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Welcoming a furry new bundle of joy into your household is a thrilling experience, and when it comes to picking the perfect name, the options are endless! Perhaps the color or length of your pet’s fur will serve as inspiration, like Hazel or Shaggy, or maybe your child’s favorite Disney character, like Bolt or Simba, will be the clear choice. If you’re feeling particularly creative, you could even try coining a playful pun using a famous moniker, like Bark Vader or Meowly Cyrus! 

If you’ve been a cat owner for any length of time, you’ve likely cleaned up your fair share of hairballs. For the most part, hairballs are harmless—if a bit uncomfortable for the cat and inconvenient for the owner. But before you brush aside any cat cough as “just another hairball,” it’s important to be aware that a coughing kitty may have a more serious medical condition that warrants attention. 

If you’ve got an adventurous dog who’s ready to hit the hiking trails with you, our team at Bowman Veterinary Hospital has some helpful hints to make your outdoor explorations safe and fun for you and your canine companion.  

There’s a lot to love about summer, but a pet’s noise anxiety isn’t usually on the list of favorite things. Long stretches of beautiful, sunny days, time spent on the water, or going camping can quickly spiral into a frightening experience for a pet unaccustomed to thunderstorms or fireworks (both of which occur with some frequency between May and September). Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with some effective strategies to keep your pet’s noise anxiety at bay. 

Bringing a puppy home is quite an adventure. As the cute little fluff adapts to his new home, it is important to set him up for success. Beginning with proper nutrition is important, and once your pup gets home, you may notice that he gobbles up his food like there is no tomorrow. Eating too quickly can be a choking hazard for your pup, can cause pain and discomfort, and can even cause severe gastrointestinal conditions like volvulus, or stomach twisting. 

Responsible pet owners go to great lengths to keep their pets safe–fenced-in yards, leashed walks, collars and ID tags, etc. However, despite our best efforts, accidents can and do happen. All it takes is one door accidentally left open for a four-legged escape artist to make a break for it.

For most pet owners, the thought of a beloved dog or cat going missing is truly frightening. The only thing worse is the possibility that you may never see them again. Fortunately, pet microchipping is an easy and effective way to increase the chances of reuniting with your missing pet.

When a pet is not well, it can be a stressful time. While our staff at Bowman Veterinary Hospital likes to think we are pretty good at helping animals, the truth is that a lot of caring for a sick pet falls on your shoulders as their guardian. 

If only our pets could talk! Knowing when a dog or cat is sick isn’t always easy. Pets are notoriously good at masking symptoms of medical conditions. By the time a sick dog or sick cat displays obvious signs of feeling under the weather, it’s likely he’s been ailing for quite some time. 

Caring for pets is a great way for kids to learn responsibility and grow emotional intelligence. From filling water bowls to learning about gentle touches, even the youngest children can be involved with pet care. Older kids can clean cages, exercise with pets, and even take part in obedience training. Regular positive interactions between animals and kids develop loving bonds that are irreplaceable. 

If you’ve noticed some grey on the muzzle of your best furry friend, you may be coming to the realization that they are getting older. Aging in pets sometimes happens before we know it! And although some conditions tend to present themselves with age, it’s important to remember that age itself is not a disease. 

If we meet their health needs, pets can still enjoy an active lifestyle, good health, and quality of life well into their golden years. Your veterinarian can help make this a reality.