Advice from Our Baton Rouge Veterinarian

Is your dog or cat getting larger and larger, or are you worried that it might happen? Obesity in pets can be caused by a number of conditions and can increase your pet’s risk for certain diseases. Here are some steps you can take to prevent or correct pet obesity:

Get them medically checked. Some cases of weight gain may be related to a hyperactive thyroid gland. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the metabolism. A thyroid deficiency can leave you with an overweight animal, but our animal clinic can work with you to prescribe medications that can help. Kidney or heart trouble can also lead to bloating, which may look like weight gain.

Stop feeding them “human food.” Dogs and cats love table scraps and will often beg and plead for them until you give in. Be strong! The foods we prepare for ourselves are usually much higher in fat that most pets’ bodies can tolerate, so not only will your pet pack on the pounds, but he will also face elevated health risks associated with an unbalanced diet. Train your pet to be content with his regular portions of dog or cat food.

Learn more about your pet's specific needs. Puppies, kittens and elderly animals all have different health challenges and pet food companies make different formulas for each, so choose your pet food accordingly. If your pet skips a meal, do not panic right away -- animals eat when they are hungry instead of always following the clock. If your pet skips several meals, however, he may be ill and in need of a veterinarian.

Our Animal Clinic Can Help with Pet Obesity

If you need advice on proper pet nutrition and other pet wellness issues, visit us at Jefferson Animal Hospital here in Baton Rouge. We can determine your pet’s ideal weight and recommend the proper nutritional and lifestyle habits to keep him slim and trim!

What steps do you take to keep your pet fit and healthy? How did you get them to stop begging for people food?

Protect Your Pet from Toxic Foods

Some foods that are perfectly safe for humans to eat are toxic to your pets. It's important to know what foods can be dangerous to your pet's health so that you avoid a trip to the animal emergency room and the need for pet urgent care. Our veterinarian and team of technicians offer Baton Rouge pet wellness care to keep your pets as healthy as possible. Keep an eye out for the following foods to protect your pet.

Pet Wellness Care Includes Avoiding Toxic Foods

Chocolate and food that contain caffeine are dangerous to pets. Caffeinated foods and drinks contain chemicals called methylxanthines. If your dog ingests these foods, he may experience nausea and diarrhea, requiring a trip to the animal clinic. Other symptoms of methylxanthines ingestion include an abnormal heart beat and seizures.

Our veterinarian recommends not feeding your pet uncooked, yeasted bread dough. Since the yeast is still alive, the dough can continue to rise in your pet's digestive system, causing stomach upset. In some cases, the stomach or intestine can even rupture. You may feed your pet cooked bread, but only in very small amounts. If you are unsure, check with our team at Jefferson Animal Hospital.

Some fruits, such as grapes and avocados, are poisonous to pets. Persin, a chemical in the skin and flesh of avocados, can make your dog very sick. A chemical in grapes can cause kidney failure, especially if your pet already has health problems. If your dog or cats ingests any fruits you are unsure about, bring him to our animal clinic in Baton Rouge right away for care and treatment.

Other foods that can be dangerous to pets include onions and garlic, alcohol, and macadamia nuts. Just as you wouldn't eat raw meat or eggs, avoid feeding them to your pet. You should also avoid giving your pets salty foods or foods that contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol.

Pet wellness is essential your pet's overall health. What do you do to protect your pet from toxic foods?

The winter holidays are an exciting time. We see family and friends that we miss during the year; we indulge in special occasion foods; and we adorn our homes and tables with festive colors and ornaments. However, some of the same things that we humans find so enjoyable can be hazardous for our four-legged companions. Avoid an emergency trip to the animal hospital by educating yourself about holiday pet dangers.

Holiday Pet Dangers

Food — especially chocolate — presents a real threat to cats and dogs. Our feline and canine friends lack the enzymes necessary to digest many common holiday foods. Because of this, foods like chocolate (especially dark chocolate) can cause digestive problems and even organ failure if ingested in large quantities. Holiday foods to look out for include garlic and onions, raisins and grapes, yeast dough, alcoholic beverages and avocados.

