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Following the adoption of a new pet, a “honeymoon period” commences. Pet owners are understandably smitten with their new addition and forgive certain transgressions, like waking up at dawn, climbing on the furniture or leaving a puddle or pile behind. 

It takes time for newbies to learn and conform to the rules of the household, and in some cases the process of house training a new pet can be painstaking. Take heart. Getting your pet to understand when and where they can relieve themselves is an investment with sizable returns. 

There are so many positives when it comes to dog ownership, but that doggy smell is not one of them. It’s not always bad per se, but it is unmistakably “canine” in nature.

It’s easy to overlook or ignore mild odors, but when the aroma of a smelly dog takes over the entire house, it’s time to act.

Clean and Shiny

After a nice scrub and rinse, most dogs will continue to smell pretty nice for a while. Naturally, they will begin to smell somewhat doggy between baths and grooming appointments. Why does this happen?

Owners of indoor cats come in all shapes and sizes, but they have at least one thing in common. The majority of these dedicated pet owners fall for the misconception that, because their cat doesn’t go outside, parasites aren’t a real threat. 

Sure, with fewer chances of exposure to bugs, indoor cats are at less risk for potential diseases spread by parasites. But, sadly, cats aren’t immune to parasites, no matter their lifestyle. When it comes to cat care best practices, creating a buffer between all pet cats and the world of creepy crawlies is the answer. 

As winter keeps its icy grip, the spring thaw probably seems far away. You’ve probably taken precautions to keep your pets safe from freezing temperatures and extreme weather. But what about the steps (ahem) needed to ensure winter paw safety? 

Snow and ice, not to mention the dry air and de-icing chemicals, can all wreak havoc on your pet’s sensitive paws. 

Keep reading to learn how to keep your dog’s paws safe in winter weather, from your friends at Androscoggin Animal Hospital.

The new year always brings about a chance for reflection and taking stock of our blessings and accomplishments. And at this time of year it feels natural to be grateful for our clients and patients, and all we’ve experienced with you this past year. Although it wasn’t always rosy, the chance to help you care for your pets is always an honor. 

Androscoggin Veterinary Hospital is always looking for ways to help enhance pet health and reach pet owners who may be interested in new pet health information or even just a dose of silly fun. And our pet care blog is one way we can do that on a regular basis.

With that in mind, we’ve looked back at most-read blogs of 2019, and compiled them here for you. Enjoy! 

Welcoming a new pet into your home at any time of year is exciting, but there is a special magic to adopting a pet during the holidays. So much so, that we can become giddy at the thought of surprising a significant other, a child, or a family member with a new pet. 

Of course, there are some special considerations with holiday pet adoption. For one thing, you don’t want a newly adopted pet to wind up back at the shelter or rehomed after the holidays are over. Even the best laid plans can backfire without some special planning and preparation. 

Keep reading for tips on holiday pet adoption from your team at Androscoggin Animal Hospital. 

Lumps and bumps on pets are a common cause of veterinary checkups. You may be petting your fur friend and suddenly find a small lump under the skin. Or, you may notice that an old bump on the skin is now bleeding, or has changed in color. Masses, cysts, skin tags, and other issues that appear on or underneath your pet’s skin is a frequent concern among pet owners.

If you are asking yourself, “What’s this lump on my pet,” we can help answer the question. Many of these are benign, but there is cause to be concerned with certain skin growths. The team at Androscoggin Animal Hospital takes a closer look at these anomalies. 

At Androscoggin Animal Hospital, we’ve seen it all when it comes to pet illnesses and injuries. Each member of our staff entered the field of veterinary medicine out of a deep love for animals, and a desire to help them heal and to see them thrive. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than having to watch a family struggle to afford paying for their pet’s medical bills, or worse having to make the decision to decline treatment. 

Helping our beloved patients and their families, and giving back to our community are both extremely important to us, which is why we’ve joined forces with the Animal Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) Veterinary Charitable Fund.

Have your ever gotten a whiff of your pet’s paws and thought to yourself, “corn chips?” That’s curious, right? Sure, dogs don’t always smell particularly wonderful, but why this recognizable scent? “Frito paws” is a common complaint from many dog owners and can usually be easily explained. 

If you’ve wondered why Fido’s paws smell like corn chips, then you have come to the right place. The team at Androscoggin Animal Hospital can help uncover the reason behind this phenomenon and offer some suggestions for taking good care of those pet paws.

Our fur babies are important to us and, if you have a new puppy or kitten, we bet you are reveling in the joy and fun of it all. Of course you want to give your new pet a great start in life, and you and your veterinary healthcare team can make sure that happens. 

Puppy and kitten vaccines is the place to start. Androscoggin Animal Hospital shares some of the ins and outs of vaccines, why they are important, and a bit about how they work. 

Why a Series of Vaccines?

Vaccines are important at any age. Adult pets need to be protected from infectious disease just as puppies and kittens do. With adults, we vaccinate much less often, and we carefully balance what vaccines are needed based on age, breed, and how and where an adult pet is active.