Why Does My Dog Follow Me to the Bathroom?

Written by Santa Cruz Pet on December 30, 2022. Posted in General.

When you go to the bathroom, you assume you’ll have privacy while you do your business, but your dog usually has other ideas. Your four-legged friend might accompany you more often than not.

When your dog watches your every move, you might wonder, “Why does my dog follow me to the bathroom?” Tucson’s trusted veterinarian provides answers that might surprise you. If you have any serious concerns about your dog’s health, call us at (520) 889-9643. Continue reading to learn more about your furry friend’s quirky habits.

Safety in Numbers

Early humans bred dogs from wolves. Your furry friend shares many traits with the wolves you see in nature documentaries.

Wolves have intricate social structures and travel in packs. Each pack usually contains between four and nine members.

This trait carries over into domesticated dogs. As pack animals, dogs seek safety in numbers. With more individuals involved, the world seems safer and more fun for your pup.

For Protection

Most dog breeds naturally have protective traits when it comes to their favorite human. Even if you have a small breed, your dog wants to keep you safe. From a dog’s perspective, a pack member’s vulnerability increases when they use the bathroom.

Obviously, you feel safe in your own home. But think about showering or going to the toilet outdoors; you’d feel exposed while staying alert for danger. Your dog views the world this way, so it offers an extra pair of eyes to watch your back.

For Companionship

As social animals, dogs want companionship during most activities. A happy dog has a rich, stimulating social life. It doesn’t understand concepts of privacy like you.

So your dog provides companionship during all activities. However, this need for regular companionship can also translate into separation anxiety. The signs of anxiety extend beyond the bathroom.

If you notice that your dog gets nervous when you leave home, you may need to address an anxiety issue. Other signs include destructive behavior when you leave and resource guarding against other people or animals. You can usually mitigate these issues with positive reinforcement.

Out of Curiosity

When asking, “Why does my dog follow me to the bathroom?” you might discover that your dog does it out of curiosity. Dogs have a high level of intelligence. Some dogs can solve simple problems or understand a diverse vocabulary.

Your dog might wonder what you’re doing there. Bathrooms provide a plethora of scents connected to you.

They learn why you smell a certain way, detect what you eat, and learn where you’ve been. They’ll use scents from clothes and your body to learn about your day.

Keep Your Furry Friend’s Health in Check

Want to learn more about your furry friends? Our experienced veterinarians at the Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic can provide a wealth of knowledge. Now that you have the answer to “Why does my dog follow me to the bathroom?”, learn about other subjects like separation anxiety of greyhounds.

Schedule a checkup or address a health issue for your pet by calling us at (520) 889-9643.

Summer Pet Safety: 5 Best Practices

Written by Santa Cruz Pet on May 30, 2022. Posted in General.

Keeping your pet safe and happy in the summer requires a few extra steps. You can review the best tips for summer pet safety with our Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic team. We offer veterinary services in Tucson, AZ. Find out more by calling us at 520-889-9643.

1. Keep Your Pets Out of Hot Cars

The temperatures outside can quickly shoot past 100 degrees in Tucson during the summer months. Cars, even if you have the windows cracked, intensify this heat. Temperatures can climb by more than 20 degrees in only a few minutes, representing a health risk for your furry friend.

Cats and dogs do not sweat, so they overheat more quickly. Ten minutes in a hot car can have deadly results for pets. If you do leave your pet in a hot car, keep an eye out for these symptoms associated with heatstroke:

Shallow panting
Tacky gums
Sunken eyes
Lethargy

Get your pet to a vet as quickly as possible if you notice any of the above.

2. Monitor Pets Around Pools

Part of summer safety involves ensuring safe pool usage. Cool water can feel very tempting on a warm day, even to our animal companions. They often jump into or enter pools in an attempt to cool down and stay comfortable.

However, many pets have a difficult or impossible time getting out of a pool once they get in. Therefore, monitor your pets around above or below ground pools to ensure they do not drown.

