The decision to add a cat, dog, or other pet to your household was a BIG one. And while our furry, feathery, and scaly companions do bring a new set of responsibilities, they don’t mean we never get a break. If you have dreams of traveling abroad, or locally, or just want a pet-free weekend getaway, these tips will help you prepare yourself and your pet(s) for the best vacation pet care.

At Bayside, we love your pets as much as you do, and we’ve been doing some digging to help explain how those deep, loving bonds are formed. Do our pets feel the human animal connection as deeply as we do?! We’ve learned a lot on our journey and, to no surprise, discovered that 68% of US households are home to a pet (including four-, two, or no-legged varieties).

While cats and dogs are by far the most common choices for household companions—in studies and here in the clinic—it got us thinking: What is it about our furry friends that keep us coming back for more? And how important is the connection with pets to our health?

Whether you’re a long-time cat owner or just bringing a kitten home for the first time, keeping your fur babies active and entertained is a top priority for ensuring their health and happiness—and, at times, your sanity. At Bayside Animal Hospital we encourage all our feline-loving clients to think outside the box when it comes to selecting kitten games, toys, and indoor cat activities to keep your cat playfully engaged.

The busy days of back-to-school are upon us, and they can be stressful for everyone, including your pet. While dogs often feel the stress more than cats, the stress of spending more hours alone can affect everyone. You can take some proactive steps to reduce pet separation anxiety for your furry friend–here are some of our team’s top suggestions.

A kitten is a new member of your family and will require plenty of love, attention, and care to grow into a healthy, adult cat and fun best friend. When you bring home a new kitten, life quickly becomes filled with joyful moments of pet parenthood–but also requires many responsibilities to help them grow and learn how to be a happy fur baby.

Here are some of our best tips for new kitten care from your expert veterinary team at Bayside Animal Hospital in Kemah, Texas.

Are you looking for a new fur baby to give a forever home? How wonderful! At any given time, you can find an overwhelming number of pets in need of good homes and families around the country. With pet shelters, humane societies, and pet rescues in most cities, there’s an abundance of cats and dogs available for adoption. A total of 6 to 8 million pets end up in shelters every year, with only around half being adopted. Here at Bayside Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you find the best shelter pet for you during your search for a new furry best friend. Check out our tips for picking out your next perfect pet:

Why are some dogs and cats eager to meet new people and do new things while others hide, run away, or even become aggressive? Some of it’s due to breed, but socialization also plays a role.  

At Bayside Animal Hospital, we believe in the positive effects of actively socializing your pet. In addition to making your pet happier, socialization also prevents many unwanted behaviors. Let’s take a moment to review other reasons why socializing your pet is a wonderful investment of time and energy.

What is Puppy and Kitten Socialization?

Socializing your pet means actively exposing them to other animals, people, and new experiences in a positive manner. Done at the proper time and in the proper manner, socialization can build confidence in your puppy or kitten, strengthen your bond, and reduce the likelihood of certain problem behaviors. Continue…