Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog
Introducing a Cat to Your Dog in 3 Steps
Is there anything cuter than animal friends of different species? Finding a feline friend for your dog can add a lot of enrichment to his life (and cuteness to yours). When introducing a cat to your dog, though, you have to take it slow. New animals need time and space to get used to one another and to start feeling comfortable. If you don’t want to see the literal version of fighting like cats and dogs, OVRS explains the 3 steps for carefully introducing a cat to your dog.

How to Monitor and Control Blood Sugar Levels in a Diabetic Dog or Cat
A diabetes diagnosis can be scary for a pet owner to hear, but it doesn’t have to mean that your pet can’t enjoy a good quality of life. With a little bit of care and attention, pets with diabetes can remain healthy for many years with their favorite human. In order to do this, however, it is vital to monitor and control blood sugar levels in a diabetic dog or cat. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here with some tips on keeping your dog or cat’s diabetes in check:

Diabetes Management Tools for Pet Owners: Glucometers, Insulin Pens, and Apps
Diabetes in pets requires a little extra time and attention. With the help of your veterinarian and new advancements in diabetes technology, it is easier than ever to keep your pets healthy and their blood sugar stable. Here are some of the diabetes management tools for pets you’ll need to help manage your furry friend’s diabetes. We recommend:

Living with a Dog or Cat with Diabetes: Tips for Managing Their Health
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body cannot properly process glucose. While glucose is vital to powering the cells, if not properly regulated, it can lead to significant health issues. In fact, untreated diabetes in pets can lead to organ failure, blindness, coma, and in extreme cases, death. Luckily, with proper management, a dog or cat with diabetes can live a relatively normal (and healthy) life. Here are some tips on how to keep your pet’s diabetes at bay:

Dog-Friendly Beaches Near Detroit
Summer is in full swing, and it’s time to enjoy the benefits of the warmer weather with your favorite furry friend. We are lucky to have a number of dog-friendly beaches near Detroit and the Bloomfield Hills area if you and Fido are looking for a change of scenery. Here are a few of our favorites:

Easy Peasy Frosty Dog Treats for Summer
Hot days call for cool treats. With a huge variety of DIY and premade frosty dog treats, you can include your canine companion in on the fun. If you are looking to keep your pup cool with a delicious treat this summer, try out some of these frosty (and easy) options:

Beach Days with Your Dog: Essentials and Precautions
The sand, the sun, the surf—what could be better than a summer day at the beach? We might be biased, but the team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services thinks a dog completes this picture. If you want to enjoy beach days with your dog this summer, be sure to bring the following essentials…and watch out for these precautions.

Pet Firework Anxiety: 4th of July Coping Strategies
It’s hard to believe summer is already here, but the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the 4th of July is just around the corner. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services understands canine noise aversion and pet firework anxiety. We know just how scary fireworks can be for pets. These tips will help you make a plan to keep your pets calm this summer before the fireworks illuminate the night sky:

An Outdoor Catio for Kitty: Creating a Safe and Stimulating Space
Cats need stimulation and being outside can help feed their need for adventure. A catio could be a great addition to your home if you don’t have a safe outdoor space, or don’t feel comfortable letting your cat wander outside (inside cats average longer lives).
A safe outdoor cat enclosure allows your kitty to spend hours a day visually exploring the world outside without getting too close to predators or becoming exposed to illnesses. There are a variety of types of cat enclosures that give your kitty safe access to the outdoors. Use our tips to create a beautiful and functional catio for your favorite feline:

Technology for Pets: How Dogs and Cats Benefit from Gadgets and Apps
It’s hard to think of a part of modern life that is not dependent on technology or enhanced by it. Sometimes it feels like tech touches everything from coffee to dating. Our pets are no exception. Technology for pets include the latest gadgets and apps targeted at pets and pet owners.
Adding certain tech items to your home can help you care for your furry friends. Here are just a few of the ways that dogs and cats can benefit from modern gadgets and apps:

