Category Archives: Frequently Asked Questions

Aspirin, Tylenol, and Advil
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I’ve had a rash of clients asking about what over-the-counter pain medications they can use in their dogs and cats.  My first response is always “consult your veterinarian before giving any over-the-counter medications.”

More and more people are consulting the internet concerning medications for their pets. Although there is some good information out there, there is also completely false information.  Don’t always believe what you read or hear from friends:  a veterinarian is only a phone call away.

Do not give Tylenol or Advil to your pet under any circumstance.  Dogs and cats metabolize differently than humans and can’t handle Tylenol or Advil.  In some cases I will recommend a buffered 81mg aspirin (or baby aspirin), but even then you should consult your veterinarian to find the proper dosing as inappropriate dosing or over-use can still be dangerous for your pet.

In short, the moral of the story is to always ask a veterinarian before giving over-the-counter medications. You may think you’re helping your pet, but you may be hurting it.

What to expect at your first visit
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There are some things you need to know or bring when you schedule an appointment to see the vet:

  1. If you have specific questions, write them down on a list so you don’t forget to ask them.
  2. Have all paperwork (birth date, past vaccinations, medications) from the store, breeder, or organization where you attained your animal.  If your pet has seen another vet, bring a copy of prior records.
  3. Make sure you know the answers to certain questions like:
  • How long have you had your pet?
  • How old is your pet?
  • What is it eating?  How much?
  • Any vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing?
  • What preventatives for fleas, ticks, or heartworm are you using?

Being prepared for this first visit will make for a more efficient and thorough appointment.

When should I spay/neuter my pet?
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  • Howard Beach Animal Clinic recommends spay/neuter at 6 months or later.  This allows time for puppies or kittens to have all vaccine boosters completed before their surgery.  There are exceptions when an animal can be spayed/neutered earlier:
  • Castration if both testicles have descended and there is another reason for the animal to undergo anesthesia
  • Spay if a female has already had her first heat.  Wait until she is done spotting before bringing her in for spay (a spay done while an animal is in heat is a more costly and complicated surgery).  See the section on mammary cancer to see why spaying before the first or second heat is beneficial to your female animal.


How often should I feed my pet?
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This can be based on your availability, but feeding twice a day rather than just once tends to help the pet feel full for longer.  Puppies need to eat at least three times a day when they’re under 5 months because they are rapidly growing, need constant energy, and they haven’t developed enough to have a means to store energy.  If you are not available to feed more than once, it is okay to leave food out, but remember to measure out the daily requirements – no more than this!

How much should I feed my pet?
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It is important to measure how much your pet eats or should eat each day.  Each food has different calories and nutrients per cup, so it is important to find out what the company recommends for that particular food.  Most bags or cans have a guide on how much to feed per day according to your pet’s weight.  If they don’t list this information, contact the company or ask a veterinarian to help you. When referring to the recommended feeding table, please keep in mind you want to feed according to how much your pet should weigh, not how much they actually weigh.  For example, if your dog is 23 pounds but should be more like 15, feed the recommended amount for a 15 pound dog – not one in the 20′s.