Itchy skin is one of the most common presenting symptoms at our animal hospitals around the county.

Having treated many hundreds of these dogs over the years, weve developed an 8 week plan for you and your pet, that has had a very good success rate in managing even chronic cases of itchy skin.

Why Is My Dog or Cat Itching?

Most dogs and cats itch for one (or more!) of these six reasons:

OK, I get it, feeding your dog your leftovers is fun. Makes them feel more like family, right? You know, nine times out of ten, I'm cool with that, as long as you're not overfeeding anybody, or feeding more people food than dog food.

And I don't want to hear "he's got kibble available all the time, but he oddly seems to prefer my eggs and bacon over his kibble", because as we all know, that which we prefer is not necessarily that which is best for us.

As one of the hottest months of the year, July is a time when you need to stay hydrated. The media blasts messages at this time of year reminding us to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Unfortunately, there is not as much information on how important proper hydration is for optimal health in cat and dog nutrition.

With all the talk of pet food recalls in the last few years, pet parents ask us what we recommend for “treating” their cat or dog. We love our canine and cat companions and want to make them happy, and as we all know, the way to just about every cat and dog’s heart is through their stomachs! But you also likely know that pet obesity is at epidemic proportions, so we don’t want to turn a beautiful act into something that could harm our fur friends.

Every year on November 1, pet owners grab their aprons and get to work in the kitchen making a special home-cooked meal for their family pets. On National Cook for Your Pets Day, four-legged family members are treated to the “human food” they so often smell at dinner time but rarely have the luxury of eating.

Myths follow us through life, from the idea that lightning won’t strike twice in the same place to the infamous penny thrown off the Empire State Building being lethal for an unsuspecting pedestrian below. Our dogs are no exception, being the subject of many myths themselves. As veterinarians, we want to correct as many misconceptions as possible so owners can steer clear of falsehoods and let their dogs live their best lives. Following are some of the most common we hear, and the truth behind them.

Life has definitely changed in the past several weeks. We hear daily of more and more stores, restaurants, beaches, and parks being closed, along with a ton of event cancellations. "Social distancing" has become part of our everyday vernacular. In most states, we are allowed only to go out for essentials, to get gas, to walk our dogs, and to get exercise. We're generally allowed to walk outside freely (with the very strong recommendation that we endeavor to keep a distance of at least 6 feet from another person).