Walk Your Dog Month: Safety Tips

January is Walk Your Dog Month! Unfortunately, it's very cold (and even snowy) throughout much of the country right now. With that in mind, here are some safety tips for walking your dog -- and a few that apply specifically to cold weather areas:

1. Get a sturdy leash and collar

This tip is relevant year-round. Make sure your dog's leash and collar are "appropriate for the size and strength of your dog," recommends Cesar's Way. Inspect the collar and leash periodically for damage, rust and rips.

2. Wear reflective clothing

You and your pooch should both don reflective vests -- especially if you walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening. This is especially true during the winter months, when the sun rises late and sets early. Reflective gear will help you stand out to drivers in snow and rain as well.

3. Pick up some dog boots

Some pups do just fine in the cold weather, but others are not designed for frigid temperatures. If you notice chafing on your dog's paws, look into getting him a pair of boots. Your furry friend's footwear will also protect him from salt, which is often used on roads and sidewalks in an effort to melt snow.

4. Avoid icy areas

Arthritic and elderly dogs are likely to have more difficulty walking on snowy and icy surfaces. Prevent slips and falls by sticking to grassy or dirt-covered spots. If you don't have a choice in the matter, keep the walk brief, and keep an eye out for signs of weakness and instability.

Follow these dog walking safety tips during Walk Your Dog Month and the rest of the year to keep you and your pet free from danger! In need of veterinary care? Call Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital today to make an appointment: 908-464-0023.

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Neutering Your Dog: What You Need to Know

Is it time to neuter your dog? Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we recommend you spay or neuter your pet at 6 months of age. Before you pick up the phone and make an appointment, here's what you need to know about neutering your puppy:

• Neutering is a common surgery that is totally safe. We perform blood work to make sure your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia and administer IV fluids throughout the surgery to help sustain body temperature, fluid and electrolyte levels. We also provide sedative and pain management medications as needed. Find out more about our spay and neuter process at our website.
  
• Your pet will be happier and healthier. Neutering your dog will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer and help reduce his risk for prostate cancer. Many pet parents also report improvement in roaming, marking and aggression.
  
• Neutering does not cause weight gain. This is a common myth that needs to be squashed! Dogs, like humans, will gain weight if they're given too much food or are not active enough. To prevent weight gain, be sure to walk your pooch often and provide healthy meals.
  
• Having your pup neutered will help control overpopulation. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that approximately 3.9 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters every year. Neuter your dog to prevent more homeless puppies!

To make an appointment or speak with one of our veterinarians about neutering your dog, give us a call today at 908-464-0023. Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

Why Choose Our Veterinarians?

The doctors of Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital have been caring for your sick pets since 1976! Why choose us for cutting-edge veterinary care? We promise to treat your sick pets like family.

Our veterinarians offer a variety of services:

• Wellness exams, lab tests and checkups
• Parasite prevention and testing
• 24-hour emergency veterinary care from our sister hospital, Newton Veterinary Hospital
• State-of-the-art surgical procedures:
  
• Dog and cat spay
•  Dog and cat neuter
• Cat declaw
• Puppy tail dock
• Wart/cyst/mass removal
• Suturing lacerations
• Foreign body removal
• Ear hematoma repair
• Hernia repair
• Cherry eye (third eyelid) surgery
• C-section
• Exploratory abdominal surgery
• Cystotomy
• Splenectomy
• Gastronomy
• Companion animal laser therapy

•  Dentistry services:

• Ultrasonic scaling of the teeth (to remove tartar)
• Ultrasonic polishing of the teeth (after scaling)
• Dental extractions as needed
• Oral surgery
• Periodontal disease
• Gingival tumor removals
• Gingival flap procedures
• The most up-to-date methods of anesthetic, monitoring and pain management protocols

Our caring veterinarians will take good care of your pets. To inquire about one or more of the services we provide, call Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital at 908-464-0023.

Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

5 New Year's Resolutions for Pet Parents

A new year is the perfect opportunity to take a step back and reevaluate your habits and routines. As a pet parent, you have a big responsibility -- to make sure your furry friend is happy, healthy and well-taken care of.

So instead of resolving to lose weight or eat more vegetables, why not promise to be an even better pet parent in 2016? Here are some ideas:

1. I will walk my dog daily! Even pets are susceptible to winter weight gain. Vow to walk your dog every day -- this winter and year-round -- to keep his heart in good shape.

2. I will play with my pet! When's the last time you made time to play with your furry family member? Set some time aside every day this year. Even just 30 minutes will help your pet get exercise and strengthen your bond.

3. I will stop feeding my pet human food! Your trusty companion gets all the nutrients she needs in high-quality pet food. Table food will only cause weight gain and other health issues.

4. I will take my pet on an adventure! Take your dog on a hike, or give your cat a tour of the backyard. After all, we could all use a change of scenery from time to time.

5. I will schedule a veterinary appointment! Regular veterinary care is important. To make an appointment with Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, head to our website or give us a call at 908-464-0023.

Located near Summit, NJ, our vet can help your sick pet get better through many of our services such as vaccines, surgical procedures, dog and cat spays and neuters, and much more. We will treat your sick pet like family!

Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.