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 [...]

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 [...]