Mealtimes should be delicious and nutritious for our furry family members, but choosing a healthy pet diet is easier said than done. The variety of brands, flavors, and textures available in-store and online can be overwhelming. And do buzzwords like “grain-free” and “human-grade” matter? At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we’re always happy to provide nutritional guidance, and in this blog, we share some of our favorite pet nutrition tips to help you choose a balanced diet for pets.

As the fall season approaches, celebrations such as Halloween and Thanksgiving bring excitement and joy to our homes. But these festivities can pose unique hazards for our beloved pets. 

At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we’re dedicated to helping you ensure your furry friends stay safe and happy during these holiday seasons.

The state of Florida is no stranger to hurricanes and the havoc they can wreak. When it comes to hurricane preparedness, having a plan in place can help you know what to do during a storm. We’ve put together this list of essential tips for pets to ensure you know how to help your furry friend if a big storm hits. 

Is your pet’s daily routine disrupted by bouts of scratching, licking, sneezing, and wheezing? If so, pet allergies may be to blame. Odessa’s warm climate means that certain allergens can bug our pets year-round, but our team is here to help. At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we take pet allergies and dermatology seriously. We can pinpoint the culprit that’s pestering your pet and provide the treatment needed to alleviate that nasty itch! Keep reading to learn more about the causes of allergies and what to avoid for allergens as a pet owner.

Since 2006, our friends at Suncoast Animal League have helped and facilitated the adoption of over 20,000 pets in the Tampa area. They work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, foster, and adopt the animals in their care (or, in the case of thousands of wildlife, release). Unfortunately, the numbers of homeless pets continue to climb. This June is Adopt-A-Cat month, and we’re proud to highlight the cause of the Suncoast Animal League where you might just find a new feline friend to bring home. 

As if ticks weren’t stomach-turning enough, the knowledge that they transmit many awful diseases adds insult to injury. Pets can be affected by tick-borne disease just like people can, and Lyme disease in Odessa is a real thing. Caring Paws Animal Hospital thinks Lyme disease awareness is important for pet owners, and we are ready to share how to best protect your pet.

Heartworm disease is a devastating parasitic infection that can lead to heart failure, lung disease, and other organ damage in affected pets. The bad news is that heartworms are rampant in hot climates like Florida’s; the good news for Odessa pet owners is that heartworm disease is entirely preventable.

Since April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to remind Odessa pet owners and all animal lovers about the importance of year-round heartworm prevention. Read on for valuable information from our team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital about protecting your pets from heartworm disease.

With March’s arrival, Florida’s mild temperatures invite our pets to embark on new explorations around the house and garden. But with these explorations comes the possibility of contact with hazards. Our pets are naturally curious, which can sometimes lead them into trouble.

March is Pet Poison Awareness Month, and the team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital is dedicated to helping you keep your furry family members safe. The key to understanding and preventing pet poisoning is about creating a safe environment and minimizing potential dangers. 

Pet hair is somewhat expected for cat owners, and for some may even be a badge of honor. What is normal though? How much should the average cat shed? Is increased hair loss a sign of a problem? A cat’s coat is definitely an insight into overall feline health. Understanding cat shedding can help pet lovers and your team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital take better care of your kitty. 

Hurricane season can bring serious concerns for the people and pets in the paths of these dangerous storms, which is why the compassionate team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital is here with valuable tips for pet storm safety.