Posts in Category: Exercise Nutrition & Obesity

Experts agree that walking improves human health in many ways. Not only an excellent exercise for the body, walking is great for the brain, our mental health, and mood. If it’s this good for us, you can imagine how healthy walking is for pets, especially if they spend a majority of their day indoors. 

January is Walk Your Pet Month, and we’d like to take this special opportunity to remind and encourage pet owners to get out there.

How to Start and Maintain

Your pet is a creature of habit. They not only love being able to anticipate what’s coming next, but a dependence on their routine keeps them regular, stable, and happy. Walking your pet at least once a day is key to their well-being. The benefits of vigorous exercise are known, but perhaps even more important is the outlet for their mental health.

It’s Pet Diabetes Month, and what better time for Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital to take a minute and remind our pet loving readers how to be sure that they have a healthy pet? A good pet wellness plan can help to prevent pet diabetes as well as many other health issues.

As your dog ages, its dietary needs change. Dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages in their lives. So what food is best for your dog’s optimal health? The team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to help you figure it out.

We know that pudgy puppies and tubby tabbies look extra cute and cuddly, but the fact is, those extra LBs are impacting more than your pet’s dress size. A little extra weight can put your pet at an increased risk of serious health conditions. And while she might not seem self-conscious about those extra pounds, you can bet the added heft is affecting her energy levels and mobility. 

Owners new to dog ownership are often surprised when their pup has no respect for the leash. The chewing, resisting, barking, yanking, stopping, and jumping can turn the simple joy of walking together upside down. There could be various reasons they have trouble walking on leash, and none are their fault. We’ll help you get to the bottom of their questionable walking skills with our tried and true tips for successful leash training. 

Cats are incredibly intelligent, but beyond properly using their litter box, we do not expect a whole lot from them. Why is that? Is it because cats universally give off a vibe that they’re “above” being trained? They are undoubtedly capable of being trained, but perhaps it’s the way they’re approached that matters most. If you’ve ever wondered if you could (or should) leash train your cat, this could be the moment you’ve been waiting for.

Most dogs live to eat. A healthy interest in food is not a bad thing, however,  and a dog who likes to eat makes it easier to select a good food since they are less likely to have strong preferences. 

The diets of many dogs include both treats and kibble. While being treat-motivated can often make training a breeze, too much of a good thing can certainly exist. So what is a pet owner to do when a pet is just too treat motivated? Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital has your answers. 

Post-surgical care is important when it comes to proper healing and health. Healing can be a long process, and providing proper pain relief and nutrition can help tremendously.

While your pet patient is likely to have activity restrictions post procedure, Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital knows that post-op exercise has value. Encouraging safe pet activity after surgery can aid in recovery in a big way.

Knowing the Limits

Of course every pet and every surgical procedure are different. It is important to understand any post-surgical restrictions your pet has,  so that you can be sure exercise and activity is performed safely. 

After a surgery, your pet will be required to rest for a set period of time. In more complex surgeries, they may need to be crated to avoid movement. But eventually, your pet will need limited forms of exercise and activities to keep them healthy, encourage better recovery, and make them happy.

The team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital wants to give our pet owners some insight into how to safely exercise your pet after surgery. Movement is important to their healing and well-being, which is why understanding the right way to exercise and play post-surgery is so important.

Most of us know that peanuts and other nuts are something that we need to be careful with around our fellow humans, but what about dogs? Are things like peanut butter safe for your pet? What precautions should you take if giving your pet nut products? 

Dogs and nuts can make a great partnership, but at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital we want you to know how to pamper your pooch safely.

The Thing About Dogs and Nuts

Nuts can make a terrific and tasty treat for your pet. The majority of nuts are safe for pets and nut allergies are uncommon.

There are a few exceptions, however, such as macadamia nuts, which can result in vomiting, fever, tremors, high heart rates, and incoordination when consumed in large quantities. Less common nuts such as English walnuts, ginkgo nuts, and horse chestnuts should also be avoided.