Introducing Your Dog to Healthy Exercise

One of the best ways to keep your pet healthy is to keep them active with regular exercise. This can help them stay at a healthy weight, help their joints stay strong as they build up healthy muscle, as well as keeping them entertained and mentally stimulated. If you naturally have couch potato instincts, here are some great tips to help you and your dog stay active and healthy!

Start With A Walk

Walks are one of the best ways to exercise your dog. Dogs love to be able to safely roam the neighborhood with you, getting to smell all sorts of exciting smells and see and hear new things which helps stimulate their brains. Walks are also great in that they can be tailored to your dog’s current exercise needs. 

Some dogs may benefit from a simple walk around the block with lots of time to stop and sniff at new surroundings and make friends with other dogs (with approval from the other pet’s owner). You can also build up to longer walks at a more brisk pace. Keep in mind that just like humans, your dog will need some time to warm up and cool down. Don’t encourage them to push themselves too hard. Keep in mind that on hot days, you will need to make sure that the ground is cool enough for your dog to safely walk on. If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for their paws.

Running Buddies

First, it must be said that not all dogs make fantastic running partners. You won’t want to take your dog for a run if they haven’t been cleared by their vet saying that they’re in good health. Some dogs don’t thrive in certain climates, such as long haired dogs in warm climates or short furred dogs in colder conditions and you might have to make conditions. Furthermore, short nosed dogs such as pugs tend to have difficulty breathing when they exert themselves.

That said, if your dog is a good candidate to be your running buddy, there are some simple steps that can set up the two of you for success. You’ll want to bring plenty of water for the both of you. Don’t forget to bring a travel bowl with you so your pet can stay hydrated and refreshed. You will also want to have a good idea of your route before you head out, and keep in mind some place where you can stop and rest. 

Remember that your dog will be much more sensitive to high heat than you are. According to the American Medical Veterinary Association, “Have you ever run in a fur coat? Your dog is doing it every time they run, so if you're feeling warm, your dog is feeling much warmer. Most importantly, dogs don't have the same cooling mechanisms we do — a dog's primary method of cooling is panting, and it's not as efficient as sweating.” All of that said: as long as you keep your dog’s best interests in mind, they can potentially make great running bodies that won’t shame you for missing a workout (but will give you those puppy eyes letting you know that they want to go out and have fun with you).

Talk To Your Vet First

Just like with humans, if you are planning to make changes to your dog’s exercise routine, it’s a good idea to talk to their doctor before you get started. Call the Bregman Veterinary Group today to talk about your dog’s wellness and come up with a healthy exercise plan that is appropriate for your pet. Getting healthy with your pet can help you ensure a long, happy life for them and has the bonus side effect of getting you active yourself!

5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Warm in the Winter

Chances are, you’ve probably heard about health and safety concerns regarding pets and extreme heat; but as the temperature drops outside, it’s just as important to make sure that your pets are warm in the winter. Your pet may be happier, more comfortable, and healthier if you can make a few basic changes to your daily routine in the winter. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Not All Pets Have The Same Tolerances

It’s important to remember that cold weather safety is not one size fits all when it comes to taking your pets outside. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association: “Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather. Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground.” 

This means that just because one dog might be comfortable with spending lots of time outside in the winter, that doesn’t mean that all dogs will be comfortable on long walks. An individual animal’s needs will also change over the course of their life. Pets who develop arthritis or health conditions that impact their ability to maintain a consistent body temperature will need to spend less time outside. Clothing like sweaters and coats can be helpful, just make sure that they don’t end up overheating.

Make Changes At Home

Being ready for winter weather isn’t just a concern outside. You may also need to make changes around your home. Pay attention to parts of your home that tend to be cold, such as windows or doors that may let in a draft. While your cat may normally prefer to perch near a window so they can watch the birds and squirrels outside, you may want to move their cat tree or bed to a warmer location. You may also want to reconsider how much access your pet has to the outdoors in the winter and limit the time they spend enjoying your backyard!

Keep An Eye Out For Stray Pets

Often, outdoor or feral cats will seek out the shelter of a warm car’s engine to stay warm on cold nights. Before you start your car, make sure to alert a dozing cat to your presence by banging on the hood or loudly shutting the door so they can get away before things get dangerous! You will also want to look beneath your car to see if any animals are sleeping underneath. You can avoid these dangers for your pet by keeping them safely inside.

Take Care Of Their Paws

When you’re taking your dogs out for a walk, pay special attention to their paws. If it is particularly cold, pet paws might crack or bleed. If you’re in an area where there is ice or snow on the ground, it might get stuck between their toes and be very uncomfortable! You will also want to wipe down their feet (and their belly if it may have come in contact with the ground) after a walk as products like deicers and antifreeze are poisonous and can make your pet very sick if they lick their feet.

