Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

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.

Dogs are truly man’s best friend. They always have our back, no matter what. Not only are they loyal, but they are loving, and great best friends for our kids. We just wish we could know what is on their minds.

How awesome would it be to get home from work, and be able to have a conversation with your furry friend about your day as well as their day? Believe it or not, you can interpret quite a lot about what they are saying through the types of dog barks you’re hearing. Your chats may not be long, but you can understand what barks mean to determine whether your dog is happy, sad, or something else entirely.

As cat owners, we may not give a lot of thought to the humble litter box. After all, among the many things needed to care for our kitty friend, the best litter box probably isn’t on the top of our wish list. But your pet’s litter is an important part of keeping kitty happy and going where she should. A litter box can turn troublesome when problems with accidents and smells, among other issues, become apparent.

This is why your veterinary partners at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services are here to relay the basics of the litter box and what your choices can mean for your cat.

Pets explore the world with their mouths. They will try a bite of almost anything in their paths, and it is no surprise that their favorite pastime is eating. When a pet overindulges or has stomach upset, it can be uncomfortable for them and sometimes trigger an emergency. 

Pet stomach problems are a common concern and a frequent reason for visits to our emergency room. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to explain reasons for tummy troubles and their prevention. Read on to learn more.

Pet memorial keepsakes. One of the hardest things any pet owner can face is the time when your pet must cross the rainbow bridge. Losing a beloved pet is a time of great sorrow, but also one of remembrance of the wonderful traits and moments your pet shared with you. Many pet owners memorialize their pet in a wide variety of ways, through displaying artistic photos or paintings to planting a beautiful garden in their honor.

There are several keepsakes that are unique and meaningful for those who have lost a four-legged friend. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for pet memorial keepsakes we’re sure you will cherish.

Do dogs dream? Most dogs spend a lot of time snoozing. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation reports that our four-legged friends average 12-14 hours a day in slumber. Dogs who are ill, puppies, and seniors sleep more. 

Since they sleep so much, we’ve wondered if dogs dream similarly to humans. After all, we’ve witnessed their strange twitches and muffled barks as they catch their Zzzs. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services decided to uncover whether dogs dream by looking at recent research, as well as personal observation.

Why do cats knock everything over or off onto the floor? If you are a cat owner, you probably know all about your feline companion’s love of knocking things over. Are your treasured knickknacks and breakables put away? Have you set down your glass of water just to watch your pal send it floorward? What’s with this destruction? Are they doing it from spite?

The reasons why cats knock everything over is the subject of many social media memes, but we at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services understand the frustration. We are here to explain this behavior and what you can do to curb it. 

Cold weather is something we all have to deal with in the Midwest, and this includes our pets. That’s why it’s important to understand the signs of hypothermia in dogs and its prevention. Aside from being unpleasant when you have to go outside, very frosty days can spell trouble for pets. 

Hypothermia is not so uncommon in our four-legged friends. It is a higher risk for dogs left outside most of the time in winter, but dogs in cold buildings or small dogs that are outside too long are also at risk of suffering hypothermia. 

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to help you learn more about hypothermia and what you can do to keep your pet safe this season.

Most of us want to stay inside when it is cold outside. The house is cozy and warm. Add snow, ice, or other inclement weather to the mix, and who the heck wants to go out? Your puppy may also be reluctant to go out into the snow and ice, but they have to “do their business” regardless of the chill. When you are housetraining your young pup, the winter months can add more challenge to an already challenging task.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services sympathizes with the process of housetraining your little one. We are here with 5 tips for how to potty train your puppy during the brisk days of winter.