Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

The 4th of July is definitely one of the loudest holidays in the United States. It is also one of the most fundamental events of summer. While humans may love gathering together, firing up the grill, and watching the fireworks, this holiday can cause significant stress in pets. Use these tips to prepare your pets for the 4th of July so you can enjoy the holiday without worrying about how your pets are faring.

Cats are athletic, agile creatures. They need space and freedom to run and jump. Not everyone realizes that these space requirements extend beyond the horizontal. Vertical spaces are not only fun for cats; they’re necessary. Keep reading to discover why vertical spaces for cats are essential and how to easily provide them in your home.

It’s exciting to have a pregnant pet who is about to bring some cute babies into the world. Pregnant pets have unique health needs to keep them and their unborn children safe during pregnancy. Prenatal care for pets is important during pregnancy. This special care can keep everyone safe and healthy throughout this beautiful time in an animal's life.

Bringing home a new dog or a cat is an exciting time in an animal lover’s life. Before you get too excited about the idea of your new furry roommate, it is essential to prepare for their arrival. Pet-proofing your home is a crucial step toward successful pet ownership. Use these tips from your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services to help you prepare for your new pet:

As pet owners, we have different considerations for what we keep in our homes than our animal-free counterparts do. Designing a pet-friendly home makes our spaces safer for our furry roommates and more comfortable for cohabitation. Just because a space is pet-friendly, though, does not mean it needs to have a boring and unoriginal style. Here are some tips on designing a stylish, pet-friendly home:

Our pets need different levels of care during various stages of life. When you agree to take a pet into your home, this means you are prepared to offer this care as they age. Senior cats require a different level of care than kittens or adult cats, but what does that mean, exactly? The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to help you figure out how to care for your senior cat.

While no one expects a veterinary emergency, it helps to understand how to deal with an emergent situation and find the help your pet needs. A veterinary ER offers specialized emergency care that can save your pet’s life. Do you know what to expect from a visit to the veterinary emergency room? This guide will help prepare you in case you ever need to bring your pet to one:

It’s time to settle the debate once and for all: who wins when it comes to cats versus dogs? We decided to go straight to the source and ask each species which is the best and why. So, without further ado, here we go:

Easter is a time for family—and that family also includes the furry members. As you start to make your plans for the holiday, consider safety considerations for your pets. With a little effort, you can create pet-safe Easter celebrations that everyone can enjoy.

Dogs are naturally curious creatures; sometimes, they explore the world around them with their mouths. If your dog swallows a foreign object, you should get them veterinary care as soon as possible. The Oakland Veterinary Referral Services team is here to walk you through how we handle situations when a dog swallows something.

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we see our fair share of injuries. Our expert emergency team knows how to offer animals the best care, including treating bite wounds in pets:

Each dog has a unique personality. A large part of being a successful pet owner is giving the animal the space to be themselves and doing what you can to help when needed. Life with a reactive dog can be challenging at times, but taking the proper precautions and giving your dog the guidance they need can be a very rewarding experience for both of you.

In a pet emergency, how can you tell when every second counts vs. when you have some time for a regular veterinary appointment? This guide will help you figure out which pet emergencies can and cannot wait.

Accidents and emergencies will happen to even the most prepared pet owners. Although we can’t plan for everything, we can prepare ourselves by knowing when our pets need emergency care right away. 

Hot spots are a common skin issue affecting dogs, which can leave your pup with unpleasant side effects. The Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) team is here to help. This guide teaches you how to treat and prevent hot spots on dogs.