Kitty Klaus: Best Christmas Gifts for Cats

Looking for ideas for gifts for cats? Christmas isn’t the same without our pets involved in the festivities. Buying gifts for our cat companions is a must for cat lovers everywhere. You may be wondering what special presents you should stash under the tree for your kitty. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has a few suggestions for the cat who has (almost) everything. Check out our top 10 christmas gifts for cats your pet will be sure to love.

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Santa Paws: Best Christmas Gifts for Dogs

‘Tis the season for giving gifts to loved ones. That includes buying gifts for the family dog. If you are searching for something new and fun for your bestie, we have 10 fantastic ideas for the best 2021 Christmas gifts for dogs. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has compiled some of our faves for the New Year.

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Road Tripping Rover: Tips for Traveling with a Dog

If you are planning on traveling with a dog, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has travel tips and suggestions to make the journey safe for Fido.

Since the pandemic started, there’s been a trend to take to the road to work remotely from campgrounds, RV parks, and adventure destinations. Sales of RVs, conversion vans, and other recreational vehicles have gone through the roof. No wonder so many pets are learning to adapt to life on the road! Along with this trend comes summer vacations and holidays that call for fun road trips. 

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Nutritious and Delicious: Your Guide to Homemade Dog Food

Many dog owners are looking to better their pets’ health through great nutrition. One way to do that is with homemade dog food. You can supplement commercial brands that feature whole foods or grain-free ingredients, or you can completely jump into creating your own DIY dog food. 

The trouble with jumping into the unfamiliar waters of home cooked dog food is that many essential nutrients can be overlooked. This is why the team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to explore homemade dog food and what loving pet owners need to consider.

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Can Cats Eat Chocolate or Anything Chocolate?

Cat eating chocolate

Can cats eat chocolate? What about chocolate-flavored foods like ice cream? Is a little chocolate okay? There are many delicious foods that humans enjoy that can be poisonous to cats. In the realm of pet poisonings, you hear more about dogs and food toxicity because they comprise the majority of the cases. But there are several food-related poisonings that occur with our cat companions each year. 

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services take a closer look at the foods that are off limits to cats and answer the question, can my cat eat chocolate?

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Clutter: 7 Easy Ways to Organize Your Dog Supplies

Dogs seem to have almost as much clutter as we do. Let us help you organize your dog supplies. Toys across the kitchen floor, dental chews hidden under the sofa, last year’s Christmas gift for Fido buried somewhere in the closet…Yes, it is time for some decluttering! With all the food and treats, toys, beds, and grooming supplies, you probably wonder if you need a separate room just for your dog. 

This is where the team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services comes in. We are here to give you simple tips and organization hacks to help you organize your dog supplies for less clutter and greater efficiency. 

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Preparing Your Pet for Surgery

A yellowish dog lays sleeping with a cone around its neck like one that is used to keep the surgery wounds clean after surgery.

Preparing your pet for surgery can be stressful. There are many things to consider and you may be dealing with a companion that is injured or feeling under the weather. Being prepared prior to surgery will give your pet the best odds of a swift, safe, and successful recovery. 

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has a team of board-certified surgeons and surgical staff. They perform many advanced surgeries to help, treat, and cure our beloved fur friends. Here are a few tips to help you in preparing for the big day.

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More Creative Ways to Keep Your Dog Active In Winter

When the days are short and the nights longer, it’s easy for most of us — including our dogs — to get bored and restless. Add the cold and busyness of the holiday season, and those long winter months can lead to boredom, behavior problems, and general lethargy. Our pets need daily exercise and enrichment to stay at their best, but winter can throw a wrench in those activities. 

We’ve written about fun cold-weather activities and indoor enrichment. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is back with eight more suggestions to help keep your dog active in winter. With a little bit of creativity and effort, your furry friend won’t be bored through the cold months.

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Bunnies, Duckies, and Dogs! Fun Easter Costumes and Treats for Pets

Easter costumes for pets

Let Your Pets Join the Easter Fun!

The Peeps are out and Easter is on! If you aren’t devouring too many Cadbury Eggs, hats off to you. Those things are the epitome of Easter and all of its delicious treats. If you are a pet parent, you may be wondering how to include your dog or cat in the Easter excitement and festivities.

The Easter Bunny mentioned to the OVRS team that there are some pretty great Easter costumes and treats in store for your best fur friend. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.

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A Guide to Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

Be Ready for a Veterinary Emergency

Almost every pet will experience a veterinary emergency in their lifetime. These range from a sudden illness, to an injury, to more critical situations like poisoning or an animal attack. In these scenarios, the scene can be scary and confusing for you and your pet. You may wonder what to do, and how you can help until getting your pet to a hospital.

This OVRS Emergency Guide gives you the basics of what constitutes an emergency and what to expect, including the steps to take should you need to act quickly.

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