Care First Animal Hospital

Who has a dog who loves to put their head out of the car window?? Ever wonder why they love it?

Dogs have more than 100 million sensory receptors in their noses (compared to the 6 million humans have). The part of their brain that’s devoted to processing scents is also about 40 times larger than that of a person’s. When dogs exhale through the slits in their nostrils, the air swirls around and introduces a whole host of new, interesting odors. Sticking their heads out of car windows (or any open windows) lets them really soak in all the smells of the outdoors.

The sights are exciting, too. Dogs may see fewer hues than humans—and are often near-sighted—but they can spot moving objects better than stationary ones. The animals have 10–20 times greater motion perception than people. That means the landscape flying by in a car may be blurry to a our eyes, but it’s likely much sharper for a canine passenger.

So next time you are taking your pup for a drive, give them the freedom of an open car window! Of course if you have a jumper, please don't....

Looking forward to Friday like....

Here is information on our upcoming Family Pet and Confident K9 classes! Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions - they are are at our Glenwood location - 919-783-7387.

We love celebrating our pups every single day, but National Dog Day gives us the perfect excuse to dote on them even more and show them just how much they mean to us. Here are some special ways to celebrate National Dog Day… and all the dogs in the world.

Bake Homemade Dog Treats
What better way to say “I love you” than with homemade treats? Get in the kitchen and whip up some delicious dog-friendly goodies. From peanut butter biscuits to pumpkin pupcakes, your dog will be drooling (more than usual) as they wait for these tasty treats to cool.

Take Your Pup Outside
Celebrate the day with some fresh air and exercise. Whether it’s a hike, a long walk, or a trip to the dog park or the beach, your pup will love spending quality time with you outdoors. And hey, since it’s their special day, maybe you’ll even let your dog chase that squirrel in the park—it’s all about them, after all!

Plan a Doggy Playdate
If your dog loves socializing, plan a playdate! Invite their best doggy friends over and watch them run, wrestle, and bark themselves silly. And don’t forget to capture a video of them in full zoomie mode.

Support an Animal Rescue or Shelter
National Dog Day isn’t just about our own pups; it’s a chance to spread the love to dogs everywhere. Donate some blankets, toys, or food to a local shelter. Your generosity could make a big difference in the lives of dogs waiting for their forever homes and help them find what your dog has with you.

Buy Your Dog a New Toy
Spoil your pup with some new toys. They can never have too many toys for being the goodest girl or boy ever! Surprising them with a new squeaky toy, a bouncy ball, or maybe even that plushie that’ll last all of five minutes.

Take Adorable Photos of Your Pup
Capture the fun of National Dog Day with a photoshoot! Set up a mini session and snap your pup’s cutest expressions—whether they’re giving you the classic head tilt or the “What do you want from me?” face. Or dress them up and take some pics like our sweet dog here in Day Camp!

How are you planning to celebrate with your pup this National Dog Day?

What are the top 10 most expensive dogs?

These are the top 10 most expensive dog breeds and their average prices, according to Reader's Digest:

English bulldog: $4,250
French bulldog: $4,250
Tibetan mastiff: $4,000
Chow Chow: $4,000
Samoyed: $3,750
Biewer terrier: $3,500
Portuguese water dog: $3,500
Greater Swiss mountain dog: $3,450
Irish wolfhound: $3,250
Newfoundland: $3,250

Clearly this Frenchie thinks he is the most expensive doggo in the world, and no one can argue!

We’re excited to announce that all three locations will be closed on Wednesday August 28th from Noon-2:30pm for a team-building event. This day is dedicated to strengthening our teamwork, enhancing our skills, and fostering a more collaborative and innovative environment.

Closure Date: Wednesday August 28th Noon - 2:30pm

Facility Closed: All Locations

Check out these 5 benefits of sleeping with your pup.
1. Comfort and Security. Most of us feel a sense of comfort and security with our dogs by our side – after all, is there a better place to feel safe than in bed at night? They’ll definitely wake you if they hear anything suspicious… or just an overnight Amazon delivery (oops!). A 2018 survey of adult women found that sharing a bed with a dog often provides more comfort and security than sleeping with another person or even a cat.

