Hear from The Music City Vet

When the clocks fall back: dark walks and early dinner demands

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:39:14 GMT

This Sunday, November 1, the clocks fall back an hour across Middle Tennessee. You get an extra hour of sleep. Your dog gets a whole lot of confusion, and your cat gets a brand new grievance. Pets do not read clocks. They read daylight, routine and the sound of the kibble bin, which is why the week after the time change brings us the most "my dog has been staring at me since 4:30" stories. Here is how we handle it at home, plus a few things about walking in the dark worth a minute of your time.

Why your pet is sure dinner is late

Dogs and cats run on an internal clock set by daylight, meals and your habits. Shift your schedule by an hour overnight and, from their point of view, dinner is suddenly an hour late. Most dogs grumble and get over it in a few days. Cats with strong opinions can keep up the 4 a.m. lobbying for a week or more.

The easiest fix is a gradual one. If you can, move meals and walks about 10 to 15 minutes later each day over this coming week, so the hour lands in small steps instead of all at once. If the week gets away from you, that is fine too. Stick to the new clock times and do not give in to the early-dinner campaign, because every snack that works teaches them to try again tomorrow. An automatic feeder or a puzzle feeder takes you out of the negotiation entirely, which cats seem to accept better than they accept you saying no.

Some pets eat a little less or sleep a little more during the switch, and that usually passes. If appetite stays off for more than a day or two, or a cat stops eating altogether, give us a call. That is not a time-change thing.

Sunset before 5 means a lot more walks in the dark

After Sunday, the sun sets in Nashville a little before 5 p.m., so the evening walk that used to happen in daylight now happens in the dark for most of us. Drivers backing out of driveways, cyclists on the greenway and other dogs all have a harder time seeing a dark dog on a dark sidewalk. A few cheap things make a big difference:

A reflective collar, harness or leash , so headlights pick your dog up from a distance. A clip-on LED collar light is even better, and most charge by USB now.
Something reflective on you too. Your dog is not the only one crossing the street.
A leash, even for the dog who is normally great off leash. In the dark, a dog that bolts after a rabbit is a dog you cannot see, and getting hit by a car is one of the most common reasons dogs end up at an emergency hospital after dark.
Routes you already know. Walk a new route in daylight first so you know where the broken glass, the loose fence and the grumpy dog live.
A small flashlight or headlamp , which also helps you see what your dog is sniffing before it goes in their mouth. Fall yards are full of mushrooms and acorns, which we covered in our post on fall yard hazards .

Dusk is coyote time

Coyotes live all over Nashville now, and Metro Animal Care and Control notes they are most active at dusk and dawn, which is exactly when the evening walk now happens. They mostly want nothing to do with you, but small dogs and outdoor cats can look like a meal.

Keep small dogs on a short leash rather than a retractable one, and go out into the yard with them after dark instead of opening the door and hoping. Bring cats in before dusk. Feed pets indoors, keep the trash lids on and the bird seed swept up, since food is what draws coyotes into a neighborhood in the first place. If one walks toward you, Metro's advice is to make yourself big and loud, and they almost always leave. If your pet does tangle with one, bring them in for daytime urgent care or head to an emergency hospital at night, even for a small puncture. Those wounds get infected easily.

Timed medications and other things that run on a clock

If your pet takes something on a schedule, like insulin for a diabetic dog or cat, or a medication that needs to be a set number of hours apart, do not just jump it an hour overnight. Shift it gradually like the meals, or give us a call and we will walk you through it for your pet. The same goes for pets on a strict feeding plan for weight or kidney reasons.

Litter box habits and the evening cat zoomies will shift on their own schedule. Give it a week.

It is a few months, and the dogs do not mind

Nobody loves the dark-at-5 stretch, but most dogs still seem to think a walk in the cold dark is the best part of the day. Grab some reflective gear, pick your route, and keep an eye out at dusk. If anything about the change has your dog or cat off their game, book a visit or call us at (615) 833-4423. We are right here on Trousdale Drive and always happy to talk about your pet's dinner clock.

Heartworm in Middle Tennessee: why we never skip a month

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:08:15 GMT

Every fall we hear a version of the same question at the front desk: "It's getting cold, can we take a break from the heartworm pills?" We get it. The chew is one more thing to remember, and it feels silly to worry about mosquitoes when you are digging out a jacket. But here in Middle Tennessee, the honest answer is no, and we would rather explain why than just say so.

Tennessee is heartworm country

The American Heartworm Society surveys veterinary clinics across the country every year, and its 2025 map put Tennessee sixth in the nation for heartworm cases. We are sitting right in the warm, humid belt where mosquitoes thrive, and the South and Southeast have led the country in diagnoses for more than two decades. That is our own backyards, greenways and dog parks.

It takes exactly one mosquito. A mosquito bites an infected animal, usually a dog, picks up microscopic larvae, and passes them along with its next bite. Those larvae spend months growing and migrating until they settle in the vessels of the lungs and heart as adult worms. By the time a dog shows signs like a soft cough, tiring on walks or losing weight, the worms have usually been there a while.

Why "it's cold now" doesn't get you off the hook

Nashville does not get a clean, hard freeze that wipes out mosquitoes for the season. We get a cold snap, then a 70 degree afternoon in November, and the mosquitoes come right back out. They also hide in garages and crawl spaces, and they slip inside every time the door opens, which is why indoor pets are not off the list either.

The other piece most people do not know is how the preventives actually work. The monthly chew does not put up a force field for the next 30 days. It works backward, killing larvae your pet picked up over the previous month before they can grow into adults. So the dose you give in December is the one that cleans up whatever bit your dog on that warm Thanksgiving weekend. Skip a few winter months and you have left a gap that nothing goes back to cover.

Cats get heartworm too, and it's a different story

Dogs are the natural host, so cats get infected less often, but when they do it is harder on them in some ways. In cats the worms often die before fully maturing, and even those immature worms can inflame the lungs and airways. Vets call it heartworm associated respiratory disease, or HARD, and it can look a lot like feline asthma: coughing, gagging, fast breathing, sometimes vomiting that seems unrelated to meals. Some cats show nothing at all until a sudden crisis.

Here is the part that really matters. There is no approved treatment to kill adult heartworms in cats. The medication used for dogs is not safe for them. So with cats, prevention is the whole plan. A monthly topical or chew, including for the cat who has never set a paw outside, is the only real protection we can offer.

What the yearly test is for

If your dog is on prevention every month, you might wonder why we still want to test every year. Doses get missed, and dogs are experts at spitting chews into the couch cushions. A yearly test is a few drops of blood and a few minutes in the lab, and it tells us the prevention is doing its job. It also catches an infection early, when treatment is shorter, easier on the dog and less expensive.

Treatment for an infected dog is possible, and we are glad it is, but it is a months-long process with injections, strict rest and real cost. Compared with that, a year of prevention is a bargain. We usually run the heartworm test as part of your dog's annual wellness exam , along with the stool check for intestinal parasites, so it is one visit rather than two.

Picking a preventive that fits your pet

There is no single right product. For dogs there are monthly chews, some of which also cover fleas, ticks or intestinal worms, and there is an injection given here at the clinic that covers months at a time for families who would rather not remember a monthly dose. For cats the options are mostly monthly topicals and chews. We match the product to your pet's weight, lifestyle and any other medications, and most of them are stocked in our in-house pharmacy or can be set up on autoship so you never run out. You can read more about our approach on our parasite prevention page .

The short version

Heartworm is common here, it is spread by mosquitoes that do not take a real winter break, and the preventives only protect the month that already happened. Keep dogs and cats on prevention every month of the year, and let us run that quick yearly test on your dog. If you are not sure whether your pet is current, or you have a new puppy or kitten who has not started yet, give us a call and we will get you sorted out.

After-hours pet emergencies in Nashville: where to go and when

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:56:59 GMT

It is 9:30 on a Tuesday night. Your dog just threw up for the third time, or your cat has been straining in the litter box and crying, and our front door has been locked for hours. Every pet owner in Nashville hits this moment eventually, and it is a bad time to start Googling. So here is the cheat sheet we wish everyone had taped to the fridge: what counts as a true emergency, where the 24-hour hospitals are, and what to do while you grab the keys.

