Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

The holidays are a time for gathering, celebrating, and reconnecting—and for many families, that also means pets joining in the festivities. Whether your home has pets or you’re hosting guests with pets, a little planning goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS), we’re here to help you create a welcoming environment for all your two- and four-legged visitors.

Pet enrichment isn’t just a fun extra—it’s an essential part of keeping dogs and cats mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and physically active. The good news? You don’t need fancy toys or expensive gadgets to make your pet’s life more stimulating and joyful. With a little creativity, you can provide meaningful enrichment at home using items you already have.

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS), we believe that enrichment plays a powerful role in overall well-being. Here are some easy, low-cost DIY pet enrichment ideas that will keep your pet engaged, satisfied, and happily tired.

Has your dog ever leapt straight into a giant puddle during a walk? Or somehow found the muddiest spot in your yard right after a bath? If so, you’re not alone! Many dogs can’t resist the lure of the muck. But why do dogs love mud—and how can you clean them up after their latest adventure?

Let’s dig into the reasons behind this messy behavior (and how to handle cleanup like a pro).

Sometimes your regular veterinarian may not have the specialized equipment or advanced training needed to diagnose or treat a complex pet health issue. As a pet owner, you know your furry family member best. If you believe your pet may benefit from consulting a specialist, it’s essential to understand how to request a referral with confidence.

This guide explains how to advocate for a veterinary referral—so your pet can receive the specialty veterinary care they need to feel their best.

Cat zoomies. Kitty parkour. Feline acrobatics. If you own a cat, chances are, you’ve witnessed some variation of your cat going from 0-60 in no time. But what’s really going on with cat zoomies? The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to explain this feline phenomenon.

New advancements in veterinary medicine are revolutionizing the way veterinarians diagnose, treat, and monitor animal health. From artificial intelligence to 3D printing, the future is full of exciting tools that make care faster, more accurate, and more personalized. Let’s explore what’s next when it comes to emerging technologies in veterinary medicine.

The idea of AI and pets is a strange combination. But each day, artificial intelligence (AI) seems to advance in ways that once felt like science fiction. From streamlining human tasks to powering robotics, AI is shaping how we live—and soon, how we care for our pets. The question is no longer if AI will affect veterinary medicine and pet ownership, but how far it will go. Let’s explore the role AI may play in the future of pet care.

What will dogs and cats likely eat in 25 years? Pet owners today are already seeing a shift in what goes into their pets’ bowls, and by 2050, diets could look very different from the kibble-and-cans we know today. So what does the future of pet food look like? 

In short, yes. Cats might start to display certain behaviors when introduced to other cats that we humans can interpret as jealousy. These can include:

• Hissing
• Growling
• Swatting
• Exuding dominance over humans 
• Chewing or shredding items in the home
• Spraying around the house 

While these behaviors can be annoying for people and other pets in the home, they occur when your cat is trying to show that he or she is feeling anxious. When a new cat is introduced to a space that your cat already dominates, it can cause feelings of fear and uncertainty. When they exhibit the above behaviors, it is a way for them to try to re-establish control over their environment. 

The history of pets is a fascinating journey, showing how animals shifted from working roles in the barnyard to cherished family members in our bedrooms. Our ancestors might have interacted closely with animals, but they probably didn’t share a living space with them. And they definitely didn’t snuggle up next to each other for a good night’s sleep. So, when did animals go from the wild to the barnyard to the bedroom? Oakland Veterinary Referral Services brings you a brief history of pets becoming family members: