Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

If you are anything like us, your social media feed is probably full of cute videos of animals of all shapes and sizes. Thanks to algorithms, once you click on an animal video, you will most likely see a lot of others (not that we’re complaining). 

While many of these posts are created by normal people just trying to show off their adorable pets, there are plenty of certified “pet influencers” on social media these days. This often means they have managers dealing with companies who pay them to “sponsor” posts. It also means they must produce a high amount of regular content and consistently gain more followers.

Any dog owner has probably noticed their pup twitching, whimpering, or otherwise moving while in a deep sleep. Are our dogs dreaming? What do dogs dream about? Oakland Veterinary Referral Services(OVRS) is here to dive into the science of doggy dreams and give you more insight into what happens while our dogs’ eyes are closed.

Cats have personalities that vary as much as their coloring. While some cats will climb right into a person’s lap and fall asleep while purring contently, others need their personal space. Why are the affectionate behaviors of cats so varied? Here’s how to identify their love language behaviors so that you can know how to cater to your cat’s particular affection style. 

Here are 6 tips for walkers and joggers on how to avoid dog bites and aggressive dogs while exercising outdoors. Encountering an aggressive dog while out for a walk or jog can be a scary and dangerous situation. Without the proper action, you can be seriously injured. Knowledge can help you prevent finding yourself on the wrong end of a dog bite. 

If you own a cat, are you doomed to a life of drab decor and desiccated furniture? What is cat-friendly furniture and decor? With their cute little button noses, toe beans, whiskers, and fluffy heads begging for kisses, sometimes just looking at your cat is enough to send your heart fluttering. That is, until he digs his claws into your brand new couch. Or knocks over a vase and sends water and flowers flying onto the carpet. Or climbs up your window screen leaving a giant tear down the middle. Are you doomed to a cat-ravaged home? Not if we have anything to say about it!

Dogs are by far the most popular type of pet. Millions of people across the world have brought an adopted dog into their life, and they serve as trusted and loyal companions. 

However, coming into a new environment can be a stressful experience for an adopted dog. As an owner, you should try to facilitate the transition period so that it goes as smoothly as possible. We’ve put together a guide with several top tips for helping your dog feel settled in their new home. 

To most pet owners, there is no greater crime than animal cruelty. Unfortunately, it is something that is still far too prevalent in our society. Instead of feeling like a hopeless bystander, here are 5 simple ways that you can combat animal cruelty.

If you’ve ever spent time with your dog at the park or even gone for a stroll around the neighborhood, you’ve probably seen how easy it is for your pup to make friends. While it might be pretty easy to socialize on the playground, as we reach our adult years, it becomes much harder for us humans. What lessons can our dogs teach us about getting better at socializing?

With their cute little faces and irresistible toe beans, cats really would make the perfect spies. Who would suspect that a cat is plotting world domination? They can slink in and out of practically any location. People either stop to give them all the attention or completely ignore them. They can jump to great heights, and some can even open doors on their own. But how can you tell if your cat and his cute little whiskers are secretly planning to take over the world? We’ve got some tips on how to spot his plans:

Humans stress too much. Dogs know how to live. I think we can all collectively agree that the world is full of stress at the moment, so I asked my favorite pup how to enjoy a low-stress life. Here’s what he had to say:

All the Plays

Playtime is the best time. I know this. Feeling sad it’s not time for dinner yet? Play. Unsure why your second favorite human left so long ago and isn’t home yet? Play. Humans using angry voices? Play. Playtime cures all my sads. That’s why I do it so much.