Go now: the "do not wait until morning" list

Some things cannot wait for us to open at 7:30. If you see any of these, head to an emergency hospital right away:

Trouble breathing, blue or pale gums, or open-mouth breathing in a cat
Collapse, severe weakness, or a seizure that lasts more than a couple of minutes
Bleeding that will not stop with a few minutes of firm pressure
A male cat straining to pee with little or nothing coming out. A blocked cat is a true emergency and can turn deadly within a day.
A swollen, hard belly with retching and nothing coming up, especially in a big deep-chested dog. That can be bloat.
Hit by a car, a bad fall, or a dog fight, even if your pet seems okay. Internal injuries hide well.
Eating something toxic: antifreeze, rat bait, xylitol gum, grapes, lilies for cats, or a bottle of human medication
Repeated vomiting, a pet who cannot keep water down, or one who is suddenly wobbly or confused

If you are standing there asking yourself "is this an emergency?", that is usually your answer. Trust your gut. Nobody at an ER has ever been annoyed that a worried owner showed up.

Where to go after hours around South Nashville

We do not offer overnight care ourselves, so these are the hospitals we send our own patients to when we are closed. All three are staffed around the clock, and all three recommend calling on the way so a team is ready for you.

Nashville Veterinary Specialists , 2971 Sidco Dr, Nashville 37204, (615) 386-0107. Open 24 hours. This is the closest 24-hour option to Trousdale Drive, about ten minutes up I-65 from Crieve Hall.

BluePearl Pet Hospital, Nashville , 2409 21st Ave S, Nashville 37212, (615) 383-2600. Emergency care 24/7. Handy if you are coming from 12 South, Green Hills or Hillsboro Village.

BluePearl Pet Hospital, Brentwood , 1569 Mallory Ln, Building 200, Brentwood 37027, (615) 333-1212. Emergency care 24/7, and usually the quickest drive for our Brentwood and Oak Hill families.

Put those numbers in your phone tonight. Also save ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. They are open 24 hours, a consultation fee may apply, and they are the people to call the second you think your pet ate something they should not have. Have the package in your hand when you dial.

What to do before you leave the house

Call ahead. Thirty seconds on the phone lets the ER know what is coming and how urgent it is, and they can tell you anything to do on the way.

Keep your pet still and calm. A hurt dog may snap even at you, so a towel wrapped loosely around a small dog or cat protects everyone, and a blanket or a flat board works as a stretcher for a bigger dog. Cats go in a carrier, every time, even the ones who hate it. A scared cat loose in a car is its own emergency.

Grab the evidence. If your pet got into something, bring the box, the bottle, the plant or a photo of it. Medication lists help too. If you can snap a quick video of the weird breathing or the wobbly walk, do it. Symptoms love to vanish the moment you get to the hospital.

Bring your phone charger and a little patience. Emergency hospitals triage, so a pet who is stable may wait while a critical one goes first. That is the system working the way it should.

What can probably wait until we open

Plenty of nighttime worries are fine to sleep on. One episode of vomiting in a dog who is otherwise bright and drinking, a limp that improves with rest, a mild ear shake, a skipped dinner from a cat who is still acting like herself, or a small scrape that has stopped bleeding. Watch closely, keep food simple, and call us at (615) 833-4423 when we open at 7:30. We hold spots every weekday for exactly this. Our daytime urgent care page explains how same-day visits work.

And if you went to the ER overnight, call us the next morning anyway. The emergency hospital will send us the records, and we will handle the follow-up, rechecks and any medication questions so you are not managing it alone.

Keep this handy

Our emergency info page is the fastest place to find these numbers in a hurry, so bookmark it on your phone. We hope you never need it. But a Middle Tennessee pet owner with a plan at 9:30 on a Tuesday night is a much calmer pet owner, and calm is exactly what your dog or cat needs from you in that moment. Questions about whether something can wait? Call us during the day and we will talk it through.

Laser therapy for pets: what it is and who it helps

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:16:34 GMT

If you have ever watched an older dog take the stairs one careful step at a time, or noticed your cat has quietly stopped jumping onto the windowsill, you know how hard it is to see a pet slow down. Laser therapy is one of the tools we use at Paws & Claws to help with that, and it is probably the service we get the most "wait, what is that?" questions about. So here is the plain version, no lab coat required.

What laser therapy actually is

The fancy name is photobiomodulation. The short version is that we use a handheld device that shines a specific wavelength of light into sore or healing tissue. Cells absorb that light, and the current understanding is that it nudges them to produce more energy, calm inflammation, and improve blood flow to the area. Think of it as giving the body's own repair crew a bit more to work with, rather than sending in a new crew.

It is not the kind of laser used in surgery. Nothing is cut, nothing is burned, and there is no sedation. Your pet feels a gentle warmth and that is about it. Most of our patients lie still for the whole thing, and more than a few have dozed off mid-session. Everyone in the room wears protective goggles, including your pet (yes, we have doggles, and yes, you can take a picture).

What we use it for

We reach for laser therapy most often with these:

Arthritis and joint pain. Stiff hips, sore backs, and creaky elbows in senior dogs and cats. This is our most common use by far.
Healing after surgery. A few minutes over an incision can help the area settle down and heal comfortably.
Skin and ear trouble. Hot spots, lick granulomas (those stubborn spots dogs will not leave alone), and inflamed ears.
Slow-healing wounds. Scrapes and sores that just are not closing the way they should.

Cats get a lot out of this too, which surprises people. Cats are experts at hiding joint pain, so instead of limping they just do less: fewer jumps, shorter grooming sessions, more time sleeping in one spot. A quick, quiet treatment they can have while sitting in a towel on the exam table tends to go over much better than you would expect from a cat.

What a session looks like

It is a little anticlimactic, and we mean that as a compliment. You stay with your pet the whole time. One of us moves the laser slowly over the sore area for a few minutes, your pet gets some ear scratches and maybe a treat, and you are on your way. There is no shaving, no needles, and nothing to do at home afterward.

How many sessions depends on the problem. A short-term issue like a healing incision or a hot spot usually gets a handful of treatments over a week or two. Chronic arthritis typically starts with a series of sessions close together, then tapers to a maintenance visit every few weeks or whenever your pet seems to need a boost.

What it can and cannot do

We want to be straight with you here, because this is a topic with a lot of hype online. The research on laser therapy for pets is encouraging but still fairly small. Some well-designed studies have found that arthritic dogs treated with laser moved more comfortably and needed less pain medication than dogs who got a sham treatment. That is why veterinary pain guidelines, including those from the American Animal Hospital Association, describe laser as one piece of a bigger plan rather than a cure on its own.

So in our exam rooms, laser therapy lives alongside the other things that help a sore pet: keeping weight down (every extra pound lands on those joints), appropriate medication when it is needed, joint supplements where they make sense, and simple changes at home like rugs on slick floors, a ramp to the couch, and a lower-sided litter box for an older cat. Laser often lets us lean a little less on medication, which is a real win for pets with sensitive stomachs or kidneys.

There are a few situations where we skip it, such as over a known tumor or in a pregnant pet, and we will always check your pet's history first. It is not a replacement for figuring out what is actually wrong. If your dog is suddenly limping, we want to examine the leg and maybe take an X-ray before anyone points a light at it.

Is it right for your pet?

If you have an older dog or cat who is slower to get up, hesitates at stairs, or has stopped doing a favorite thing, that is worth a conversation. Pet owners around Nashville often chalk these changes up to "just getting old," and sometimes that is true. But often it is pain, and pain we can do something about.

You can read more on our laser therapy page , or just request an appointment and ask us about it at your pet's next visit. We are happy to show you the device and talk through what we would expect for your pet. Your pet's couch-jumping career may not be over yet.

Do indoor cats really need vaccines?

