Top 15 Questions Our Vets Get from Pet Parents [Ask a Vet]

A vet having a consultation with a pet parent at the Sploot Veterinary Clinic in Denver, Colorado

As members of the family, we want to understand everything about our furry companions. 

And because dogs and cats differ from us in terms of diet, anatomy, medical needs, behavioral patterns, and so on, it’s only natural for pet parents to have a number of questions about their pets. 

From why do dogs eat grass to why heartworm prevention is important, here are the top dog questions and cat questions we get at the clinic. This complete ask-a-vet guide provides expert answers from our team!

What’s in this Guide? 

  1. What Causes a Dog to Eat Grass?
  2. Can I Feed My Pet a Homemade Diet?
  3. Is It Normal for Some Dogs to Eat Their Poop?
  4. Do Pets Need to Exercise?  
  5. How Much Exercise Do Pets Need?
  6. Why do Cats and Dogs Have Bad Breath?
  7. Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Pet?
  8. What is the Best Age to Spay or Neuter a Dog or Cat?
  9. Do Cats and Dogs Need Vaccines?
  10. Why is Heartworm Prevention so Important?
  11. Is My Pet a Healthy Weight?
  12. Does My Pet Need a Regular Blood Test?
  13. When is a Dog or Cat Considered a Senior?
  14. What is the Best Way to Take Care of a Senior Dog or Cat?
  15. How Do You Deal with Pet Anxiety?

1. What Causes a Dog to Eat Grass? 

In some cases, when dogs eat grass, it is due to boredom, curiosity, or simply liking the taste of grass. It is also possible there is something more to this behavior.

Diet Deficiencies

Dogs could be eating grass to compensate for diet deficiencies. If a dog’s diet is lacking vitamins, nutrients, or minerals, they might eat grass to try to get the extra nutrients they need. Another reason is that the dog may be trying to get more roughage or fiber — which is important for keeping a dog’s digestive system healthy. 

For Stomach Issues

When dogs have stomach issues (which can anything from the presence of bile, parasites, a virus, metabolic disease, or even gastrointestinal obstruction), they might eat grass as a natural remedy. In these cases, the dog typically eats the grass as fast as possible without chewing and this makes the dog vomit.  

A dog’s instinct to self-treat with grass may or may not work depending on what gastrointestinal issues they’re facing. For example, if the dog is feeling discomfort from ingesting a foreign body that their digestive system cannot pass, eating grass is not an effective remedy. 

Therefore, if you observe unusual grass consumption in your dog, it’s recommended to take them to the vet straight away so that the vet can screen them for health issues and provide the most effective treatment.

‍2. Can I Feed my Pet a Homemade Diet?‍

Homemade diets are ideally not recommended by our vets. Cats and dogs need a certain balance of nutrients (i.e. minerals, vitamins, carbs, and fats) to live a happy and healthy life. It can be challenging to include all of the correct levels of these nutrients in a homemade diet. 

Commercial diets we recommend are AAFCO-certified, meaning they have been trialed and tested in animals to make sure they contain everything the pet needs. 

If you still want to give a homemade pet diet a try, we recommend consulting with a veterinary nutritionist. As an additional resource, check out Balance IT, a company that provides homemade food solutions for dogs and cats. ‍

A pet parent feeding her dog a homemade diet

3. Is It Normal for Some Dogs to Eat Their Poop?

Though poop-eating is a common behavior, this puts dogs at risk of ingesting parasites, harmful bacteria, and other pathogens. Some dogs eat poop out of curiosity or because they like the taste. The simplest remedy to a poop-eating behavior in dogs is to pick up poop as soon as possible. Pet parents can also try to use For-Bid powder which is an ingestible powder that  gives the dog’s poop an adverse taste . 

It is also possible that there’s more to this behavior than just boredom, curiosity, or taste preferences. Dogs may be eating poop because of the following: 

Diet Deficiency

In some cases, dogs may eat their poop to compensate for an unbalanced diet and get the nutrients they need. 

