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 [...]

Pain Unmasked: A Vet’s Guide to Finding and Easing Your Pet’s Discomfort As pet owners, one of the hardest things we face is knowing when our animal is in pain- especially when they can’t tell us what hurts. At Arcata Animal Hospital in Arcata, CA, we understand the emotional weight of watching your pet struggle [...]

As pet owners, we’ve all had those heart-stopping moments—your dog is suspiciously quiet, your cat is pawing at their mouth, or you walk into the room to find chewed-up toy remnants on the floor. If you suspect your pet has swallowed something they shouldn’t, you’re not alone. At Arcata Animal Hospital, we see cases like [...]

Watching your cat struggle with constant itching, hair loss, vomiting, or unexplained digestive issues can be both heartbreaking and bewildering. These symptoms often leave pet parents searching for answers—and one of the most overlooked culprits is food allergies. At Arcata Animal Hospital, we know how frustrating it can be when your cat isn’t feeling their [...]

Summertime in Arcata, CA means more adventures, longer days, and plenty of chances to enjoy the great outdoors with your pet. But as temperatures rise, so do the risks. Dogs and cats don’t cool themselves as efficiently as humans, and that makes them vulnerable to overheating—even when it doesn’t feel that hot to us. At [...]

Carrying a few extra pounds might seem harmless, even cute—but for pets, those added pounds can lead to a shorter, less comfortable life. Pet obesity is a growing concern in veterinary medicine, increasing the risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. At Arcata Animal Hospital, we believe in helping your pets live longer, [...]

Emergencies happen fast—and when it comes to your pet’s health, every second counts. Whether it’s a sudden injury, choking incident, or unexplained illness, knowing how to act in those critical moments can make all the difference. At Arcata Animal Hospital, we believe that empowering pet owners with basic emergency knowledge is one of the most [...]

Here in Arcata, CA, we’re lucky to have a more temperate climate than many parts of the country—but that doesn’t mean pets are immune to heat-related risks. As summer temperatures rise—even just slightly above average—your pet’s ability to stay cool can be compromised rapidly. At Arcata Animal Hospital, we want to make sure your dog [...]