Vacation, business trips, family weddings, etc. -- whether traveling for amusement or work, your pet is not usually invited. What do you do with your pet while you're away? You can ask a friend or family member to take him, but they have busy lives, and it's hard to ask someone to inconvenience themselves for your pet. That's why pet boarding is a splendid option for your travels.

Recently people have realized the benefits of a more natural approach to medicine and healing. It's not unheard of for even mainstream health care supporters to try acupuncture or herbal supplements for maximum health. It makes a lot of sense to apply these new discoveries about holistic medicine to our pet friends too. Have you ever considered approaching your animal's health with a holistic mindset? Does this sound appealing, but you're not exactly sure where to get started? A holistic vet can guide you to the right resources and information.  

Doggie daycare -- is it the perfect fit for your fluffy pal? Daycare provides a good fit for energetic dogs, dog that are currently in a training program, and timid dogs. Check out the pros for each situation.

The energetic dog.

Daycare is a wonderful option for your energetic, extroverted dog. You know how it goes. He snoozes and mopes all day long, storing up energy and then the moment you enter the door he then unleashes it on you. You're tired from a long day's work, but he's rearing to go. If he's been at daycare all day, he won't have such a serious case of cabin fever and you'll only have to take him for a walk if you want to. A tired dog means a well-behaved, low-maintenance dog.

It's flat out embarrassing when your pet decides to act up. Whether it's biting a child or jumping on your guest, chasing cars or barking at night -- it shouldn't be happening. You can prevent such behavioral issues with proper pet care and the right kind of help.

In July 2015  all of the Treasure Valley news outlets reported a bat was found in South West Boise that tested positive for rabies. This is the first report of an Idaho wild animal with the disease in 2015. A total of 11 bats and one skunk tested positive for rabies in 2014, two of those were from Ada County and two in Canyon County.

If your pet has just gone through a tissue injury, surgery or some other life-changing event, you want to find the best care you can possibly find. There are vets near you and me that can offer that high-quality care you've been searching for.

Canine rehabilitation is important. Primary care vets are awesome, and while they may be able to tell you that the x-ray reveals a soft tissue injury, a rehab vet (someone who specializes in neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions) would be able to pinpoint exactly what it is (like a bicep strain, medial shoulder instability, etc.) They know how to treat each individual condition with expert care.

It's not a good sight. It's not a good sound. Your dog scratching himself is simply just not a good thing. Do you know what's causing those extra itches? Are you seeing little to no improvement despite trips to your local vet?

Skin issues are in the top 10 health concerns of pet owners. Because of the wide variety of problems (like mites, skin allergies, breed-related genetic problems, hair loss, hormone issues, ear infections), your local vet may not have the experience you need to tackle this one.

It's June here in the lovely Treasure Valley and it's about to hit 100+ degrees.

Wait. What?

It's true, the heat is coming early and in full force. Now is the time to take a few extra steps to ensuring you and your furry friend have an enjoyable summer.

A Pet Vaccination Clinic probably doesn't sound like the most fun place to visit, but it is one of the most necessary places to visit. Why? Because it is YOUR job to protect your pet from diseases. Vaccines are a tool to help you do just that.

1. Gerbils are social.

It's a good idea to get gerbils in 2s or 3s because of their social nature. Introduce them to each other through a split cage so they can make friends slowly. Your gerbil also loves attention from you. Handle him frequently so he is tame. That way you can enjoy his companionship and inspect him for health needs so you'll know when to get pet care.