2. Lowers Anxiety, Stress, and Depression. Co-sleeping with your dog can help alleviate almost any emotional ailment you have including anxiety, stress, depression, and loneliness. Dogs boost our oxytocin levels and reduce cortisol levels, which can be triggered by just looking at their precious faces. However, physical touch is especially powerful for feeling good, so snuggling with your pup at night is definitely the way to go!

3. Strengthens Your Immune System. Our crazy doggos bring dirt and dog hair into the home, but this exposure to bacteria actually benefits our immune systems. Exposure to dogs, especially for children and infants, can lower the risk of developing asthma and allergies. Even petting your dog for just 18 minutes can boost immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in your saliva, which helps protect against infections. Sure, sharing your bed means dealing with dog hair sprinkled on your sheets, but the benefits are well worth the extra cleaning!

4. They Keep You Warm. Dogs run at a higher body temperature than we do, making them the perfect bed warmers. Throughout history, many cultures embraced co-sleeping with animals as the norm.

5. You Will Turn Into a Morning Person. If you’re not a morning person, sleeping with your pup might just change that for you. They have a knack for waking you up at the crack of dawn, begging to get up and go out. If you need to wake up early for work, they are the perfect alarm clock. Plus, it’s nearly impossible not to start your day in a good mood with their morning kisses!

Penny here is begging to go to bed to snuggle...what’s your sleeping arrangement with your pup?

Happy Fri-Yay! Hope you are as happy as this pup in Day Camp!

Our recent class graduates!!

Our next session starts September 10 and 11. Classes are Family Pet, Confident K9, and Mind Your Manners. Call our Glenwood location at 919-783-7387 to sign up!

Do you ever leave music on for your dogs? Streaming services use algorithms to help curate playlists for each person’s individual taste and help introduce us to new music, but can it make something our dog will love? Spotify launched a Pet Playlist feature four years ago after sharing a statistic that 71% of pet parents play music for their pets. But what kind of music is right for your pet?

Classical music has been shown to decrease barking. If you're looking for a great piece of music to start with, The Four Seasons by Vivaldi was found to have a very positive response in kenneled dogs, according to a Scottish SPCA study.

Some pet parents aren't the biggest fans of classical music, and that's okay! Reggae, soft rock, and spa-like music have also been found to help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs. On the other hand, genres like hard rock, grunge, heavy metal, pop, and rap usually have the opposite effect. These genres' faster tempos are known to cause agitation, hostility, and restlessness in pups.

Ideally, you should avoid playing songs for your pooch that feature loud percussion and deep bass. These noises sound very similar to thunderstorms, fireworks, sirens, and other sounds that dogs tend to dislike.

Frequencies also impact how much animals enjoy music. Dogs’ ears are built differently than human ears. They hear twice as much as humans. Long, sustained sounds are calming for dogs. If you want to try leaving playlists on for your dog, watch how they respond when you try different options. They may have preferences that you can see when observing their behaviors.

Let us know if you leave music on for your pets!

Living life on the flip side 🐶✨...stay dry out there folks!

If you are going to be stuck inside with your pup with bands of Tropical Storm Debby heading through, try making these Blueberry Pup Muffins!

You’ll need: one cup of rolled oats, one cup of whole wheat flour, two eggs separated, ½ cup of unsweetened natural applesauce (no sugar added), two tablespoons of water, and one cup of blueberries

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a muffin pan with olive oil.
2. Combine the oats and flour into a bowl. Stir in the egg yolks, applesauce, and water. Once combined, gently stir in the blueberries.
3. Beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter. Spoon the mixture into the muffin pan.
4. Bake for 25 minutes until the batter has set and lightly browned.
5. Let the muffins cool on a rack before giving one to your pup. They can be stored in an airtight container for a few weeks.