Consider A Winter Wellness Check

If you’re concerned about your pet’s health this winter, it’s a great idea to make an appointment with your vet. They can help you understand any potential health problems that may be aggravated by cold weather, such as arthritis, and help ensure that your pet is maintaining a healthy weight which will help them stay at a comfortable temperature. Contact the Bregman Veterinary Group today to make an appointment and get started on good health this winter!

4 More Tips to Manage Your Pet's Destructive Scratching

We love our cats, but we don’t always love how they treat our furniture! While a little bit of wear and tear is normal, cats can be very destructive when it comes to furniture, carpet, and curtains. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to discourage destructive scratching and understanding our cats’ behaviors can help owners make sure their pets are healthy and happy. 

We discussed some details related to destructive scratching in this post, and we will go into more detail about understanding why your cat’s scratch and stopping it here!

Scratching Is Necessary For Health

The first thing to understand is that cats have real reasons to scratch. Despite what the internet might try to tell you, your cat doesn’t exhibit destructive behaviors like scratching furniture or tearing up carpets to be a jerk. They exhibit behaviors like these due to issues like boredom and as a part of good hygiene. Scratching helps cats clear off the dirty, dull, and potentially jagged outer layers of their claws. Cats will also scratch as a way of marking their territory and even out of boredom. 

This all means that the best way to care for your cat while also caring for your furniture is to direct them toward more appropriate materials and refocus their energies while helping them keep their claws clean and healthy! Keep this in mind that scratching is a healthy, needed behavior for cats — you just need to refocus your cat’s attention to appropriate places to scratch!

Provide Lots of Scratching Posts!

One of the best ways to get your cat to stop clawing your furniture and carpets is to give them cat-friendly alternatives! When you are initially trying to introduce your cat to scratching posts and scratch friendly furniture, you will probably want to try out lots of different styles of scratching posts to determine what your cat likes best. Some cats will prefer different materials like carpet or cardboard. Your cats may also prefer different shapes, like something tall they can also use to stretch against or something on the ground that they can dig their claws into. This may take a little bit of experimentation, but once you figure out what your cat prefers, it’s a good idea to purchase several scratching posts and place them throughout your home. It’s a good idea to keep a scratching post near any furniture that your cat has already started to claw! 

Protect Your Furniture

If you are struggling with getting your cat to leave your furniture alone, it may be time to cover it or rearrange the room so they are less tempted. Putting plastic or even double sided tape on furniture can deter your cats your cats from using it, which will hopefully help you break them from their bad habits. If you still see them trying to claw the furniture, try redirecting their attention with a toy.

Make Sure Your Cat Isn’t Bored

Many people think that cats are completely self sufficient but this isn’t inherently true! Your cats need interaction and if you are noticing destructive behaviors, they might be bored or understimulated. One of the best things you can do is enjoy some quality time with your pet by playing with them. One of the great things about cat is that you don’t actually need things like expensive cat toys. You can have a blast with your feline friend just by playing with a crumpled up piece of newspaper or a simple wand toy. Make sure they have a wide variety of toys available when you can’t be home to play with them and you may see some behavior problems vanish!

Reach Out For Help!

If you are concerned about your cat’s destructive behaviors, it’s a great idea to reach out to your veterinarian to get more specific advice. Your veterinarian may also be able to help you maintain their claws so your cat isn’t so tempted to take care of the situation on their own. Contact the Bregman Veterinary Group today to make an appointment so your cat can get a checkup and you can discuss their behavior concerns. This is a great way to make sure your pet is happy and healthy and you will have peace of mind about your decor!

Why Do Our Pets Hide When They're Sick?

Sometimes it can be frustratingly difficult to tell when our pets are injured or sick, and it’s mostly due to their own habits. As much as we might wish for our pets to be able to tell us when something is wrong, many pets will instinctively hide if they are not feeling well. If you notice your pet hiding, it’s definitely a good idea to bring them into your vet so they can get checked out to see if anything is wrong! But why do animals do this?

Your Pets Might Hide To Protect Themselves

The instinct to hide is based on behaviors that were beneficial when the animals were living in the wild. Wild cats and wolves hide when they are sick or injured in an attempt to protect themselves. If other animals can see that they are unwell, they’re at a greater risk of being attacked when they can’t defend themselves. It can be beneficial for them to hide until they are feeling better. Fortunately, our pets no longer have to fend for themselves when they’re sick, especially once you know that hiding is a warning sign!

What To Do Once You Know They’re Sick?

The most important first step is to take your pet to the vet so they can be checked out and your vet can go over treatment options. Your pet might be feeling sick thanks to an illness that can easily be treated with antibiotics so you can get them feeling better fast! If the problem is more involved, the sooner that you can get them seen, the sooner they will feel better. 

