Animal Care Tips

Heartworm disease is serious, but it's also one of the most preventable health threats your pet will face. The key is understanding how this parasitic disease spreads, why it affects dogs and cats differently, and why consistent prevention matters more than you might think.

CPR is a support procedure that stands for Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and includes chest compressions to get blood flowing, and rescue breaths to deliver oxygen to the organs. Learn more below!

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight involves understanding the balance between what goes into the bowl and what goes into enriching your pet's daily life.

Before you fall for that adorable face, a Virginia Tech expert says to consider temperament, energy level, and what you really want from a pet.

Learn how to keep bath time safe for your pet with tips on proper technique, product selection, and warning signs that need veterinary attention.

Veterinary social worker Augusta O’Reilly offers guidance on navigating the emotional complexities of the holiday season, from coping with "anticipatory grief" for aging companions to establishing traditions that honor the memory of pets we have lost.

When cold weather limits outdoor time, pets still need exercise and enrichment. Mark Freeman of the Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital shares safety tips for winter outings and creative indoor activities to keep pets physically active, mentally stimulated, and healthy all season long.

September is National Pet Memorial Month, in recognition, we share ways to celebrate the enduring bond between people and their pets. From creating keepsakes to giving back in their honor, these gentle practices can help transform grief into lasting love. Learn about the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s new Comfort Room and the Butterfly Project, a living memorial created by our community to honor cherished companions.

Trips to a veterinarian can be a challenge, but here are some tips to make visits less stressful for both you and your pet.

A Virginia Tech veterinary expert shares crucial tips on how to identify toxic blue-green algae and what immediate actions to take to protect your pet from this hidden, and often fatal, summertime danger.

Spaying and neutering are sterilization procedures but the surgeries are relatively low risk.

As we move into summer, it's important to know the signs of heatstroke in your pet and what to do for their safety and health.

Gardening offers the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and make your yard prettier. Here are some ways to create a safe garden you and your pets can enjoy.

Pets' body language depends on context, but here are a few quick tips to help owners decode it for better understanding.

Houseguests might bring you holiday cheer, but pets may need help adjusting to changes in routine.

There are several hazards that can turn festive celebrations into unexpected veterinary visits.

National Pet Diabetes Month offers chance to learn more about how your pet may suffer from a malady also common in humans.

As Halloween approaches and you start decorating your home with jack-o'-lanterns and spooky decorations, it's important to consider how this festive season might affect our furry friends.

Leptospirosis, known colloquially as "lepto," lives in wet environments and can be spread through the urine of infected animals.

Nutrition and grooming are keys to maintaining pet coat health.

Stress can cause unwanted behaviors and can lead to injury, illness, and aggression in cats and dogs. As a pet owner, it’s important to be aware of and address your pet’s stress so your pet can be happy and healthy.

Regular wellness visits, vaccinations, dental care, and other routine appointments can catch health issues earlier and make them less expensive to treat.

Spring is in full swing, which means pollen and other allergens are wreaking havoc on the 50 million Americans who experience seasonal allergies. But humans aren’t the only species that suffer due to allergens — other animals, including our pets, can have allergies, too.

As Valentine's Day approaches, you may be planning to enjoy some chocolates and candies. While these sweet treats delight us, they can pose significant risks to our pets. Understanding what's enjoyable for us but might be harmful for our furry friends is important during this sweet holiday.

Celebrating the holidays can bring a lot of joy, but it can also endanger the health of your furry companions. It’s important to be aware of pet health hazards — especially around the holidays, when the home is filled with new sights and smells like decorations and holiday meals.

As pet owners, we all want our furry companions to have long and happy lives, but as dogs and cats age, their needs change. Let’s look at some common health problems your pet may face in their old age.

Disasters can strike unexpectedly, leaving families and their beloved pets vulnerable and needing immediate assistance. Taking proactive measures to safeguard your pet's well-being by following a few simple steps can ensure their safety and increase the chances of a swift reunion in case of separation.

It is often said that prevention is the best medicine — and that’s especially true for pet vaccinations. No pet owner wants to see a furry friend get sick, and as an added bonus, vaccinations are far less expensive than treating a disease.

Pets hold a special place in our hearts – capturing their adorable antics and unique personalities through photography has become a popular and cherished pastime and even a profession. However, photographing our animal companions can be quite challenging due to their unpredictable antics. Here are some tips to help you get great photos of your furry, feathery, and even scaly friend from our college communications manager and photographer, Margie Christianson.

Millions of pets in the United States have microchips so they can be returned to their homes if they become lost. A collar and tag with your phone number may be the easiest way for you to be reunited with your pet, but collars can slip off — and a microchip can’t.

Did you know that May is National Pet Month? The VMCVM is full of pet lovers (duh!), so we’re giving you five fun ideas to celebrate the pets in your life.

Heartworm infection is a serious disease that can be fatal if left untreated. It is caused by worms that normally live in animals' heart, lungs, and blood vessels but can migrate to other tissues and organs, including the brain, kidneys, and eyes. These worms grow up to a foot long and can cause organ damage, heart failure, and lung disease. Cats and dogs can both get heartworm, though the disease looks different in the two species.

Poisoning is a leading cause of injury and death in companion animals in the USA. It's essential to stay informed about the most common causes of poisoning and to take steps to prevent it. By being vigilant and taking steps to protect your pet from toxic substances, you can help keep them safe and healthy.

Pets are beloved members of many families, so it's important to ensure that they receive the proper care in order to keep them healthy and happy. One aspect of pet care that is often overlooked is oral health. It’s been estimated that a whopping 85% of cats over the age of three suffer from dental disease!