Signs Your Pet is in Pain (And What to Do About it)

Signs Your Pet is in Pain (And What to Do About it)

 

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month. If you’re the parent to a fur baby, you know that your pets feel pain just like you and I do. According to the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) “the proclamation of the month is in keeping with IVAPM’s commitment to encouraging pain management for all animal species through education and advocacy.” Here are some signs your pet may be in pain and what you can do to help them!

 

  • Heavy Breathing – It is absolutely normal for your dog to pant or breathe heavily after exertion. However, continued heavy panting is a sign of respiratory distress and should be monitored.

 

  • Vocalizations (growling, whining, whimpering, hissing, crying) – You mean you don’t speak cat? Vocalizations are the ways your pet communicates their needs, wants, and fears. More often than not, whining, crying, and hissing are signs something is wrong.

 

  • Excessive Grooming, usually localized – Regular grooming is required for your furry loved one but when your pet is excessively grooming themselves, it can be a sign of a stress-related disorder like OCD.

 

  • Sudden, Unexplained Aggression – Sudden aggression is a common cause of pain in pet’s, especially dogs. Consider it their way of protecting themselves.

 

  • Difficulty Getting Around – Old age is not a disease. If you see your pet limping or moving slower than usual, it could mean that something hurts when they move. Don’t dismiss it as they’re just getting older.

 

Take some time this month and monitor your pets behaviors, watching if they’re displaying any of these signs of pain. If your pet is frequently showing any of these signs of distress, don’t make assumptions. Most importantly, if they are, be sure to advocate on their behalf and take them to your local vet. See our August blog if you need local recommendations.

 

From Clarksburg to Chevy Chase, we have your tail covered!

Award-winning dog walking, daycare, pet sitting, overnight boarding, in-home care, home cleaning, and overnight house sitting serving Bethesda, Clarksburg, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Ijamsville, Potomac, Rockville, Urbana, and beyond!
We are accepting bookings through the end of the year so please schedule your care to have your pet and home care needs reserved.
Our cancelation policy is 12-48hrs based on the service you need, so no need to worry if you need to change your plans. We are even waiving that policy as needed. It’s better to book your care and change it later, rather than booking us last minute. We are here for you when you need us and want to plan for your summer, fall, and winter needs.

You can reach us on the phone at (301) PET-CARE or (301)-738-2273or click the button below!

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The BEST Veterinarians in Maryland

The BEST Veterinarians in Maryland

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! Taking your pet to regular check-ups can be a lot of fun if you have the right vet. Here are the local vets we’ve come to know and trust most from Clarksburg to Chevy Chase.

  • Seven Locks Animal Hospital have been serving pets in the Potomac community for over 30 years. Their clients boast that they’re the best vets in Maryland! Dr. Popa takes a special interest in your pets, big or small, and ensures your questions are answered and concerns addressed. He even volunteers his time and resources to support programs that train guide dogs for the blind.

 

  • Clarksburg has many 5 star rated veterinary practices but none quite like Clarksburg Animal Hospital. Known for longer appointments – up to 30 minutes! – their goal is to get to know you and educate you about your pet’s needs. It’s easy to make an appointment and their office is efficient. Their client’s boast that the customer service and pet care they receive are nothing short of PERFECT! If you’re looking for customized care for your furry loved one, check them out. https://www.clarksburganimalhospital.com/

 

  • Pet parents will travel from Germantown to Frederick for their beloved pets to visit Kingsbrook Animal Hospital. While they care for dogs and cats, they are known to have rabbit savvy vets as well! Providing care for exotic pets like hedgehogs, ferrets, and reptiles is very important at Kingsbrook. Their staff is patient, kind, compassionate and overall amazing. They are a staple in the community often donating time and resources to local shelters and rescue groups. https://kingsbrookvet.com/

 

  • Known for handling 80lb dogs with precision, there’s no better place to take your fur baby than Flower Valley Veterinary Clinic. When you visit them, it feels like home. So much so, that many of their clients have called the clinic home for over 20 years. You can be sure your pet will receive the very best care at each and every visit. If you’re still unsure, you can schedule a special tour of the facility to ensure it fits the needs of you and your fur baby. https://flowervalleyvet.com/

Was your favorite vet or clinic listed? We’d love to hear about your experiences. If not, comment below and let us know where your pet gets medical care. Don’t wait for an emergency before locating your local vet, clinic, or hospital.