Once your pet is back home and you are helping them recover, they may still be tempted to hide. According to the American Humane Society, you can make them more comfortable by confining them to a quiet, comfortable space where they can feel out of the way and hidden but you can still check on them. Keeping them somewhere out of the way can also make it easier for you to find them to give them any prescribed medication. If your pet has been put on a special diet, keeping them separated from the other animals in your home can help you make sure that they are only eating their prescribed food — and that other pets are not eating it!

Remember To Always Get Your Pet Checked Out

The biggest thing to remember when your pet is exhibiting any unusual behavior like hiding is to bring them to the vet so they can be checked out as soon as possible so they can be feeling better and comfortable as fast as possible. Keep in mind that hiding can be a sign that something very serious is wrong and this isn’t a time to put off a vet visit! If you have concerns or questions about your pet’s behavior, contact the Bregman Vet Group to make an appointment for your pet in addition to talk about the questions you might have.

Why Is Your Dog Barking And What Can You Do About It?

While some dogs are quieter than others, barking is a perfectly normal behavior in dogs. They might bark while they play or to greet you when you get home. Are you noticing excessive barking and aren’t sure why? Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and you may be able to figure out the cause as well as get the barking to stop.

They’re Telling You What They Need

Your dog might not be barking for no reason, there might be something that they need your help with that they’re trying to alert you to! This might be a reminder that they haven’t been fed dinner yet, if your schedule is off (although keep tabs to make sure they aren’t tricking you into giving them extra food!) or maybe their water bowl is empty. They might be asking for a trip outside so they can relieve themselves or maybe a favorite toy has been dropped somewhere that they can’t reach. Checking on your dog’s immediate needs is a great way to troubleshoot before you consider other concerns.

They Want Your Attention

You are the centerpiece of your dog’s world and sometimes they will bark to remind you that they need attention. If you think your dog might be barking just for attention, consider if they’re getting enough playtime. Bored dogs may bark to amuse themselves, according to the American Kennel Club. 

You can cut down on this sort of barking by making sure they’re tired out — a nice long walk to the dog park or a great game of fetch in the backyard might be exactly what they need. Just take care to make sure that you aren’t rewarding bad behavior; if your dog’s needs are being met, the best way to get them to stop barking is with consistent discipline.

Someone (or Another Dog) Is Nearby

There’s a reason that the term “watchdog” exists. Traditionally, dogs have been seen as a great pet that can help you keep your home safe by altering you to visitors — and potentially scaring off unwanted visitors with their bark! They also might bark if another animal (in particular, another dog) wanders onto your property, either in excitement or out of a desire to chase them away. 

This territorial behavior may be desirable if you are concerned about your family’s safety (or if you often don’t hear your doorbell), and it can be a good idea to teach your dog the “quiet” command. According to the Humane Society, this can be done so your dog’s barking will stop as soon as they hear the command which can help quiet your dog when visitors come over or whenever their barking is a nuisance. You can also try teaching them another behavior that will prevent them from barking, such as asking them to lay down in a specific spot or to bring you a toy so their mouth is occupied.

They Might Need Medical Help

As nice as it would be for your dog to be able to use words to let you know that they don’t feel their best, barking might be their main tool for communication and according to the ASPCA, they might use barking to let you know something isn’t right. If your dog is barking excessively, it’s a good idea to get them checked out by a vet so you can rule out any medical problems. Your veterinarian might also have additional resources and advice for you regarding your pet’s behavior.

If you’re interested in more information about your pet’s health and behavior, schedule an appointment today with Bregman Veterinary Group to keep your pet healthy and happy!

3 Major Reasons to Spay and Neuter Your Pets

When welcoming a new pet into a home, owners should make a point to bring their pet to the veterinarian for both a health checkup and to ensure that their new pet receives the appropriate vaccinations. You may have also been told to spay and neuter your animals so they don’t have kittens or puppies. But you may be feeling on the fence about spay and neuter. There are important reasons why your pet should be spayed or neutered. 

What Exactly Does It Mean To Get Your Pet “Fixed?”

It’s on the to do list of responsible pet owners when they adopt a pet: get them a check up, get their vaccinations, and get them “fixed”. What exactly does this mean? Typically when pet owners take their animals to the veterinarian to “get fixed,” male animals are neutered by having their testes removed. Female animals are spayed, meaning their ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes are removed. In both cases, this results in your pet being unable to reproduce. 

Some veterinarians may use other options, so if you have any questions about the procedure and what will work best for your pet’s health, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your vet so they can explain their recommendations to you. However, here are some compelling reasons to get your pet spayed or neutered: 

1) Health Benefits

There are serious health benefits for pets that are spayed and neutered. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, spaying female animals reduces the risk of breast cancer and uterine infections. Neutering male pets helps to prevent prostate problems and testicular cancer. Eliminating these potential health problems can add happy, healthy years to your pet’s life and give you some valuable peace of mind that you are taking steps toward your pet’s wellbeing.