3. Watch Out for Parasites

Many pets spend more time outside in the summer months, enjoying the sun and pleasant weather. Unfortunately, fleas, ticks, and other parasites also become more active during this time of the year. Apply flea and tick medications to your pets as recommended and check them regularly for signs of parasites.

4. Give Your Pet Shade and Water

If your pet spends time outside, make sure they have access to both water and shade. Because pets don’t sweat, they have a more challenging time regulating their temperature through the hottest parts of the day.

If you believe your pet may have gotten too hot but not yet experienced heatstroke, you may wipe them down with a moist cloth. This strategy helps simulate the cooling effects of sweat, allowing your pet to cool down more quickly.

5. Bring a Travel Bag if You Go on a Trip

Summertime represents a chance for you to get out and enjoy the world. If you bring your pet with you, it’s good to pack a specialized pet travel bag. Include things like:

Fresh water
Food
Travel bowls
Toys
Treats

You may also consider including first-aid items to keep your pet safe.

Learn More About Summer Pet Safety

Do you want more summer pet safety tips? Reach out to us to learn more and discuss your other pet care needs. We handle general appointments, problems with your dog’s teeth, and more.

Call Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic at 520-889-9643 for an appointment in Tucson, AZ.

When to Take Your Pet to the Vet: Top 7 Signs

Written by Santa Cruz Pet on January 28, 2022. Posted in General, Dog Health Issues.

Pets are a vital part of the family, but communicating with them can often be difficult. They may not be able to talk, but certain behaviors are cause for concern. For this reason, you want to be sure you can recognize the signs of distress and know when to take your pet to the vet.

If your pet begins to display any of these signs, have them come in for veterinary services in Tucson from Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic right away.

Different Eating Habits

While skipping a meal here and there isn’t usually an issue, not eating for two or more days is concerning. Often pets will do this if they have a mouth injury or are sick, or immediately following being spayed or neutered. When the opposite occurs, and your pet is unusually hungry, it may be a sign of a serious medical issue. Both are signs that your pet needs to see a vet as soon as possible.

Drinking More Water

Pets will often drink more water when the weather is warmer or activity increases. It becomes a problem if they drink excessively for several days without reasonable cause. This may be an indication of kidney disease or diabetes.

Strained Breathing

A notable sign of when to take your pet to the vet is labored breathing, fast panting, or shallow breaths. When this occurs in sync with sudden inactivity, weight loss, and coughing, it may signify a serious lung condition.

Vomiting

Like humans, pets will occasionally vomit to rid their bodies of something that didn’t agree with them. However, if they vomit blood for more than once in 12 hours, don’t wait too long before taking them to a vet. Vomiting that occurs along with diarrhea, lethargy, and a poor appetite can indicate dehydration or more serious conditions that require medical attention immediately.

Noticeable Eye Changes

A pet’s eyes can show signs of illness and should be seen by a vet if they remain dilated or constricted. Other indicators of when to take your pet to the vet are unusual discharge, drooping, or the third eyelid covering part of their eye.

Persistent Coughing

While an occasional cough is usually nothing to worry about, your pet will require medical attention if it continues for more than two days. There are various reasons they may be coughing, so testing would be needed to make a proper diagnosis. Common reasons your pet may be coughing include an infection, kennel cough, or something lodged in their throat.

Pet Shows Signs of Pain

One of the most apparent indicators that a pet needs to see a veterinarian is when they show signs of pain. These may include limping, flinching, yelping, crying, panting, hiding, and unwillingness to move. A vet can help narrow down the source of the pain and resolve the issue quickly.

Taking Your Pet to the Vet

Vet visits are often stressful for our pets and can lead to anxious behaviors. Here are tips when taking your dog to the vet compiled by our Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic team to make your visit as seamless as possible. Call us at 520.889.9643 today to make an appointment.