Why It's Important to Walk Your Dog

Your dog doesn't just want to go for a walk. He needs it!

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), approximately 52.7 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Unfortunately, as Americans become more overweight, so do their pets.

Because our pets are gaining weight right along with us, they are more at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other weight-related health issues. It's important to walk your dog regularly -- at least once a day -- to manage her weight and prevent conditions caused by obesity.

Other reasons to walk your dog include:

• Improved obedience skills
• An opportunity to bond with your dog
• Better social skills
• Fewer separation issues

Aim to walk your dog for about 20 minutes to keep him healthy and reap the benefits listed above. If your pooch is more active than the average dog, you may need to take her on longer, more strenuous walks. 

To learn more about why it's important to walk your dog, give Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital a call at 908-464-0023. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!

The Benefits of Having a Pet

Those of us who have a pet already understand some of the more basic benefits -- companionship, stress relief, and affection. But there are lesser-known benefits of having a pet as well. Below, we outline a few:

1. Protection against heart disease

According to the American Heart Association, owning a pet is associated with a reduced risk for heart disease. There are a number of factors that influence this relationship, including physical activity and social support.

2. Pain management

Marty Becker, DVM, veterinary consultant for Good Morning America, tells Woman's Day that pets can actually help ease pain! People dealing with migraines and arthritis may find that having a dog or cat around reduces pain intensity. In fact, a recent study from Loyola University found that those who incorporate pet therapy into their post-surgery recovery may need less pain medication.

3. Allergy prevention

A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that "mice exposed to dust from homes with dogs were protected against allergens known to trigger asthma," reports Prevention. Apparently the dust helps to enrich a variety of stomach bacteria that will help protect airways against allergens.

What do you think -- what are some benefits of having a pet? Share your ideas with Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!

Spaying and Neutering: Fact vs. Fiction

There are a lot of rumors out there about spaying and neutering. Today, we're taking the opportunity to separate fact from fiction.

FICTION: Having your pet "fixed" is bad for his or her health.

FACT: Spaying and neutering reduces a pet's risk for cancers in the breasts, uterus, testicles and prostate.

FICTION: I should let my female have a litter before spaying her.

FACT: There is no evidence that allowing your pet to have a litter before spaying offers any benefit.

FICTION: I can't afford to spay or neuter my pet.

FACT: You can't afford not to spay or neuter your pet. According to the MSPCA, "The cost of caring for just one litter of puppies or kittens will far outweigh the one-time cost of this important surgery.  You'll not just save money in the long run, you'll save time and energy, too."

FICTION: My pet will mourn the loss of his or her reproductive capabilities.

FACT: Pets don't dream about raising a family. "Female dogs nurse for a few weeks, teach the puppies rules, boundaries, and limitations and send them off to join the pack. Male dogs are not 'fathers' in the human sense of the word; they do not even recognize puppies as their own," advises dog expert Cesar Millan.

Why should you schedule your pet's surgery at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital? We provide a number of benefits you won't find elsewhere, including:

• Sedative and pain management medications
• Choice of laser surgery
• Heated surgery table
• Monitoring of heart rate and oxygen level
• ICU cage for recovery
• Complimentary pedicure
• Suture removal, if necessary, in 10 to 14 days.

Dial 908-464-0023 to schedule your pet's appointment. Remember, by spaying and neutering our pets, we can all help to reduce the overpopulation of dogs and cats.

Connect with Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube for more tips!

Pet Appreciation Week: Ways to Celebrate Your Pet!

Pet Appreciation Week is the perfect time to think about just how important pets are. Our furry friends offer unconditional love, help relieve tension, and even get us up to exercise! Looking for ways to celebrate your pet? Keep reading for ideas.

How to show your dog appreciation:

• Extend his walk by 10-15 minutes. Not only will he love the extra attention, but you'll get some added exercise!
  
• Give her a massage. This might sound strange, but sometimes dogs need to be pampered too! Click here for tips and techniques from Modern Dog Magazine.
  
• Find a local dog park. Socializing is very important for pups. Two dog parks near Berkeley Heights include South Mountain Dog Park and Lewis Morris Dog Park.

How to show your cat appreciation:

• Give him a good brush. Use a good grooming brush, which serves as a massage and offers hairball prevention. Do this for a few minutes every day.
  
• Invest in a laser pointer. Cats love chasing the laser beam around! Plus, it's good exercise for your favorite feline. Just be sure to avoid shining it into her eyes.
  
• Pick up a scratching post. Scratching posts offer a number of benefits to your cat, including stress relief and claw maintenance. It's also a smart way to protect your furniture. 

Whatever you choose to do, make sure your pet feels loved -- during Pet Appreciation Week and every week. After all, pets bring us health and happiness every day!

Don't forget to schedule your pet's next veterinary appointment with Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital. Call us today to make an appointment: 908-464-0023. We're on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube too!

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital: Our History

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has a strong history of cutting-edge veterinary care! We've been caring for pets since 1976.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital: Our History

Located at 269 Springfield Ave. in Berkeley Heights, NJ, our animal hospital serves Summit, New Providence, Scotch Plains, Murray Hill, Plainfield, South Plainfield, Chatham, Westfield, Mountainside, Warren, Stirling, Watchung, Gillette and Fanwood.

Since we opened our doors in 1976, we've maintain a friendly and helpful staff. We go out of our way to help your pets simply because we have a genuine love of animals! Berkeley Heights Animal ospital offers a "small town" feel combined with cutting-edge veterinary care.

We're owned by Newton Veterinary Hospital, and connected with Budd Lake Animal Hospital and the Upper East Side Animal Hospital. This allows us to offer 24-hour veterinary service to all clients.

We've come a long way since our start in the 1970s, but our mission has remained the same: To treat you and your pet like family!

Learn more about our animal hospital at our website, and dial 908-464-0023 to make an appointment. Don't forget to connect with Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!