​Is sunny weather planned for your spring break this year? Well we’ve got you covered with our Top 7 Spring Break Tips for you and your furry friend!

1.) Research the location and phone numbers for local emergency veterinary hospitals near your vacation spot.

2.) Bring your RAHU Integrative Veterinary Emergency Kit (available on our website) so you can be prepared for the unexpected! Having a travel kit of medications/supplements/bandages for injuries, mild GI upset/loose stool from the stress of travel or an herbal anti-inflammatory can be a lifesaver! Also put any current medications/supplements in the kit. Make sure you put a copy of your current Rabies tag number and any medical information you might need in your Kit.

3.) If you’re traveling south, make sure you bring an herbal flea and tick spray with you. While pests up north go away for the winter, they may be year-round in warmer climates. 

4.) You may need to give heartworm (HW) prevention once you return from your trip. If you travel to a place where there are active mosquitos, medication for HW should be given after exposure. If a mosquito with HW bites your pet, the medication will kill the parasite if given within 60 days. If you prefer to avoid the use of HW prevention, you can test a full HW panel after exposure. Talk to your veterinarian about the best time interval for this blood test.

5.) If you plan to use herbal calming agents for your pet during travel, be sure to test their reactions to them BEFORE leaving for your vacation. Always talk to your veterinarian about safe options for your pet. 

6.) Avoid making any changes to your pets diet or medications/supplements right before (or during) your trip unless absolutely necessary. If there’s an unwanted reaction it may be more difficult to manage if you are away from your primary veterinarian. 

7.) Make sure your pet's identifying tags and microchip registration are up-to-date with a current cell phone that you will have with you when you are away.  Keep the microchip company's phone number and their identifying number for your pet on a card in your wallet. 

With these health tips we hope you and your pets can stay wildly happy and healthy this holiday season!!!

"Cats are the number-one pet in America, and we spend more annually on cat food than we do on baby food. Aloof, cuddly, sensitive, selfish, sweet, tough, complicated, playful, silly, elegant, unpredictable, and incredibly resilient, cats are highly entertaining."

Cats certainly are "unpredictable" and we here at RAHU love them for that. However, it can be a little tricky when it comes to providing them with wild health. Take a look at this list created by, Dr. Barbara Royal for ways to keep your cat cool.

• Owners with multi-cat households should be aware of each singular cat's nature and provide safe havens for troubled or trouble making cats (like cat trees or a room only they can access).
• Procure the right number of litter boxes. The solution for this is to have a box for each cat and then add one more. Four cats, five litter boxes. 
• Choose a few quiet places for the boxes that are easy to access.
• Clean the litter box daily. Cats have a superior olfactory sense. Use a chemical-free litter. 
• Don't use an uncomfortable mat, or sharp plastic grass in front of the box. 
• If you have multiple cats, maintain multiple food and water stations to decrease stress. Are these bowls easy to access? Cats are desert animals, and by the time they feel thirsty, they may already be dehydrated. If they are feeling intimidated, it may add to a health problem. If your cat is fighting kidney or urinary issues or diabetes, plentiful water is a must. 
• Feed your cat a "Catkins" diet--a low-carb diet. Feeding a cat a high--carb diet is a disaster in many ways. Carb-heavy diets increase the incidence of obesity and are associated with diabetes, inflammatory bowel problems, and allergies. Without the carbs, cats with these conditions improve and lose weight. If your cat is underweight, have your vet rule out all possible underlying issues, such as parasites, hyperthyroidism, and kidney disease, and then feed more of a high-quality food.