Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

Dogs are a key part of our families and we would do anything to keep them safe and healthy. You could accidentally poison your dog and put your favorite canine in grave danger with unexpected pet toxins around your house. The best way to avoid that awful scenario is to know about these dangers and keep them safely away from your furry friend. Here’s Oakland Veterinary Referral Service’s list of top 10 things most likely to poison your dog:

Have you thought about cat breeds and what type of cat you have? Cats often come into our lives in unconventional ways (like showing up on the doorstep and deciding they live there now). This means we often do not know much about their history. Most cat lovers can tell the difference between long and short-haired breeds and not much more.

Believe it or not, even experts differ in their opinion of how many official cat breeds exist. Identifying your cat’s breed can help you and your veterinarian provide the best care for your favorite feline. Here are some tips on figuring out what kind of feline is living in your house:

Nutritious diets are an important aspect of your dog’s overall health and wellness. Some treats you buy in the store are full of fillers and other ingredients that could be harming your pup instead of nourishing his body. If you want to be sure your treats are safe and helpful for your dog’s health, making them yourself is a great alternate option. Here are some of our favorite easy DIY dog biscuit recipes with 5 ingredients or fewer just in time for National Dog Biscuit Day:

Heart disease in dogs is more common than you might realize. Dogs are susceptible to many different forms of cardiovascular issues that range in severity. Your veterinarian will base the treatment on the type of heart disease. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) wants to help you learn about heart disease in dogs so you can spot any signs of trouble early.  

Pets are one of the biggest advantages of working from home. Pets are also one of the biggest distractions of working from home. Most pet owners love the chance to spend more time with their beloved animals, but they also have to get work done. And the more you are around your pets, the more attention they tend to expect! If you are trying to figure out how to work from home with pets, use these tips to keep everyone happy:

Has your dog been diagnosed with heartworm disease and is currently undergoing treatment? If so, it is important to change your at-home habits to complement your veterinarian’s efforts and give your dog the best chance for a full recovery. Heartworms target a dog’s heart, lungs, and blood, and can bring on potentially fatal health issues without the proper treatment. 

Even with treatment, your pup requires additional care and consideration while undergoing treatment. Here are some of Oakland Veterinary Referral Services’ (OVRS) top tips for caring for a dog during heartworm treatment.

When we’re away from our pets, we want to know they are safe, happy, and staying out of trouble. With the latest pet technology, we’re able to interact remotely, keep our pets calm or entertained, and even ensure their health and safety. What are some of the best new high-tech pet items on the market? The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Service (OVRS) is here with some of our favorites:

White dog owners often ask how to remove tear stains. Most dog owners gaze lovingly into the eyes of their furry friend at least once a day. Tear stains in no way decrease the amount of love we feel for our favorite canines. But they can detract from the aesthetic appeal of your pup’s otherwise perfect face. 

If you have a white dog that is prone to developing tear stains, the team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) wants to help. Our tips help you identify the best way to remove tear stains so you can return to your regularly-scheduled love stares.

The start of a new year is the perfect time to look at your daily habits and determine how they fit into your goals. The goal is to make any necessary changes to help you achieve those goals. New Year’s resolutions do not just have to benefit the humans in your family, however. This year, think about some pet New Year’s resolutions that you can do with your favorite feline or your canine companion to set your year off on the right paw!

Dogs with hearing and sight impairments need just as much stimulation and playtime as dogs with perfect vision and hearing. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) is here with some great ideas for toys for deaf and blind dogs so you can keep your canine engaged and healthy: