Our Blog

Firehouse is committed to keeping your pet happy and healthy while preventing disease.

Can Pets Tell Time? The Science Behind Animal Time Perception

Have you ever wondered why your dog goes to the door before your car pulls into the driveway or your cat mysteriously appears every day at precisely 1:05 p.m. for their midday snack? How do they do it? Can pets tell time? Rhythm is everything: How pets perceive time...

🎃 Fear Free Costume Tips for Pets

Halloween decorations and costumes can be fun, but they may also pose risks for pets. Keep cords, candles, and small decorations (such as glow sticks, plastic spiders, or miniature skeletons) out of reach, and be sure your pet’s costume is comfortable and safe. 1....

Adventure Ready: 5 Safety Tips for Hiking and Camping With Pets

Make sure to pack caution in your travel bag with these top 5 trail tips from Firehouse Animal Health Centers!#1: Plan with weather and terrain in mind Research trail conditions, difficulty level, elevation, and expected weather before you plan your trip. Be prepared...

5 Ways to Support Pets With Separation Anxiety

Dogs and cats are naturally social creatures who thrive on the comfort and connection of their owners. While it’s normal for pets—and even pet parents—to feel a little uneasy during time apart, some dogs and cats experience severe emotional distress. Separation...

Blue-Green Algae is Toxic to Dogs
Call your vet if your pet drinks infected water

3 minute readBlue-green algae is a year-round growth found in Austin waterways. It produces a dangerous toxin that can be deadly to dogs. Please read below to keep your pet safe.Dr Natalie Davis recalls the scary day her dog Dakota got sick after they spent the...

You can save your dog from parvovirus
Vaccines keep your puppy or adult dog safe from this hard-to-treat, life-threatening disease

3 minute readParvovirus is something we’ll be battling forever,” says Dr Davis. “But we have great preventive measures.“We did gold standard of care, and little Bean turned the corner,” says Dr Davis, one of our veterinarians at Firehouse 183. “And (she) ended up...

Pet Safety Essentials for Every Weather Emergency
Our simple tips can help you prep for hurricanes, floods, and fires

3 minute readEnsure your pet’s safety by getting them microchipped. A microchip with up-to-date information greatly increases the chances of being reunited with your pet if they become lost, especially during emergencies or natural disasters.Natural disasters like...

Monthly Heartworm Prevention is Critical for Pets
Guard against this disease, which is deadly for cats & expensive/complicated to treat for dogs

4 minute readWhen a mosquito bites an animal with heartworm disease, they transfer the disease to the next animal they bite.In vet school, Dr Natalie Davis’s roommate adopted an adorable German Shepherd puppy named Winnie. At Winnie’s first puppy visit, the...

Warm Hearts, Tiny Paws: Meet Cici
A blind kitten reminds us the importance of unconditional love

3.5 minute readCaption: Dr Rebecca Davies, Medical Director of Firehouse Round Rock….When Dr Rebecca Davies met Cici, a fragile kitten with a fighting spirit, it was the start of a story of resilience, compassion, and love. For nearly two years, Williamson County...

Helping Austin Families and Their Pets
Firehouse offers free care through Season for Caring

3 minute read“We do everything the pet needs,” says Dr Brianna Armstrong, Medical Director of Firehouse183. “It’s an incredible opportunity to provide healthcare with an underserved community.”“We give because pets bring joy to their humans and offer support during...

Pets and Pet Parents: Fear the Vet No More

Jul 14, 2020

We use Fear Free® calming methods at Firehouse. We thought we'd take a moment to explain more about these tactics so you can see how they benefit your cat or dog. You might hear us talking about “Fear Free®” a lot at Firehouse. That’s because we’ve found that these...

Firehouse Now Carries CBD Chews and Oils for Your Pets

Jun 11, 2020

Firehouse is now offering our clients CBD products that are proven to work and are safe for your pets. We’ve found the CBD industry to be a bit wild since it’s unregulated, with many players developing their own concoctions that could have inconsistencies from one...

Summertime Tips

May 27, 2020

Summertime in Texas -- A great time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer! Whether it’s boating on one of our lakes, hiking along the Greenbelt, or road tripping, Firehouse Animal Health Center has you covered on health and safety tips for...

Pets Cannot Transmit or Contract COVID-19

Mar 9, 2020

Updated April 2, 2020: We've brought you the good news that your pet cannot transmit COVID-19 or become sick with it. And you're likely getting more snuggles in these days. So we hope you're hanging in there! Our team pulled together their go-to "tips and tricks" to...

Jessie’s Story

Feb 27, 2020

A ten-year-old stray dog goes from shelter pet to best sister ever Earlier this year, Austin Animal Center brought Jessie to Firehouse Westlake. Jessie is a ten-year-old stray who was found on the streets of Austin and in desperate need of some healthcare. When we did...

Tips for brushing your puppy, kitten or full-grown pet’s teeth

Jan 23, 2020

We wrote about the importance of annual dental check-ups and professional cleanings in our blog last year. An annual professional dental cleaning is truly the only way to keep pets’ teeth healthy. Here’s a quick refresher: -Bacteria that form on your pet’s teeth can...

You were gifted a puppy or kitten for the holidays. Now what?

Jan 3, 2020

Congratulations! We know that this is an exciting time, but also there is a lot to do and adjustments to be made to make sure your pet is happy and healthy. So, what are the immediate next steps? Dr Ashley Opyt, Medical Director at Firehouse Kyle, says "The first two...

The Holidays are Here!

Dec 3, 2019

The Holiday season is upon us and so is the hustle and bustle of this busy time of year. As visitors come and go, keep an eye on your pet to ensure they don't escape through an unintentionally open door. In fact, now would be a good time to get a microchip if your pet...

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!

Nov 6, 2019

While you sit down to Thanksgiving feast in your finest stretchy pants, remember that certain kinds of human food can cause tummy upset, diarrhea, or possible food poisoning in our furry friends. It’s always best to keep your pets on their regular diet, even during...

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