Anxiety

Dogs may eat their poop to displace anxiety. Anxiety in dogs that causes poop eating can be due to separation from their owners, confinement, or lack of enriching activities. 

Fear of Punishment

Dogs that have been reprimanded repeatedly for accidentally relieving themselves inside the house may ingest their poop to avoid punishment.  

If you think any of the above may be the reason why your dog is eating poop or if you struggle to correct this behavior, give your vet a call. Experienced vets can help you navigate behavioral issues in dogs — as well as possible diet deficiencies or anxiety which could be driving the compulsion to ingest poop. 

4. Do Pets Need to Exercise? 

Yes! Both dogs and cats benefit from regular exercise — although exercise may look a little different for these two species. 

Exercise for Dogs 

If you want your dog to be happy and healthy, make sure they get enough physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Examples of physical exercise for dogs: 

  • Running;
  • Doing agility courses;
  • Ball or frisbee catching;
  • Playing tug of war; and
  • Playing fetch

Examples of mental exercise for dogs: 

  • Playing hide and seek
  • Playing with food puzzles and other interactive dog toys
  • Sniffing new things when walking outside

Exercise for Cats 

Though cats are not typically keen on doing the same activities that dogs enjoy, they also require physical exercise and mental stimulation. Most indoor cats will not readily exercise like dogs — but there are still a few things a cat parent can do to give their cat a healthy dose of exercise. 

Examples of physical exercise for cats: 

  • Climbing on a cat climbing post
  • Walking or running on a cat exercise wheel
  • Chasing a laser light or wand toys
  • Walking on a leash (this might be easier to achieve when the cat is taught at a young age)

Examples of mental exercise for cats: 

  • Playing with cat puzzle toys
  • Going on a treat treasure hunt
  • Playing games for cats on a tablet (yes, these exist!)

If your pet has special needs, is overweight, is within the senior age range, or unwilling to exercise you can consult your local veterinarian for personalized recommendations to keep your pet healthy and fit.

A cat exercising on a cat climbing post

5. How Much Exercise Do Pets Need? 

As far as how much physical exercise is enough, let your pet guide you. For example, if you’re running with your pet and they are running in front of you it’s a signal they are probably not tired yet. However, if you see that they start running behind, you should stop and take them back home to rest.

It’s important to be cautious during the summer or hot days. Early mornings and late evenings/nights are best) to prevent heatstroke. 

We recommend letting pets guide us regarding how much exercise they want/need, unless they have pre-existing conditions, excess weight, or mobility issues. If so, reach out to your vet to ask about the best type of exercise for your pet and how much of that exercise they can safely do. 

6. Why do Cats and Dogs Have Bad Breath?

Although a mild breath odor is normal in both dogs and cats, noticeably worse breath could be an indicator of poor oral hygiene or dental disease. 

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene leads to the build-up of plaque, a biofilm of bacteria that causes bad breath in pets. Brushing teeth regularly and having regular teeth cleanings, is the best way to prevent the build-up of plaque and to avoid the bad breath that plaque causes. 

Dental Disease

Dental disease in pets affects the gums, teeth, and breath. The most common dental disease in pets is what’s known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious gum infection characterized by the inflammation of the gums and bone supporting the teeth. 

Periodontal disease is mainly caused by the buildup of bacteria, plaque, and tartar on the pet’s teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease will cause pain, tooth loss, and widespread issues including loss of eyesight, oral cancer, liver disease, heart disease and more. 

Brushing teeth and regular teeth cleanings help prevent dental disease by removing plaque and tartar. It is also recommended to schedule a cat or dog’s teeth cleaning once a year — but every pet is different. Be sure to touch base with your vet to know the best dental care plan for your furry companion. 

