Our Blog | Brandon, FL

It’s that time of year when the high temperatures here in the Tampa, Florida area begin to drop just a bit. Going outside to play with your pet feels less like a hot and muggy chore and more like an enjoyable part of your day.

The team at Animal Medical Center, your friendly veterinary office in Brandon, FL, has tips to make this time of the year even better. Here are our favorite pet-friendly fall activities to enrich your pet’s life—and yours.

Halloween is just around the corner, and we all know it’s a time for fun, spooky decorations, and lots of treats. But while we humans enjoy the festivities, it’s important to remember that our furry friends might not be as thrilled about the holiday as we are. 

At Animal Medical Center, we care deeply about the well-being of your pets, and that’s why we’re here to share some valuable tips on how to keep your pets safe and stress-free during Halloween.

Floridians are no strangers to hurricanes, but that doesn’t make them less stressful to deal with—especially when pets are involved. Make a pet hurricane preparedness plan before you need one to ensure you are ready in case of disaster. Animal Medical Center is happy to help you think through a plan for pets and hurricanes this season.

As loving pet owners, it is our responsibility to advocate and care for our beloved animals as best we can. While no one ever intends to harm their cherished family friends, sometimes accidents happen. Animal Medical Center wants to help prevent heartbreak by educating pet owners about the dangers of leaving a pet in the hot car, even for just a minute. 

As pet owners, we want to ensure our furry friends live happy and healthy lives. For many of us, this means providing extra care and attention to our senior pets. But what exactly does that entail? 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what to expect when caring for a senior pet and how you can help them stay healthy and comfortable in their golden years. 

Hot sun and high temps can be tough for pets to tolerate, especially senior pets, overweight pets, and those with certain health conditions. Brachycephalic dog breeds like pugs and bulldogs, and snub-nosed cats like Persians and Himalayans are also at an increased risk of overheating.  

At Animal Medical Center, we want you to enjoy summer activities with your pets. Our team has put together some pointers to help you spot the signs of pet heatstroke. Plus, we’ve got plenty of ways to keep your pets cool when temperatures heat up.

Most pet owners have heard the term hip dysplasia, but not many truly know what that diagnosis means. It is definitely something that dog lovers should understand, though. Animal Medical Center has the information that you need about hip dysplasia in dogs.

Selecting the perfect pet food for your beloved family member can be a little daunting, but it is an important choice. Making a good choice can contribute to overall pet health and lifespan. So where do you start? Animal Medical Center is here to help. 

Maybe you’re bringing a new pet home. Or perhaps you’ve suddenly realized that your four-legged friends are probably capable of finding the bottle of bleach you keep under your sink. Whatever the catalyst, it’s time to pet-proof your house so you can keep your pets safe. Put your pets in a safe place and take a moment to learn about the common household items that could poison your furry friends. 

Valentine’s Day is the ideal time to celebrate the favorite people in your life. It’s also the perfect time to design a fun pet holiday for your favorite dog or cat. These five fun activities will get your dog’s tail wagging or your cat purring with delight. And while you’re in planning mode, treat yourself to a special Valentine’s Day gift as well.