Dental Care Tips For Your New Puppy

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

You've just welcomed your brand new pup into your home and you've gotten started on the training process - now what? Although as humans we put a lot of emphasis on keeping our teeth healthy, a lot of the time new pet owners forget how important it is to do the same for their furry friends. So, once your pup has gotten settled into their new home and has become acquainted with your family members, it's time to get into a smart dental routine.

To keep your puppy from experiencing major oral problems as he or she grows and matures, here are three very important things you should do in your first year together:

1. Get your puppy used to people touching his or her mouth. The easiest way to get your new puppy used to the feeling of someone touching his or her mouth (whether it be you or your veterinarian) is to do exactly that - touch his or her mouth. However, don't go at this aggressively - a good time to start is when you two are sitting and cuddling together. And since animals respond positively to praise, make sure you reward your pet for letting you touch their mouth, such as by giving them a treat afterwords. Tip: if your pet is extremely uneasy the first few times you handle their mouth, dip your finger in something that they'll enjoy the taste of.
2. Watch what your puppy is munching on. Despite the fact that puppy teeth do fall out eventually, you still want to keep them in good shape - a broken puppy tooth or two will land you in the vet just as if it was one of their adult teeth. So, monitor what they munch on and try to keep them only chewing on toys that are safe for their little teeth - there are plenty of toys specifically made for teething purposes! A rule of thumb to find out if a toy is safe or not is to see if you can dent it with your own fingernail - if you can't, it's too hard for your puppy!
3. Start brushing regularly. Like human teeth, unless puppy teeth are brushed regularly, it's likely that they'll develop tartar, which later leads to health concerns like gingivitis and periodontal disease. That said, once your puppy feels comfortable with you touching his or her mouth, start to introduce the idea of brushing. While you do want to brush all teeth, the first few times you may only be able to do a few, and that's okay! Even if it's a slow start and takes a while for your puppy to warm up to the idea of having their teeth brushed, what matters is that you're developing the right habits early.

Still have questions about how to care for your new puppy's teeth? Write to us on Facebook or Twitter or contact us at (908) 464-0023! We recommend that you bring your dog in for an annual dental exam and teeth cleaning to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy, and we are currently offering a $299 dental special that includes a cleaning, scaling and polishing!

For more information, please visit www.berkeleyheightsah.com or give us a call today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spays and Neuters

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Welcoming a new pet into the family is one of the most exciting things we can do, but with it also comes a lot of new challenges and responsibilities - starting with your first trip to the vet! You want to make sure that your new pup or kitten is as healthy as can be, so you'll need to make an appointment with your veterinarian to start learning about routine check-ups and vaccinations. Then, there's having your pet spayed or neutered.

As this is a surgical procedure, we know that families have a lot of questions about the process and how it affects their furry friends. That's why today, we're here to answer a few of them for you:

Q: When should I spay or neuter my pet?

A: We recommend that you spay or neuter your pet once they reach 6 months of age. 

Q: Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

A: Spaying or neutering is important for a few reasons: 1) it can help prevent overpopulation of cats and dogs, 2) it can help prevent health problems, and 3) it can help prevent behavior problems.

For example, female animals that are not spayed have a higher risk of developing mammary tumors and uterine infection, which require very critical surgery. Additionally, since female dogs and cats do not completely stop going into heat despite their age, there is a chance that they can become pregnant when it is not safe for their bodies. Lastly, male animals that are not neutered are more likely to develop behavior problems, such as urinating throughout your house or being aggressive towards you and perhaps even your other pets. 

Q: Is having my pet spayed or neutered safe?

A: Absolutely. Spaying and neutering is an extremely common surgical procedure, and the veterinarians working on your pet will always put their health and safety first. Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we require pre-operative blood work to ensure that your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia, and we follow a number of safety precautions throughout the procedure. For example, we:

• administer IV fluids during surgery to sustain body temperature, fluid and electrolyte levels
• use sterile surgical packs to minimize the risk of post surgical infections
• monitor your pet while they are under anesthesia to check on their heart rate and oxygen levels

Q: Is my pet going to be in pain?

A: When spaying and neutering we give your pet a sedative as well as pain management medication in order to help minimize any anxiety they feel as well as to reduce feelings of discomfort - we do everything we can to make the procedure as comfortable and painless as possible!

Q: Will my pet's personality change after undergoing surgery?

A: No, and if it does, it's usually for the better! As we mentioned earlier, male animals in particular are likely to develop behavioral problems by not being neutered, so having the procedure done can actually help to keep them happy and chipper!

We know that it can be easy to worry about your pets in surgery, but when you choose Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, you can rest assured knowing that they are in great hands. Our highly trained veterinary technicians monitor your pet both during and after the procedure, and are committed to making this experience easy for both you and them.

