Our Blog

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

🎃 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...

Algae Awareness for Austin Dog Owners
Blue-green algae cause illness (or death). Keep your pets out of affected waters.

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...

Canine Parvovirus: Potentially Deadly & Expensive to Treat
Puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs are susceptible to 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...

Disaster Preparedness for Pet Families
Families with cats & dogs can plan ahead with these simple tips

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 in Cats & Dogs
Why monthly prevention is essential for your pet

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...

Grain-Free Foods Cause Heart Disease in Dogs
Rethink your pet’s diet. Choose nutrition that supports long-term heart health.

3 minute readSeemingly 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....

From Fragile to Thriving: Cici’s Tale
How love and devotion saved a shelter kitten’s life

3.5 minute readIt’s important to protect cats and dogs from local wildlife who might see our pets as a tasty meal, especially at night.When Dr Rebecca Davies met Cici, a fragile kitten with a fighting spirit, it was the start of a story of resilience, compassion, and...

Season for Caring: Firehouse Gives Back
Providing medical care for pets and families

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...

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...

Summertime Tips

May 27, 2020

Summertime in Texas -- A great time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer! Whether it’s boating on one of our lakes, hiking along the Greenbelt, or road tripping, Firehouse Animal Health Center has you covered on health and safety tips for...

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...

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