2) Improved Behavior

Spaying or neutering your pet can cause big improvements in your pet’s behavior and can also prevent bad habits from forming. This works because once spayed or neutered, your pet will no longer produce the hormones that give them the drive to find a mate and reproduce. This typically means that pets are more docile and less likely to be aggressive toward animals that they may otherwise view as “competition.” They also will be less likely to try and physically mark their territory — behaviors like spraying are much less likely to develop. Female animals will not go into heat. 

Your pets will also be much less likely to wander away from home if they are spayed and neutered as they will not go out searching for a mate. This will save you a great deal of stress and will mean that they are much safer. It is also a popular belief that animals who are spayed and neutered form stronger bonds with their human owners, whether proven or not.

3) Reduced Number Of Unwanted Pets

Spaying and neutering your pets reduces the overall pet population. Every day, many homeless animals are euthanized in shelters because animal shelters are crowded and resources are sadly not always available. You can help shelters and homeless pets by not increasing the overall pet population. 

You might reason with yourself that you’ll definitely be able to find homes for your cat or dog’s entire litter; however, if everyone who took a kitten or puppy from you instead adopted a shelter pet, that would free up more space in the shelters. Male animals might also father kittens or puppies without you ever realizing it. If they mate with a stray pet, you might not know to help. 

If you have more questions about getting your pet spayed or neutered, want more information on the process, or want to figure out when the best time to get your pet in for the procedure, contact Bregman Vet Group today to schedule an appointment! Helping your pet can help the pet population overall!

Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe Through The Fall Season

Fall is a festive time in lots of homes. Families enjoy wonderful meals together, fun holidays are celebrated and everyone enjoys cooler weather. Have you ever considered how the change in seasons and our holiday parties might impact your pets? Here are some tips that can help you keep your pets safe and happy during the fall season!

Keep Pets Away From The Holiday Table

Most people celebrate Thanksgiving and other harvest themed holidays in the fall with an elaborate meal for their families and friends. While you might be tempted to include your furry family members in your holiday meal, it’s much safer for them if you leave them out of those particular festivities. Poultry bones are brittle and shatter. They aren’t safe to give to your dog to chew on.  Be careful to keep them away from your pets after you dispose of them. 

You may be tempted to make your pets their own plate of holiday food.  However, lots of foods that humans enjoy are harmful and even poisonous to animals.Turkey and turkey skin can cause pancreatitis in dogs according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Onions, raisins, and grapes are also poisonous to pets. If you do decide to give your pet a special treat for the holidays, stick to something specifically designed to meet your pet’s dietary needs like their favorite dog or cat food.

Along with an indulgent meal, many people like to decorate their homes as they welcome in friends and family, or may receive flowers or a new houseplant as a gift. Double check any plants you display in your home (or outside your home if your pets can get to them).  Many decorative plants are harmful to animals. Leaving out certain decorations can save you from a heartache and an emergency vet appointment.

Stay Safe Around Houseguests

While you may want your pet to be social when guests come over, it can often be better to keep them away. This is especially important if they are prone to anxiety and might bolt for a door that a guest mistakenly leaves open. It’s a good idea to double check their collar and identification tags before guests come over so if your pet does get out, it will be easier for someone to get in touch with you. 

Even if your pet does well around new people, not all people do well around pets. If a loved one has an allergy or you think your dog might play a little too rough for a small child, it can be a good idea to keep them securely in a room with a closed door. Generally, keeping them in a familiar bedroom with a favorite toy and a comfortable bed is a good way to keep them safe and content while company is over. Be sure to give them plenty of attention when guests have left in case they’ve missed you!

Stay Safe As Temperatures Drop

Even if you’re living in a warm area like Florida, pets’ needs change as the temperatures drop. While animals have thick fur and may be comfortable in temperatures a little lower than humans are, that doesn’t mean that they should be left out in the cold! If you are concerned about your pet in the weather, talk to your veterinarian about ways to keep your pet comfortably at an appropriate temperature while you take them out. 

In addition to keeping your own pets safe, keep an eye out for animals that live in your community. It is very common for stray cats to seek out the warmth a car’s motor can provide. Protect them by giving them a heads up before you start your car. Knocking on the hood and slamming your car door can give them (or any other critter!) a heads up to make their way out of the car before you start the engine and injure them. It is also wise to take a peek under the car and make sure that no one taking shelter underneath!

The Perfect Time For A Check Up

Fall is the perfect time to take your pet in for a checkup, especially if you will be traveling soon. It’s a great idea to bring any questions about how to keep your pet healthy and happy to your veterinarian, like what foods might make a perfect special occasion treat or if your favorite plant is safe to keep nearby. Bregman Vet Group is happy to answer your questions and help you take care of your pet all year long!