7. Why Should I Spay or Neuter my Pet? 

Spaying or neutering reduces the risk of pets developing some serious illnesses and helps with certain behavioral problems. Thus, these veterinary surgeries help dogs and cats live longer and have a better quality of life. Last but definitely not least, spaying and neutering benefits the community. 

It’s no surprise that this veterinary procedure is promoted by organizations such as the following: 

Benefits of Spaying for Female Pets

In female dogs and cats, spaying reduces the risk of mammary cancer and prevents a potentially life-threatening condition called pyometra (a serious infection of the uterus). Spaying may reduce aggression in female dogs and cats — as well as their periodic desire to roam (or run away) due to heat cycles. 

Benefits of Neutering for Male Pets

In male dogs, neutering protects from testicular cancer, prostate problems, and perianal tumors. Neutering may also lead to better behavioral control in male pets. After neutering, male pets have a greatly reduced tendency to run away, display aggression, and exhibit marking behaviors (i.e. marking their territory with urine.) 

Community Benefits of Spaying & Neutering

In addition to the above benefits, spaying and neutering promotes the well-being of animals in the community. Right now, there are hundreds of thousands of animals in need of homes, leading to a shelter overpopulation across the country. Spaying and neutering addresses this problem by preventing unwanted litters with no homes to go to. 

A puppy getting a checkup in Sploot Veterinary Care in Denver before getting spaying and neutering

8. What is the Best Age to Spay or Neuter a Dog or Cat?

‍Although it depends on species, gender, and other individual factors, we recommend that dogs get spayed or neutered at around the ages of 6 and 12 months. Meanwhile, cats can be spayed or neutered a bit earlier, at around eight weeks of age. 

Each individual cat or dog is different so we recommend scheduling a visit to your local vet to determine the best time frame for spaying or neutering. 

9. Do Cats and Dogs Need Vaccines?

Vaccinating your pet dog or cat boosts their immunity against a wide scope of infectious diseases — some of which are life-threatening to pets and/or transmissible to humans.

As a general rule, core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and cats. Dogs and cats have separate sets of core vaccines that are best administered early in life for optimum protection. These vaccines follow a schedule of revaccination to maintain protection against the disease.  

Meanwhile, a set of vaccines known as “non-core” vaccines may, from the name, give the impression that they are not as important as core vaccines. This, however, is not true. Non-core are recommended by veterinarians based on specific risk factors. Some types of non-core vaccines protect against serious, life-threatening diseases that are prevalent in certain regions of residence or travel destinations. When recommended by your local vet, these vaccines are just as important as core vaccines. 

10. Why is Heartworm Prevention so Important? 

Heartworms are foot-long worms that can live in the heart, blood vessels, and lungs of affected pets. In some instances, heartworms can also invade the kidneys and liver. Because heartworms can infect both cats and dogs, heartworm prevention is highly recommended for both types of furry companions. 

This preventive measure helps avoid uncomfortable symptoms that long-living heartworms (with a lifespan of 5-7 years) can cause as they impact various systems. It is also important to note that a heartworm infection can be fatal if left untreated. 

Symptoms of Heartworm

Pets affected by heartworm will exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, persistent coughing, reluctance to do physical activity, loss of appetite, and progressive weight loss. When a heartworm infection progresses in a pet, it can lead to the presence of excess fluid in the abdomen, organ damage, lung disease, and heart failure. 

Heartworm Prevention in Dogs and Cats

The good news is that heartworm is easily avoidable with the right preventive steps! Heartworm prevention involves the use of medication that is ideally administered early in a dog or cat’s life. 

Pet parents can begin heartworm prevention for puppies that are around 8 weeks old and 

kittens that are less than 8 weeks old. If your pet is within this age range or beyond, contact your local veterinarian to know your next steps for heartworm prevention. 

In addition, when puppies and kittens reach 7 months of age, it is recommended to have their first annual heartworm testing.

