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. […]
March 23rd is national puppy day, and this couldn’t be more fitting this year. Dr. Hartman recently got a new springer spaniel puppy named Afton! Puppies bring a lot of joy to the family, but are also work as well! A puppy should never be a spur of the moment decision, breeds and breeders should be researched, and lifestyle should be evaluated before bringing home a new pet. Different breeds have different energy levels, grooming requirements, and personalities. Care should be used to avoid adopting from a puppy mill and rescues should be considered. Many states also keep records of breeding facilities that they inspect. Puppies usually can only hold their bladder for about 1-2 hours when they first come home. It gradually increases as they get bigger (a rule of thumb is 1 hour per month of age), but some dogs are not able to go 8 hours until adulthood! It is important to consider your lifestyle and schedule for this reason. Puppies also require frequent visits to the vet in the first year for a number of reasons including to get booster vaccines, check weights, to make sure they are growing appropriately, and to be spayed or neutered. Adopting from a shelter may alter some of these visits, but there is […]
Providing the best possible veterinary care for your pet.
Heritage 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.
