A Dog's Thoughts On New Year's Resolutions

What are New Year’s Resolutions? Hm, okay. Let’s see. I can bark more at the neighbors walking by the house when we’re watching our shows. Mom and Dad love when I do that, right? Yes, definitely. I’ll bark more. What else? Well, the cat brings Mom those dead birds from outside. I can give her bigger and better presents; I have to. Oh! I can give her that squirrel that’s always hanging around the house. That will definitely show her that I love her more that the cat does.

Wait! What if I just do what she does. The humans always say imitation is the highest form of flattery. We’ll just go into the kitchen and find that list she wrote. She writes so small-what does this even say? “New Year’s Resolutions”?

Measure Food. This one’s good. I definitely need my food measured. I’m starting to look like that big guy in the red suit that’s always on the TV this time of year. Measuring my food will help me stay in healthy shape. What else?

Try New Activities. Oh yes! I’m so bored walking around the same 5 blocks. I’ll tell Mom & Dad we should go on hikes and to the beach. That’ll be exciting! Let’s go tell them now! No, no, Spike. Read the rest of the list.

Better Oral Hygiene. If this means I get to eat those mint treats again, I like this one. Maybe Dad will even brush my teeth like he does his. That toothpaste tasted so good; except they got mad I ate it. It’s fine- the humans totally make dog toothpaste; I’ll have Dad get me that one.

Groom Daily. I love when Mom brushes my fur- the comb feels so tingly. Plus that’ll get rid of all this loose fur and make me look shiny again. Does this mean more baths, too?! Then we get to play that game where I run out of the tub and they chase me around the house. That game is so fun! Ok, what’s this last one?

Visit Doctor Regularly. Is a doctor the same as a vet? Oh! That means I get to see the pawsome doctors at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital! They’re my favorite humans! Well, besides Mom & Dad. They make sure I’m healthy and make me better when I’m sick! Oh, I’m so excited!

Mom & Dad are so spot on with this list. It’s like they wrote it just for me. Just proves they like me better since they didn’t write a list for the cat. Ruh-Roh, they did. I better eat it so they don’t remember that all these great New Year’s resolutions apply to Fluffy, too. Good, now that that’s done, I’ve got to figure out how to convince Mom & Dad to start 2017 with a feline-free house.

The story above was the inner monologue of your dog figuring out how to improve themselves in the new year. And yes, that’s what they’re thinking. Trust us. Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital is committed to helping you and your pet start off 2017 in the best possible way. If you need an Animal Hospital in Summit or New Providence, NJ, we are your trusted veterinarians. To make an appointment, call us today at 908-464-0023.

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Pet Lovers

Christmas is a whole 5 days away, and you have yet to get your shopping done. Between work and family, you have no time to browse stores for hours to find the perfect gift. So, what do you do? If you have any pet lovers left on your list, take a look at these last minute gift ideas.

1. Doggy Coat: Every dog owner is concerned about their pooch getting cold in these winter months, so get them something to keep Fido warm. You can even DIY here.
2. Pet Place Mat: Make lunchtime clean-up a breeze with a laminated place mat.
3. Pet Silhouette Tote Bag: Pet owners love to show off their fur babies, so let them show off their pet’s image on a tote bag they can take with them everywhere.
4. Kitty Slippers: Help keep your friends toasty this Christmas with a pair of slippers adorned with cat images.
5. Grumpy Cat T-Shirt: Grumpy Cat took the internet by storm in 2016, so why not get the grumpy gus of your friend group a shirt with his feline alter-ego?
6. Cat Earrings: For every cat lady, there a an accessory to match. Indulge your cat-lovers and gift them a pair of these kitty earrings.
7. Dog Bulbs: These Orbee Tuff Bulbs are durable and come in a few colors. Great for playing on land or in water, they even have hidden treat spots to keep dogs busy for hours.
8. Dogs & Cats of Instagram book: These books are filled with the most lovable photos of Instagram’s furry friends.
9. Anything ‘Lil Bub’: Along with Grumpy Cat, this famous feline is an internet favorite. So obviously your friends need something with his face on it.
10. Custom Pet Mug: This etsy shop artist will create a coffee mug personalized with an image of your own cat or dog.

Christmas shopping isn’t always the easiest, but we hope this list gave you some cute and funny ideas for your the pet lovers in your life. Do you know what we think the best gift is for a dog or cat owner? A healthy pet. The staff at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital is always happy to give that gift with our expert veterinary care.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has been caring for pets since 1976. Located on Springfield Avenue in the heart of Berkeley Heights, NJ, our hospital offers a "small town" feel combined with cutting-edge veterinary care. Call our office at 908-464-0023 today to schedule an appointment.

How to Cat Proof Your Christmas Tree

You’re enjoying a quiet evening at home, sitting by the fireplace, when a giant monstrosity of an object is shoved into your house and placed in the middle of the room. It smells strange; it’s leaving a trail of it’s material from you to the door; and it’s at least 60 times your size. Yet, still, you have to explore it- maybe even climb the whole thing.

