl and cut into your pet’s pads, elevating the risk for infection. Long nails can snag on carpet and fabrics and may tear the nail when your pet tries to free himself. Your cat’s ability to retract its claws can be affected too. Luckily, the team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to help cat owners understand when their feline family member’s nails may be too long, and how to help. 

Images of kittens lapping milk from a saucer are just as ubiquitous and inaccurate as pictures of cats playing with balls of yarn. For some reason, these illustrations of feline predilections have persisted into this modern era, but both milk-drinking and yarn-playing should be viewed as the relics they are. We know that cats shouldn’t play with yarn because of the risk of swallowing it. Equally important is the understanding that when cats drink milk, they are likely to face the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Some dogs tolerate the experience of being bathed and groomed at home, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they get the best result. Without a doubt, it takes a good amount of owner time and energy to personally tackle dog grooming, and then there’s the mess to clean up. Our professional dog groomers know exactly what they’re doing, have all the necessary tools, and complete the job in a timely (and tidy) manner. If time is money, dog grooming is definitely worth the cost.