‘Tis the season for feasting and celebrating, and if you’re like most pet owners, you indulge your dog with a few nibbles from the holiday table. Knowing which foods are safe and which are toxic foods for dogs, however, is critically important to protect your pet from serious health complications, including pancreatitis in dogs and kidney disease in dogs.  Read on for valuable information from our team at Berkeley Veterinary Center regarding pet safety and holiday foods. The Skinny on Overindulging Pets It’s OK to offer your dog safe treats in moderation as long as you have a healthy can ..read more

Diabetes is a serious condition for anyone, dogs and cats included. When a pet has diabetes, their body has a hard time processing sugar (glucose) and using it for energy. Without treatment, it can lead to a host of debilitating complications.  The good news is that managing diabetes in dogs and cats can allow our diabetic furry friends to live their lives to the fullest. If you think your pet may have diabetes, this guide from the team at Berkeley Veterinary Center can help you figure out what to do next.  Common Signs of Diabetes in Dogs and Cats Dogs and cats with obesity live wi ..read more

From the moment you brought your dog home, your life has been filled with slobbery kisses, long walks, and hours of couch cuddles. And while it’s not pleasant to think about our canine companions falling ill, it’s a possibility even for the most pampered pets.  At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we know what your dog means to you, and we’re here with top-notch wellness visits tailored just for dogs, as well as expert care for medical conditions. Read on for common health problems in canines and warning signs to watch for. Skin Conditions and Allergies Itchy, irritated skin can stem from infe ..read more

One of the most important things you can do for your pet is stay on top of routine preventive care, and, consequently choosing the best veterinary practice for your pet’s needs. Berkeley Veterinary Center is proud to be among the very few AAHA-accredited hospitals in the United States and Canada. This accreditation means we adhere to the highest standards of excellence when it comes to veterinary care, and we’re pleased to offer our pet families a full spectrum of top-notch veterinary services, including preventive care for all life stages. Why is Preventive Care so Important? When it comes t ..read more

There are so many ways owners can support the health and wellness of their dogs, especially as they age. You might notice visible changes to a senior dog’s behavior and appearance, and most of the time these are perfectly normal to the aging process. However, there are examples of senior dog health that require immediate intervention. Of these, glaucoma can be permanent and responsible for blindness. A Look at the Eyes Problems in and around the eyes can range from minor to extremely dangerous. Because injuries or illnesses can accelerate quickly, we recommend acting quickly to seek immediate ..read more

Losing a beloved pet is never easy, and for many pet owners, the decision to seek end-of-life care is one of the hardest choices they ever have to make. As your pet reaches her golden years, it’s natural to wonder how you’ll recognize when it’s time to say goodbye. Sometimes, the decision to seek end-of-life care is made clearer by the presence of a serious health condition or injury. But much of the time, animals simply experience a gradual decline from the natural process of aging and age-related health conditions, and this can make the decision to choose end-of-life care for dogs or end-of ..read more

Making sure your pets stay properly hydrated is important year-round, but particularly during the dog days of summer, when our pets are prone to overheating.  Dehydration in dogs and cats can escalate quickly and put pets at risk of heatstroke in our hot, humid New Jersey summers. Keep reading for tips from our team about how much water cats need and how much water dogs need. Basic Rules of Thumb Providing plenty of clean drinking water and washing your pet’s bowls daily is critical for optimum health and wellness. But just how much water does your pet need? Several factors can impact ho ..read more

Your cat is a playful, pouncing ball of energy, and she always licks her food dish clean, so she must be getting plenty of nutrients, right? Not necessarily. A feline fed a low-quality diet on the daily will likely develop health issues down the road, even if she seems perfectly fine today.  As a Certified Cat Friendly practice, we understand the unique nutritional needs of cats, including the benefits of a high protein diet. We are happy to recommend pet food appropriate for your cat’s age, activity level, and other considerations such as weight management at your cat’s wellness visit ..read more

You pick it up and toss it out every day, but how much do you really know about your dog’s poop?  At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we typically ask that you bring a stool sample with you when your pet has a wellness visit, and that’s because your dog’s poop can give us the inside scoop on your pet’s health!  What Should My Dog’s Poop Look Like?  You don’t need a microscope or other fancy tools to perform an occasional inspection of your pet’s poop. Just take a quick peek and take note of the four Cs—color, consistency, content, and coating—when your pup takes a potty break.  ..read more

According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters every year in the United States, but this number doesn’t account for the animals that are left out in the streets, or passed from home to home. There are simply too many animals and not enough households able to care for them. The most responsible thing that any pet owner can do is spay and neuter their pets. In honor of National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, our team at Berkeley Veterinary Center is spelling out the reasons why.  Why You Should Spay/Neuter Your Pet Perhaps the most talked about reason for ..read more