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Browse our latest news below to catch up on what you may have missed or revisit useful tips and announcements:

2025 Monthly Newsletters

https://www.amcny.org/2025-pet-holidays-and-veterinary-awareness-days/

December 2025 – Safe Toys and Gifts Month

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month! The risk when it comes to toys would be the possibility of an obstruction. This would lead to needing exploratory surgery. There are a few things to consider when it comes to the holidays and what toys and gifts you can spoil them with.

It is important to consider your pet’s size and breed. Make sure that toys are appropriate for their size. Avoid small parts that can easily be swallowed like buttons, eyes, or squeakers. Choose toys that are durable and made with pet-safe material. Make sure toys don’t have sharp edges which could injure your pet. Monitor their playtime by regularly checking toys for any damage that would warrant them needing replaced. Toys containing stuffed materials like cotton and foam should be used with discretion. Some pets don’t tear them up and are fine to have them while others tend to rip them up in seconds, exposing the stuffing which allows them the chance to swallow it.

When it comes to the holidays, safe decorations are something to be considered. Tinsel, ribbons, and ornaments should be out of reach from your pets. Certain plants that are common around the holidays, like poinsettias and lilies, are toxic to animals. Make sure that food treats are made from ingredients that are safe for your pet and are not given in excess.

The holidays are such a fun time of the year! Let’s make sure our pets also get to enjoy it but in a safe manner.

November 2025 – Pet Diabetes Month

November is Pet Diabetes Month! What exactly is pet diabetes? This is when your pet cannot produce or utilize insulin properly which prevents the conversion of food into energy. About 1 in 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats are affected in the United States. Once diagnosed, diabetes is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured. Thankfully, it can be treated!

What are risk factors for a pet to develop diabetes? Dogs and cats can be affected at any age, though, typically, it occurs more often as they age. Obesity as well as other diseases can lead to diabetes. Long term use of corticosteroids is also a risk factor. Signs to look out for include excessive thirst, increased urination, weight loss despite appetite increase, decreased appetite, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.

If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to take them to your veterinarian. Through a general health exam and diagnostics including a glucose test, urinalysis, and/or full bloodwork, it can be determined if your pet is diagnosed with diabetes. Treatment can include a pet-specific insulin which can be a trial and error process of figuring out the right dosage for your pet. Recheck glucose appointments will be important to ensure that the correct dose is figured out as each patient is unique.

Diabetes seems like an intimidating disease, but, thankfully, there are treatment options to help pets thrive and continue to live their best life. Just watch for signs and speak with your veterinarian about any concerns you may have.

October 2025 – National Pet Obesity Awareness Month

October is National Pet Obesity Awareness Month! Just as important as it is for us to maintain a healthy weight, so it is for our fur babies. Unfortunately, pet obesity is very prevalent in both dogs and cats. This can lead to numerous health issues. Making sure you keep your pet at a good weight is vital for their health.

Health risks that obesity can lead to include osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and a shortened lifespan. This can be largely preventable through lifestyle choices like proper diet and exercise. Your veterinarian checks your pet’s body condition score, a numerical assessment used to evaluate the amount of body fat in your pet, whenever they come in for an exam. Keep note of what it is every time, and ask your veterinarian what they recommend to keep them at a good score. If your pet is overweight or obese, go over options with your veterinarian to see how to get them back to a healthy weight. Evaluate their diet to make sure that their food is nutritious and is measured out in appropriate portion sizes. Pick out treats for them that are healthier. Increase their physical activity through walks, play, or other activities that encourage movement.

We all want our pets to live long, comfortable, and happy lives! Let’s do our part in making sure that they maintain a good and healthy weight.

September 2025 – Animal Pain Awareness Month

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month! How do you know if your pet is in pain? Wouldn’t it be convenient if they could just tell us whether or not they were hurting? Thankfully, they do tell us through their behavior. Pets can experience both acute and chronic pain due to multiple different reasons. Different forms of pain could be caused by surgical pain, arthritis, cancer-related, etc.

A sign that your pet could be experiencing pain would be a slowdown in activity. This could mean acting more lethargic, not wanting to play or jump around, or having difficulty laying down or going up and down the stairs. Another sign would be decreased eating and drinking. This sign, however, could also be an indication of some other health-related problem. Changes in grooming behavior, changes in urine or bowel movements, increases in respiration, and changes in routine can all be other signs of pain.

If you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior, it is always recommended to contact your veterinarian so that they can be assessed. Keep note of what signs you are seeing with your pet so that you can give your veterinarian all necessary information of what’s been going on. It is also extremely important that you do not give your pet any medications without consulting your veterinarian. Some human medications can be toxic to pets.

It can be hard to know truly if your pet is in pain, but you can look out for signs that your pet could be experiencing pain. Your veterinarian can help assess your pet and get them the treatment that works best for them!

