Heartworm disease is one of the worst parasitic infections your pet can get. Unfortunately, it’s very common in the southern and southeastern United States, including Florida. Spread via mosquito bite, heartworm can affect dogs, cats, and ferrets, but the disease is most dangerous for dogs. That’s because dogs are a definitive host for heartworms. The worms can complete entire life cycles and reproduce inside a dog’s body. 

All it takes is a single mosquito bite for your dog to be infected with this devastating parasite. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to prevent heartworm. The team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital would like to share our top heartworm prevention tips for dogs and cats. 

Summer is the season for backyard barbecues, Fourth of July fireworks, and trips to the beach! And while there’s nothing like enjoying our favorite outdoor activities with our animal companions by our side, it’s important to remember that our pets count on us to keep them safe, so we need to be mindful of summer safety hazards that could impact our pets. 

At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we want your fun in the sun to be safe and enjoyable for your pets. Here are some of our top pet safety tips for summer from our compassionate team.

Personalized, colorful collars and tags look great and provide one way to identify your furry family member, but they aren’t permanent. Collars and tags can come off or become damaged, and pets without identification are at a much higher risk of ending up in shelters if they ever become separated from their families.

Your pet’s annual wellness exam is the perfect time to get all your questions about pet health, behavior, and day-to-day needs answered. At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we 

cover a lot of bases during veterinarian visits, so if you are ever unsure or need further clarification, our team encourages you to ask the following questions:

St. Patrick’s Day weekend is the perfect time to get out and explore Tampa Bay with your pet. The weather’s warm, but the humidity isn’t covering you and Fido in a wet, hot blanket just yet. And after the chillier winter months, you and your pet are probably itching to escape the house. Here are some of our favorite pet-friendly St. Patrick’s Day activities in Tampa Bay. 

A day that’s all about love, affection, devotion, and soul mates is shockingly similar to every other day when you live with a pet, right? We might own our pets, but they own our hearts in a way that seems to surpass many human relationships. They offer unconditional love without complaint, and provide endless snuggles, kisses, and companionship. It’s time to ring in Valentine’s Day with your pet with even more love than you already give.

Did you know the idea of insurance is an ancient one? Archaeological evidence suggests that individuals in debt in ancient Babylon did not have to repay a loan if certain calamities occurred. Medieval Europe introduced the guild system in which members contributed to a large pool that covered any losses. The Great Fire of London in 1666 gave way to the first fire insurance policies.

Pet insurance is one of the latest incarnations of this ancient concept. While they may not appeal to every pet owner’s monthly budget, some policies can help off-set the cost of emergency or life-saving veterinary care. In most cases, having pet insurance is totally worth it. 

The sun may not be quite as warm and the day isn’t quite as long, but that doesn’t mean our pets want their routines upended. Keeping pets active year-round is good for their physical and emotional health, and it’s good for their human companions, too!

Our team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital has some suggestions for ways to keep pets busy when winter air descends on Florida.

It’s that time of year again—when Black Friday sales ads are everywhere. If you’re a pet owner, you might wonder whether there are any special deals on pet supplies. The answer is definitely yes!

This annual post-Thanksgiving shopping spree offers plenty of ways to save money on everything from cat food and litter boxes to dog beds, toys, and pet carriers. So if your pet needs new toys, food bowls, treats, or other gear, read on for our guide to pet shopping on Black Friday 2022.

If you’re looking for ways to have a doggone good time with your pooch, you have come to the right place! Playing games with your dog provides him with both mental and physical stimulation, builds your dog’s confidence, and strengthens the bond you have with your pet.

Check out these five, fun-filled suggestions from our team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital.