Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

We enjoy the health benefits of over the counter supplements, herbal remedies, and other natural solutions to health. Are herbal supplements for pets safe and worth the money? We’re sure you’ve seen many more all-natural and herbal supplements for pets on the market. Some of them promise to address certain conditions and diseases, while others just promote better overall health. 

Because of this, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to take the time to cover the use of herbal supplements for pets to steer you in the right direction for your fur friend.

When it comes to selecting the best puppy food, or best senior dog food, the choices seem endless. It can feel overwhelming, especially now that we have additional offerings in grain-free, raw, organic, and homemade. Where do you begin? One factor that should always guide you to the best food for your dog is their age. 

Your dog’s nutritional needs change with age and your choices will impact the quality of their development, health, and well-being. This is why Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to explain what goes into determining the dietary needs of your puppy or senior dog based on their life stage. 

If you are like most loving pet owners, you look for ways to treat your pet. Pet subscription boxes have become a popular choice for busy owners. The concept for this service is that a variety of toys and treats, and other fun goodies, come in the mail once a month. It’s a great way to keep your pet interested in their toys to encourage more exercise and mental enrichment. 

Since there are several options in cat and dog subscription boxes, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has spotlighted some of our favorites.

Anyone who adores our animal friends is also aware of a number of pet myths. How do you get the facts straight when it comes to important aspects of your pet’s health and wellness? While some pet myths seem pretty harmless, there are others that can seriously delay a pet from getting treatment or the care they need.

To shine a light on fact vs. fiction, your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services are here to give you some insight. 

Most pet owners want to bring their pets with them for vacations and other travel opportunities. This trend is why there is a demand for pet-friendly lodging that goes above and beyond your standard motels and hotels. The great news is that there’s many choices in lodging that welcomes your furriest pals along for the fun. 

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services scouted out 8 of the best pet-friendly AirBnB stays for your vacay pleasure.

Fall is a beautiful season for outdoor enthusiasts to hike, camp, fish, and hunt (and do all of this with their dogs, of course). Our colorful array of autumn foliage makes this a wonderful time to be outside exploring nature with our dogs. 

Wild mushrooms are hidden toxins that grow throughout the year, but more so after a rainy period. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to bring awareness about mushroom poisoning in dogs and what you can do to protect your furry friend.

These days, most pets go with us everywhere. Whether it’s a family vacation or a visit to extended family, we take our furry family members. Life on the road is the norm for many pets whose owners love to be on the go. If you are planning on taking your pet with you on an upcoming trip, there are a few things to be prepared for. Use our tips for a pet-friendly hotel stay and help your pet adjust to hotel stays by preparing ahead of time. The trip will be much smoother.

The team at Oakland Vet Referral Services explains how to make a pet-friendly decision in your choices in lodging, and how to ensure a happy stay.

Does your dog come when called? This is one of the most important commands you can teach your dog. It can be a challenging command for the dog that is a little stubborn, but this command can keep your dog (and other animals) safe when learned. In most cases, it is fairly easy to teach your dog reliable recall so that they come when you call. 

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services offer tips for how to train your dog to come when called. We want to turn that no show Fido into a reliable recall Rover!

What do you do when your veterinarian can’t figure out what’s wrong with your pet? Most of the time, with excellent veterinary medical training and state of the art diagnostic tools, veterinarians can accurately diagnose pets when they experience ill health. But that isn’t always the case.

Some medical issues are complex, or they masquerade as another similar disease or condition. The same symptoms can be due to multiple health issues, and narrowing them down to the right diagnosis requires time and a greater measure of expertise. Humans aren’t always easy to diagnose and neither are our furry family members.

If your veterinarian can’t figure out what’s wrong with your dog or cat, your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services may be able to help. Let’s take a closer look at what you should do to get your furry friend an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.

Puppies are full of curiosity and wonder, and are, of course, always getting into things. During your little one’s first few months, much goes into their training and socialization. A big part of this is training them to “potty outside” rather than in the living room. One of the best tools of the trade in puppy training is the crate.

You may wonder if you should crate train your puppy. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services gives you the lowdown on the easy way to crate train a puppy with great results.