Pet Safe Pest Control for the House and Garden

dog laying in grass

There are many reasons to keep pests away from your family, but the fact that some have the potential to carry and spread diseases tops the list.

While you certainly want to maintain a pest-free house and garden, the idea of pet safe pest control might seem impossible. After all, for a product to cause harm to one species, isn’t it fair to assume that it could negatively affect your pet? 

How It Works

Many pet owners may be applying pest control techniques without an eye on how their pet could be impacted. In fact, many people spray for pests, lay traps, or sprinkle bait in areas that could be easily accessed by an animal. 

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Got SPF? A Simple Approach to Pet Sun Protection

dog on beach

We are fast approaching the loveliest days of the year. Long, sun-filled days full of outdoor activities that range from lounging in the hammock to gardening, going for a leisurely stroll through your neighborhood, or some time cycling along the Potomac. In other words, dear pet owners, it’s time to get geared up! 

Meeting your pet’s hydration and comfort needs while out and about is critical, but something easily overlooked is their exposure to harmful UV rays. Pet sun protection is essential now, and we’ve got the scoop.

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Halloween Pet Safety: Tips, Tricks, and Treats

Two dogs wearing white sheets are dressed as ghosts as they sit on a porch decorated for Halloween.

Between Fall Harvest Days at Mount Vernon and Boo at the National Zoo, there’s no shortage of family outings to celebrate the season. In fact, we all get so caught up with the annual revelry that we soon forget our daily routines. 

Normal meal times, opportunities for play and exercise, and important snuggle times are parts of a larger pattern that pets utterly rely on. However, with a hearty nod to Halloween pet safety your pet can enjoy the season for all it’s offerings – and avoid a serious illness or injury.

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Pet Poison Prevention: It Only Takes One Chance Encounter

pet poison prevention

Keeping pets safe is the number one priority of dedicated pet owners. In fact, people who love and care for animals go above and beyond to ensure their health and well being. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and pets can find themselves in a heap of trouble. Since they don’t know whatever it is they’re eating, smelling, or rolling around in could be dangerous, pets rely on us to keep their ducks in a row. To that end, we offer some reminders to keep pet poison prevention on the front burner.

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Pet Costumes Your Pet Might Tolerate – or Even Enjoy!

Pet costumes can be fun but require pet costume safetyIt’s impossible to think about Halloween without considering – at least once or twice – how cute it would be to dress your pet up for the holiday. Indeed, no pet owner can walk by a store display without being transfixed and inspired by the vast array of clever and adorable pet costumes (it’s also perfectly acceptable to opt for something DIY!).

No matter what you choose, it’s important to not sacrifice your pet’s health and safety for a good photo op. That’s why the vets at Arlington Animal Hospital have compiled the following tips and tricks for fun and safe pet costumes! Continue…

Why Does My Cat Do That? Curious Cat Behaviors Explained

Cat behaviors don't always make sense. Why are cats weird?It seems like the internet is simply full of funny cat videos, doesn’t it? Even people that aren’t self-proclaimed cat lovers admit to enjoying feline antics once in awhile, and why wouldn’t they? They’re funny, adorable, amazing, and unpredictable. While it may be fun to sit back and marvel at various cat behaviors, it’s important to be able to recognize the difference between the amusing ones and the potential warning signs.

So Weird!

Expounding on the full extent of funny or odd cat behaviors could take awhile. There are just so many! You might see some familiar ones on the list below, or your cat might be a trendsetter with their very own idiosyncrasies. Either way, cats are clear contenders in the animal antics department. Continue…

A Pet Owner’s Guide to Lyme Disease in Pets

lyme diseaseWith spring (finally) here and summer on the way, our thoughts naturally turn to how we can protect our pets from the dangers associated with warm weather. Making sure they’re hydrated, watching out for heatstroke, and being alert to poisoning risks are all important safety measures, but it’s important to remember that ticks also pose a significant danger to your pets.

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses that affect pets, and its effects can be devastating. Preventing and detecting Lyme disease in pets is a crucial aspect of summer safety in Virginia.

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Triggers, Symptoms, and Management: What You Can Do About Allergies in Pets

allergies in petsMost people suffer from allergies of some kind, but we aren’t the only ones experiencing adverse reactions to the seasons, environment, or food. Allergies in pets may not always come up on a pet owner’s radar, but they can truly cause pain, discomfort, and stress.

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Should You Spay or Neuter Your Pet? A Look at a Common Pet Surgery

Pet SurgeryPet owners don’t typically need any extra convincing when it comes to controlling the number of unwanted litters. Indeed, by spaying or neutering pets, the benefits to communities and neighborhoods are far-reaching. Equally important, however, are the many ways this common pet surgery affects overall health, behavior, and even longevity.

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‘Tis the Season for Holiday Pet Safety Reminders

holiday pet safetyThe holiday season has finally arrived, and the excitement of shopping, baking, decorating, and planning is upon us. Pets are not likely to share in our revelry, as many of the seasonal delights we love can cause undue stress for them, or pose significant danger to their health.

Bone up on our holiday pet safety tips to make this the best season ever for your family (both two-legged and four)!

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