Our Blog

Why Your Indoor Cat Still Needs Annual Exams

If your cat spends their days lounging on a sunny window, watching birds from behind the glass, and never setting paw outside, it’s easy to assume they’re low-risk when it comes to health concerns. Many cat owners believe indoor living protects their pets from illness and injury. While it certainly reduces some risks, it doesn’t eliminate the need for regular veterinary care.

Annual exams are one of the most important ways to protect your indoor cat’s long-term health.

Raw and Freeze-Dried Diets: What Pet Owners Should Know

Choosing the right diet for your pet can feel overwhelming. With so many feeding trends and strong opinions online, it’s natural to want to make the healthiest choice possible. In recent years, raw and freeze-dried diets have become increasingly popular, often marketed as more “natural” or closer to what pets would eat in the wild.

At Easthampton Animal Hospital, we understand why these diets appeal to caring pet owners. However, based on veterinary research and clinical experience, we advise against feeding raw and freeze-dried diets due to serious health risks for pets and the people who care for them.

Winter Wellness for Senior Pets

Winter can be a beautiful season, but for our senior pets, it also brings unique challenges. Older dogs and cats often feel the effects of cold weather more intensely than their younger companions. Joint stiffness, reduced mobility, and changes in appetite or energy can all become more noticeable once temperatures drop. December is the perfect time to give senior pets a little extra attention so they stay comfortable, healthy, and happy throughout the season.

Thanksgiving Leftovers: What’s Safe (and What’s Not) for Your Pets

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and of course, great food. As the smells of turkey and pie fill the house, it can be hard to resist those pleading eyes at your feet. But before you share a taste of your holiday meal with your pets, it’s important to know that not every dish on your table is safe for cats and dogs. Some Thanksgiving foods are perfectly fine in moderation, while others can lead to stomach upset, or in more serious cases, a trip to the emergency vet.

At Easthampton Animal Hospital, we know your pets are part of the family, and keeping them healthy during the holidays starts with a little knowledge and planning.

Fall Pet Safety Tips: Keeping Your Pets Healthy This Season

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, fall brings cozy evenings, festive celebrations, and plenty of outdoor adventures. While it’s a favorite season for many families, it also comes with unique hazards for pets. From tempting foods to seasonal décor and colder nights, it’s important to be mindful of the challenges that autumn can bring. By staying alert and making small adjustments, you can keep your furry friends safe, happy, and healthy all season long.

Senior Pet Care: How to Keep Your Aging Dog or Cat Comfortable and Healthy

Our pets bring us so much joy throughout their lives, and as they grow older, their needs change. Senior dogs and cats require special care to maintain their health, mobility, and overall quality of life. By understanding the unique challenges that come with aging, pet owners can take proactive steps to ensure their companions remain happy and comfortable in their golden years.

Check the Chip Day – Why This Tiny Device Matters So Much

Every year on August 15, veterinary clinics and animal lovers across the country recognize Check the Chip Day, a timely reminder about the power of microchipping and the importance of keeping your pet’s information up to date.

At Easthampton Animal Hospital, we see firsthand how one small chip can make all the difference. Whether you’re a longtime pet parent or just welcomed a new furry friend into your home, this day is a great opportunity to check in and make sure your pet is protected.

New Policy on Third-Party Pharmacy Requests – Effective July 1st, 2025

At Easthampton Animal Hospital, your pet’s health and safety are always our top priority. With that in mind, we want to inform you of an important policy change regarding how we process prescriptions through online pharmacies.

🚫 Starting July 1st, 2025, we will no longer approve prescription requests from third-party pharmacies such as Chewy, 1800PetMeds, Amazon, and similar vendors.

If you choose to use one of these services, we are happy to provide you with a written prescription which can be submitted directly to the pharmacy of your choice. Written prescriptions can be picked up at our hospital or emailed to you for your convenience.

Why We’re Making This Change

We understand that online pharmacies offer convenience—but we’ve seen firsthand the risks they can pose. Here’s why we’re making this decision:

🐾 1. Product Safety Is Non-Negotiable

Not all online medications are created equal. In fact, many third-party sellers are not purchasing directly from manufacturers, meaning some products may be expired, counterfeit, or improperly stored. This can result in ineffective—or even harmful—treatments for your pet.

🐾 2. Frequent Errors in Prescriptions

We’ve encountered numerous cases where third-party pharmacies have:

Dispensed the wrong dosage or incorrect medication
Approved medications without a valid veterinarian prescription
These errors can have serious health consequences for pets, and unfortunately, they’re more common than you’d expect.

🐾 3. Time Away from Patient Care

Online pharmacies often bombard us with multiple daily requests via fax, email, and even phone calls—many of which are duplicate or unnecessary.
These interruptions take valuable time away from our veterinary team and can delay prescription approvals for all clients. In some cases, refills are requested even when the pet owner hasn’t asked for one.

🐾 4. Dosing & Refill Tracking Concerns

When prescriptions are filled externally, we lose the ability to accurately track refills and ensure proper dosing intervals, which compromises patient safety. Consistency in care matters—and we want to ensure every prescription is handled with precision.

What You Can Do Instead

If you prefer the convenience of online ordering, we encourage you to use our trusted online pharmacy, which ensures:

Manufacturer-approved products
Proper storage and shipping practices
Accurate prescription fulfillment
Easy refill tracking and communication with your pet’s care team

We’re always here to support your pet’s wellbeing—and we appreciate your understanding as we implement this change to maintain the highest standard of care.

📩 Questions? Give us a call at (413) 527-1010 or email us at [your contact email].

🩺 Thank you for trusting Easthampton Animal Hospital with your pet’s health.

Bringing Home a Rescue Pet? Here’s How to Start Off Right!

Adopting a rescue dog or cat is a wonderful way to change a life—yours and theirs. Whether you’re welcoming your very first furry friend or adding another companion to the family, those first few weeks can be both exciting and overwhelming. Here’s how to make the transition as smooth and joyful as possible for your new pet.

Springtime Pet Safety: Seasonal Hazards and Health Tips

As the flowers bloom and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors with your four-legged family members. But with all the fun that spring brings, it also comes with a few hidden hazards for pets. At Easthampton Animal Hospital, we want to help you keep your furry friends safe and healthy all season long. Here’s what to watch for as you and your pet step into spring!