Close up of a pet parent giving their dog a tablet for heartworm prevention

11. Is My Pet a Healthy Weight?

When a pet is not within a healthy weight range, this puts them at risk of various health problems. So, how would you know if your pet is not within a healthy weight range? There are a few signs that pet parents can look for to get a rough idea of whether or not their pet is within a healthy weight range. These signs include: 

  • When viewed from above, the waist of your pet is visible;
  • When viewed from the side, there is a slight distinction between your pet’s chest and stomach; and
  • You can feel (but not see) their rib bones and spine.

Additionally, you can have a look at a chart called the Body Condition Score (BCS) system to check if your pet is at a healthy weight. Still, the best way to get definitive answers regarding your pet’s overall health is to consult your local veterinarian! 

12. Does My Pet Need a Regular Blood Test? ‍

Regular blood tests are an important part of preventive care. Routine blood tests are performed as part of a comprehensive pet wellness exam, upon the request/discretion of the veterinarian. 

Routine blood testing helps detect a wide range of diseases and illnesses early on, increasing the likelihood of effective treatments. In addition, routine blood work is used to monitor chronic illnesses and assess the safety of recommended treatments. 

At the end of the day, regular blood tests are a part of preventive care, the number one investment that pet parents can make to ensure a long happy life for their furry companions. To get started on great preventive care, consult your local veterinarian.

A veterinarian at Sploot Veterinary Care, Denver, Colorado comforting a cat before extracting blood for a blood test

‍13. When is a Dog or Cat Considered a Senior?

Cats and dogs reach “senior” status at different times. For cats, they are considered senior when they are past 10 years of age. As for dogs, they are considered senior at different times depending on their breed. Some dogs can be considered senior in as early as 7 years of age

Knowing when your pet is already in the senior range allows you to give the special care they need for them to be happy and healthy at this stage in life. 

If you’re unsure whether your pet is a senior or not, your local veterinarian can give a definitive answer — along with recommendations on what next steps to take as a pet parent to a senior furry companion. 

14. What is the Best Way to Take Care of a Senior Dog or Cat?

Senior dogs and cats are more susceptible to medical issues and illnesses related to age. These issues include mobility concerns, susceptibility to weight gain, vulnerability to dental disease, vulnerability to cognitive disorders, and changes to their internal organs. 

Special care for your senior pet can include some or all of the following: 

  • More frequent wellness exams and dental exams (around twice a years — instead of once a year for younger pets)
  • Bloodwork included in wellness exams (as per the recommendation of your local veterinarian)
  • Special dietary recommendations
  • Special exercise recommendations
  • Changed vaccine intervals

If you have a senior furry companion, consult your local veterinarian to get a personalized preventive care plan for your senior pet. 

15. How Do You Deal with Pet Anxiety?

In some cases, when low-level anxiety is observed, crate training and Kong toys with frozen treats can help. Adaptil (or other pheromones) collars and sprays, ThunderShirts, and calming diets can also be utilized to decrease stress.  

In case of severe pet anxiety, veterinarians may recommend long-acting anxiety medication that can be used. There are also medications that can be used for shorter periods for more severe, one-off episodes/cases — these medications are typically used only as needed. 

Remember that every pet is different, so we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian about the best treatment plan for pet anxiety.

A dog hiding in their house exhibiting mild signs of dog anxiety

Final Thoughts on Top Questions Vets Get from Pet Parents

We hope you enjoyed this comprehensive article on the top questions we get from pet parents. This ask-a-vet guide covered a variety of questions that pet parents like you are curious about. 

In case you have additional cat questions or dog questions, we’re here to help! 

Sploot Veterinary Care is your go-to for primary and urgent care needs. Whether you need to update vaccinations, schedule a wellness exam, get nutritional advice, manage pet anxiety, and etc., we’ve got you covered! 

Our modern veterinary clinic is open 365 days a year, from 10am to 10pm, across all of our convenient locations. You can schedule an advanced or same-day appointment easily online — or come in for a walk-in appointment! We’d be happy to treat you!