Holiday plants, too, can lead to a trip to the animal emergency clinic. Poinsettias, mistletoe, Christmas cacti and holly are all toxic to cats and dogs. And, don't forget the decorations. Tinsel can cause injury to a cat or dog's digestive system if swallowed. In addition, having people in your home who aren't used to living with animals can lead to your cat or dog slipping out of the house unnoticed.

Avoid an Animal Emergency over the Holidays

Keeping your pets safe during the holiday season requires paying attention to those things that can harm them. Make sure to cover food and to clear the holiday dinner table immediately after the meal. At Jefferson Animal Hospital in Baton Rouge, our veterinarian advises pet owners to forego holiday plants, place them outside or in a part of the house that's off limits to your pet. We also recommend that you have your pet microchipped, if you haven't already. This simple, inexpensive and painless procedure can ensure that your pet will be returned to you should he or she become lost. Ask our animal clinic staff about microchipping.

If your pet gets anxious when there are a lot of people around, consider boarding your cat or dog at our animal clinic. Our veterinarian asks that you make your pet boarding arrangements well in advance as space is limited and we want to ensure we can accommodate as many pets as possible.

What special precautions do you take around the holiday season to make sure that your pet stays safe? Do you board your cat or dog while you are away? Have you had to make a trip to pet urgent care during the holidays?

Pet Wellness Plans from Baton Rouge Veterinarian

Wellness Starts with Regular Animal Clinic Visits
for Routine Procedures

An annual visit to our animal clinic is the first step in an effective wellness plan. Regular visits give our veterinarians a chance to thoroughly examine the physical health of your pet as well as check in on any changes in behavior, habits, or other factors. Regular visits are also a time to schedule necessary vaccinations and procedures, such as teeth cleaning and routine lab tests, that can further help maintain the health of your pet.

A healthy diet is another key component in our animal hospital’s wellness plans. Our veterinarians can ensure your pet is getting the essential nutrients and calories needed to suit their age, type, and activity level. We can also assess if your pet is perhaps getting too many calories, which can cause obesity and other health concerns. We can also recommend nutritious food and treat choices, as well as a feeding schedule, to best suit your pet.

Keeping your pet safe is just as important as keeping your pet healthy, and our clinic offers microchipping in case your pet ever gets lost. A pet microchip, which is a small unit our vet inserts beneath your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades, is a permanent identification tool. The HomeAgain program stores the information in a central database and immediately alerts you when your pet is found.

If you have questions about pet wellness and prevention, please let our staff know.

How do you help maintain your pet's health and wellness?

Pet Boarding at Our Animal Hospital Has Benefits

We are sure that many of our clients have plans to travel before the end of the year. We know that it is important to you that your pets are kept safe and that you have a reliable pet care provider to watch over your animals. There are many pet care options available, so it can be difficult to decide what to do with your animal while you are away. Pet boarding at an animal clinic is a very safe and convenient choice for many reasons.

Five Reasons to Board Your Pet at an Animal Clinic

Getting the best care possible while you are away. It can be difficult to rely on friends and family to watch your pet while you are away. Taking care of your animal may become inconvenient for them, and your pet may not end up receiving the best care possible.

Pet urgent care from a veterinarian is always available. Also, in the unlikely event of an animal emergency, it is always better for your animal to be at a pet urgent care facility.

Your pet will have lots of visitors and stimulation. At an animal hospital, your pet will receive more attention than he or she would get if left in an empty house.

Pets are always closely monitored by our professional staff. All animals are closely monitored when they are boarded at veterinary facilities by our knowledgeable and experienced staff.

Our facility is secure, safe, and keeps your pet calm and comfortable. You can be sure that your animal will not run away, and you can rest easy knowing that a veterinarian is around to monitor your pet’s well-being.

Safe and Comfortable Pet Boarding

At Jefferson Animal Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, we have a secure, clean and comfortable boarding facility for your pets. It is important to us that you can relax when you are away from your animals, knowing that they are receiving excellent care and attention at our clinic. We ensure that boarded animals are constantly monitored and receive plenty of love and attention from our staff. In addition, a Baton Rouge veterinarian is nearby to ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy.

We would love to hear from our readers about boarding at our clinic. Why do you choose to board your pet at an animal hospital?