 

From Clarksburg to Chevy Chase, we have your tail covered!

Award-winning dog walking, daycare, pet sitting, overnight boarding, in-home care, home cleaning, and overnight house sitting serving Bethesda, Clarksburg, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Ijamsville, Potomac, Rockville, Urbana, and beyond!
We are accepting bookings through the end of the year so please schedule your care to have your pet and home care needs reserved.
Our cancelation policy is 12-48hrs based on the service you need, so no need to worry if you need to change your plans. We are even waiving that policy as needed. It’s better to book your care and change it later, rather than booking us last minute. We are here for you when you need us and want to plan for your summer, fall, and winter needs.

You can reach us on the phone at (301) PET-CARE or (301)-738-2273or click the button below!

[button link=”#https://petandhomecare.com/contact-us/” color=”green” newwindow=”yes”] Book Care![/button]

 

Top 5 Ways for Maryland Pet Parents To Beat the Heat

Top 5 Ways for Maryland Pet Parents To Beat the Heat

For many, the heat during the summer can be unbearable. Depending on where you live it may be difficult to avoid the humidity and summer storms causing power outages. Pets and people both need to cool off during the summer month. You can do so much more than just sit in the air conditioning. Here are some fun activities that you can try with your pet!

Do you have a dog? Try these cool (pun intended) activities with your fur baby

  • Kiddie Pools: They will enjoy it for the same reasons your human kids do!
  • Frozen Dog Toys: Freeze their favorite toy and help them have fun and stay cool!
  • Watermelon & Pupsicles: Can you say yum?! Be sure to remove the seeds and avoid the rind.

 

Don’t worry, cats can enjoy cool fun activities too! Try these with your cuddly cat.

  • Cat Fountain: Cats need adequate hydration and a fountain can help encourage them. Look for ones that provide a steady flow of clean filtered water all day long.
  • Frozen Cat Treats: Freeze some cat treats in an ice cube; frozen tuna snacks, frozen cat food, and even plain ice!

 

Fun is not limited to your four legged pets.

  • Frozen Water Bottle for Rabbits: Take a regular plastic water bottle and throw it in the freezer. It will keep the area your rabbit is in, nice and cool.
  • Kiddie Pools for Mini Pigs: This will be just the right size for your pig to enjoy a swim.
  • Cool Water for Reptiles & Amphibians: If you’re using tap or well water, don’t forget to treat the water first for your reptiles and amphibians.

 

There’s no excuse to be stuck inside during the summer. Here are the essentials; water, shade, and something fun to do is all your pet needs to enjoy the sun. There’s nothing you can do about a power outage but keep these things handy and you’ll be prepared for the worst of the heat. In the meantime, grab something to keep you and your pet cool and head outside to enjoy the sun!

 

From Clarksburg to Chevy Chase, we have your tail covered!

Award-winning dog walking, daycare, pet sitting, overnight boarding, in-home care, home cleaning, and overnight house sitting serving Bethesda, Clarksburg, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Ijamsville, Potomac, Rockville, Urbana, and beyond!
We are accepting bookings through the end of the year so please schedule your care to have your pet and home care needs reserved.
Our cancelation policy is 12-48hrs based on the service you need, so no need to worry if you need to change your plans. We are even waiving that policy as needed. It’s better to book your care and change it later, rather than booking us last minute. We are here for you when you need us and want to plan for your summer, fall, and winter needs.

You can reach us on the phone at (301) PET-CARE or (301)-738-2273or click the button below!

[button link=”#https://petandhomecare.com/contact-us/” color=”green” newwindow=”yes”] Book Care![/button]