The Pet Experts of Elmhurst, IL

If your pet were critically injured tomorrow, and needed to be hospitalized, could you afford the bill?

We all strive to take the very best care of our pets. They’re members of our family, after all! Luckily, we now have access to advanced veterinary care for our pets. From cancer treatment, to life saving critical care, to treatment for hyperthyroidism, we are fortunate to have many choices when it comes to treating major illness and injury. However, that advanced care does not come without cost. According to Canine Journal, the annual cost of pet care is now topping $1800 per pet. So it’s no wonder that veterinary care is becoming a significant financial strain on many families.

That’s where pet insurance comes in. Just as human health insurance is meant to bridge the gap between cost and needed health care, pet insurance can ease the financial burden of unexpected illness or injury in our pets. But is it worth it? Continue…

Dog lovers everywhere know how wonderful it can be to share life with a canine companion; the bond we share with dogs is truly unique, and their ability to detect and respond to our feelings and concerns is nothing short of incredible.

For the thousands of men, women, and children living with a physical or mental disability, the bond with a dog can actually be life changing. Service dogs offer their handlers the chance to live independently, move freely, and can even save lives.

What is a Service Dog?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is not a pet. A service dog is defined as one that has been “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.” Some of the ways in which a dog can be of service to a human handler include: Continue…

Anyone who enjoys the great outdoors knows to bring along certain supplies “just in case.” Indeed, it’s always better to have something and not need it, instead of the other way around. So it goes with disaster preparedness. When thinking about evacuation plans, medical needs, and more, it’s good to have a general understanding of how to protect and provide for your pet should an emergency situation arise.

Better Safe than Sorry

One of the best defenses against separation is to microchip your pet. This is important for general pet care, of course, but in the event of a natural disaster or emergency, it provides the best chance at a happy reunion. While microchipping isn’t a replacement for a collar and ID tags, microchips definitely add an extra layer of protection. Continue…

Welcome home! You step inside your house after a few hours out expecting a warm welcome from your pet. Instead, you find that your dog has chewed your rug, or your cat has eliminated on your bed! Are your pets angry at you for leaving? Likely not.

It’s possible that feelings of anxiety and fear at being left alone are at the root of your pet’s behavior. Separation anxiety is a one of the top contributing factors for behavior problems in pets.

The Pet Experts have some tips on how to recognize and resolve separation anxiety in pets.   Continue…

Nobody blinks when they pay monthly car insurance premiums or invest in good health plans. Instead, we all recognize the value of protecting what’s important to us. When it comes to safeguarding your pet’s health and longevity, there are also health insurance plans, disease prevention methods, and dental care practices that demand time, attention, and money. However, microchipping your pet is the best insurance against ever becoming permanently separated, and aids in a swift return of a lost or missing pet.

Tiny, Easy, Effective

It sounds like something you’d see on the Syfy channel, and microchipping your pet is sort of a glimpse into the future.

About the size of a grain or rice, microchips are an excellent back-up to a pet’s collar and ID tags (which can be removed). While they don’t transmit location, microchips employ RFID, or radio frequency identification. When placed under a microchip scanner, a number comes up on the screen. Only when the number on the scanner is plugged into a national database can the pet owner’s information can be revealed. Continue…

Do you remember the day you brought your pet home? Along with all the excitement and laughter that comes with getting a new pet, there’s nothing quite like the feeling that comes with knowing you’re helping an animal in need.

Fostering a pet brings that same sense of reward and happiness. Beyond adoption (although that’s certainly amazing), shelters and rescues are in desperate need of volunteers for everything from cleaning kennels to taking care of their fosters. If you’re looking to step up your volunteer efforts, fostering a pet may be just the thing for you.

Fostering a Pet

As one can imagine, animal shelters are often at capacity and don’t have the resources to take in every animal in need. Fostering is a way to help those pets while minimizing the stress of staying in a crowded shelter. Continue…

Running has exploded in popularity in recent decades, and there’s no doubt that this type of regular aerobic exercise brings with it a myriad of health benefits, a sense of accomplishment, and is even fun for some. Your dog may seem like a natural fit as a running partner. After all, they have plenty of energy to burn and love spending time with you.

But running with your dog requires training and an eye on safety. Does your dog have what it takes?

Before You Begin

Before you start running with your dog, you’ll need to make sure they are healthy enough for high-impact exercise. Dogs who are too young or old (puppies under 18 months should not go running, as their bones and joints are not fully developed) are not good candidates for a jog. Flat-nosed breeds, such as bulldogs and pugs, have shortened airways, which could make running difficult or dangerous for them. Stick to a daily walk in this case. Continue…

While it’s incredibly satisfying to practice yoga in a studio among other yogis, it’s equally lovely to settle into some deep stretches in the comfort of your own home. Indeed, diving into your own blend of asanas – at your own pace – can yield great results (without having to get yourself home afterwards).

Likewise, there are terrific opportunities out there to practice yoga with animals (whether they’re yours or not!). If you’re looking for a laid back and simple experience, try pet yoga at home with some of The Pet Experts’ favorite poses. Continue…

The more you’re exposed to something, the more comfortable you are with it, right? Not so with ticks. Because they’re known to pass dangerous diseases to animals and people, they’re perceived as nightmarish, blood-sucking parasites – no matter how many times you’ve seen one.

If you have yet to find a tick on your dog, you’re quite lucky. As we approach the summer months, the likelihood of a tick encounter skyrockets. Recognizing risk factors and practicing disease prevention are key to keeping your pup in tip-top shape.

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Deciding to open your home and heart to a rescue pet is an important and meaningful life decision. Not only are you gaining a new best friend, you’re saving a life and helping to reduce the homeless pet population at the same time.

Although adopting a rescue pet can be a wonderful experience, many of these animals arrive in our homes with health, behavior, and/or emotional issues that may leave owners confused, frustrated, and wondering if they made the right decision. Fortunately, many of these undesirable behaviors are easily corrected, and The Pet Experts at Elmhurst Animal Care Center are here to support you as you create a wonderful life for you and your new pet.

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