Search Results for ‘holiday ’

Those first few weeks of having a new puppy at home can be a little chaotic. Never fear, though, the staff at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services are here to help. Read through our puppy owner guide to be sure that your first week at home with your new puppy is a breeze!

Come Prepared

Preparing yourself and your home for the new addition is half the battle. The more you plan, the better off you will be. Try to bring your new puppy home at a time when you are going to have some free energy to concentrate on his or her care. If you’re adding a new four-legged family member around busy times, such as the holiday season, try to do it when you’ll have time off at home.
Continue…

Pet owners everywhere have a lot in common – namely, how much we love and adore our furry friends. A great way to show the pet lovers in your life how much you care is with a pet-themed gift this holiday season, whether it’s for their pets or for themselves.

Get a head start on your holiday shopping or creating with our list of fun and practical gifts for pet owners.

Continue…

Fall has arrived, and with it comes the inevitable smorgasbord of pumpkin flavored products. Pumpkin coffee, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pasta, and pumpkin beer are widely available. There are even pumpkin spice hair and nail colors to choose from at your local salon.

The pumpkin trend appears to be firmly rooted in our culture for the time being, so why not let pets in on the fun? Pumpkin pet treats are easy to make, and can bring happiness (and nutrition) to your pet’s day.

Pumpkin Pet Treats

Fall’s favorite squash is not only versatile; it’s packed with nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and beta-carotene. Pumpkins are also low-calorie, high-fiber, and fairly inexpensive this time of year. Continue…

Do you bring a new dog toy home from the store just to have it destroyed in a matter of hours or days by your exuberant pup? Does your energetic  kitty shred every toy you buy? Or, worse yet, shun the expensive store bought toys in favor of your favorite slippers or the corner of your new chair?

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or don’t consider yourself to be the crafty type, our list of fun, economical, and Earth-friendly DIY pet toys is sure to please your furry friend, without taxing your budget or your patience.

DIY Pet Toys Made Simple

What better way to save the Earth, and your pocket book, than by whipping up a new toy for your pet out of items you already have lying around the home? Continue…

If you are like many pet parents, your holiday gift list will naturally include your pet. And, there are so many wonderful options when it comes to toys, gadgets, and other pet products for our pampered fur friends.

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we have taken time to spotlight a few of our favorites this season. After all, we are certain your pet has been nice, never naughty, and is definitely deserving of some great seasonal surprises. Continue…

It’s Halloween, and images of black cats are everywhere. Have you ever stopped to wonder how the black cat became associated with the holiday? Keep reading to learn everything you ever needed to know about black cats and Halloween.

The History of Black Cats and Halloween

No one knows exactly how black cats and Halloween have become so closely linked. It may have something to do with how stealthy and slinky these beautiful animals can be, often hunting in the darker hours. Black and the night have long been symbols of evil due to the fears of our ancestors.

Many of the old Pagan religions also associated the black cat with witchcraft and evil. This carried through into Medieval times, where witches were said to take the form of a black cat at their will. During the witch trials, black cats were often burned at the stake alongside witches.

After the holidays, when we are reminded of all of the wonderful things we have to be grateful for in our lives, we are often compelled to add “helping others” or volunteering to our list of new year’s resolutions.

Maybe this is true for you and your family, and you are currently looking for great missions to assist in the coming year?

For those of us who adore and care for pets, animal charities, shelters, and rescues seem to be the right choice for our philanthropic efforts. Whether you choose to give your time in the form of hands-on work or are gifting a favorite cause with a monthly donation, by donating to animal shelters you help the animal nonprofits that rely on the generosity of friends like you. Continue…

We are downright giddy at all we’ve collectively accomplished during this landmark year and hope you have been well-served by our staff. We like to extend our service to you at home through our blog and value the time you spend reading it. Please feel free to peruse the Top 10 blogs viewed by our valued readers in 2014: Continue…

It seems like from the time we carve the Halloween pumpkins to the time we bid farewell to another year at a festive party (or in our jammies), our attention and time is maxed out with the winter holidays and all the tasks they bring. Because of this, it’s no wonder we sometimes forget a follow-up wellness appointment for our cat or that extra walk to the park we promised our dog.

The holidays have a way of overtaking our attention, but the New Year can bring many opportunities for improving the quality of life for that pet who gives you so much love year-round. Here are a few ideas…. Continue…

Your pet may not need or appreciate a new LED TV, golf clubs, or the newest best-seller, but there are lots of things you can give your pet this holiday season to show your love and affection. Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services have put together some ideas to get the ball rolling towards the best holiday your pet has ever had.

In The Kitchen

Your pet’s meal time is truly important, so why not ship out the old dishes your pet has been eating out of since infancy? Personalizing a new food and water bowl or upgrading to a new water fountain that filters and circulates drinking water are wonderful ways to show you care. Your pet may value a new platform that raises the level at which he or she eats. Continue…