Our Blog

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

Firehouse: Caring for Families & Their Pets
Supporting Austin’s underserved families with pet care

3 minute read“We do everything the pet needs,” says Dr Brianna Armstrong, Medical Director of Firehouse183. “It’s an incredible opportunity to provide healthcare with an underserved community.”“We give because pets bring joy to their humans and offer support during...

Garden Mushrooms: A Danger To Pets
Keep your dog or outdoor cat safe after it rains

3 minute read Dogs (and outdoor cats) are curious. They might sniff, lick, or eat things they discover during walks or backyard playtime.Garden mushrooms are a year-round hazard for dogs and outdoor cats in Central Texas. That’s because our lawns become breeding...

Spotting Ear Infections in Pets
Recognize the signs and learn treatments for cats and dogs

5 minute readDr Natalie Davis’s tips for managing ear infections are: 1) Regularly clean your pet's ears with vet-approved cleaners, 2) Keep ears dry after swimming or bathing, and 3) Consult your vet for accurate diagnosis and treatment.Dr Natalie Davis is our newest...

Cat Skipping Meals? Here’s What To Know
Guidance for pet parents on next steps

2 minute read Cats shouldn’t go through phases of not eating. Any significant reduction in food intake could be a sign of an issue. Stella, a 5-year-old domestic shorthaired cat, recently stopped eating her favorite tuna-flavored kibble. Her pet dad Doug...

Dog Not Eating? Here’s What You Need to Know.
The causes and when it’s time to call the vet

2 minute read If your dog is behaving normally, is responsive, and alert, there’s no need for immediate concern. However, call us if your dog has missed more than two meals, is lethargic, vomits, or has loose stools. When Lucy the doodle stopped eating in May, her dog...

Help! My Pet Vomited. What’s Next?
Quick tips for a sick cat or dog

2.5 minute readDr Sherry Hill, Medical Director and veterinarian at Firehouse Cedar Park, offers tips for a vomiting pet.Last Saturday, Lucy, a playful Golden Retriever, threw up after her usual morning walk. Her owner, Jenna, panicked and wondered what to do next....

What’s the right amount of exercise for your pet?
Drs Barbara Boechat and Michelle Henthorne offer advice

4 minute readDrs Boechat and Henthorne chat about exercise. They advise walking your dog a little every day instead of a lot all at once.Picture riding your bike on a sunny day with your dog trotting beside you. His ears are flapping in the wind and you’re delighted...

Summer Safety for Pets
Dr Sherry Hill, Medical Director of Firehouse Cedar Park, and Dr Kristen Ussery offer their advice

2 minute readPrep for a healthy summer alongside your pets with Dr Sherry Hill and Dr Kristen Ussery’s safety tips. Let’s keep our pets safe this summer. We’ve asked Dr Sherry Hill and Dr Kristen Ussery to share their tips and stories with us as we head into the...

Furry Friends: What Their Quirky Habits Mean
Understand your cat and dog to strengthen bonds

3 minute readTake your relationship to the next level by understanding your pets’ nonverbal cues.Your pets are full of fascinating quirks and behaviors. Dogs and cats use interesting cues to let owners know their state of mind. In this blog, two of our Firehouse...

A Guide: Vaccinations for Cats and Dogs
Our careful, common sense approach. Customized for your pet.

3.5 minute read Firehouse customizes immunization plans for each pet. We’ll chat at your pet’s yearly check-up. Then, we recommend only the vaccines your pet needs based on your lifestyle and environment. Our advice is conservative and based on common sense. Vaccines...

Pets Cannot Transmit or Contract COVID-19

Mar 9, 2020

Updated April 2, 2020: We've brought you the good news that your pet cannot transmit COVID-19 or become sick with it. And you're likely getting more snuggles in these days. So we hope you're hanging in there! Our team pulled together their go-to "tips and tricks" to...

Jessie’s Story

Feb 27, 2020

A ten-year-old stray dog goes from shelter pet to best sister ever Earlier this year, Austin Animal Center brought Jessie to Firehouse Westlake. Jessie is a ten-year-old stray who was found on the streets of Austin and in desperate need of some healthcare. When we did...

Tips for brushing your puppy, kitten or full-grown pet’s teeth

Jan 23, 2020

We wrote about the importance of annual dental check-ups and professional cleanings in our blog last year. An annual professional dental cleaning is truly the only way to keep pets’ teeth healthy. Here’s a quick refresher: -Bacteria that form on your pet’s teeth can...

You were gifted a puppy or kitten for the holidays. Now what?

Jan 3, 2020

Congratulations! We know that this is an exciting time, but also there is a lot to do and adjustments to be made to make sure your pet is happy and healthy. So, what are the immediate next steps? Dr Ashley Opyt, Medical Director at Firehouse Kyle, says "The first two...

The Holidays are Here!

Dec 3, 2019

The Holiday season is upon us and so is the hustle and bustle of this busy time of year. As visitors come and go, keep an eye on your pet to ensure they don't escape through an unintentionally open door. In fact, now would be a good time to get a microchip if your pet...

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!

Nov 6, 2019

While you sit down to Thanksgiving feast in your finest stretchy pants, remember that certain kinds of human food can cause tummy upset, diarrhea, or possible food poisoning in our furry friends. It’s always best to keep your pets on their regular diet, even during...

Halloween Safety Tips

Oct 14, 2019

Boo! Halloween will be here soon. While you are busy celebrating, keep in mind that this spooky holiday can be an extremely scary time for your pets! The constant doorbell ringing and noise of eager trick or treaters might cause unnecessary stress to our favorite...

A Little Bit of Prep Work Can Make a BIG Difference During Natural Disasters

Aug 28, 2019

Natural disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, and floods can catch us off guard -- even in Austin ---- if we’re not prepared. When we have pets who depend on us, it's especially important to consider a disaster preparedness plan. Quick tips before unpredictable weather...

Please Switch Your Dog to a Non-Grain-Free Diet

Jul 17, 2019

The FDA released data at the end of June that links grain-free diets – and food rich in peas, lentils, soy or other legumes -- to heart issues in dogs. At Firehouse, we never recommended grain-free diets because we never saw any evidence that these diets provided a...

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