Dear owner, Hey, it’s me—your pet. We need to talk about your upcoming holiday plans. For starters, I was really hoping you had forgotten what happened last year, but I see you’ve relocated the tiny ski village and the nativity set to the dining room table, so I guess the memory is still fresh. But [...]

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. An older pet can make a wonderful addition to your home and can be a better choice than a young pet. Senior pets are usually calmer and easier to handle, and typically are already trained. If you are considering adopting a senior pet, the south Austin veterinarians at [...]

During the holidays, pancreatitis cases among pets increase because owners want to share the celebratory feasts with them. The high-fat foods that are a typical part of holiday meals can cause serious health problems for your pet. The south Austin veterinarians at Oliver Animal Hospital want to explain how this dangerous condition can affect your [...]

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to feast with your family and friends, but this tradition can be distressing for your pet if certain precautions are not taken. Our Oliver Animal Hospital team shares their top tips to help ensure your pet stays safe on turkey day. #1: Don’t let your pet participate in the feast [...]

Chocolate has a dark side that has nothing to do with flavor. Every year, chocolate ingestion ranks in the top 10 most common pet toxins, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the Pet Poison Helpline. Chocolate’s sweet smell is as irresistible to pets as to people, but, unfortunately, the sweetness ends there. [...]

The countdown to Halloween is on, and preparations are in full swing. Maybe you’ve noticed your cat watching as you string fake spider webs on the mantle, or you’ve spotted your dog gazing longingly at the candy bowl. Don’t be fooled this Halloween—true evil waits for pets around every turn. To recognize and prepare for [...]

Popular culture celebrates chubby Chihuahuas and portly pit bulls, but the cruel reality is that overweight pets are suffering. Obesity significantly shortens pet lives, increases the risk for many inflammatory diseases, and alters their behavior. Your trusted south Austin vet, Oliver Animal Hospital, understands that talking about your pet’s weight during their appointment can be [...]

Is medicating your pet a battle? Dogs and cats are often challenging to medicate, because of a past negative experience. While this was likely accidental, you will need to have patience to replace your pet’s bad memories with good ones. These seven strategies from your trusted south Austin vet, Oliver Animal Hospital, will help your [...]

Cat owners frequently regard their pets as easy or low maintenance pets, but this falsehood fails to consider that indoor cats lead an unnatural, different  lifestyle, compared with their feral cousins. While indoor cats’ lives are certainly safer, their lifestyle restricts and limits their natural behavior, and affects their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. By [...]

Chewing is a naturally satisfying activity for dogs—which may explain why they find your dining room table legs irresistible. Healthy chewing breaks down plaque and tartar buildup on teeth, decreases boredom, relieves stress, and results in better behavior. Unfortunately, many chew toys are dangerous, and lead to broken teeth, choking, intestinal blockages, and gastrointestinal upset. [...]