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According to the American Humane Association, 1 in 3 pets will become lost at some point in their life. Furthermore, studies show that without proper identification, 90% of those lost will never return home.

Fortunately, microchipping your pet is one of the best ways to ensure a happy reunion should your pet become lost. Let The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital review the basics of this important safeguard.

What is a Microchip? How Does it Work?

A microchip is a tiny device that’s placed under your pet’s skin during their annual preventive care exam. The microchip stores a unique ID number that can be used to contact you should your pet go missing. Continue…

If you’re reading this blog, chances are pretty good that you’re an animal lover. Most of us are deeply saddened by the plight of homeless, abandoned, and abused animals, and it can seem like an insurmountable and overwhelming issue to tackle. After all, how could one person possibly make a difference in such an enormous problem?

Fostering a shelter pet is one of the most effective ways to make a dent in the serious issue of marginalized pets. By simply opening up your home to a foster pet, you are not only saving that pet’s life (and experiencing the warm fuzzies and fun of having a new pet in your home), you are freeing up valuable space in a shelter for another animal in need. The stability and love of a temporary home also allows the pet’s true personality to shine and gives them the chance to interact with other people and pets, all of which increases their likelihood of being adopted. Continue…

Many devoted yogis and yoginis practice anywhere they can unroll their mats – the beach, the space next to the hotel bed, in an unoccupied office, and, of course, at home. For a seasoned practitioner, it’s easy enough to simply follow a flow that feels right, but there are also many helpful videos online.

Animals have been a constant theme in yoga since its creation. In fact, a large percentage of poses (asanas) have been inspired by their anatomy or actions. While you can now attend public classes that include cats, dogs, goats, horses, and more, there are at least 15 pet yoga poses you can embrace at home. Continue…

Leading an active lifestyle is an important part of staying healthy, and including the family dog is a fun way for both of you to stay fit. Providing your pet with regular exercise not only keeps their bodies strong, it also provides an outlet for stress and anxiety, reduces negative behaviors, and can deepen and strengthen the bond you share.

Running with your dog is a great option when it comes to getting exercise together, but there are safety concerns pet owners need to be aware of. Before you lace up your running shoes, check out these safety tips straight from The Pet Experts!

Running with Your Dog Safely

Just like with any other activity, planning and preparation are integral to a safe and enjoyable experience, and running with your dog is no different. The following ideas offer you ways to make sure you and your pup reap all the benefits of your run, and none of the dangers. Continue…

Images of cute, chubby pets seem to be everywhere we turn these days. While it’s hard to deny the appeal of a soft, squishy dog or cat lounging contentedly with you on the sofa, having an overweight pet can lead to health problems, high veterinary bills, and a shortened lifespan.

Making sure your pet gets plenty of exercise on a regular basis is an important component in keeping them healthy, but exercise fatigue in pets can be dangerous. Making sure your sweet furball gets the right amount of exercise without overdoing it is the key to achieving balanced health for your pet.

Too Tired?

The benefits of daily exercise for pets cannot be understated. Exercising and playing with your pet keeps their joints limber, maintains muscle mass, and promotes good cardiovascular health, not to mention reinforcing the bond you share. While it can be tempting to “tire them out” with hours of fetch or feather chase, some pets simply don’t know when to quit. Continue…

Grooming your pet – that is, bathing, conditioning, trimming, and brushing – can feel like extra chores on an already long list. But when you consider how good pet grooming is for overall health and wellness, it’s the kind of activity that you may come to value. Nope, grooming isn’t just for the aesthetics, and The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital have some advice on ways to unleash your inner stylist.

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Do you ever feel like your dog is doing something just to make you laugh? Maybe you think your cat is laughing at you? Pet birds might have the best sense of humor of all, especially talking parrots!

But are all these situations just flukes or do our pets really have a sense of humor? We’re ready to tackle this question and look at the research. Stay tuned as The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital explore whether our pets have a sense of humor.

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Most of the time, adopting a pet turns out to be one of the best decisions ever made. It can take time to adjust, but with patience, determination, support, and education, a new pet can make the transition relatively quickly. But what happens when a pet adoption doesn’t work out? The Pet Experts have some ideas.

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Ah, the sweet, calming smell of lavender. The energy burst that you can get from citrus. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries as a way for humans to relax and rejuvenate. More recently, essential oils have become popular as home remedies for common maladies. So, it begs the question, can essential oils be beneficial when it comes to our pets?

The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital went searching for answers, and we were fascinated with what we learned. Read on for more information about essential oils and pets.

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Do you love your pets? Of course, we all do. We feel it when our smiling, wagging dog meets us at the door after a long day, or when our kitty jumps up into our lap for a snuggle on the couch. Those warm fuzzies make us happy, and what’s more, studies show that there are real emotional and physical benefits to our love for pets.

Do you ever wonder if they love us back? Thankfully, scientists have been interested in the relationship between pets and humans for a long time. In addition to the benefits for humans, there have been numerous scientific studies that have looked at pets loving us.  The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital delved deeper into this question, and we know you can’t wait to see what we found out!

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