Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

Awaiting the birth of new pups is an exciting time. When your dog is pregnant or nursing, their diet is key to the puppies’ gestation and development. You may be asking, “What should I feed my pregnant dog”? Good, balanced nutrition is the foundation for health. Building on that, there are specific needs at each stage of your dog’s pregnancy. What you feed your pet can go a long way in delivering healthy puppies. 

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services congratulate you on your upcoming bundles of joy. We are here to provide insight and recommendations on what you should feed your pregnant dog. 

Despite ties between grain-free dog food and heart disease, grain-free diets are still popular. Is this risky? What’s the latest update? 

Manufacturers of grain-free dog foods promote the benefits of pure animal-based protein and alternative meats, such as wild game. But in 2019, a study by the University of California, Davis concluded that grain-free, as well as certain boutique foods, are linked to a heart condition affecting dogs. 

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we continue to track the research about these diets. We want to keep our pet families well informed, so they can give their pets the best care.

Many owners take their pets’ senses for granted. After all, their impeccable sense of smell and keen hearing, as well as top-notch vision, are abilities that make an animal special. So, hearing loss in pets may come as a surprise to the owner. They may not even know their cat or dog is deaf until the loss becomes much more apparent.

Hearing loss in pets is a common occurrence, especially in senior pets. There are several things we can do to help your pet live a better life, even through the loss of their hearing.

Are you caring for a blind dog or cat? If a pet develops blindness in their older years or becomes visually impaired, it can be challenging for you and your furry one. Losing sight can be scary for a pet that relies heavily on that sense for their safety and sense of familiarity. 

Normal routines may be difficult and there is increased risk of injury and accident if your pet is blind or visually impaired. The good news is that your pet can continue to live a happy life with a little help.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to provide simple steps you can take to make your visually-impaired pet less vulnerable to injury, as well as increase their quality of life.

We know that pets give us unconditional love and joy. They improve our mental health, increase relaxation, and make us healthier. When it comes to children with special needs, studies show that the bond between differently-abled kids and pets can prove to be especially invaluable. There are many ways pets help children with disabilities. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to explain this wonderful relationship.

Are you over-exercising your dog during COVID-19? Exercise and fresh air are good for us and our pawed friends. During this spring, as we wait out the impact of COVID-19, most of us are staying at home with our loved ones, including the family dog. For our mental and physical health, a walk or run around the neighborhood is about the only way to escape the house. You grab the leash and the dog and head out. But how many walks are good for your dog, and how much is too much?

To avoid over-exercising your dog, your team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to help you stick to a pet friendly, healthy exercise regiment.

Cardiopulmonary disease in dogs affects the heart and lungs. An integrative approach pairs the disease treatment expertise of Western veterinary medicine with early prevention and holistic health support of Eastern medicine.

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services want to explain more about cardiopulmonary disease in dogs, its prevention, and an integrative approach to its treatment.

Busy people or travelers can need help in finding a dog walker. Your dog loves his walks. You know he does! And your pet needs daily exercise, so what is the best solution when you are busy or away? A dog walker, of course. But how do you find a dependable, experienced one?

The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to help you in finding a dog walker both you and your pet will love.

Everyone needs a friend. After all, it’s good to have a companion who understands you and respects your needs. But does my dog need a friend? The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services with our friends at Gigglepets.net is here to help you answer that question. 

Dogs belong to the Canidae family, i.e. the family of wolves and foxes. Fortunately, dogs are domesticated and social animals. They enjoy friendly interactions with familiar humans or other animals and tend to avoid isolation. 

That being said, every dog is different has its own temperament and preferences. Some dogs prefer to live alone with their owners, while others prefer having another dog friend in the house. How can you decide if your particular dog would enjoy having another dog in the house? It starts with a little observation and research. 

Can I take my dog on Uber or other public transportation? This is a question that comes up often. In today’s world, many of us need public transportation at some point. One of our primary modes of transit is Uber, or a similar rideshare service. A common question when you are traveling with a furry friend is whether you can take them with you.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to answer your questions about whether you can take your dog on Uber and other transit services.