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:57:42 GMT

We hear it in the exam room all the time: "She never goes outside, so she doesn't need shots, right?" It's a fair question. Your cat's whole world is the couch, the window and the spot on the bed you used to think was yours.

The short answer is yes, indoor cats still need vaccines. Usually fewer than a cat who roams the neighborhood, but a few of them matter a lot. Here's why.

Indoor doesn't mean sealed off

Your cat may stay inside, but the outside world visits anyway. Some of the viruses we vaccinate against are tough and can survive on surfaces for a long time. Panleukopenia (feline distemper) is the classic example. It can hitch a ride into your house on shoes, clothing and hands, no cat-to-cat contact required.

Then there are the everyday surprises:

A door left open while you carry in groceries
A torn window screen
A new kitten or a foster joining the family
A stay at a boarding facility or a trip to the groomer
A bat in the house (it happens more often in Middle Tennessee than you'd guess)

Even the most committed homebody can end up exposed to something without ever setting a paw on the porch.

The core vaccines every cat should have

Veterinary guidelines from AAHA and the American Association of Feline Practitioners call certain vaccines "core," meaning they're recommended for every cat, whatever their lifestyle. There are two:

FVRCP. One combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus and calicivirus. Panleukopenia is serious and often fatal, especially in kittens. The other two cause upper respiratory infections that spread easily and can linger for life.
Rabies. More on this one below, because it's in a category of its own.

Kittens get a series of boosters a few weeks apart, since the protection they get from their mother fades at an unpredictable pace. Adult cats are boosted on a one- or three-year schedule, depending on the vaccine. You can read more about how we handle vaccinations for cats and dogs on our site.

Rabies is the law, and for good reason

Tennessee law requires dogs and cats to have a current rabies vaccine, and that includes cats who never leave the house.

Rabies is fatal, and there's no treatment for a pet once symptoms start. Bats are one of the common carriers, and they can squeeze into attics and living spaces through very small gaps. A cat's natural reaction to a fluttering bat is to chase it, which is exactly what we don't want.

There's also a practical side. If an unvaccinated cat tangles with a wild animal, or bites a person (even a startled nip during a nail trim), the rules that kick in are much stricter than they are for a cat whose rabies vaccine is up to date. A current certificate makes a stressful day a lot simpler.

What about feline leukemia?

The feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccine depends on age and lifestyle. Current guidelines recommend it for all kittens, because young cats are the most vulnerable and their living situation can change. Plenty of "indoor only" kittens grow into cats with strong opinions about the back door.

For adult cats who truly stay inside and don't live with cats that go out, we often don't need to keep boosting it. If your cat spends time outdoors or shares a home with one who does, it's worth continuing. This is something we sort out together based on how your cat actually lives.

What to expect at the visit

We do a brief exam before any vaccine to make sure your cat is healthy enough for it. That exam is valuable all by itself. Cats are experts at hiding problems, and a yearly wellness exam is often where we catch things like dental disease or weight changes early.

Afterward, most cats act completely normal. Some are a little sleepy or sore for a day, and may not be thrilled with you until dinner. Call us if you notice vomiting, facial swelling, trouble breathing, or a lump at the injection site that sticks around or gets bigger. If your cat has reacted to a vaccine before, tell us ahead of time so we can adjust the plan.

Not sure where your cat stands?

If you can't remember the last time your cat had shots, you're in good company. Give us a call and we'll look up their records, or start fresh if they're new to us. We'll figure out what your cat needs, skip what they don't, and get them back to their window as quickly as we can.

What a pet dental cleaning actually involves

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:57:41 GMT

If your dog's kisses have started to clear the room, or your cat yawns and you find yourself leaning away, you're in good company. Bad breath is one of the most common things we hear about in the exam room, and it's usually the first hint that something is going on in there.

When we say "your pet could use a dental," a lot of people nod politely and then wonder what that actually means. Fair question. Here's the whole day, start to finish.

Why teeth matter more than you'd think

Gum disease is the most common dental problem in dogs and cats, and according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, most pets show at least early signs of it by age three. It starts with plaque, which hardens into tartar, which works its way under the gumline where you can't see it.

That hidden part is the trouble. Most dental disease lives below the gums, so a mouth can look okay from the outside while a tooth root is quietly having a very bad time. And pets are stoic. Plenty of them keep eating right through a sore mouth, so "he's still eating fine" doesn't tell us as much as we'd all like.

Signs it might be time

You don't need to pry anyone's jaws open. Just keep an eye (and a nose) out for:

Bad breath that sticks around
Yellow or brown buildup on the teeth
Red or bleeding gums
Drooling more than usual
Dropping food, or chewing on one side
A broken or loose tooth
Getting grumpy about having their face touched

Cats are especially sneaky about mouth pain. Sometimes the only clue is that they've gone off their crunchy food or stopped grooming as much. If you spot any of these, give us a call and we'll take a look. Swelling around the face or a pet who suddenly won't eat is worth a call the same day.

What happens on dental day

It starts before the cleaning does. We do an exam and run bloodwork first, so we know your pet's organs are ready to handle anesthesia. A doctor goes over your pet's individual risk with you before you decide anything.

Once your pet is asleep, here's what we do:

Scale every tooth. We remove tartar above and below the gumline. The below part is the one that really counts.
Probe the gums. We check around each tooth for pockets, which tell us where the gum has started pulling away.
Take dental X-rays. These show us the roots and the bone, the parts no one can judge by looking. You can read more about our X-ray and lab work here .
Polish. Smooth teeth give plaque less to hang on to.

If we find a tooth that is broken, abscessed or loose, we call you before we remove it. No surprises when you pick up.

Most pets go home that same afternoon, a little sleepy and with much nicer breath. Most are eating normally by that evening.

"Does it really have to be anesthesia?"

We get asked this a lot, and we understand the worry. The honest answer is yes. A pet who is awake won't hold still for a tool under the gums or sit patiently for X-rays, and they have no idea we're trying to help. Anesthesia keeps them comfortable and unstressed, and it lets us do the job properly instead of just making the visible parts look tidy.

While your pet is under, a dedicated assistant stays with them the whole time, watching heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure and temperature.

And for our gray-muzzled friends: age by itself is not a reason to skip a dental. That's what the bloodwork and the exam are for. Older pets are often the ones who feel the biggest difference afterward.

Keeping those teeth clean at home

A cleaning gives you a fresh start. What you do at home decides how long it lasts.

Brushing is the best thing you can do. Daily is ideal, but a few times a week still helps. Use a toothpaste made for pets, since human toothpaste isn't safe for them to swallow.
Dental chews and diets can slow tartar down. Ask us which ones are worth your money before you buy.
Go slow with cats. Most can learn to tolerate brushing, but it takes patience, treats, and a willingness to be judged.

None of this replaces a professional cleaning, but it can stretch the time between them.

Wondering about your pet's teeth?

The cost of a dental depends on your pet's size and how much work their mouth needs, so we give you a written estimate before anything gets scheduled. If you're in Nashville and that fishy breath has been bugging you, take a look at our dental care page or give us a call. We're always happy to lift a lip and tell you what we see.

Fall yard and garage hazards for Nashville pets

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:57:26 GMT

Fall in Nashville is lovely. Cooler mornings, leaves everywhere, and dogs with twice the energy on their walks. It is also the season when a few sneaky hazards show up in yards, garages and sheds across Middle Tennessee. Most are easy to manage once you know they are there, so here is what we see this time of year and what to do about it.

Mushrooms in the yard

After a rainy stretch, mushrooms pop up in lawns, mulch beds and along the greenways almost overnight. Most are harmless, but a few that grow around here can cause serious liver or kidney trouble, and the dangerous ones are very hard to tell apart on sight. Your dog certainly cannot tell, since anything in the grass counts as a snack.

Pull up any mushrooms you spot in the yard before your pet finds them, and keep an eye on sniffy dogs out on the trail. If you see your pet eat one, call us right away rather than waiting to see what happens. Snap a photo or drop a sample in a paper bag if you can, since knowing the type helps with treatment. Vomiting, drooling, wobbliness, or a dog who just seems off after a yard adventure are all reasons to pick up the phone.

