Blog

While most humans know that maintaining a healthy blood pressure is important for their overall health, few of us recognize that this vital parameter is important for animals as well. Godspeed Animal Care recommends checking blood pressure in pets periodically because deviations from normal can have serious impacts on our patient’s overall well being. 

If you ask, no one will admit to wanting an overweight pet. Just as in people, animals who are obese are at higher risk for many health problems including pet diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The fact remains, though, that over half of our nation’s dogs and cats are obese or overweight. 

Godspeed Animal Care knows that it can be pretty difficult to discern whether your cat is overweight or just fluffy. That’s why we would love to put a focus on feline obesity for you so that you have the tools needed to keep kitty fit and healthy.

There are few things that are quite as inconvenient and downright disgusting as the two small sacs of stinky fluid near the rectum that our beloved dogs and cats possess. Godspeed Animal Care knows that you love your pet, though, smelly parts and all. That is why we thought that we would educate you about anal glands and everything you never really wanted to know about them. 

The holiday season is full of hustle and bustle here at Godspeed Animal Care, and we know how easy it is to get lost in everything. It is important, though, to take some time to remember those who are most precious to us. For many of us, at the top of our list are our pets. Read on to get some festive ideas for including your furry family in the season with our ideas for holiday events for pets.

Did you know the most common reason behind a pet emergency is an accidental exposure to a toxin? The list of potential toxins in your home is longer than you might think. So, how do pet owners stay in front of the fast-moving train that is emergency prevention? You don’t have to keep your eyes peeled 24/7, but you must control your pet’s environment to prevent a pet poisoning.

Decorating with houseplants does more than spruce up your space: some plants can help purify indoor air, relieve stress and anxiety, or even boost concentration. And as fans of feng shui will tell you, a Money Tree can attract wealth, Snake Plants serve as protectors, and Philodendrons offer a calming, relaxing energy. But if you have pets, it’s important to know that nibbling on some of these indoor houseplants can make our animal companions sick—or worse. 

Cat owners know that no matter how well-behaved their feline friend may be, the odds are that over the course of the cat’s lifetime, urine will end up where it’s not supposed to be. And the ammonia-like, pungent odor is hard to forget—and hard to eliminate. 

Taking your pet for a fun outing at the local dog park sounds like an enjoyable activity for a lazy summer afternoon. There are definitely some things to consider before packing up the SUV and heading over, though. Public dog parks are not without some potential dangers, and Godspeed Animal Care thinks that it is important for pet owners to be aware of how to avoid trouble. 

Driving with a pet is legal here in Virginia, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfectly safe. Cruising around with the windows open sure is fun for a dog, and yet driving with an unrestrained animal can cause an accident. Criminal charges, claims of negligence, and potential injuries to yourself, other drivers and passengers, and of course, your pet, are all good motivators for safe practices. Choosing pet safety in the car is an important facet of responsible pet ownership, and we’re here to help.

Dogs communicate with us in many ways—through looks, barks, whines, wags of their tails, and more. One form of communication that is often misinterpreted is the wagging tail. Contrary to popular belief, a wagging tail does not always equal a happy dog. Your dog’s tail movements could be signifying something else entirely.