There are so many places to get a pet – from finding one, to getting one from the shelter, to ordering one over the internet. Owners should be aware of the possible pitfalls of getting a pet from the wrong source so that they can make an informed decision when looking for a companion.

There are many cats and dogs roaming the streets. As a kid, we got all four dogs and two cats from friends or as neighborhood strays. If you find an animal and want to keep him, first take him to a veterinarian to check for a microchip to be sure he doesn’t already have an owner! Then you can have him vaccinated, checked for any problems, and neutered.

Shelters are good places to find pets. There are so many homeless animals that are in need of love. Be sure to have your new rescue checked by a veterinarian and spayed or neutered as soon as you can. You want to make sure there aren’t any health problems that need tending to or any litters that will need homes. And you can give yourself a pat on the back for saving your pet from an unknown future. Some pet stores even have partnerships with local shelters to adopt out rescues.

Responsible breeders are hard to find. If you are looking for a purebred dog or cat and can’t find one at a shelter (they are often found there!), you should do your research. If a breeder won’t let you visit the facility, that should put up a big red flag. The pets’ living conditions shouldn’t be something they’re embarrassed to show to potential clients. They should also be eager to meet you to be sure that their puppy is going to a loving home.

Puppy mills are an all-too-common source for dogs. These breeders keep mother dogs in cramped cages and unsanitary conditions. The puppies suffer from a wide range of problems due to overbreeding, including heart disease, eye problems, respiratory disorders, parvo, kennel cough, intestinal parasites, and many others. Online companies who sell puppies are often these types of operations. Some of their dogs may look fine at first, but can develop serious health problems down the road. Make sure that if you are purchasing a puppy you find a responsible breeder, or you may end up with nothing but heartache. Some pet stores also get their puppies from mills, so be sure they are rescues if you get one from a shop. There is usually a fee to cover the cost of veterinary care and spay or neuter, but it is worth it not to pay a premium price for a dog that will suffer from the breeder’s poor practices.

You want a dog or cat that will be healthy and happy. Keep her updated on her doctor exams and vaccinate her against illness. If you can be sure where your new best friend comes from, that can give you insight into what you can expect later in life. And if you can, adopt!

Paying several hundred dollars for our pet’s yearly vet visit can really hurt our budgets. Briarcliff Animal Clinic now has a plan that will let you space out paying for wellness exams! It makes keeping your dog or cat updated more manageable.

For $55 per month, our Comprehensive Wellness Plan covers unlimited doctor’s exams, required yearly vaccines, fecal tests, deworming treatments, wellness bloodwork, microchip placement, and your choice of a spay/neuter or a dental cleaning. For cats, the plan will also include a blood pressure check and testing for Feline Leukemia and FIV, and for dogs it will cover the heartworm test. Geriatric pets can substitute the dental cleaning or spay/neuter for your choice of either thyroid testing, chest or hip x-rays, or more extensive labwork for seniors.

If this sounds like something that will work for your family, please give us a call or stop in! More information can also be found here. We have handouts with the details and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Don’t skip your best friend’s checkup again! Your pet and your budget will both be much more comfortable.

*Please note that other procedures are not covered. Your veterinarian will be happy to discuss specific treatments with you.

Not only is February National Pet Dental Health month, it’s also Responsible Pet Owner month! How can you be a responsible guardian of your four-legged friend, and spread awareness for others to do the same? We’ve got some tips for you.

The epitome of pet responsibility is having your pets spayed or neutered. Dogs and cats who are not fixed run a much higher risk of roaming – even if they are indoor pets, they may try to get out and find a mate. If unaccustomed to the dangers of being outside unsupervised, they could easily get hit by a car, lost, or attacked by any number of creatures (have you heard about all of the coyotes in Atlanta lately?). Intact animals also are much more likely to get cancers of their reproductive organs. Breast, ovarian/uterine and prostate cancer can and do happen to companion animals, but neutering drastically reduces the risk. Pyometra is a painful infection of the uterus that intact female dogs and cats can develop. Even after expensive treatment, recovery is not 100% guaranteed. Avoiding these medical afflictions is much easier with an altered pet.