The scene above is basically how your cat feels when you bring home your Christmas tree. It’s a new experience for them, and if we know anything about our cats, it’s that they are very curious creatures. So follow these tips to cat-proof your Christmas tree and keep your kitty safe this holiday season.

1. Consider the Type of Tree You Choose: A fake tree is actually safer for your cat, since the needles of a real tree can puncture skin and the pine itself is mildly toxic to animals. Also think about the size you pick- a smaller tree is better for younger cats who are more playful and likely to try to climb the tree.
2. Don’t Decorate the Tree at First: Give your cat time to adjust to the tree being in their environment. Discourage them from going near it with a stern “No!” or by spritzing the tree with citrus or Bitter Apple spray, as this will deter cats.
3. Watch Out for Certain Decorations: Avoid shiny or twinkling decorations since these will look like fun toys in your cat’s eyes. If you’re decorating with food, remember that chocolate is toxic to pets. Keep the tinsel stowed away as this can cause major medical problems if your cat ingests it. Pro Tip: Keep the majority of your ornaments at the top two-thirds of the tree, out of your cat’s reach.
4. Secure Everything: Make sure your tree is held firm in a sturdy base. Use metal wires or clamps to ensure ornaments aren’t able to be swatted off by the flick of a paw. Tape down any loose electrical wires and even spray the wires with Bitter Apple to prevent your kitty from chomping down on them.

Christmas is stressful and expensive enough without having to worry about an emergency trip to the vet. Follow these tips to keep Fluffy out of your Christmas tree and safe in your arms.

For more tips about keep your pet safe this holiday season, follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you are in Berkeley Heights, Summit, or New Providence, make Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital the trusted vet for your furry friend. Call us for an appointment at 908-464-0023!

Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pets

Oh, the holidays! The warm tidings, the delicious food, all of your loved ones gathered around to celebrate. While we hope your days are merry and bright in these upcoming weeks, we also would like to remind you that while you love those holiday decorations around your home, your pet does too, and that may not be a good thing. But don’t worry! We’re here to give you some holiday safety tips so both you and your pet can have yourselves a merry little Christmas.

1. Oh, Christmas Tree. While it may be funny to watch your cat climb your Christmas tree like it’s the Mount Everest of kitty posts, it also poses the risk for the tree to come crashing down - your cat with it. To prevent this, place your tree in a corner away from your pet’s wandering eyes and make sure to secure your tree tightly in its stand so it doesn’t tip and fall.
2. Ho-Ho-Hold the Holly. Did you know holly and mistletoe can cause major health problems for your furry friends? Holly can make your pet nauseous and cause them to vomit or have diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. Make the switch to artificial plants and flowers- they’re just as pretty and are safer for your animals.
3. 

   Take Down the Tinsel. Just the way you think the tinsel around your home is pretty and oh so shiny, so does your cat. They’ll see the tinsel as a bright new toy, but should they ingest any of it, they could experience an intestinal blockage and could potentially even need surgery to remove it. So skip the tinsel and opt for a different way to deck the halls.
4. Fido-Friendly Family Time. If you plan on having everyone celebrate the holidays at your home, make sure they know what to avoid giving your pets. Keep certain foods, such as sweets or spicy food, away from your pets to avoid digestive issues. Hold onto your drinks, and don’t let your dogs or cats sip on any adult beverages as alcohol is poisonous to animals and can cause respiratory problems.

The staff at  Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital wants you and your family to have a wonderful holiday season, and part of that means making sure your animals are safe. Following these tips can ensure that both you and your pets have a holly jolly Christmas.

For more tips on how to keep your pets safe during the holidays or to book an appointment, visit our website or ☎️ 908-464-0023.

Simple Ways to Cut the Cost of Pet Care

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Pets bring an unexplainable amount of joy to our lives, but it's no secret that being a pet parent can be expensive. After all, by assuming the role of a pet owner, you take on the responsibility of caring for them in both their best and worst times, and just like our own care and the care we provide to children, pet care comes at a price too.

We have good news for you, though. Although pet care costs can add up, there are certainly things you can do to keep those costs low! And what's even better is that it's really not too difficult. Below, take a look at how you can work on cutting the cost of pet care.

Bring your pet to the vet for routine check-ups.
Taking your pet in for yearly exams is a lot more cost effective than ignoring them and waiting until something serious happens - not to mention, you risk the health of your pet by skipping wellness visits too. Treating illnesses and other health concerns can be a lot more expensive than protecting against them, so it's well worth it to visit your vet as recommended for routine check-ups.

Have your pet spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering doesn't just help reduce the overpopulation of animals - it also helps protect your pets against serious health concerns. For example, female animals that are not spayed have a higher risk for mammary tumors and uterine infection, which would require a very critical and a very costly surgery. Additionally, female dogs and cats will continue to go into heat when not spayed, and this can potentially result in pregnancy problems at an older age. For the males, a health concern in particular that neutering can help prevent is testicular cancer. Considering that all of these health concerns would cost money to treat, spaying or neutering is a cost effective choice.

