Your cat might be a part of your family, but there are certain things about its behavior that might still remain a mystery to you. One such phenomenon is hairballs. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do cats get hairballs, and what can I do about it?”, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Northwoods Veterinary Clinic, located in the heart of North Charleston, SC, we believe in educating our pet owners about their furry friends’ health. Understanding Cat Hairballs: What Are They? Cats are meticulous groomers. As they clean themselves with their rough tongues, loose hair is often swallowed,
Read More

Dogs might lick their paws for many reasons. Most of them are not of any concern to pet owners, but if the behavior starts to become obsessive, it can be a reason for dog owners to worry. Pets who groom their coats or their paws too much can cause skin infections and other problems like fungal infections as well. Knowing more about what kinds of paw-licking behaviors are normal can help you to identify behavior that requires medical attention. Dogs of all ages will lick their paws from time to time, but you need to know enough about this behavior
Read More

While you might never have had to deal with this issue, many dogs can suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave home. This problematic behavior can lead to health issues, destructive behavior, and problems with keeping your dog confined to the yard or even the home. Dogs with separation anxiety need careful management of their condition to prevent them from harming themselves or causing destruction to everything around them. Dog owners should know more about this condition so that they can be sure about the steps to take to treat their pets if they start showing signs of this
Read More

Dogs can have swollen ears for many reasons. You might never have to deal with this problem, but if your dog has a swollen ear in North Charleston, SC, it is helpful to know what to do to take care of the problem. Dogs with swollen ears can end up with lots of secondary problems like infections. This is why it’s so important to get your dog to the vet right away if its ear is puffy or inflamed. Swollen ears can be caused by ear mites, infections, and things like excessive grooming. Hot spots can also be a factor
Read More

It’s no secret that dogs love peanut butter, but is it really okay for your pet to have crunchy peanut butter specifically? Crunchy peanut butter has small pieces of peanuts throughout, which some pet owners worry can cause problems for their pets. In the article below, you’ll find out more information about whether or not it’s okay to give your dog crunchy peanut butter and what it can do for your pet as well. Read through this guide to get a better idea of which type of peanut butter, if any, is best for your furry friend. Creamy vs. Crunchy
Read More

Many of us have experienced the misery of dealing with allergies! The runny, stuffy nose, and itchy puffy eyes make you want to climb in bed with a box of tissues and a bottle of decongestant. Unfortunately, your pup also experiences these symptoms and more! Your sweet pup can’t just run to the local drug store and pick up some allergy medication for themselves, so they rely on you to feel their best! If you want to learn about dog allergies and the symptoms to look out for in North Charleston, SC, keep reading! How Do You Know if Your
Read More

During the hot summer months, overheating and heatstroke both become serious issues for dogs around North Charleston, SC. Dogs who are left unattended in a hot car for any length of time are at the greatest risk for overheating. However, even a dog who is outdoors on a hot day and plays too hard may risk overheating as well. As a pet parent, it is important to understand what to look out for so that you can prevent your dog from overheating. 6 Common Signs That Your Dog is Overheating In this article, we’ll walk you through six of the
Read More

As a cat owner, you probably find yourself dealing with scratches to your furniture, your belongings, and maybe yourself sometimes, too. Scratches are just part of having a cat, but they can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with at times.. This is why some cat owners may consider surgery to declaw their cat—but declawing is not a good option! It is a medically unnecessary procedure and Northwoods Vet Clinic  does not endorse it! This surgery is banned in some countries and some states within the U.S. Declawing (medical term: onychectomy)  is the amputation  of the end of the toe
Read More

Cats are incredibly adept at hiding their pain. In the wild, this is helpful to keep predators from knowing they’re vulnerable. Unfortunately for cat owners, this instinct makes it difficult to know when your cat is in pain in North Charleston, SC. Here are some signs to look out for. Main Signs to Look out for Listed below are the main signs of a cat in pain to look out for: Lethargy Considering the average housecat sleeps twelve to sixteen hours a day it may be hard to tell if they are laying around more than usual. If you notice
Read More

Cats can be extremely picky about what they eat. Whether it is from pain, illness or just plain stubbornness, they may turn their noses up for reasons you can’t even come up with. Unlike a lot of animals, missing meals may lead to real trouble for your feline friend. So as a cat owner, what can you do to get your kitty interested in food again? Read on to learn more. Common Causes of Why Your Cat Isn’t Eating The first step is to figure out why your cat is not eating, and your veterinarian in North Charleston, SC should
Read More