Acorns and all those leaves

Oak trees are everywhere in Nashville, and so are acorns this time of year. Acorns contain tannins that can upset a pet's stomach, and dogs who swallow a lot of them can end up with a blockage. Wet leaf piles are not toxic on their own, but they hide mushrooms, mold and the occasional bit of trash, so we are not big fans of letting dogs eat their way through one.

A quick rake of the favorite spots and a little more supervision usually solves it. Repeated vomiting, a tight or painful belly, or a dog who cannot keep food down after a leaf pile party needs a call to the clinic.

Rat and mouse bait

This is the one we worry about most. When the nights get cold, mice and rats head indoors, and a lot of folks put out bait in the garage, under the deck or in the crawl space. Here is the catch: the flavorings that make bait appealing to rodents also make it appealing to dogs and cats. Pets can also be exposed by eating a rodent that already ate the bait.

Not all rodent baits work the same way, and that matters. Some cause internal bleeding that may not show up for several days. Others affect the brain and cause tremors, weakness or seizures. A newer type contains a concentrated form of vitamin D that can damage the kidneys even in small amounts. Treatment is different for each, so if you suspect your pet got into bait, hang on to the packaging and bring it with you. Many products look nearly identical, so guessing by color does not work.

A few habits go a long way. Use enclosed bait stations instead of loose pellets, write down where every station is, and place them only where a determined dog or a curious cat cannot reach (cats get into surprising spots). If you are not sure your pet is safe around the setup, snap traps inside a covered box are often the better choice.

Signs can take days to appear with some products, so a pet who seems fine that day is not off the hook. Pale gums, unexplained bruising, bloody stool or urine, nosebleeds, weakness, trouble breathing, tremors, or drinking and peeing far more than usual all need attention right away.

Antifreeze in the garage

As people winterize cars, antifreeze leaks and spills become more common. Standard antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is sweet-tasting and extremely toxic to both dogs and cats. A cat can be poisoned just by walking through a small puddle and then grooming its paws.

Early signs show up within a few hours and can look like a pet who is drunk: stumbling, vomiting, and drinking a lot of water. The tricky part is that pets often seem to improve after that first stage while the kidneys are still being damaged. Treatment works best when it starts early, so any suspected antifreeze exposure is a true emergency. During our weekday hours, call us at (615) 833-4423. After hours, head straight to one of the 24-hour hospitals on our emergency info page .

For prevention, store antifreeze sealed and up high, clean up spills right away (kitty litter soaks them up nicely), and consider a propylene glycol based antifreeze, which is much less dangerous if a pet gets into it.

A few other fall odds and ends

Mothballs: often pulled out of storage this time of year. They are toxic if eaten or chewed, so keep them sealed and away from pets.
Compost piles: moldy food scraps can produce toxins that cause tremors and seizures. A lid or fence keeps curious noses out.
Fire pit leftovers: charred food, skewers and corn cobs are tempting and can cause blockages.

When in doubt, call

We would always rather hear about something that turns out to be nothing than find out about a problem a few days late. If your pet gets into something during the week and needs to be seen the same day, that is exactly what our daytime urgent care hours are for. For a pet that is collapsing, seizing or struggling to breathe, skip the phone call and go straight to the nearest emergency hospital.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available around the clock at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Have the product packaging in hand when you call.

Enjoy the leaves, pull the mushrooms, lock up the bait, and give your pup an extra sniff break on the next crisp morning. We will be here if you need us.

Halloween with pets: candy, costumes and a busy front door

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:23:52 GMT

Halloween is a few weeks out, which means the candy is already in the house. And if the candy is in the house, somebody with four legs has already noticed where you put it.

We see the same handful of Halloween problems every year here in Nashville, and nearly all of them are easy to avoid with a little planning. Here is what we would tell you if you asked us in the exam room.

Put the candy up high (higher than that)

Most Halloween calls we get are about candy. The big ones to know:

Chocolate. It is toxic to dogs and cats. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, but any kind is worth a phone call.
Xylitol. This sweetener shows up in sugar-free gum, mints and some candies. Even a small amount can be very dangerous for dogs.
Raisins. Those little boxes seem like the healthy option, but raisins and grapes can cause serious kidney trouble in dogs.
Wrappers and sticks. Foil, plastic and lollipop sticks can get stuck on the way through.

Dogs are the usual suspects, but cats will happily bat a wrapped candy under the couch and chew on it later. Keep the bowl in a closed cabinet or on a high shelf, and remind the kids that the trick-or-treat bag does not live on the bedroom floor.

If your pet does get into the stash, please do not wait to see what happens. Call us at (615) 833-4423 during the day. After hours, call one of the hospitals on our emergency info page or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). It helps a lot if you can tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.

Costumes are optional, and your pet gets a vote

Some dogs love dressing up. Some cats will tolerate a tiny hat for the length of one photo. Plenty of pets want nothing to do with any of it, and that is fine.

If you are going to try a costume:

Do a trial run a few days early, with treats, for a few minutes at a time.
Make sure it does not cover the eyes, ears, nose or mouth, and that your pet can walk, sit and breathe normally.
Check for buttons, bells, ribbons and other dangly bits that could be chewed off and swallowed.
Never leave a pet in a costume unsupervised.

Signs your pet is not having fun include freezing in place, pinned ears, a tucked tail, hiding, or frantic attempts to wriggle free. If you see those, take it off. A festive bandana or a seasonal collar gets you the cute photo with a lot less drama.

Have a plan for the doorbell

From a pet's point of view, Halloween is a parade of strangers in masks ringing the bell every two minutes while the front door swings open over and over. Even easygoing pets can get stressed, and stressed pets tend to bolt.

The simplest fix is a quiet room away from the front door. Set it up with a bed, water, a favorite toy and a litter box for cats, then put on some music or the TV to cover the noise. A chew or food puzzle keeps dogs busy for a good while.

We also suggest keeping cats indoors on Halloween night and the nights around it. There is a lot of foot traffic and a lot of cars, and it is just a safer evening to spend on the couch.

Before the big night, check that your pet's collar fits and the ID tag is readable. If your pet has a microchip, make sure the phone number on file is current. If they do not have one yet, it is a quick thing we can do during a regular visit.

If your pet really struggles with noise and visitors, give us a call ahead of time. There are things we can talk through, and it is much easier to plan a couple of weeks early than at 6 p.m. on October 31.

Watch the decorations too

A few things around the house deserve a second look:

Candles and jack-o'-lanterns. A wagging tail or a curious cat can knock one over fast. Battery candles are a good swap.
Glow sticks. Cats love to chew them. The liquid inside tastes awful and can cause a lot of drooling and pawing at the mouth. Give us a call if it happens.
Cords, batteries and fake cobwebs. Chewed cords and swallowed batteries are real emergencies, and stringy things are especially risky for cats.
Pumpkins and corn stalks. A nibble is usually no big deal, but a pumpkin that has been rotting on the porch can upset a stomach.

If you are taking the dog trick-or-treating

Some dogs do great walking the neighborhood with the kids. Use a sturdy leash, add something reflective or a clip-on light, and keep an eye on the sidewalk for dropped candy. If your dog seems overwhelmed by the crowds and costumes, it is okay to take them home early. They will not feel left out.

Have a fun one

That is really it. Hide the candy, skip the costume if your pet hates it, and give them a quiet spot away from the door. A little prep makes the night a lot more fun for everybody.

If you have questions, or you would like to get a microchip or a checkup on the calendar before the holidays pile up, give us a call or request an appointment online . Happy Halloween from all of us at Paws & Claws.

Microchipping: a small chip that gets lost pets home

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 17:23:52 GMT

Every pet owner has had that moment. The gate was open. The screen door did not latch. The cat who "never goes outside" is suddenly, definitely, outside. Most of the time they turn up in ten minutes looking pleased with themselves. Sometimes they do not.

