Meet Tillie, Our February Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Tillie, our February Pet Of The Month!

Tillie is a rescued terrier mix who is probably about ten years old. Her eyesight isn't the greatest, but her Mom and Dad love her so much - it just gives them one more reason to watch over her. She loves coming to stay with her friends in our doggie hotel when her parents go out of town. (It's not really a kennel when you take turns being cuddled by everyone. And it's our favorite part of the job!)

Congratulations, Tillie, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

What Happened To My Perfect Puppy?

It’s no secret that raising a puppy requires a great deal of patience. Chewing, crying, destructiveness, demands for attention, and potty-training mishaps are all just par for the course. But the difficult phase only lasts a few months, right? Wrong. Once your new edition is finished being a puppy, he enters a new, and often far more maddening phase of development: adolescence. Starting anywhere between nine and twelve months of age, that sweet little puppy will become - gasp! - a teenager.

Like human teenagers, adolescent dogs may test the resolve of their superiors. They often revert to the types of behaviors we thought they had long outgrown. Like the rebellious, back-talking teen-aged child, adolescent puppies often leave us scratching our heads, wondering where we went wrong. Obnoxious puppy behaviors such as play biting and jumping on guests may return with a vengeance. This is when behaviors such as growling, food guarding, and blatant disobedience of commands tend to appear seemingly out of nowhere. It is also when dogs are most commonly surrendered to shelters. 

Unaware of the existence of this challenging phase, many people assume they have either failed as dog owners, or are stuck with a “bad dog.” These scenarios are rarely the case. The solution to the Terrible Teens is a combination of consistency, patience, and preparation. Do your research on canine adolescence as soon as you bring your puppy home. As with most other situations, you’ll be happy to have a plan in place when you need one.

Meet Shnipit, Our January Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Shnipit, our January Pet of the Month!

Ms. Shnipit Rose is a four-year-old tuxedo kitty who loves to be spoiled - and deserves every second of it! When she's not posing for glamour shots, you'll find Shnipit ruling the roost and keeping her canine siblings in charge. They don't mind - who would defy such cuteness?

Congratulations, Shnipit and share with all your friends - you're our Pet of the Month!

Pocket Pets Aren't Stocking Stuffers

By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Whenever the holiday shopping season starts, big box pet retailers begin their annual push for small animals and so called "starter kits". These marketing campaigns are generally aimed at parents looking for low maintenance ways to give young children their first experiences as pet owners. Lured by low prices, clever bundling, and promises of minimal care, many parents are fooled into believing that caring for pets such as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs comes easily to children who may have no experience - or interest - in doing so.

While they are often dubbed "pocket pets" reality is that many small animals are sold as babies. Once mature, these pets outgrow the desire to be cuddled and carried around. At this point, they are likely to scratch and bite children who reach for them. Their cages must be cleaned daily, and many require fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to formulated diets. While such demands are not unreasonable, the hectic holiday season may not be the best time to introduce the new routines associated with small animal care. If you feel your children are ready for the responsibility of a pocket pet, do your research, and consider adopting one of the many cast-offs who will be available for adoption when the Christmas holiday ends.

Meet Milo, Our December Pet Of The Month

World, meet Milo, our December Pet Of The Month!

Milo is a three year old Maltese mix who came into his family's life at exactly the right time. When he isn't clowning for the camera, you might find Milo hanging by pool, waiting for the chance to photo bomb his feline housemate. Needless to say, his life is not exactly stressful.

Congratulations Milo, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Meet Oscar, Our November Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Oscar, our November Pet Of The Month!

This fabulous feline is three years old, and loves to clown around for the camera. He even hams it up during his vet visits. When he's not providing gems for his very own Instagram account, you'll find Oscar snuggling with his mom, or taking a much-needed catnap. Because being a social media star can be exhausting!

Congratulations, Oscar and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Should I Declaw My Cat?

By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Earlier this year, New York became the first state to ban the declawing of cats. This came as a surprise to many pet parents who remember a time when the procedure was fairly routine. In recent years, however, veterinarians have begun to question declawing, and many clinics, including mine, no longer declaw cats.

During the declaw procedure, the last bone of each toe is removed. This alters the cat's natural footfall, which can result in both orthopedic and soft tissue pain. More and more practitioners have begun to suspect such pain may contribute to common problems such as lameness, obesity, litter box aversion and aggression.  If you are considering declawing your cat or kitten, ask your veterinarian about alternatives. Since Florida may follow New York's lead in 2020, the time to do your research is now.