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Firehouse is committed to keeping your pet happy and healthy while preventing disease.

Can Pets Tell Time? The Science Behind Animal Time Perception

Have you ever wondered why your dog goes to the door before your car pulls into the driveway or your cat mysteriously appears every day at precisely 1:05 p.m. for their midday snack? How do they do it? Can pets tell time? Rhythm is everything: How pets perceive time...

🎃 Fear Free Costume Tips for Pets

Halloween decorations and costumes can be fun, but they may also pose risks for pets. Keep cords, candles, and small decorations (such as glow sticks, plastic spiders, or miniature skeletons) out of reach, and be sure your pet’s costume is comfortable and safe. 1....

Adventure Ready: 5 Safety Tips for Hiking and Camping With Pets

Make sure to pack caution in your travel bag with these top 5 trail tips from Firehouse Animal Health Centers!#1: Plan with weather and terrain in mind Research trail conditions, difficulty level, elevation, and expected weather before you plan your trip. Be prepared...

5 Ways to Support Pets With Separation Anxiety

Dogs and cats are naturally social creatures who thrive on the comfort and connection of their owners. While it’s normal for pets—and even pet parents—to feel a little uneasy during time apart, some dogs and cats experience severe emotional distress. Separation...

Blue-Green Algae Can Cause Death for Dogs
Check the status of this toxin before enjoying waterways with your dog

3 minute readBlue-green algae is a year-round growth found in Austin waterways. It produces a dangerous toxin that can be deadly to dogs. Please read below to keep your pet safe.Dr Natalie Davis recalls the scary day her dog Dakota got sick after they spent the...

Protect Your Puppy from Canine Parvovirus
Every puppy & dog parent needs to know these basics

3 minute readParvovirus is something we’ll be battling forever,” says Dr Davis. “But we have great preventive measures.“We did gold standard of care, and little Bean turned the corner,” says Dr Davis, one of our veterinarians at Firehouse 183. “And (she) ended up...

Natural Disaster Preparedness for Families with Pets
Keep your cats and dogs safe in wildfires, floods, and more

3 minute readEnsure your pet’s safety by getting them microchipped. A microchip with up-to-date information greatly increases the chances of being reunited with your pet if they become lost, especially during emergencies or natural disasters.Natural disasters like...

Heartworm Prevention for Dogs & Cats
Monthly prevention is the key to avoiding this painful (and deadly) disease

4 minute readWhen a mosquito bites an animal with heartworm disease, they transfer the disease to the next animal they bite.In vet school, Dr Natalie Davis’s roommate adopted an adorable German Shepherd puppy named Winnie. At Winnie’s first puppy visit, the...

Grain-Free Foods Aren’t Healthy for Dogs
Studies Show these diets actually harm a dog’s heart

3 minute readSeemingly healthy grain-free pet diets aren’t helpful to a dog's health. In fact, research shows they cause issues with the heart.“Everybody just wants what’s best for their pets,” says Dr Natalie Davis, a veterinarian at Firehouse 183 in Austin, Texas....

A Purr-fect Love Story for Valentine’s Day
How a blind kitten found love, warmth, and family

3.5 minute readCaption: Dr Rebecca Davies, Medical Director of Firehouse Round Rock….When Dr Rebecca Davies met Cici, a fragile kitten with a fighting spirit, it was the start of a story of resilience, compassion, and love. For nearly two years, Williamson County...

4 Halloween Treats to Keep from Your Pet

Oct 24, 2021

10/19/2021 | 2 min read Staying safe on Halloween doesn’t need to be tricky. Celebrate the spookiest night of the year by keeping your pet away from these hazards: #1: Candy bags and wrappers Bags and wrappers can be as dangerous to your pet as the treats they...

How to Recognize Pain in Your Cat

Sep 20, 2021

Even though house cats have been domesticated for 10,000 years, their instincts still tell them to hide their vulnerabilities.Cats are stoic. This trait can make it hard to know when they're in pain.Your cat may experience pain for many reasons: joint issues, tooth...

Vacationing With Pets
8 tips for traveling with your pet

Jul 2, 2021

Distracting your dog is a great way to keep him calm during a long road trip.Quick travel tips in any season -Research veterinarians and pet-friendly hotels before leaving home. A veterinarian should be within 30 minutes of your final destination. Ask hotels about...

Car seats for dogs? You bet.
Buckle Fluffy into a harness to keep him (and you) safe on the road

Jun 11, 2021

Firehouse & Firehouse Pet Resort client, Remus, was safe in a recent car accident thanks to his car carrier. He wears his harness to and from all classes and playdates.We’ve all smiled upon seeing a dog’s happy face leaning out the car window and enjoying the...

How to keep your cat safe on car rides
Three tips for easier road trips (near and far)

Jun 4, 2021

For safe transport, put you cat in a hard-shell carrier in the back seat of the car. Secure the carrier with the seat belt. You can also push the passenger seat all the way back, sandwiching the carrier between front and back seats.After 200+ foster kittens, Kelly Erb...

Don’t waste money! Store your pet food right.
Original packaging, room temperature and storage location matter

May 3, 2021

Dr Beth Spencer recommends storing dog and cat food in its original packaging, on a pantry shelf.You’ve done your research and chosen the best food for your cat and dog. Avoid these 3 mistakes once you get home. Don't decant food into new canisters, which could...

Introducing your cat to your newborn (or child)
Pets can grow to love your new baby with a few simple tricks

Apr 13, 2021

Dr Penn Chinudomsub when she was with her cat named JJ. Cats can get along with newborns and kids if you plan ahead and use these tips.Bringing a new baby into the home can be exciting but could also mean extra stress on your pets. Cats, fairly or unfairly, can be a...

How do I introduce my dog to my newborn?
3 tips that make all the difference for furry friends

Apr 12, 2021

A few easy steps can relieve your dog’s anxiety when you bring home a new baby, creating lasting friendships between your furry and human kids. Photo credit: Family PupzFor many of us, our dog was our first child. If you’re about to have a baby, congratulations! A...

Your dog’s age just got a little more exact
Researchers have a new formula to replace the “7 dog years = 1 human year” calculation

Mar 3, 2021

Our docs can offer advice on habits that promote a long, happy, healthy lifeNew research shows that dogs age in spurts as their DNA changes. Dogs still age faster than humans. However, they don’t age in a straight line like previously believed. As dogs age, their...

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