Flea Control: A Pet Owner’s Guide Every fall, we face the same challenge: flea infestations. Despite what many pet owners think, fleas don’t disappear after Labor Day. In fact, fall is for fleas, and at Best Friends Veterinary Care in Nesconset, New York, we are seeing an influx of itchy dogs and cats whose owners [...]

Welcome to Happy Cat Month! While the Best Friends Veterinary Care team believes that your cat’s happiness is an everyday priority, the CATalyst Council™ created this official recognition to raise awareness about feline well-being. Here are some tips for measuring your cat’s mood, followed by seven secrets to making your cat happy. The happiness purr-ometer: [...]

Welcome to the world of pet health, where each breed has its own set of strengths and endearing qualities—and challenges. At Best Friends Veterinary Care, we often see pets impacted by breed-specific health conditions. Learn how to help your special breed of pet by understanding and anticipating the specific conditions they may develop with our [...]

Medicating your pet can be challenging, especially when they struggle or spit out the medication. Pets often resist taking their medicine because of their unfamiliar taste or smell, or simply because they sense something unusual. However, with the proper techniques and patience, you can successfully medicate your pet and minimize your own and your pet’s [...]

Proper nutrition is essential for your pet’s health and well-being, but with so much information available online and in the media, it’s easy to fall prey to common misconceptions about what to feed your four-legged friend. To help clear up the confusion, our Best Friends Veterinary Care team explains the truth about some common myths [...]

In addition to dental disease and obesity, skin conditions are among the most common health issues affecting cats and dogs. By learning how to identify skin problems in your four-legged friend, you can save them from the discomfort and irritation myriad allergens, parasites, and pathogens cause. Our Best Friends Veterinary Care team outlines some of [...]

Cats are known for their cleanliness, but even the most fastidious feline needs a proper litter box setup to ensure success. A well-designed litter box, along with suitable litter and appealing placement, goes a long way in helping your cat feel comfortable to use their box. In this guide, our Best Friends Veterinary Care team [...]

Curious pets explore with their mouths, which can put them at risk of ingesting things they shouldn’t. Human medications, often kept in unsecured cabinets and on countertops, can be mistaken for tasty treats, posing a threat to your pet’s health. Our Best Friends Veterinary Care team wants to empower you with the knowledge you need [...]

Periodontal (i.e., dental) disease is one of the most common health issues in veterinary medicine, but the condition is often only identified in its advanced stages. Periodontal disease generally affects the teeth and surrounding areas (i.e., gums, mouth, jaw) by causing gum swelling, tooth root infections, and tooth loss. The condition can also lead to [...]

Welcoming a furry friend into your home brings immeasurable joy and companionship. As the advocate for your pet’s health and wellbeing, you are in the perfect position to provide your four-legged friend with the best possible care, and one invaluable tool to help with that is pet health insurance.  However, navigating the finer points of [...]