FAQ
Answers for pet families.
Do I need an appointment?
- Appointments are recommended for routine visits.
- Urgent cases may be accommodated when possible.
- Not sure how urgent your pet’s condition is? Call us first—we can help guide you.
When should I take my pet to an emergency hospital?
Seek emergency care for signs such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse or severe weakness
- Seizures
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe trauma
- Suspected poisoning or toxin exposure
- Urinary obstruction or inability to urinate
- Repeated or severe vomiting/diarrhea
- Severe allergic reactions
- Difficulty giving birth
- Other sudden or potentially life-threatening conditions
When in doubt, call us. We can help determine the appropriate level of care.
Changing foods?
- Transition gradually over approximately 7–14 days.
- A slow transition can help reduce digestive upset.
- If your pet develops persistent vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or other concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
Do you offer nutrition and healthy weight counseling?
Yes!
We can help with:
- Choosing an appropriate diet
- Weight management
- Puppy and kitten nutrition
- Senior pet nutrition
- Prescription diets
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Homemade diet guidance
- Nutrition for pets with medical conditions
Our goal is to help you make informed nutritional choices that support your pet’s long-term health and quality of life.
What diet do you recommend?
We generally recommend diets from established veterinary nutrition companies, such as:
- Purina Pro Plan
- Hill’s Science Diet
- Royal Canin
- Eukanuba
- Iams
For fresh or gently cooked diets, options may include:
- JustFoodForDogs
- Chi Dog
When choosing a pet food, look for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label.
- Choose a food that is “complete and balanced” for your pet’s specific life stage.
- Make sure the food is appropriate for your pet’s age, size, and health needs.
- Marketing terms such as “premium,” “natural,” or “holistic” do not necessarily mean a food is nutritionally complete.
Your pet’s nutritional needs vary based on their age, size, lifestyle, and medical conditions. We can help you choose an appropriate diet for your pet.
What foods are toxic or unsafe for pets?
Never intentionally feed your pet:
- Chocolate
- Grapes or raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions, garlic, and other members of the allium family
- Xylitol/birch sugar
- Alcohol
- Avocado
- Coffee, tea, or other caffeine-containing products
- Raw yeast dough
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Excessively fatty or heavily seasoned foods
Some plants are highly toxic to pets. If your pet may have eaten something toxic, contact a veterinarian or animal poison service immediately.
What human foods are safe for my pet?
Small amounts of certain foods can be offered as treats, including:
- Fruits: apples (without seeds), bananas, watermelon, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, oranges, and cucumber
- Vegetables: carrots, broccoli, cooked pumpkin, sweet potato, green beans, peas, zucchini, asparagus, cauliflower, and lettuce
- Other: cooked eggs, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and small amounts of certain nut butters
Important:
- Introduce new foods gradually and in small amounts.
- Avoid foods containing xylitol/birch sugar, added seasonings, excessive salt, or other additives.
- Treats should make up only a small portion of your pet’s daily calories.
- If your pet develops vomiting, diarrhea, or other concerning signs after eating something new, contact your veterinarian.
What if I want to cook for my pet?
- Home-cooked diets can be appropriate when they are properly balanced and complete.
- We recommend consulting a veterinary nutrition professional before preparing a long-term homemade diet.
- Balance.it is a useful resource for developing nutritionally balanced recipes with appropriate supplementation.
- Avoid simply feeding meat, rice, vegetables, or other homemade combinations without ensuring they meet your pet’s nutritional requirements.
My pet is strictly indoors. Do they still need vaccines and parasite prevention?
- Yes. Indoor pets can still be exposed to infectious diseases and parasites.
- Mosquitoes can enter homes and transmit heartworm disease, which can cause serious and potentially life-threatening heart and lung damage.
- We recommend year-round heartworm and parasite prevention for dogs and appropriate parasite prevention for cats.
- Vaccination and testing recommendations depend on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors.
Does my pet need a dental cleaning?
- Dental disease is extremely common in dogs and cats.
- It can cause pain, infection, bad breath, and other health problems.
- We will evaluate your pet’s teeth and gums during their wellness examination and recommend dental care when appropriate.
How often should my pet see a veterinarian?
- Healthy adult pets: at least once a year
- Puppies and kittens: more frequent visits during their first year
- Senior pets or pets with medical conditions: often every 6 months or as recommended
Regular examinations help detect problems before they become more serious.
What should I bring to my pet’s first visit?
- Previous medical records and vaccination history
- Current medications and supplements
- Information about your pet’s current diet
- Recent laboratory results or imaging, if available
When is my pet considered a senior?
- This varies by species, breed, and size.
- Many dogs and cats are considered senior around 7–8 years of age, although larger dogs may reach this stage earlier.
- Senior pets benefit from regular examinations and routine bloodwork to help detect age-related conditions early.
- Your veterinarian may recommend more frequent monitoring based on your pet’s individual needs.
When should my puppy or kitten get their first vaccines?
- Puppies and kittens can typically begin their vaccine series at 6–8 weeks of age.
- Additional vaccines are given every 3–4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age.
- Your veterinarian will create a vaccination schedule based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors.