Tag: online vet

January 20, 2022 | Advice from HR online vet, Cat food, Dog food, Pet health

Choosing the Right Pet Food

What is the right food to feed my pet? What happens when my pet needs a special diet? There’s a lot of conflicting information and confusion out there about specialty pet food and pet supplements. Dr. Candice Bittner, DVM has offered up some expert knowledge to help pet parents choose the right food for their pets. Q: What’s the most important aspect of pet nutrition? What should pet parents look for? A: I’ll start by saying that aside from being a veterinarian, I’m also a pet parent. More specifically, I’m a pet parent to a dog with skin issues, so I

April 29, 2021 | Exotics, Pet health

Do Rats Make Good Pets?

If you’re a first-time pet owner or have a fondness for small creatures, a domesticated rat can make a great companion! Rats make good pets because they are not only low-maintenance and easy to handle, but rats are also affectionate and intelligent animals. For these reasons, more and more people are choosing to embrace these curious critters and have turned into true believers that rats do, indeed, make great pets. Rats are social and affectionate creatures These pocket-sized pets are very social and have a tendency to form strong bonds with their human family. If encouraged, rats enjoy resting on

April 13, 2021 | Caring for a Cat, Cats

How to Remove a Tick from a Cat

Fact checked by Dr. Antoinette Martin, DVM Numerous species of ticks are found in North America, and each species can carry a unique set of diseases that can be spread to the host animal when the tick bites. Fortunately, cats are less susceptible than most other types of mammals to contracting most tick-borne diseases. However, if you find ticks on your cat, you must know how to remove them properly and safely. Talk to a vet online through Hello Ralphie, and one of our virtual veterinarians can talk you through the appropriate steps for safe tick removal! When removing a

March 26, 2021 | Caring for a Dog, Dogs, Puppy

How Much Chocolate Can Kill a Dog?

Fact checked by Dr. Antoinette Martin, DVM While most people find the taste of chocolate irresistible, chocolate consumption happens to be very dangerous for dogs. In severe cases, chocolate ingestion can even be fatal for your canine pet. The risks associated with chocolate poisoning depend on a variety of factors. The type of chocolate, whether dark, milk or white chocolate, is an important factor, as is the quantity of chocolate consumed and the size and bodyweight of the dog. In some cases, chocolate is mixed with or used to cover other ingredients that can also pose a serious health risk

March 26, 2021 | Caring for a Dog, Dog anxiety, Dogs, Puppy

Why is My Dog Panting and Restless?

Fact checked by Dr. Antoinette Martin, DVM Dogs pant and become restless for many reasons. In some cases, the behavior change can be triggered by pain, as dogs experiencing any pain or discomfort will often become agitated, restless, and pant more frequently than before the issue started. With that said, pain is not the only cause of excessive panting and restlessness. As dog parents, it is important to pick up on these cues about your dog’s health and know when to reach out for help. How Can We Help? One of the quickest and easiest ways to get to the

March 25, 2021 | Caring for a Cat, Cat behavior, Cats, Kitten

How Often Should a Cat Poop?

Fact checked by Dr. Antoinette Martin, DVM While it may seem like a trivial topic, litter box behavior can tell you a lot about your cat’s health. As it turns out, cat owners should keep an eye on how often their cat poops. How Can We Help? To help you understand what is healthy and when you should be concerned, we are going to go over everything you need to know about your cat’s bowel movements. We will explain how often your cat should be pooping and what it could mean if they are going too frequently or not often

March 25, 2021 | Caring for a Cat, Cats, Kitten, Pet Dental Health

Why Does My Cat Drool?

Fact checked by Dr. Antoinette Martin, DVM If your cat has been drooling lately, there may be an underlying medical explanation for it. Scheduling an appointment with a Hello Ralphie veterinarian is one of the easiest ways to narrow down the cause. If the cause is a medical issue, an online vet can offer expert advice on it. To help you narrow down the cause of your cat’s drooling, we will be going over some common causes. If you suspect any of the issues discussed below apply to your cat, we encourage you to book a virtual vet appointment and

March 25, 2021 | Cats, Kitten

When Does a Kitten Become a Cat? – Everything You Need to Know About Kitten Development

Fact checked by Dr. Antoinette Martin, DVM If you have ever owned a kitten before, you have probably noticed how quickly they grow. In fact, by just six months of age, most kittens have already reached puberty and are nearing their full adult size. While you may assume that this rapid growth cycle means kittens become adults as soon as they reach half a year of age, nailing down a specific age is not so simple. In cats, adulthood is signified by physical milestones rather than reaching a specific age. Since kittens and adult cats have different dietary needs, many

March 25, 2021 | Caring for a Dog, Dogs, Puppy

How to Teach a Dog to Shake

Fact checked by a Hello Ralphie expert veterinarian After your dog has learned the basic commands, like sit, lay down, and stay, you can move towards more advanced tricks, like teaching your dog how to shake your hand or give a paw, as it is sometimes known, comes into play. Not only is the shake command a fun and satisfying trick, but it can also be really helpful when it comes time to clean your dog’s muddy paws or even trim nails. If you would like to teach your dog how to shake, we can help! We will start by

March 25, 2021 | Caring for a Cat, Cats, Kitten

How Much Should a Cat Weigh?

Fact checked by a Hello Ralphie expert veterinarian As with people, the average weight for cats can vary depending on their skeletal size and gender. On average, a healthy cat usually weighs between 7 and 14 pounds. In some cases, cats can weigh a little more than this or a little less, so it can be useful to schedule an online vet appointment through Hello Ralphie to determine if your cat is within a healthy weight range. During a Hello Ralphie virtual vet appointment, you and the vet can come up with a healthy nutrition and weight-management plan for your specific cat.