Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

Pet dental chews are touted as being essential to your pet’s oral health, but do they really work? What are the best brands? Are there better ways to care for your pet’s teeth and gums? Do you really need to worry about your pet’s dental health?

Oral hygiene is critical to your pet’s overall health and longevity, and the right dental chew has its place in their dental care plan. The team at Bowman Veterinary Hospital have gathered the facts, and we’re here to walk you through this sometimes confusing, but always important topic!

Worldwide, Covid-19 has unquestionably altered modern life. While it may not last forever, the sizable shifts in how we conduct business will remain for at least the foreseeable future. What this means for pet owners is that their previously streamlined appointments might have a few roadblocks from time to time. 

Striking a balance between our established patient seeking routine wellness care and new ones with pressing needs isn’t easy these days, and may result in owners waiting for a veterinary appointment longer than ever before.

While 2020 was quite the adventure, there is no doubt that our pets made the best adventure (and quarantine) buddies ever. Their antics and quirks have kept us laughing and their love keeps us going, through all the ups and downs.

This past year, many of us have spent more time with our pets than ever before. And, during that time, we have also noticed more about their health, behavior, and oddities than ever, too. We are grateful that you have turned to Bowman Veterinary Hospital’s blog to learn more about your pet and how to support them, whatever their need.

With that in mind, we humbly offer you Bowman Veterinary Hospital’s top 5 most popular blogs of 2020.

If your pet has been packing on the pounds, or if you are wondering about the quality of treats you feed, you are in luck. The team at Bowman Veterinary Hospital has put together some great ideas for healthy treats for pets this season. 

There are many good reasons for switching to healthy snacks for your furry one. Along with reduced calories, in many cases, you know that you are giving them better ingredients. 

Without further ado, let’s get down to the snacks!

Directly following a carbohydrate-rich meal, the digestive system breaks food down into glucose, the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Glucose is absorbed in the gut making blood sugar levels rise. The pancreas responds to these changes by producing the important hormone insulin.  

Diabetes in pets occurs when the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin (Type 1) or the body’s cells don’t respond properly to the amount of insulin secreted (Type 2). The effects of untreated diabetes can be extremely dangerous to long term health. 

If you have lived through any natural disaster, you know that every second counts when evacuating or sheltering in place. Each disaster, whether it be a hurricane, tornado, forest fire, or the like, has its own manner of getting to safety. You may even have a disaster plan for your family in place. We have certainly had our share of wildfires this year that have devastated California and the Pacific Coast, as well as the West.

In this age of unpredictability, it makes sense to prepare for the worst. For those of us in the west, this means getting ready for wildfire season every year. Between packing up necessities in case of an evacuation and planning the quickest escape route, we can easily overlook the effects of smoke inhalation. 

A wildfire doesn’t have to be in our backyards to suffer from dangerous side effects. As a result, pet fire safety should be one of our highest priorities.

If your pet has had surgery of any kind, it’s only natural that they will need lots of rest before they’re back on their paws. There will, of course, be a set amount of time for them to heal and work their way back to good health and well-being; but exercise, enrichment, and play? 

Movement is critical to the recovery process, too. It allows for better healing and maintains your pet’s energy, stamina, healthy weight, and mental health. There are some cautions, though, to be aware of when you get your recovering pet moving again. 

Lucky for you, your friends at Bowman Veterinary Hospital are here to advise on how to exercise your pet after surgery, for a great and safe recovery!

Cats are the ultimate pets, an idea supported by the sheer number of them that share our homes. They’re cute, entertaining, and comforting to have around. Plus, their quiet, reserved natures make them really easy to care for, right? 

When we take the time to truly understand a cat’s needs and preferences, cat care can be relatively uncomplicated, but if we aren’t especially tuned into their unique natures we might miss a thing or two. Luckily, effortless (and yet, totally involved) cat care is attainable – and we can help!

Taking good care of a pet comes with a lot of responsibility. From taking the time to provide proper socialization and training to selecting the perfect diet, a lot goes into giving your furry friend the best possible life.

When it comes to good veterinary care, cost must come into the picture at some point. Proactive wellness care and preparation for emergencies and illness is part of responsible pet ownership. Bowman Veterinary Hospital knows that pet care comes at a price, and that’s why we like to help our clients understand all their payment options.