How to Celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Today is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, a cause that's near and dear to our hearts here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital. The best way to celebrate, in our opinion, is to adopt a pet from a local shelter.

A recent NorthJersey.com article lists the following nearby shelters:

• Secaucus Animal Shelter, 525 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus, 201-348-3213
• Bergen County Animal Shelter, 100 United Lane, Teterboro, 201-229-4600
• Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Inc., 2 Shelter Lane, Oakland, 201-337-5180
• Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroads (Jackson Ave. Extension), Wayne, 973-694-0767
• Clifton Animal Shelter, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, 973-470-5936

Why is adopting shelter pets so important? There are lots of reasons.

To save a life. Approximately 2.7 million adoptable pets are euthanized each year. Why? Because too many people give away their pets, and not enough people adopt.

For a healthy addition to your family. Don't assume that cats and dogs that live in animal shelters are unhealthy. On the contrary, they're usually happy, healthy, and waiting for a new home! In fact, many shelters will examine and vaccinate each animal upon arrival.

To save money.  Why buy a pet when you can adopt a furry friend for much less? Also worth considering: Shelter animals are often already spayed or neutered, so you won't have to spend money on that later on.

So if you've been thinking about adding a dog or cat to your family, perhaps today is the day! What better way to celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day?

If your pet needs care today or any day, call Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital at 908-464-0023. We treat sick pets like family! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ as well.

5 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Cat or Dog

Choosing to spay or neuter your pet may be the "single best decision you make for his long-term welfare," advises the Humane Society of the United States. Having your pet spayed or neutered can improve his health, decrease rowdy behavior and reduce pet care costs.

Keep reading for five reasons to spay or neuter your cat or dog:

1. Improved health

This is especially true in female dogs. The ASPCA reports that spaying can help prevent fatal diseases and conditions like uterine infections and breast cancer.

2. Decreased rowdiness 

Dogs that aren't neutered tend to be more assertive and inclined to urinate in an effort to mark their territory. It can even happen with female dogs! Spaying or neutering your pet can decrease and even eliminate this behavior.

3. Lower costs

The amount we charge to spray or neuter your pet is far less than the cost of caring for a litter of puppies or kittens! You'll also save by not having to worry about reproductive system cancers.

4. Fewer homeless pets

It's estimated that in the U.S. alone, 6-8 million homeless animals enter shelters each year. The horrible truth is that most shelter animals that aren't adopted end up being euthanized.

5. It's good for the community

Stray animals can wreak havoc on a community. Preying on wildlife and scaring children are just a couple of ways they disturb the peace.

We at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital recommend you spay or neuter your pet at six months of age. To learn about our process, click here. You can also give us a call at 908-464-0023 to learn more or schedule an appointment for your furry friend!

Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more tips.

National Pet ID Week: Learn About Microchips

"1 in 3 pets will get lost during their lifetime. 10 million pets get lost every year. Without ID, 90% of lost pets never return home."

-HomeAgain

For most of us, the thought of losing a pet is utterly devastating. That's why making sure your furry friend has proper identification is of utmost importance.

National Pet ID Week begins on Sunday, April 19. In recognition of this important awareness initiative, we're going to talk a little about microchipping -- a service we offer here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital.

One of the best ways to ID your pet is with a microchip. Our process involves placing a microchip underneath your dog or cat's skin. This chip is connected to a database that can be searched by shelters and veterinarians to reconnect lost pets with their pet parents.

How effective is microchipping? According to PetFinder.com, "Only about 22 percent of lost dogs that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families. However, the return-to-owner rate for microchipped dogs was over 52 percent." That's a 238 percent increase!

Make some time during National Pet ID Week to ID your pet. Call Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital at 908-464-0023 to make an appointment. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more tips!

Advice for Pet-Friendly Spring Cleaning

It's that time of year again! Winter's finally over, and if you're anything like us, you're ready to clean your home from top to bottom.

 
Before you dive in, it's important to keep the health of your furry friends in mind. Below, we present advice for pet-friendly spring cleaning:

1. Read the label

Household cleaning products are generally safe for pets -- that is, as long as you follow the instructions. Be sure to read the label for any specific directions regarding pets. Remember, if a product is poison to people, it's also unsafe for pets.

2. Dilute with water

If you're concerned about the amount of chemical residue that your cleaning products may be leaving behind, try diluting them with water. Your house will still get clean, but the chemicals will be less harsh.

3. Go natural

Cleaning with green products is a great way to avoid chemicals altogether. Some non-toxic, all-natural cleaners include:

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Citrus fruits
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Club soda

If your pets do run into any health issues this spring, contact  Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital immediately at 908-464-0023. We can help bring your pet back to health! Visit our website for more information.

Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more tips.

An Overview of Our Services

Welcome to Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital! We're happy to share more information about who we are and what we do. After all -- pets are family members, and you don't put a family member's health in the hands of just anyone.

Having said that, here is an overview of our services:

Annual check-ups

Dogs and cats 7-years-old and younger should come in at least once a year for a wellness exam. (It's the same idea as your annual check-up.) Pets older than seven should visit us twice a year, as their bodies change at a faster rate.

Preventative care

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital can perform annual fecal testing for dogs and cats to keep them safe from intestinal worms. We also year-round parasite protection for all pets. Visit us to learn about once-a-month chewable tablets and/or topical treatments.

Spays, neuters and declaws

Before any operation, Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital will make sure your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia. Here are a few other steps we take:

• IV fluids throughout surgery
• Sedative and pain management to ease anxiety
• Heated surgery tables to maintain body temperature
• Heart rate and oxygen monitoring
• Highly-trained veterinary technicians
• ICU cages
• Complimentary pedicure

Dentistry

We recommend an annual dental exam and teeth cleaning to preserve your pet’s healthy teeth and gums. Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital will clean your pet's cheeks and tongue sides in addition to his or her teeth.

Other surgeries

In addition to spay, neuters and declaws,  Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital offers the following surgeries:

• Wart, cyst and mass removal
• Suturing lacerations
• Foreign body removal
• Ear hematoma repair
• Hernia repair
• Cherry eye surgery (third eyelid)
• Caesarean section (C-section)
• Exploratory abdominal surgery
• Cystotomy
• Splenectomy
• Gastronomy
• Companion animal laser therapy

To learn more about the services available through Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, visit us online or give us a call at 908-464-0023. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.