A microchip is one of the simplest things you can do ahead of time for that second kind of day. Here is what it is, how it works, and the one step people forget.

What a microchip is (and what it is not)

A microchip is a tiny electronic device in a glass capsule, about the size of a large grain of rice. It sits under the skin between your pet's shoulder blades. It has no battery and no moving parts, and it does nothing at all until a scanner passes over it. Then it gives up one thing: an ID number.

That number is the whole trick. It is linked to your contact details in a registry, so whoever scans your pet can look it up and call you.

What it is not is a GPS tracker. We get asked this a lot. A chip cannot show you where your pet is on a map. It only works when someone finds your pet and scans them, which is what shelters, animal control and veterinary hospitals do with strays as a matter of routine.

How we place it

This part is quick. The chip goes in with a needle, much like a vaccine. Most pets react about the way they do to any other poke: a brief "excuse me?" and then they are back to sniffing the treat jar. No surgery and no anesthesia are needed.

We can do it during a regular wellness exam . If your pet is already going under anesthesia for a spay, neuter or dental, we can place it then, and they will never know it happened.

Once it is in, the chip is meant to last your pet's whole life. There is nothing to charge, replace or remember to put back on after a bath.

The step that actually matters: registration

A chip with no contact information behind it is just a number. The registration is what turns it into a phone call.

When we place a microchip, we register it to you before you leave. After that, the job is keeping it current. If you move, change your phone number, or adopt a pet who came with a chip from a previous home or rescue, the registry needs to hear about it. You can update your details online whenever something changes.

Here in Nashville, where plenty of us have moved across town (or across the country) in the last few years, old phone numbers on chips are a very common problem. A good habit is to check your pet's registration once a year, the same way you would check the batteries in a smoke detector.

Indoor cats count too

We hear "she never goes out" often, and we believe you. But indoor cats are the ones with no street sense when a door gets left open, a window screen pops out, or a storm spooks them during a move. They are also the least likely to be wearing a collar.

Collars and tags are still worth having on any pet who will tolerate them, because a neighbor can read a tag without a scanner. Tags fall off, though, and breakaway cat collars are designed to come off. The chip is the backup that stays put.

Already chipped? Let us check it

If your pet already has a microchip and you are not sure it is still registered to you (or you are not sure there is a chip at all), bring them by. We will scan for it at no charge and help you make sure the registration is up to date. It takes a minute, and it is a lot easier to sort out now than on the day you need it.

The short version

A microchip is a small, quick, one-time thing that makes it much easier for a lost pet to find their way back to you. Pair it with a collar tag, keep your phone number current, and you have done most of what can be done.

If you would like to add a chip at your pet's next visit, or just want us to scan an existing one, give us a call or request an appointment online . We are happy to help.

Where to walk your dog in Nashville this fall

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 17:23:52 GMT

October is the month Nashville dogs have been waiting for. The pavement has stopped being a griddle, the air smells like leaves, and the squirrels are busy and distracted. If your dog has been giving you the look since about July, now is the time to make good on it.

Here are a few places we like for a fall outing, along with the rules that trip people up and a short list of things to check before and after you go.

Warner Parks: miles of trail, one short leash

Percy and Edwin Warner Parks are hard to beat when the leaves turn. Dogs are welcome across the parks, with one exception: the Burch Reserve, which is closed to dogs.

The rule to remember is the leash. Dogs need to be on one, no longer than six feet, everywhere outside the fenced dog park. That means the long retractable leash stays in the car. A short leash is also your friend on wooded trails, where a deer or a very confident squirrel can turn a calm walk into a tug-of-war.

If your dog needs to run, the fenced off-leash dog park is at Edwin Warner, off Vaughn Road. The parks are open from sunrise until 11 p.m., and the dog park runs dawn to dusk.

Radnor Lake: yes, but only on the road

This one surprises a lot of people. Radnor Lake is a state natural area, and dogs are not allowed on the trail system or around the lake itself. Where you can bring them is Otter Creek Road, the paved road that runs through the park, as long as they stay leashed.

It is still a lovely walk, flat and shady with plenty to sniff. Just know before you go, so you are not standing at a trailhead explaining the sign to a very disappointed beagle.

Metro dog parks for the off-leash crowd

Metro Parks runs fenced dog parks all over town, including Shelby, Centennial, Two Rivers, Pitts, Fair Park and the Edwin Warner one mentioned above. Several have separate areas for large and small dogs, which is nice if your ten-pound terrier is not looking to wrestle a Great Dane. Most are open dawn to dusk.

A few of the posted rules are worth knowing ahead of time:

Dogs need to wear current rabies and ID tags.
Puppies under four months old are not allowed.
Leash your dog on the way in and on the way out.
Two dogs per handler, at most.
Leave dog food and treats outside the fence.

Dog parks are great for the right dog. They are also a place where lots of dogs share water, toys and germs. If your dog is shy, older, or new to the family, a quiet weekday morning is an easier first visit than a packed Saturday afternoon. And if your dog would honestly prefer a long sniffy walk with just you, that counts as a great day out too.

Before you go

A little prep makes the whole thing more fun:

Check vaccines. Dogs who mix with other dogs may need a few vaccines beyond the basics. Which ones depends on your dog and what they get up to, so give us a call and we can look at their record with you.
Stay on parasite prevention. Ticks here do not clock out when summer ends. Some species actually like cooler weather, so fall hikes in Middle Tennessee are still tick territory. Year-round flea, tick and heartworm prevention is the simplest way to stay covered.
Bring your own water. A bottle and a collapsible bowl beat a shared bowl or a murky puddle every time.
Make sure the ID is current. Tags should have a phone number you actually answer. A microchip is good backup, as long as the contact info registered to it is up to date.

When you get home

Take two minutes for a once-over. Run your hands over your dog and check the spots ticks like best: in and around the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, between the toes and around the tail. Look at the paws for burrs, cuts or cracked pads while you are down there.

If you find a tick and are not sure how to get it off, or a spot looks red or irritated afterward, call us and we will help. Same goes for limping that does not ease up after a day of rest, or a dog who seems off after a big outing. For anything that looks serious after hours, head to an emergency hospital.

See you out there

Fall in Nashville is short, so enjoy it. If your dog is due for vaccines or you are running low on prevention before your next adventure, you can request an appointment online or just give us a call. We would love to hear where you two ended up.

Is my pet overweight? How to tell at home

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:23:52 GMT

"He's just fluffy." "She's big boned." "It's his winter coat." We hear these in the exam room all the time, usually with a hopeful smile, and we get it. Extra weight sneaks up slowly, and when you see your pet every day it is really hard to notice.

The good news is you don't need a scale to get a decent read. You need your hands, your eyes and about thirty seconds.

The thirty-second home check

Vets use something called a body condition score, which is a fancy name for looking at shape and feeling for fat instead of relying only on a number. Here is the at-home version. It works for both dogs and cats.

Feel the ribs. Run your hands lightly along your pet's sides. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, a bit like running your fingers over the back of your hand. If it feels more like the palm of your hand, there is extra padding.
Look from above. Stand over your pet and look down. You should see a waist, a gentle tuck inward between the ribs and the hips. A shape closer to a loaf of bread means it is time to chat.
Look from the side. The belly should tuck up a little behind the ribs instead of hanging level or swinging low.

A couple of honest caveats. Thick coats hide a lot, so trust your hands more than your eyes on the fluffy ones. And many cats have a loose flap of skin on the belly that swings when they trot. That pouch is normal and is not the same thing as a round, firm belly.

Why a few pounds is a bigger deal than it sounds

Two pounds does not sound like much to a person. On a ten-pound cat, it is 20 percent of their body weight, and that is the point where vets start using the word obese.

Extra weight is linked with arthritis, diabetes (especially in cats), breathing trouble, high blood pressure and a shorter life overall. It also makes everyday things harder. Jumping on the couch, grooming, keeping up on a walk, staying cool in a Middle Tennessee summer.

