Our Blog

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

Can Pets Tell Time? The Science Behind Animal Time Perception

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

🎃 Fear Free Costume Tips for Pets

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

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

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

5 Ways to Support Pets With Separation Anxiety

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

Protect Your Dog from Blue-Green Algae in Central Texas Waterways
Tips to avoid toxic exposure in local lakes and rivers

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

Prevent Life-Threatening Canine Parvovirus
Your puppy (or adult dog) needs to be vaccinated against this disease

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

Pet Safety During Natural Disasters
Stay calm with our tips for evacuations, hotel stays, and returning home

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

Heartworm Disease: Every Pet Owner Needs These Tips
Prevention is the best defense against this silent threat

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

The Grain-Free Pet Food Trend: It’s Dangerous for Your Dog’s Heart Health
Dogs should stick to traditional, carbohydrate-based diets to avoid heart issues

3 minute read Seemingly healthy grain-free pet diets aren’t helpful to a dog's health. In fact, research shows they cause issues with the heart.“Everybody just wants what’s best for their pets,” says Dr Natalie Davis, a veterinarian at Firehouse 183 in Austin, Texas....

Love at First Purr: Cici’s Story
Dr Davies’ family (and Firehouse Round Rock team!) found the ultimate Valentine in Cici

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

Humping: Dogs Mount For More Than Sexual Reasons
There’s no reason to be embarrassed, but action is required if it’s constant

Feb 13, 2021

2 min readMale and female dogs hump buddies due to sexual instinct, to play, or to command control. Call us if this has become a habit for your pet.Is there anything more awkward than your dog humping another dog at the park? Perhaps sniffing a guest’s groin. But...

Non-anesthetic dental procedures don’t work
Anesthesia is safe and provides your pet with a stress-free and pain-free cleaning.

Feb 2, 2021

Cats and dogs won't sit still for a dental cleaning. Anesthesia is the only way a vet can remove disease-causing bacteria from your pet’s teeth and gums.Recently, we’ve seen non-anesthetic dental procedures...

New guidelines: fix your cat by 5 months
Cats can live longer when spayed or neutered one month earlier

Jan 12, 2021

Raj the cat might look a bit nervous, but really Feline Fix by 5 is a more humane option: It reduces disease, improves behavior and controls unwanted cat populations.Research indicates a decrease in cancer, behavioral issues, overpopulation, and infections. Firehouse...

Firehouse awarded top Austin workplace
For the third year, your veterinary hospital ranked among the best places to work

Dec 3, 2020

Our win is your win: a happy team can focus on keeping your pets healthy! It’s also confirmation that our behind-the-scenes team building is working. Your pet benefits when our team feels valuable Every team member knows they're an important part of fulfilling our...

Nourish Your Pet with the Best Diet

Nov 3, 2020

You are what you eat! The saying is true for pets, too. Good nutrition is the single most important thing you can do to help your pet live a happy, healthy, and long life. That’s why we ask what you feed your pet at every visit. What is the best diet for an overweight...

Firehouse Makes An Impact Through Giving

Aug 12, 2020

Dr Justin Nelson at Firehouse Belterra (pre-COVID) helping a pet from WAG Shelter.Our charitable giving and community involvement reflect a deeply rooted commitment to lifelong wellness for animals that extends beyond the walls of our hospitals. When we launched...

Firehouse Pet Resort – coming to Round Rock this September

Jul 22, 2020

Firehouse Pet Resort – coming to Round Rock this September – will offer your cats and dogs an abundance of bells and whistles The team at Firehouse Animal Health Centers will offer your pets a new service starting this September: boarding and daycare for cats and...

Pets and Pet Parents: Fear the Vet No More

Jul 14, 2020

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

Firehouse Now Carries CBD Chews and Oils for Your Pets

Jun 11, 2020

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

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