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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.

No matter how much we wish that our pets never got sick or injured, we are still not at a place in modern medicine where we can prevent these things entirely. While good wellness care goes a long way, Androscoggin Animal Hospital still sees plenty of sick patients. We would love to share with you, though, the top dog health problems we see and our advice to navigate them better. 

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.

For many families, fall brings a significant shift in day-to-day schedules. Long summer days are left behind, kids return to school, and evenings and weekends are full of hobbies and extracurricular activities. Some family members, including the furry ones, are less than thrilled with this change.

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.

Have you ever had the notion that your dog could tell when you’re sick or sad? It turns out, your hunch is correct. Dogs pay attention to a variety of signals to notice how their favorite humans are feeling. They can recognize changes in facial expressions and behaviors and can also pick up on chemical changes using their advanced sense of smell.

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.

You’re positively smitten with your kitten and beguiled by your bulldog, but can your pets experience feelings of love the same way you do? In a nutshell: absolutely! 

At Androscoggin Animal Hospital, we appreciate that the love you have for your pets runs deep, and we believe that our animal sidekicks, in their own special ways, can return that love to the people (and other pets) in their lives.