We are not telling you this to make anyone feel guilty. Most pets gain weight because someone loves them and shows it with snacks. It is the most common preventable problem we see, and it is very fixable.

Small changes that actually help

You don't have to overhaul everything at once. These are the changes we see work.

Measure the food. Use a real measuring cup or a kitchen scale instead of a scoop and a guess. This one step surprises a lot of people.
Count the treats. Treats, table scraps and chews should add up to less than about 10 percent of the day's calories. If treats go up, the food bowl comes down a little.
Get everyone on the same page. If three people each give "just one" treat, that is not one treat. A family agreement helps more than any special food.
Swap food rewards for attention. A game of fetch, a belly rub or a lap around the block says "I love you" just as well.
Move a little more. For most dogs, aim for around 30 minutes of activity a day, and build up gradually if yours has been a couch potato. For cats, a few five-minute play sessions with a wand toy do the trick. Puzzle feeders make them work for dinner, too.

Go slow, especially with cats

Please don't put your pet on a crash diet. Slow and steady is safer for every pet, and for cats it really matters. A cat who suddenly eats far too little can develop a serious liver problem, so a cat's weight loss should always be gradual and planned with a vet.

It is also worth a visit before you start because weight changes are sometimes medical. A pet who gains weight without eating more, or loses weight without trying, should be checked out.

How we can help

We record weight and body condition at every visit, so we can show you the trend and tell you plainly where your pet stands. That is a normal part of a wellness exam .

If the number is heading the wrong way, we can help you pick the right food and the right amount, set a target and check in along the way. You can read more on our nutrition counseling page.

So try the rib check tonight. If you are not sure what you are feeling, or you would like a second opinion, give us a call at (615) 833-4423. No judgment, we promise. Half of us have a chunky cat at home too.

Why fleas and ticks never really take a winter off here

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:23:52 GMT

Every year around this time, somebody asks us if they can stop the flea and tick stuff until spring. It's a fair question. It's getting cooler, the bugs seem to be gone, and nobody enjoys buying one more thing.

Our answer is always the same, and we promise we're not just being difficult: in Middle Tennessee, please keep going. Here's the reasoning, so you can decide for yourself.

Our winters are too polite

Fleas and ticks need a long, hard freeze to really slow down, and Nashville doesn't hand those out very often. We get a cold week, then a 62 degree Saturday in January when everybody heads to the park. Ticks notice those Saturdays too.

The ticks we see most around here are the lone star tick and the American dog tick, and there's also the brown dog tick, which is perfectly happy living indoors all year. A mild afternoon is all it takes for one to climb onto a dog who's nose-down in the leaves.

Most of the fleas are in your house, and they can wait

This is the part that surprises people. The fleas you see on your pet are only the adults. The eggs, larvae and cocoons are down in the carpet, the couch cushions and the dog bed, and they make up most of the population.

One adult flea can lay dozens of eggs a day. Those eggs roll off your pet wherever they nap. And the cocoon stage is patient. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, a flea can sit tucked in its cocoon for months, waiting for something warm to walk by. Your heated living room in February suits it just fine.

That's why skipping a few months tends to backfire. The gap gives the ones in the carpet a chance to get going, and by the time you spot a flea, there are a lot more you can't see.

Yes, your indoor cat counts

We hear "but she never goes outside" a lot. Fleas don't need her to. They ride in on the dog, on your pant leg, or on a visiting pet, and once they're in, an indoor cat is a warm, fluffy buffet.

Cats are also very good at hiding it. They groom the evidence away, so the first clue is often a lot of scratching, scabs along the back, or thinning fur near the tail. This is also why every pet in the house needs to be on prevention. Treating only the dog leaves the fleas a backup plan.

One important safety note: never put a dog flea and tick product on a cat. Some dog products contain permethrin, which is very dangerous for cats. Only use products labeled for cats, and if a cat is ever exposed to a dog product, call us or an emergency hospital right away.

It's more than an itch

A few fleas can cause real trouble. Some pets are allergic to flea saliva and get miserable from just a bite or two. Fleas also carry tapeworms, and a heavy load of fleas can make a small kitten or puppy anemic.

Ticks carry diseases we do see in Nashville, including ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Those can make a dog quite sick, and they are much easier to prevent than to treat.

How prevention actually works

Here's the short version. Modern preventives come as a chew, a liquid you put on the skin, or a collar. They either kill fleas and ticks soon after they get on your pet, or stop flea eggs from developing, or both. The goal is to stop the cycle before it sets up shop in your house.

A few things that help it work:

Stay on schedule. A late dose is a gap, and gaps are where problems start. A phone reminder works great.
Treat everybody. Every dog and cat in the home, all year.
Use the right product for the right pet. Species, weight and age all matter.
Still do tick checks. After a hike, look around the ears, under the collar and between the toes.

Which product fits best depends on your pet and your household, so that's a conversation worth having with us instead of guessing in the pet store aisle. There's more on our parasite prevention page , and you can order refills through our pharmacy .

Not sure what your pet is on?

That's more common than you'd think, and we won't judge. Give us a call at (615) 833-4423 and we can look up what you've been using and whether it still makes sense. And if you've already spotted a flea, don't panic. Call us and we'll help you sort out a plan for the pets and the house.

Quiet signs your cat isn't feeling well

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:23:52 GMT

Dogs are terrible at keeping secrets. A sore paw gets a dramatic limp and a full report at the door. Cats are the opposite. A cat can feel pretty lousy for days or weeks and still stroll past you like everything is fine.

It makes sense when you think about where they came from. A small animal that looks sick in the wild looks like lunch, so cats learned to cover it up. That instinct did not go away when they moved onto the couch. The good news is that they do leave clues. You just have to know which ones to watch for.

Changes at the food and water bowl

You know your cat's routine better than anyone, so trust yourself when it shifts. A cat who suddenly picks at meals, walks away from a favorite food, chews on one side, or drops kibble is telling you something. So is a cat who is suddenly starving all the time, or who is draining the water bowl and hanging around the faucet.

One thing that surprises a lot of people: a cat who stops eating altogether should not be left to "get hungry enough." Cats who go without food can develop a serious liver problem fairly quickly, and overweight cats are at the highest risk. If your cat has not eaten in about a day, call us.

What the litter box is telling you

Nobody loves scooping, but it is one of the best health checks you have. Things worth noticing:

Bigger or more frequent clumps than usual, or far fewer
Lots of trips to the box with very little to show for it
Straining, crying, or spending a long time in there
Going outside the box when they never used to
Diarrhea, very hard stools, or blood

A cat who starts peeing on the bath mat is usually not being spiteful. Very often something hurts or something has changed in their body, and it deserves a look.

Grooming and how they look

Healthy cats are tidy. When a cat stops keeping up with grooming, the coat starts to look greasy, flaky or matted, especially over the lower back and hips where it is hard to reach with sore joints. Older cats with arthritis often show it this way first.

The flip side counts too. Licking one spot over and over until the fur is thin can point to itching, pain or stress.

Weight is another sneaky one. A pound does not sound like much, but on a ten pound cat it is a big deal. If you can suddenly feel the spine or hips more when you pet them, or the collar is looser, bring it up with us. Slow weight loss is easy to miss when you see them every day.

Small changes in behavior

These are the ones people tend to mention at the end of an appointment, almost as an afterthought, and they are often the most useful thing we hear all day:

Hiding under the bed or in a closet more than usual
Sleeping in a new spot, or not coming to greet you
No longer jumping onto the counter, the bed or the windowsill
Sitting hunched up and tucked in instead of stretched out and relaxed
Getting grumpy about being picked up or petted in a certain area
Becoming extra clingy, or yowling at night when they never did before
Bad breath or drooling

None of these on its own means something terrible is going on. But "she's just getting old" is not a diagnosis, and a lot of what gets blamed on age turns out to be something we can help with.

When to call us

If you notice one of these changes and it sticks around for more than a day or two, give us a call at (615) 833-4423. You do not need to be sure something is wrong. "He's just not acting like himself" is a perfectly good reason, and we would much rather see a cat early.