Preventive healthcare is another way to fulfill your obligation to your pets. Visiting your veterinarian before a problem manifests itself is critical. The earlier signs of underlying disease are caught, the more successful treatment may be. Keeping your pet’s diet, activity level and weight in check contribute to his overall well-being and quality of life, and his vet can make sure he is on track. Vets are trained to spot little things, and the examination equipment and lab tests are used to find symptoms unseen by the naked eye.

Cleaning up after your dog when you take him for a walk is also very important. Dog feces that is left outside gets into our waterways, contaminating it. It’s also against the law to leave out poo, and your neighbors will not be happy with you. Stepping in a doggie mine can ruin an otherwise perfectly good day!

Even if your pet doesn’t go outside, she should have identification. Rabies and name tags should be on her collar. In the event that she gets lost, a microchip is even more useful. If her collar comes off for any reason, she can still be identified by a vet clinic or shelter. However if you don’t keep your contact information updated they won’t be able to reach you, even if they have the microchip number.

Grooming is important too. Many people think cats don’t need any grooming, but they do. Regular brushing can cut down on hairballs and prevent tangles, especially on long-haired felines. Even though they clean themselves cats can develop skin problems and may need more care for that. Dogs need to be bathed regularly. Their nails may also need to be clipped, depending on how long they tend to grow. Walking on concrete can help wear them down a bit, if done regularly. Some pets need to have their anal glands expressed if they are unable to do it themselves, or they can develop problems. Overweight pets tend to need help with this more than svelte ones.

Lastly, make sure you get your pet some exercise! We all know that it’s important for our health, and the same goes for our furry friends. They get bored and sluggish if they don’t have any activities to keep them busy and moving. The pet obesity problem is growing, and the only way to prevent it invading our homes is to keep our cats and dogs fit.

What do you do as a responsible owner? How do you demonstrate responsible pet ownership to your friends, family, and neighbors?

When celebrating Valentine’s Day, we are commemorating the death of one of several early Christian martyrs. The bloody history was associated with romance in the 14th century, around 1500 years after they were killed. Cherubs, hearts and chocolates have supplanted the men who were persecuted for their beliefs. It has become a day to recognize and celebrate love which is a better way to spend the day, in my opinion. But how to include our pet loves in the festivities?

There are lots of heart-themed dog treats and cat toys for sale this time of year. You can add a personal touch by making your own. Dr. V at Pawcurious has several dog treat recipes that look fantastic: the puppy cuppy and the Bronut are my favorite. For your feline Valentine, you can make some toys to enjoy. These two look very simple, and should take no time at all! Mine love the catnip socks. Going for a long walk or getting some extra cuddle time are other good ways to show your best friends how much you love them on this special day, and all through the year.

There are also hazards to keep an eye out for. Chocolate and other sweets, especially those containing xylitol, can make your pet extremely sick and in some cases it can be fatal. Please keep these human-only treats out of their reach. That goes for cocktails too – a definite pet no-no. A candlelit dinner is romantic, but be sure your pet can’t get near the candles. It could burn him, or even start a fire if he knocks one over. If you’re giving someone a wrapped gift, be sure to keep the wrapping away from your dog or cat. The crinkly paper and trailing ribbon can be enticing for them to play with or munch on, but it can result in an intestinal blockage.

Flowers can also be a problem. We have a no-bouquet rule in our house. It’s sweet when my husband wants to send me flowers and I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t like cleaning up the flowery cat puke that we end up with all over the house. Many flowers are also poisonous to pets, especially lilies, so be careful to only include non-toxic blooms when sending a floral arrangement.

One last thing to keep in mind: pets as gifts. Many shelters around the country have reported the usual spike in post-Christmas pet returns. Please don’t get a pet as a gift unless you’re sure that the recipient is ready for a lifelong commitment. (To the pet, Romeo.)

With all that said, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, and spread the love to everyone on two legs and four!