Senior pets in shelters are the least likely to find homes, sometimes making them most likely to be euthanized in crowding situations. Many people think that if an older pet is at the shelter, it means that they were problematic. This is not the case however. Many older pets belonged to households that had changes in them such as children, new jobs, moving, or an elderly person who is no longer able to care for them. This month we take a look at why adopting a senior pet is such a great thing! Adult dogs tend to have had some training. Most have been through obedience classes, may already have been taught simple commands and tricks, and have had time to become socialized and acclimated to living with humans. This often means most dogs are already house trained, meaning you don’t have to wake up every two hours all night like you would with a puppy! It also means that these pets tend to be less destructive, and are less likely to chew your favorite pair of shoes. That being said, you can teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, older dogs tend to be more able to focus than young puppies, meaning they may actually pick up on new tricks easier. […]
Learn MoreOne of the main behavior complaints we see for cats is inappropriate elimination (urinating and/or defecating outside of the litter box). We recommend an examination to make sure there is not a medical problem first. Things such as arthritis can make it hard to get into the litter box, losing vision can cause pets to have a hard time going down stairs to get to the box, and cognitive issues can cause changes in behavior. Urinary tract infections, urinary crystals, bladder stones, bladder polyps and tumors, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), anal gland issues, kidney disease, diabetes, other metabolic issues, neurologic issues, and gastrointestinal issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, lymphoma, parasites, or bacterial imbalances can all also present as inappropriate elimination. Often a thorough examination, urinalysis, stool analysis, anal gland expression, bloodwork, and/or radiographs may be recommended. If these results rule out a medical cause for the issue, behavior is then addressed. There are a number of things we recommend for litter box issues: 1) Increase the number of litter boxes. The rule of thumb is one plus the number of cats in the household, so for example, if you have 2 cats you should have a minimum of 3 litter boxes. Make sure they are in different locations-two boxes right […]
Learn MoreHeritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
12624 Base Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sat: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.