Still have questions? We'd love to be able to answer them and put your mind at ease - just call (908) 464-0023.

Top 5 Tips For Keeping Your Pets Healthy

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

They may not be able to talk to us the way we talk to others, but our pets can truly be some of the best friends we ever have in our lifetime. That said, we know you'd probably do just about anything to keep them healthy and ensure a long, prosperous life - are we right?...We thought so!

Although there are always things that we can't control, the following are a few ways that you can help keep your pets healthy for years to come.

Limit stress.
Just like stress can take a toll on your physical and mental health, it can also be pretty damaging to animals. Knowing this, it's important to do whatever you can to create a stress-free environment for your pets to live in. One of the best ways to do so is by making sure that your pets have access to the things they need - food, water, room to exercise, and perhaps even a toy or two to prevent boredom.

Promote exercise and good heating habits.
Cats and dogs that are overweight are more likely to experience health problems, so you'll want to ensure that your pet is getting the exercise they need and eating the right foods. Since nutritional needs may differ for each individual animal, ask us which foods we recommend as well as which exercise routines we suggest the next time your pets come in for a visit! If you don't want to wait, you can always give us a call too!

Focus on hygiene.
We brush our teeth every day, so why shouldn't your pets get the same care? Although it's a bit different considering they can't brush their teeth themselves, as the owner, it's up to you to do it for them regularly to prevent problems such as gum disease. Additionally, you'll want to make sure that your pets don't go too long without a nail trimming, as healthy nails promote healthy joints! Last, but certainly not least, have your pets follow a regular grooming schedule - this can help with skin health and may even alert you of issues that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

Provide water.
Your pets are just like us in the sense that they need to stay hydrated. During periods of dehydration, their kidney and hearts need to work harder, and it can even slow the passage of blood through the spleen and the liver. That said, your best bet is to provide your pets with a bowl of fresh water every day.

Schedule check-ups.
You should never - we repeat, never - skip a vet appointment! Even if nothing appears wrong, it's imperative that you bring your pets in for a wellness exam to have them checked out. For dogs and cats under 7 years of age, we recommend an annual exam. However, for pets over 7 years of age, we recommend a wellness exam every 6 months.

If you're located in New Jersey and have pets at home that need to be cared for, choose Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital for all of your veterinary needs! We've been caring for animals since 1976 and would love to be able to care for your pets next.

For information about our veterinary services or to make an appointment, please call (908) 464-0023. If you haven't seen us before and are a new client, your first exam is FREE!

4th of July Safety Tips For Your Pets

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Happy (almost) 4th of July! How will you be celebrating this weekend? Whether you have plans to grill in your own backyard or attend a neighbor's BBQ, we know that you may have the desire to keep or bring your furry friends with you. However, before you think about doing so, remember that your pet's safety should be kept top of mind.

To ensure that your pets are kept safe this weekend, we've collected a few safety tips for you to read through below.

1. Keep alcoholic drinks out of reach. Unfortunately, alcoholic drinks can poison pets and cause severe harm, so it's important that all cups, glasses and bottles are kept well out of reach. But since there is always the potential for a spill, we highly encourage you to closely monitor your beverage (and ask others to do the same) so that if anything should be knocked over, you can clean up the mess immediately.
2. Avoid feeding your pets table food. We know that it can be especially tempting to slip your pet some of your leftovers when they look up at you with those adorable eyes, but as hard as it is, you need to avoid giving in. That's because "people food" can be harmful to pets and cause an upset stomach or various other health issues.
3. Make sure your pet has the proper identification. This tip applies to your every day, but especially on a holiday where people may be walking in and out of your home/yard constantly, make sure your pet is wearing the proper identification. This way, if they should accidentally slip out the door or under your gate, it is easier for friends, family members and neighbors help you find them.
4. No party accessories! Planning to hand out glow necklaces and bracelets to your guests? If so, don't hand over any to your pets! Sure they may look cute with a red, white and blue necklace on, however, ingesting the luminescent substance inside can be harmful. Not to mention, if your pet chews on them and eats the plastic, they could wind up with some pretty major intestinal problems.
5. Put pets indoors during fireworks shows. Fireworks sure are pretty, and we bet your pets would think so too. However, loud noises can be especially frightening for pets, and when subject to listening to them, it can be easy for them to get nervous and run for cover. That said, keep them inside the house and perhaps even turn on the TV so that you can drown out the loud booms.

For additional 4th of July safety tips, check out what the ASPCA has to say.

From all of us at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we wish you (and your pets!) a very happy and safe 4th of July. Should your pet need emergency care over the weekend, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023.