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It’s no secret that reducing stress can lead to better health overall. Taking time for sleep, exercise, and meditation contributes to lower blood pressure, faster healing time, greater happiness, and increased longevity.

Pet owners may have the upper hand when it comes to reaping the rewards of downtime. Relaxing with pets is easy (and fun!), and it can accelerate the health benefits associated with stress reduction.

A huge part of the fun in owning a dog is experiencing the full spectrum of their goofy canine conduct. Yes, it’s true – dogs are weird! They do stuff that just defies human logic. But why?

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind some of the strangest dog behaviors, the Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital have a few explanations to help make sense of it all.

Why, Oh, Why?

Many pet owners are pleased as punch by their dog’s exemplary behavior. But that doesn’t mean cringe-worthy moments have entirely passed them by. Indeed, even the canine model citizens of the world have to answer to their base instincts.

Wherever you sit on the spectrum, we’d be willing to bet that you’re among other dog owners, well-versed in the world of butt-sniffing.

For the most part, pet owners are intuitive and respectful when it comes to other people and animals, but we all find ourselves in tricky situations every once in a while. For example, it’s not uncommon for tensions to percolate in the hospital waiting area. Whether your pet gets a little nosy with others or feels frightened by such alarmingly close proximity to strangers, a bit of pet hospital lobby etiquette may come in handy for your next visit.

When it comes to health care, cats are notoriously underrepresented. Although cats are the most popular pet in the United States, they make far fewer trips to the veterinarian than their canine counterparts. Cats also receive less preventive dental care than dogs, both at home and professionally, and this can have a disastrous impact on their health and quality of life.

Taking charge of your pet’s health with proper cat dental care can change their future, and The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital are happy to help!

You know when you’re looking back at something that happened in the recent past, and you just can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed? On one hand, nostalgia triggers memories that make us feel like a significant event or experience occurred only moments ago. But when we’re faced with a “before and after” snapshot, we can see the difference – and feel it, too. This is never more apparent than at the end of each year.

As we close out 2018, Naperville Animal Hospital would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the previous 12 months. It’s proven to be a busy year for all of us, and we continue to feel grateful to share in your pet’s journey. Whether you have a young pet at home, or care for an aging senior, our goal is to provide relevant and helpful information in our bi-weekly pet care blogs.

The Pet Experts wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to you our ever-growing community of pet owners and animal lovers. Thank you for reading our pet care blogs. Here is a sampling of some of our most popular topics.

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a mild winter this year, but let’s face it, here in Chicagoland, the winter is never really “mild.” Regardless of the howling winds, subzero temperatures, and mounds of snow, Fido still needs his daily walk and potty breaks.

While we certainly know how to bundle ourselves up to stay warm, what about our pets? When it comes to keeping pets warm this winter, The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital have a few ideas!

You may be over the river and through the woods this holiday season, but if you have a pet who is sick, immunocompromised, affected by cancer, or otherwise not well it can make things a little more complicated. The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital have you covered, though, with our tips for traveling with a sick pet.

Things to Consider When Traveling with a Sick Pet

It can be stressful enough taking a pet on a trip. You need to remember all the associated supplies, plan your pit stops, and be sure that you have everything that you might need along the way.

When traveling with sick pet, however, the ante is upped considerably. It is important to consider a few factors when planning the trip:

It’s no secret that children are naturally drawn to animals. As depicted in thousands of beloved children’s books, cartoons, and movies, the family pet often serves as confidant, playmate, and best friend to the youngest members of the household.

That’s why it should come as no surprise that animals help kids with disabilities in countless ways. At Naperville Animal Hospital, the pet experts are constantly in awe of this special relationship, and we’d love to share more about this amazing bond.

Celebrating milestones and special events is one of the best parts of life, and including our four-legged family members in the fun just makes sense. Sure, while inviting your pet to join in a human celebration is one thing, throwing them their very own party is even better. Pet birthday parties are all the rage, and The Pet Experts couldn’t be more excited to share our ideas for a fun, safe, bark-tastic celebration!

Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right venue is essential to the success of your pet birthday party. A fenced in yard or living room may be appropriate, or you could choose one of the many pet-friendly rental spaces available in our area. Depending on the amount of people and pets on your guest list, some dog-friendly restaurants/pubs may also be willing to make special arrangements for your event.

Did you know that October 14-20 is annual Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week? At Naperville Animal Hospital, we celebrate our beloved veterinary technicians every day, but the third week in October is a great opportunity for us to officially recognize the vital role they play at our practice.

Whether you interact with our technicians during your pet’s annual wellness visit, during an emergency, or on a regular basis due to a chronic health condition, you’ve witnessed these amazing professionals in action. Keep reading to learn more about veterinary technicians and how they support the health and well being of our patients.