A few things should not wait at all:

A cat, especially a male cat, who is straining in the litter box and producing little or no urine
Breathing with the mouth open, panting, or working hard to breathe
Not eating anything for a full day
Repeated vomiting, sudden weakness or collapse, or trouble using the back legs

During the day we can often see sick cats the same day through our daytime urgent care . If we are closed, go to an emergency hospital.

The best trick we know

Since cats hide things so well, regular checkups do a lot of the detective work. A wellness exam gives us a weight to compare against last time, a look at the teeth, and for older cats, bloodwork that can pick up kidney and thyroid changes long before you would see anything at home.

You are the one who sees your cat every day, though, so you will always be the first to notice. If something feels off with your Nashville kitty, call us and we will figure it out together.

Fall allergies in pets: itchy skin, paws and ears

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:23:52 GMT

If you live around Nashville, you already know fall is a second allergy season. The ragweed shows up, the leaves pile up and get damp, and half the neighborhood is sniffling.

Your pets feel it too. They just show it differently. When people have allergies, we sneeze. When dogs and cats have allergies, they itch. So if the soundtrack at your house lately is lick, lick, lick, scratch, jingle, this one is for you.

What fall allergies look like in dogs

Allergies to things in the air (pollen, mold, dust) mostly show up in a dog's skin. The usual spots are the feet, face, ears, armpits and belly. Many dogs first show signs somewhere between six months and three years old, and it often starts out seasonal.

Things we hear from owners every October:

Paw licking and chewing. Sometimes the fur between the toes turns a rusty red-brown from all the saliva.
Scratching at the sides, armpits or belly, or rubbing their face along the couch.
Ear trouble. Head shaking, scratching at the ears, redness, a funky smell or dark gunk. For some dogs, ear infections that keep coming back are the only sign of allergies.
Red skin, scabs or thinning fur in the spots they keep working on.
Scooting or licking under the tail.

What it looks like in cats

Cats are sneakier about it. An itchy cat often looks like a very clean cat. You may never catch them scratching. You just notice that the fur on the belly or the inside of the back legs is getting thin, because they have been quietly licking it off.

Other signs in cats include small scabs (often around the neck and along the back), scratching at the head and ears, and red or irritated patches of skin. If you are finding more hairballs than usual, that can be a clue too.

Why the itch is worth dealing with

A little scratching is normal. The trouble starts when the itch does not let up. All that licking and scratching damages the skin, and damaged skin is an easy target for bacterial and yeast infections. Those infections are itchy too, so the whole thing feeds on itself. Ears work the same way.

It is also worth knowing that several things look alike. Fleas, food allergies, mites and skin infections can all cause the same scratching. Flea allergy is a big one here, since fleas stay busy in Middle Tennessee well into fall, and it only takes a bite or two to set off an allergic pet. If your pet is not on year-round flea prevention , that is the first thing we will ask about.

What helps at home

You cannot keep a dog out of the yard until the first frost, but a few simple habits can take the edge off:

Wipe paws and bellies with a damp cloth after walks to get the pollen off before it gets licked off.
Wash bedding weekly in hot water, and vacuum the spots where your pet naps.
Bathe if your vet recommends it. The right shampoo and schedule depend on your pet's skin, so ask us before you start.
Keep leaf piles from sitting wet. Damp leaves grow mold, and plenty of dogs love to dive right in.
Stay current on flea prevention for every pet in the house, including the indoor cat.

One big caution: please do not give human allergy medicine, or leftovers from another pet, without checking with us first. Some products are fine for some pets at the right amount, and some contain ingredients (like decongestants) that are dangerous for dogs and cats.

When to come in

Give us a call if you notice any of these:

The itching has gone on for more than a few days, or keeps your pet (or you) up at night
Broken skin, scabs, bald spots, or a moist red "hot spot"
Head shaking, a smelly ear, or an ear that hurts to touch
The same problem coming back every year around this time

At the visit we will look over the skin and ears, check for fleas and infection, and talk through what has and has not worked before. There is no single test that proves a pet has environmental allergies, so part of the job is ruling out the look-alikes. From there, there are good options for calming the itch and keeping it under control, and we will help you find a plan that fits your pet.

Swelling of the face, hives or any trouble breathing is a different story. That needs to be seen right away, so call us or head to an emergency hospital.

The short version

Fall itching is common around here, and it is very treatable. You do not have to wait for it to get bad. If your dog is chewing their feet or your cat is licking themselves bald, request an appointment or call us at (615) 833-4423 and we will take a look.

Thanksgiving table foods: what pets can and can't share

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:23:52 GMT

Your dog has been planning for Thanksgiving since roughly last Thanksgiving. Your cat is pretending not to care while sitting eighteen inches from the turkey. And somewhere at the table, a soft-hearted relative is already sneaking bites under the tablecloth.

We get it. Sharing food is how a lot of us show love. So here is the same rundown we give in the exam room: what is fine to share in small amounts, what should stay on your plate, and what to do if someone (no names) helps themselves.

What is okay to share

Think plain and think small. A few bites added to their regular dinner is plenty.

Turkey meat. Fully cooked, boneless, skinless, and without the gravy or seasoning. White meat is the leanest choice.
Plain green beans. Before they turn into casserole.
Plain sweet potato. Cooked, with no butter, sugar or marshmallows.
Plain pumpkin. Cooked or canned pumpkin on its own, which is a very different thing from pumpkin pie filling.

The trick is to set a little aside while you are cooking, before the butter, onions and salt go in. Cats usually only care about the turkey, and a couple of small shreds will make their whole day.

What to keep off their plate

Most Thanksgiving trouble comes from two things: rich, fatty food and a handful of ingredients that are truly toxic to pets.

Turkey skin, gravy, drippings and buttery sides. Fatty foods are hard for pets to digest, and even a small amount can set off pancreatitis, a painful condition that often means a hospital stay.
Bones. Poultry bones can splinter and injure the digestive tract. No bones for dogs or cats, cooked or otherwise.
Stuffing and dressing. Almost always made with onions and garlic, which are toxic to both dogs and cats (cats are especially sensitive).
Grapes and raisins. These can cause kidney failure, and they hide in salads, stuffing and desserts.
Chocolate and desserts. Chocolate is toxic, and pies and sweets are too rich for pets anyway.
Anything sugar-free. Xylitol, a sweetener used in some sugar-free baked goods, candy and gum, can be deadly for dogs.
Raw yeast dough. Unbaked roll or bread dough keeps rising in a warm stomach, which causes painful bloating and can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol. Keep drinks up off the coffee table. Pets do not need to join the toast.

Watch the trash and the counters

A lot of the calls we get the day after a holiday start with "he got into the garbage." The turkey carcass, the string, the foil, the greasy paper towels: to a dog, that bag smells like the best thing that has ever happened.

Take the trash out as you go, and put the carcass in a tied bag inside a closed bin, ideally outside or behind a shut door. Push cooling dishes to the back of the counter. Cats can jump higher than you think, and so can a determined Lab.

Give your guests the rules

You can do everything right and still get undone by a kind uncle with a plate of scraps. A quick "please don't feed the pets" when people arrive goes a long way, especially with kids.

If you want to give folks something to do, put out a small dish of your pet's regular treats or that plain turkey you set aside, and let guests hand those out. Everybody gets to feel generous and nobody ends up at the vet.

If your pet gets overwhelmed by a full house, a quiet room with a bed, water and a favorite toy is a nice gift for them, too.

If your pet eats something they shouldn't

Please do not wait for symptoms, and skip the home remedies. Call us and tell us what they ate, about how much, and when. During clinic hours we can often see sick pets the same day, so call ahead and we will be ready for you.

If we are closed (and we know Thanksgiving trouble loves a holiday), call an emergency hospital or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). The Nashville area emergency hospitals we work with are listed on our emergency info page .

Signs that should never wait include repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful belly, weakness, trembling, or a pet who just seems very off.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us

A few plain bites of turkey, a closed trash can and a heads-up to your guests will cover most of it. Then you can get back to the important business of arguing about whether it is called stuffing or dressing here in Middle Tennessee.

