Posts in Category: Exercise Nutrition & Obesity

Dogs aren’t exactly known for their discerning taste buds, but sometimes their culinary cravings can be downright head-scratchers. When your dog gobbles up mouthfuls of grass, should you be concerned?

At MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital, many pet owners ask us why their dogs are eating grass, and if this behavior is harmless or worth investigating further. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why your dog might be eating grass and how to curb the behavior.

If your schedule is jam-packed with events and your credit card is nearly maxed out, it’s probably the holiday season! This time of year is undoubtedly brimming with good times; unfortunately, it is precisely the moment we’re distracted by something else, our pets naturally get into trouble. Even when our attention is trained on a pet’s every movement, accidents happen. This holiday season, we’ve got you covered with our pet-proofing strategies. 

If the idea of snuggling with your pet for an entire afternoon sounds charming and restorative, you’re not alone. Most of us really enjoy, and even depend on, close time with our pets. The human-animal bond really shows up when you’re entwined on the couch for a Netflix bender. But the same benefits are equally present when exercising with your pet. When you prioritize pet exercise, you’re doing everyone a favor. And we’re pretty sure that Netflix is even more rewarding after some quality workout time.

When you make sure your pet gets regular wellness and preventive care, you’re helping make sure your furry family members stay healthy. Part of preventive care is keeping an eye out for the issues that can pester our pets. The team at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital would like to highlight five of the most common pet health issues—and how you can avoid them. 

Whether you’re a cat or dog owner, there’s no denying that pets are an important part of our families. And just like any family member, they deserve our attention and love.

Here are our tips for pet owners to ensure your furry friends get off to a great start in 2023.

Weight gain in pets can happen so slowly, it’s almost unnoticeable. For owners that see their pets every single day, it may not even register that their pet’s shape and size is expanding. A few extra pounds on a human may be negligible, but the equivalent of 5 extra pounds is 79 pounds on a cat, or 25-100 extra pounds on a dog (depending on their breed). This has a profound effect on their overall health, and may even decrease lifespan. We can help you prevent pet obesity, and/or safely manage a pet’s weight gain. 

All pets require and benefit from daily exercise, but the routine can go from fun to humdrum in no time flat if you are always doing the same activities. With our favorite games to play with your pet, you can enrich their mental and physical well-being and yours as well!

What could be better than going for a walk with your dog? Exercising together is the best way to get to know one another and begin to bond. And while it might seem counter-intuitive, not every dog comes equipped with the skills to walk on-leash. Some pull or yank, others drift, dawdle, or fall behind. Whatever the case may be for your newly adopted dog, it’s worth the time and energy to train them to embrace their leash, keep step with you, and not bolt after every squirrel they see. These dog walking tips are just for you.

We can all relate to the impact that food has on the way we feel, and pets are no different. The wrong food has the potential to create illness or cause symptoms of health conditions to worsen. Similarly for our furry friends, the right pet food can be incredibly therapeutic. By providing excellent nutrition to our pets, we can ensure a higher quality of life and a longer one, too. If you’ve been wondering about a specialized pet diet, we’ve got some ideas worth considering.

One of the best parts of being a pet parent is seeing the joy your beloved pet experiences when they play with their favorite toys! Playing with toys can be a great form of exercise for your dog or cat, and can also be a useful tool to stimulate their minds. With more exercise and mental stimulation, your pet will live a longer and healthier life! 

If you’re a new pet parent, you might be wondering which toys are the best and safest for your dog or cat. Luckily, there are many amazing options to choose from. The team at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital has put together this list of popular pet toys, as well as toys to avoid to keep your pets safe.