Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

If you feel like we do at Androscoggin Animal Hospital, you want to give your dog the absolute best of everything. Pet food is no exception. But how do you know how to choose the very best dog food? Don’t worry, we will help you decide?

There’s a reason why “smarty cat” is part of our vernacular. Any cat lover will profess that cats are extremely intelligent creatures, with an insatiable curiosity, an ability to adapt to their surroundings, and a distinct aura of superiority—especially when they’re in the presence of dogs. And perhaps the clearest marker of feline intelligence: they have very little interest in following orders.

Cat lovers agree that all cats are smarty cats, but some cat breeds are known for being more quick-witted than others.

While most people know the exact location and function of a dog’s penis, many dog owners are unfamiliar with the medical term “paraphimosis.” Occurring when the glans, or the actual penis, gets caught in the outward position, paraphimosis ranges from quite unpleasant to downright dangerous. As it is with all matters concerning your dog’s health and wellbeing, we recommend taking a close look at their anatomy and behavior to know when things aren’t right.

While vegans do not consume (or often use) animal products, many vegans have the desire to provide love and care to animals. Some pets are not able to be like their owner and live the vegan lifestyle. There are many fluffy and not-so-fluffy friends that don’t need meat and can be fantastic pet companions. If you are a vegan and find yourself asking what kind of pets can fit in with your lifestyle, Androscoggin Animal Hospital has you covered.

It is such an important part of your pet’s preventive and wellness care program to be sure they come in to see us at Androscoggin Animal Hospital regularly. Visiting the vet can be worrisome for some pets, though, and nerve-wracking for pet owners, too. Not to worry, though! We have some great tips to prepare you and your dog for a successful vet visit. 

Cats have some pretty adorable behaviors. Head-butting, keyboard-napping, eye-squinting, and printer-prowling top the list, but above all else, the rhythmic front paw kneading truly takes the tuna-flavored cake. Cats knead as a holdover from infancy when their bite-sized paws stimulated the let-down of their mother’s milk for a well-timed snack. That explains a lot, but why do they continue to do this well beyond kittenhood?

One of the most meaningful ways that people connect with others is through food. We break bread, dine together, and share in wonders of taste and tradition. Pets know our rituals well, and are rarely unmoved by the sights and smells of savory meats, glistening gravies, and crusty dinner rolls. Their cuteness and persistence turn even the stingiest pet owners into big pushovers. Giving a pet table scraps might feel generous and fun at the time, but can actually have some terrible consequences.

Half of all people make New Year’s Resolutions, and yet only a small percentage keep them going. It’s great to be optimistic about the future, but it’s equally important to keep our goals realistic. Luckily, when it comes to pet wellness, objectives are not only straightforward, they’re attainable to boot! Join us in discovering and supporting New Year’s Resolutions for our pets.

While most store-bought pet treats are perfectly fine for your pet, sometimes you want to go the extra mile and make something from scratch to show your love. This way, you know all the ingredients that your pet is consuming, and can feel good about giving your pet something homemade. 

Panting is perfectly natural for pooches. They pant when they’re happy, pant when they’re thirsty, and pant in your face when they just want attention! 

Cats, on the other hand, are rarely caught with their tongues hanging out. It’s perfectly normal for a cat to indulge in a few deep breaths after a bout of active play, but if your cat starts panting heavily for no discernable reason, a call to your pet’s doctor may be in order.