When in doubt, just pile up and cuddle it out. 🐾💤

Cheering on Team USA from the comfort of my dog bed. 🐾🥇

July is Lost Pet Prevention Month, and we want to help keep your furry friends safe! Here are some tips to prevent your pet from going missing:

Ensure all gates and doors are securely closed.
Microchip your pet and update the registry when you move! Also, if you have a runner, also consider a AirTag on their collar as well.
Use a leash or harness during walks and outings (in most places, it is the law).
Be cautious when guests are coming and going to prevent escapes.
Have recent photos of your pet handy (but really, who doesn't??) in case they go missing.

Add any other tips in the comments below!

Happy National Vanilla Ice Cream Day! While it's tempting to share a frozen treat with your furry friends, remember that too much can make them sick.

Try frozen plain Greek yogurt - it's easier to digest, doesn't contain added sugar, and naturally contains less lactose (your cat is lactose intolerant no matter what they tell you!). This should still be given in moderation and only as an occasional treat (for the paw-rents, it can be a special treat daily if you wish!).

Dental health for dogs is more than just better-smelling breath. Dental diseases can lead to other health problems if they are not addressed. So, what can dog owners do? There are two important actions—an annual checkup with the vet and regular cleanings at home.

When looking for the best products, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council registered seal (VOHC). Here are a few other tools to use to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy:

Toothbrush with soft bristles
Enzymatic toothpaste that fights tartar and plaque build-up
Finger brushes for dogs who aren’t comfortable with regular brushes
Dental wipes when dogs won’t accept any type of brush easily
Dental chews and bones
Food that targets oral health

If you’ve never worked on your dog’s teeth, start today and help them get more comfortable and familiar with the process. Use these tools and talk to your Veterinarian about other options.

Happy World Emoji Day!

Let's have some fun today...spell your pet's name in the comments using only emojis! And try to guess the ones you can!

Happy All American Pet Photo Day! Today, we celebrate our furry friends and their adorable moments. Whether they're striking a pose or caught in a candid moment, we want to see your pet's cutest photos! Comment or tag us on Instagram!

July is Pet Hydration Awareness Month! Keeping your furry friends hydrated is essential, especially during the hot summer months. Offer water-rich treats pet-safe fruits and veggies like cucumbers, seedless watermelon, and carrots. Whether you are on a walk or road trip, always bring a water bottle and a portable bowl for your pet. Let's keep our pets happy, healthy and hydrated!

🐱

Let's have some fun! What would your pet's warning label say?!

Have a Safe and Happy 4th!

The 4th of July is just around the corner! While it's a time for celebration, it's important to keep our furry friends safe and comfortable. Here are some tips to ensure your pets have a safe holiday:

1. Fireworks Safety: Keep pets indoors during fireworks. The loud noises can be terrifying for them. Create a safe, quiet space where they can feel secure.

2. BBQ Hazards: Be mindful of what your pets can access during barbeques. Foods like chocolate, grapes, onions and alcohol can be toxic to them. Keep human food out of reach (and tell Uncle Bob to stop feeding your furry friends...) and keep pet friendly treats accessible instead.

3. Heat Precautions: Ensure your pets stay cool and hydrated. Avoid walking them during the hottest part of the day. AND NEVER LEAVE THEM IN A PARKED CAR.

4. Identification: More pets go missing between July 4th and July 6th than any other part of the year. Please make sure they are microchipped, ID tagged, even throw an Airtag on them if they are a flight risk.

Before we dive into summer fun, remember to give your pets their monthly preventatives. Protect your furry friends from fleas, ticks, and hearworms so they can enjoy the season to the fullest. While you are at it, log into your microchip provider to ensure your info is up-to-date and take a peek at their physical tag to make sure it is still legible because today is also !

When you realize the 'walk' was actually a trip to the bath...

Happy Friday everyone!

June is National Camping Month and what better way to spend time with your pet than camping! Here is a list of places close to Raleigh to camp at: https://bit.ly/3GunLdD.

And don't forget BARK - Bag your pet's waste, Always leash your pet, Respect wildlife, and Know where you can go!

Karla, our fun loving Frenchie, is our Camper of the Month!