Brush your pet's teeth.
We know it can be hard to get your pet to sit still, but poor dental hygiene can result in dental disease, which can further lead to heart and kidney problems. Keeping your pet's teeth and gums healthy is an easy way to protect against serious diseases and illnesses, and your main expenses will really just be the supplies you need to brush. If you have a dog that makes it difficult for you to brush their teeth, we have some tips for you here. We also have a $299 dental special going on right now!

Look into pet plans and pet insurance.
If you ever need to bring your pet in for an emergency visit or if they have a serious illness that requires treatment, we know it could put a financial strain on you - this is where pet insurance and pet plans can come in handy! Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital we offer one-year unlimited canine and feline well-care plans (ask us for pricing!) and there are tons of pet insurances out there that you can look into.

See, it's simple! If you're looking for a veterinarian in Westfield, Plainfield, Murray Hill, Summit, New Providence, or Berkeley Heights, NJ to help with preventative pet care, routine exams, spays/neuters, animal density and more, we've got you covered.

To learn about the services we offer at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, visit www.berkeleyheightsah.com or call (908) 464-0023 today.

Tips for Traveling With Your Pet for Thanksgiving

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is already next week! What do your holiday plans look like this year? If you'll be heading out of town for the week or weekend, we know how hard it can be to leave your furry friends behind, so if you'll be traveling with your pets following right behind you, we want to make sure the trip is as stress-free as possible for the both of you.

Below, take a look at some travel tips we want you to keep in mind this Thanksgiving:

Prepare a travel kit.

Just like you need to pack things for yourself, you also need to pack things for your pet. Some items to include in your travel kit are a food and water bowl (and food and water), a leash, some plastic bags, a scooper to pick up waste, any medication your pet requires, and some first-aid materials. Additionally, you want your pet to feel right at home during the trip, so also make sure you gather some of their favorite toys and a bed or pillow that they feel comfortable with.

Always have someone with your pet.

This is especially important to keep in mind if your trip is a road trip - animals should never be left alone in a parked car. Just like cars can get extremely hot in the summer, they can also get extremely cold during this time of year, which puts your pet in serious danger. With that said, if you know you'll need to make some stops along the way, make sure you're finding places that are pet-friendly so that your pet can stay by your side.

Have the right carrier ready.

Any crate or carrier you use should be big enough for your pet to be able to stand, sit, lie down and turn around. You want your pet to be as comfortable as possible, and if they're feeling crammed, it's going to be a long trip for the both of you. If you'll be driving with your pet in a crate or carrier, you should also make sure it's secure so that it doesn't bounce around during travel.

Properly identify your pet and travel items.

Your pet carrier should be clearly marked with your pet's name, your name and your contact information, and you should always have identification on your pet (such as on their collar) in case something should happen. Additionally, make sure that anyone you're traveling with knows about your pet, and if you'll be flying to your destination, alert the staff so that all the right people are aware.

A final few tips to remember are that your pet should always be in good health before travel, and you should also feel confident that they are healthy enough to travel. Furthermore, you should always seek out a vet in the area that you're traveling to just in case an emergency should arise.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital provides a wide array of veterinary care services to patients in Berkeley Heights, Summit, Murray Hill, New Providence, Plainfield and Westfield, New Jersey. Services include, but are not limited to, vaccines, surgical procedures, spays and neuters, animal dentistry and microchips. For more information, please call (908) 464-0023.

Fun Games That You Can Play With Your Cat

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Cats may be asleep for more of their lives than they are awake, but that doesn't mean they don't need just as much play time as say, dogs do. If you have a playful kitty in your life, below are a few fun games that you can play with them to let them release their energy.

Fetch.
Believe it or not, there are some cats out there who want to engage in a game of fetch just like dogs do. And while not all cats will actually bring a ball (or toy mouse) back to you, they will certainly enjoy you tossing something across the floor over and over again so that they can run after it.

Catch the prey.
Cats LOVE when you drag something across the floor on a string - this gives them the opportunity to bring out their inner hunter and stalk and pounce! And it doesn't matter if it's a ball on the end of the string, a mouse, or some feathers - your cat should definitely respond to anything that mimics a real life hunting situation!

Find the catnip.
Although not all cats are attracted to catnip in the same way, for those that are, you can expect your cat to go crazy during a game that's kind of like hide and seek - except instead of you hiding, you're hiding a toy stuffed with catnip! There are tons of toys out there that already have catnip built in, so just take your pick and enjoy the fun.

In addition to playing these games indoors, did you know that cats can be trained to walk on a leash too? If your cat has a lot of energy and could use some exercise, perhaps you should consider training it to be able to go on walks with you! A bonus here is that you'll even get a little exercise in too.

Do you have any other fun games that you and your cat play that we should add to our list? If so, be sure to share them with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has been caring for pets in the Berkeley Heights, NJ area since 1976. Services include, but are not limited to, vaccines, spays and neuters, animal dentistry, surgical procedures and microchips. For more information, please call (908) 464-0023.