August 2025 – Itchy Pet Awareness Month

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month! Itchiness in pets can look like excessive licking, biting, scratching, or rubbing. Skin issues can be tricky because there are multiple causes for itchiness. These can include allergies, parasites, or skin infections. What precautions can you take and when do you see the veterinarian?

Allergies can be either environmental or food-related. Environmental allergies are also known as atopic dermatitis. This can be caused by allergens like pollens, molds, dust mites, and grass, that are found in the pet’s surroundings. An immune response to these allergens is triggered which leads to itchy skin. There are many treatment options available depending on the pet’s response which include antihistamines, medicated shampoos, supplements, or immunotherapy. Allergy testing is also available to see specifically what your pet may be allergic to. Food-related allergies are less common than environmental allergies but result from an immune response to certain ingredients in your pet’s food. The most common food allergens include proteins like beef, chicken, lamb, and soy. Less common food allergens can include grains like wheat, corn, and rice. Treatment for food-related allergies involve feeding your pet a different food with a novel protein and carbohydrate. Unfortunately, these food trials can take up to several weeks to see improvement.

Parasites can also be the cause of itchiness. Fleas and mites are the culprit for this. It is always best to keep your pet on reliable prevention. Not all over-the-counter prevention works, so it is recommended to get a product from your veterinarian. There are multiple options including Bravecto, Simparica Trio, Credelio, Nexgard Combo, and many more.

With allergies and the effects of itchiness, secondary skin infections can appear. This is why it is important to consult with your veterinarian if your pet is exhibiting any itchiness. There are so many factors that can be the cause of it and many treatment options to resolve it. Treating itchiness can be a lot of trial and error, but it is worth it to keep our fur babies comfortable!

July 2025 – National Pet Hydration Awareness Month

July is National Pet Hydration Awareness Month! This time of the year is the peak for that hot summer weather. Therefore, it is important to keep your pets well-hydrated when they are spending time outside. Dogs and cats tend to be more vulnerable to dehydration than humans due to their physiology and ability to lose fluid faster through everyday activities like going to the bathroom, panting, and sweating through their paw pads. It is important to know what the signs of dehydration are and how to prevent that from occurring.

Signs of dehydration can include lethargy, decreased appetite, dry gums and nose, sunken eyes, decreased skin elasticity, vomiting, or very hard stools. If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your veterinarian. Although this can mean that they are dehydrated, these symptoms can also be signs of something else going on. Always contact your veterinarian with any concerns.

Keeping your pet hydrated is vital. Water is very essential to maintaining proper bodily functions. This would include regulating body temperature, aiding digestion, and supporting normal organ function. There are multiple ways to ensure that your pets stay hydrated. Allow for easy access to fresh water at all times. You can also keep more than one bowl of water available in different areas of your house and yard if they are spending time outside. Monitor their water intake. Make sure that they are, in fact, drinking throughout the day. If it seems like water intake has decreased or even increased, then contact your veterinarian. During hot days, make sure to limit your pet’s activity. Take them on a shorter walk, take more breaks, or keep them inside until it gets cooler. Bringing a portable water bowl on your walks is a good idea, as well.

We know that hydration is important for us, but it is even more so for our fur babies. Let’s enjoy a safe and fun summer by staying hydrated!

June 2025 – National Pet Preparedness Month

June is National Pet Preparedness Month! The meaning behind this is to bring awareness to pet owners about the importance of being prepared for emergency situations with their pets. You never know when an emergency will occur, so it’s vital that you are ready to take care of your fur baby in those events. This can include whether the emergency is concerning the health of your pet as well as family emergencies and knowing what to do with your pet.

In the case of an emergency involving the health of your pet, it is important to already have an established veterinarian so that you are able to call them and get an appointment right away. Unfortunately, there may be cases when your normal veterinarian may not be able to get you in. If that occurs, it is important to have a list of emergency-specific veterinary hospitals that you can go to that are close by. It can be very scary when your pet is experiencing an emergency, so it is crucial to try to stay calm and trust that your veterinary team is doing everything they can to help your pet.

In the case of a family emergency where you may need to travel, it is important to have other family, friends, or neighbors available to take care of your pets while you are gone. If you have a boarding facility that you have used, then that is an option, as well. However, last-minute boarding may not be possible due to the facility not having any room. Having other people that you trust and are aware of the possibility of this responsibility and are willing to take care of your pet while you are gone is beneficial. Always have a list of your pet’s needs and the contact of your veterinarian to provide to the pet sitter.

Another useful aspect of pet preparedness is to have your pet microchipped. Your veterinarian has the capability to do this. In the event that your pet escapes, a microchip can be the difference in whether your pet gets back home to you or not. You never know when something might happen to you or your pet. Being prepared in taking care of the safety and wellbeing of your pet is the best thing you can do for them. Our fur babies are family, too!

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