Eating Habits

• Animal Care Clinic

  How can I tell if my pet is overweight?

  

  Posted 12:14 PM 10/23/2012 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Obesity is one of the most common diseases we see at Animal Care Clinic - and also one of the most dangerous. We know that large breed dogs who maintain a healthy weight will live 2 YEARS longer than those that are overweight. This advantage is probably even greater in small dogs and cats. We (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic

  Fish Oil

  Posted 11:32 AM 5/22/2012 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  You may have heard people talking about the benefits of fish oil or flax seed oil. These products contain omega-3 fatty acids, abbreviated EPA and DHA. Animals, including people, dogs, cats and the red meats we eat are made mainly from omega-6 fatty acids. Chemically, these molecules are quite (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Couch potato pets

  

  Posted 11:32 AM 2/10/2012 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Have you started your New Year's resolution to exercise and get fit yet? Some of you started and have already quit!

  During December I wrote about obesity in pets and looked at several feeding strategies to help curb this problem. If you watch the "Biggest Loser" you know that a good (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Throwing up and loss of appetite a worrisome combination

  

  Posted 11:09 AM 10/25/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Q: My very healthy Chow Mix, Bear, has been throwing up for a month now. We took her to the vet for a blood and urine work up and there's nothing wrong with her. Now she is not eating unless it's chicken or fish. She goes back to the vet tomorrow, but would like a second opinion on what this (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Why do animals chew on and eat weird stuff?

  

  Posted 3:41 PM 10/12/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  We recently had a question from Ginger on our KSBY Central Coast Experts page. Apparently her kitty, AJ Purrs (gotta love that name!) likes to chew on plastic bags.

  Our pets are often found chewing on things we would like them to avoid - socks, furniture, plants, irrigation systems (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  My 14-month-old cat won't stop eating!

  

  Posted 12:59 PM 10/4/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Q: My 14 month-old cat won't stop eating! I've got him on lowfat food and only feed him twice a day, but he's FAT! Seriously, this cat would eat all day long if I let him. Help?

  A: Our pets are no different from us - they eat because it tastes good or because they are bored. All of us (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Why does my dog eat cat poop?

  

  Posted 2:44 PM 7/11/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Q: Why is my dog eating cat doo doo whenever I take him out for a walk?? He's driving me crazy and I end up scolding him all the time! What shall I do to refrain him from doing this??? Please advise.

  A: Unfortunately, eating cat poop is a normal behavior for a dog - just like chasing cats (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Chronic Diarrhea

  

  Posted 1:31 PM 3/2/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  No one likes having diarrhea. Luckily, for all of us, most cases of diarrhea are short-lived and resolve themselves within a day or two. I'm not sure if there is anything in veterinary medicine more frustrating than chronic, or long-term, diarrhea.

  Whenever a dog or cat presents to Animal (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Feeding Pets

  

  Posted 10:38 AM 1/13/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Many clients at Animal Care Clinic ask about how to feed their pets - free choice or meals. Veterinarians disagree to some extent as which is better, and there are medical benefits to both systems.Many owners find it convenient to leave food out all the time for their animals, especially cats. (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Ask the Expert: Itching and skin diseases

  

  Posted 10:28 AM 7/29/2010 by Dr. Bonnie Markoff

  Dear Jackie,

  I am so sorry Baby is so miserable with this itching. Skin disease can be very simple or very complicated. If it gets complicated, it can be expensive to diagnose and to treat. Let's hope Baby's condition has a simple answer.

  The most common causes of hairloss and (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Ask the Expert: Vomiting after meals

  

  Posted 10:17 AM 7/29/2010 by Dr. Bonnie Markoff

  Dear Anna,

  Thank you for telling us about Asia. Vomiting after meals is a common problem and can be very disconcerting (let alone messy!) Luckily, there is much that can be done to help Asia to be happier and healthier. There is no doubt that vomiting after every meal is not normal.

  (More)
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Preventing your pets from overeating

  

  Posted 9:58 AM 12/28/2009 by By By Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  You are probably eating more this month than usual. Do you find yourself grazing through Christmas goodies in the employee lunchroom or at parties? When food is easily available, we will eat even if we are not hungry.

  The same is true for our pets. There are a few animals who manage their (More)