Do Pets Really Need Supplements? A Veterinarian's Evidence-Based Guide Walk down the supplement aisle at any pet store and you'll find hundreds of options promising healthier joints, better digestion, shinier coats, and calmer behavior. Some of these products genuinely help. Others? Mostly marketing. And quality varies more than you might expect, with issues like contamination, [...]

Post-Op Care for Pets: Monitoring Recovery and Spotting Complications Surgical success depends as much on home recovery as operating room precision. Incisions that heal perfectly in calm, restricted environments can break down when dogs jump off furniture or cats lick sutures. Pain that's well-controlled with medication becomes suffering when doses are skipped. Infections can develop [...]

Is Your Pet at a Healthy Weight? Understanding Body Condition Scoring Do you ever look at your pet and wonder if they are carrying a little extra around the middle? Maybe you are meticulous about their diet, yet the number on the scale still worries you. It is a common concern for pet owners who [...]

When Cats Throw Up: Knowing What’s Normal and What’s Not Every cat owner has been there: You hear that distinct sound, and a moment later, you’re cleaning up a mess on your rug. Is it just a hairball, or should you be worried? While every cat occasionally coughs up a hairball, frequent or repeated vomiting [...]

Decorate Safely: Holiday Tips to Protect Pets From Hidden Dangers Beautiful holiday décor can pose unseen risks for pets. Tinsel, lights, and toxic plants like poinsettias and lilies can all cause harm. With a few safety precautions, you can enjoy the sparkle of the season while keeping your pets safe and stress-free. At Arcata Animal [...]

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Easing the Fear of Being Alone Dogs that bark, chew, or pace when left alone aren't being naughty- they're anxious. Separation anxiety stems from fear and attachment, but with structure, training, and sometimes medication, most dogs learn to relax when home alone. At Arcata Animal Hospital, we understand that watching your [...]

Diabetes in Pets: Recognizing Early Symptoms and Treatment Options Your dog is draining bowl after bowl of water, or your cat is eating constantly but still losing weight. Should you worry? These may seem like minor changes, but they can signal something serious: diabetes. At Arcata Animal Hospital, we help families recognize the early signs [...]

Winter Safety for Pets: Cold Weather Care Tips Cold mornings and chilly evenings bring new risks for pets. Dogs can suffer from cracked paw pads on icy sidewalks, while cats sometimes seek warmth under car hoods. Even thick-coated breeds can get hypothermia if left outside too long. Owners often ask: how cold is too cold, [...]

Why Crate Rest and the Cone Matter After Surgery: A Guide for Pet Owners Arcata Veterinary Hospital | Arcata, CA We understand: the cone and crate rest are not exactly anyone’s favorite part of recovery. Most pets resist them, and many owners feel guilty enforcing the rules. But after surgery or injury, these tools [...]

Is Your Dog Anxious? Triggers, Signs, and How to Help A chewed baseboard. Restless pacing through the night. A dog that barks endlessly when left alone. These behaviors are often mistaken for stubbornness or “bad habits,” but they are frequently signs of anxiety. Just like people, dogs can feel overwhelmed, and when they do, it [...]