Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Blog

If your pet used to have more pep in their step than they do nowadays, there might be some good reasons. Of course, aging and other health conditions can have something to do with it. At The Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic, we know how important nutrition can be, though. Keep reading to decide if your pet diet choice is making your pet sluggish.

Most of us enjoy engaging in outdoor activities with our pets when the weather is nice, but what about those days when it’s raining cats and dogs? Are there any rainy day activities for pets that will keep your four-legged pal occupied indoors? Yes! Check out these ideas that are sure to keep your pet entertained no matter the forecast.

The Benefits of Being Active

More than 50% of pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese, so it’s essential to stay active – even during inclement weather. Mental activity is also important to stave off boredom, which can lead to a host of behavioral issues. Keeping your pet engaged both physically and mentally is better for everyone’s health and happiness. Continue…

Spring has finally sprung, and it’s that time of year in the PNW when we have a small window between rainy seasons (yeah, right!). Nonetheless, most outdoor enthusiasts don’t mind a little inclement weather and are gearing up for some hiking fun this season.

Since hiking safety means a lot of awareness and little bit of preparation, hiking with your pet naturally requires an added level of safety and legwork. To help make the most out of the great outdoors with your furry loved one, the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic has a few tips to make sure every trek is an awesome one. Continue…

Yoga is all the rage among the hip and healthy among us, and for good reason. It’s a great way to keep in shape, decrease stress, improve posture and core strength, and gain a sense of peace in a hectic world. From hot yoga to traditional hatha, there are many options for most anyone to choose from, including animal lovers!

Yoga with pets has taken the yoga world by storm after rolling out the first doga (dog yoga) sessions in Barcelona in 1958. Since then, almost every animal imaginable has been invited onto the mat. Pet yoga is definitely a thing, and the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic is equally enthusiastic about delving into its many benefits!

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Since childhood, most of us recognize the food pyramid and understand the important role diet plays in overall health. For our furry friends, this is equally true. Pet nutrition is not only crucial to daily wellbeing, it’s also useful in managing and preventing certain health conditions.

Nutrition is more than just throwing some random kibble in your pet’s bowl. There is a rhyme and reason behind nutritional guidelines for cats and dogs that include age, health, size, and species. To provide your pet with the best possible dietary choices, check out some of our information about pet nutrition guidelines.

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The remaining weeks of the year also happen to be some of the best, and we can almost visualize the age-old cornucopia offering autumn’s abundance. To fully enjoy all that the season has to offer, though, risks to your pet must be avoided. Pet emergencies are not uncommon between Halloween and New Year’s, making fall pet safety a top priority.

Fall Toxins

There are lots of natural items, such as seeds, nuts, leaves, vegetables, or roots that are scattered all over during the fall. The good news is that even if your pet is tempted to sample or chew on various plants, most are completely harmless.
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Having an itchy pet is frustrating. The solution requires determining not only the source of your pet’s itching, but also the best strategy for managing whatever your pet’s condition may be.

Investigating the cause of your pet’s itching may include checking for a food allergy. But how do you know if your pet needs to be checked for food allergies, and what exactly is involved?

How Do I Know if My Pet Might Have a Food Allergy?

A pet food allergy is a response by the body to a food that has been ingested. These reactions can be due to a chemical or other intolerance, not necessarily allergy, so it is more accurate to call these adverse food reactions. Many times the offending food item is a protein. Occasionally, though, a carbohydrate can be the cause of the issue. In order from most common to least, the causes of adverse food reactions in dogs and cats include: Continue…