If you have questions about what your pet should be eating the rest of the year, or you are working on a weight plan, we are always happy to talk food. You can read about nutrition counseling on our services page , or give us a call.

Gray muzzles and slower mornings: caring for a senior pet

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:52 GMT

One day your dog beats you to the door for every walk. Then somewhere along the way you notice a little gray on the muzzle and a longer pause before the stairs. Cats do it even more quietly. They just nap a bit more and stop visiting the top of the fridge.

Getting older is not a disease, and plenty of senior pets have years of good living ahead of them. But their bodies do change, and those changes are a lot easier to manage when we catch them early. Here is what we talk through with owners of older pets.

When is a pet a "senior"?

It depends on who you are asking about. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats are generally considered senior after about age 10. Dogs vary by size. Small and medium dogs usually hit senior status somewhere between 8 and 11, large breeds around 8 or 9, and giant breeds as early as 6 or 7.

So a 7-year-old Great Dane and a 7-year-old Chihuahua are living in very different chapters. If you are not sure where your pet falls, ask us at your next visit and we will tell you how we think about it for their breed and size.

What changes as pets age

Some slowing down is normal. Some of it is a health problem that looks like slowing down. The usual suspects in older dogs and cats include:

Joints. Arthritis is very common. It shows up as stiffness, trouble getting up, or skipping stairs and jumps.
Teeth. Dental disease builds over the years and can make eating painful.
Kidneys, heart and liver. These organs can start to struggle long before a pet looks sick. Kidney disease is especially common in older cats.
Weight. Extra pounds are hard on joints and raise the risk of problems like diabetes. Unexplained weight loss is a red flag too, especially in cats.
Eyes and ears. Some loss of vision and hearing is common with age.
Lumps and bumps. Many are harmless. Cancer does become more common in older pets, though, so new lumps are worth having checked.
The brain. Some senior pets develop changes in thinking and memory, a bit like dementia in people.

Signs worth a phone call

You know your pet better than anyone, so trust your gut when something seems off. These are the changes we most want to hear about:

Drinking or peeing a lot more than usual
Weight loss or gain you cannot explain
Eating less, or chewing oddly or dropping food
Limping, stiffness, or not wanting to jump, climb or go for walks
Accidents in the house or outside the litter box
Seeming confused, restless at night, or more vocal than normal
A new lump, or an old one that is growing or changing
Coughing, heavy breathing, or getting tired quickly

Cats deserve a special mention here, because they are experts at hiding discomfort. A cat who stops grooming her back end, sleeps in a new spot, or quits jumping on the bed is often telling you something.

None of these signs tells you what is wrong on its own. They just mean it is time for us to take a look.

Why checkups matter more in the later years

Pets age faster than we do. A lot can change in a year for a 12-year-old dog, which is why the AVMA suggests senior pets see their vet at least twice a year.

A senior visit is still a nose-to-tail exam, but we pay extra attention to weight, joints, teeth, heart and any new lumps. We will often recommend bloodwork and a urine test too. Those can pick up kidney, liver or blood sugar changes early, sometimes before you would notice anything at home.

Catching things early usually means more options and a more comfortable pet. It also gives us a baseline, so we can tell what is new and what is just your pet being your pet. You can read more about our wellness exams and other services here .

Small changes at home that help

A few simple tweaks can make an older pet's day a lot easier:

A thick, supportive bed somewhere warm and away from drafts
Rugs or runners on slick floors
Ramps or steps up to the couch, bed or car
A litter box with a low entry, on the floor your cat spends the most time on
Shorter, gentler walks more often (handy during a sticky Middle Tennessee summer, too)
Keeping food, water and furniture in the same places if eyesight is fading

Food matters as well. Older pets can have different nutrition needs, so ask us before switching diets or adding supplements. And please check with us before giving any pain medicine. Some human pain relievers are dangerous for pets.

Here for the golden years

Senior pets are some of our favorite patients. They have earned the good bed and the extra treats (in moderation, sorry).

If your dog or cat is getting up there in years, or if something on that list above sounds familiar, give us a call or request an appointment . We are happy to talk through what is normal aging and what we can do to help.

Taking your dog to a Nashville patio (and being invited back)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:23:52 GMT

Patio season in Nashville has two good stretches: spring, and right now. The humidity has finally let go, the afternoons are comfortable, and plenty of places around town are happy to have your dog lying under the table while you eat.

Here are a few patios that welcome dogs, followed by the part we care about most as your vet: how to make the outing easy on your dog and on everyone sitting near you.

A few dog-friendly patios to try

Nashville has dozens of these, so think of this as a starter list. Dog policies can change, and patios sometimes close for private events, so give the place a quick call before you go.

Edley's Bar-B-Que (12 South). A covered patio on a very walkable street, so you can pair lunch with a stroll and wear your dog out first.
Fat Bottom Brewing (The Nations). Dogs are welcome on the back patio, and there is room to spread out.
Tennessee Brew Works (near downtown on Ewing Avenue). Covered outdoor seating where dogs can join you, handy on a drizzly day.
Drifters BBQ (East Nashville). A laid-back Five Points patio where leashed dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables.

In all of these, dogs belong in the outdoor seating only. Indoor dining rooms are for service animals.

Is your dog a patio dog?

Some dogs love this. Some would honestly rather be home on the couch, and that is fine too.

A good patio dog can settle on a mat for a while, is not bothered by strangers walking close by, and can ignore other dogs at the next table. If your dog is nervous in crowds, reactive on leash, or guards food, a busy Saturday patio is going to be stressful for them. Try a quiet weekday afternoon first, pick a corner table, and keep the first visit short.

Puppies who have not finished their vaccine series should skip busy dog spots for now. If you are not sure where your puppy stands, call us and we can check their record.

Patio manners that keep everybody happy

Walk first. A dog who has already sniffed, stretched and pottied will settle much faster.
Use a regular leash. Six feet or shorter, held or looped around your wrist or chair leg. Retractable leashes and servers carrying hot plates do not mix.
Four on the floor. Keep paws off tables and chairs, and keep your dog tucked under or beside your table and out of the walkway.
Bring your own bowl and a mat. Shared water bowls are a nice gesture, but they are also a good way to swap germs. A small towel or mat gives your dog a "spot" and keeps them off hot or cold concrete.
Ask before greeting. Not every dog (or person) on the patio wants a new friend.
Bring bags. You know why.

What not to share from your plate

Those eyes are hard to resist, we know. But restaurant food is where a lot of upset stomachs start, and a few common items can be truly dangerous for dogs:

Grapes and raisins
Onions and garlic (including in sauces, rubs and slaw)
Chocolate desserts
Anything sweetened with xylitol, which shows up in some sugar-free items
Macadamia nuts
Alcohol, including the beer that sloshed onto the ground
Cooked bones, especially rib and chicken bones, which can splinter

Rich, fatty barbecue trimmings are not toxic, but they can cause vomiting and diarrhea and sometimes more serious trouble. The safest plan is to pack a few of your dog's own treats or a chew, and keep an eye on what falls under neighboring tables.

If your dog does grab something off that list, do not wait to see what happens. Call us, or call an emergency hospital if we are closed. Our post on when to call us and when to go straight to the ER has the details.

Know when to call it a day

Dogs tell you when they are done. Watch for heavy panting, yawning, lip licking, whining, pacing, or trying to hide behind your legs. Those are signs of a dog who is stressed or overheated, and the kind thing is to ask for the check.

Even in October, a sunny Middle Tennessee afternoon can get warm on a concrete patio. Pick the shade, offer water often, and be extra careful with flat-faced breeds, seniors and heavy-coated dogs.

See you out there

A well-mannered dog on a patio is one of the small joys of living here. If you would like to make sure your dog's vaccines and parasite prevention are up to date before they start their social season, you can request an appointment or just give us a call. And if you find a great patio we missed, tell us at your next visit. We are always taking recommendations.